Istimdad — Seeking Help from Other than Allah

Question

(1) Zayd says that istimdad (seeking help) from other than Allah is haram, whether in the state of life or after death, and whether it be the prophets ﵈ or the righteous, the awliya and others. In his argument Zayd cites the noble verse: [ar]إِيَّاكَ نَعْبُدُ وَإِيَّاكَ نَسْتَعِينُ[/ar] “You alone we worship, and You alone we ask for help” (Surah al-Fatiha, 1:5) — and also cites the hadith: [ar]إِذَا اسْتَعَنْتَ فَاسْتَعِنْ بِاللهِ[/ar] “When you seek help, seek help from Allah.

Answer

(1) The method of istimdad from the people of the graves which is current among the common people nowadays is haram — indeed, shirk — because the common people believe that the people of the graves hear our voice from every place and possess independent knowledge and power, such that from every place they can help us in every way. This belief is shirk.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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