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A Composed Dialogue
87
A man by the name of Abdullah 1 met a man named Abd-un-Nabi 2 and felt
apprehension of this name, thinking, “How can someone make himself the slave and
worshipper of someone other than Allah?!” Abdullah thus addressed Abd-un-Nabi,
saying: “Do you worship someone other than Allah?” Abd-un-Nabi replied. “No! I
do not worship anyone other than Allah. I am a Muslim and I worship Allah alone.”
Then why does your name resemble some Christians names, like Abd-al-
Maseeh 3 . It’s not strange to hear this name amongst them since they worship Jesus
(). Those that hear your name will immediately think that you worship the
Prophet (). This is contrary to Muslim belief about the Prophet. Muslims do
believe that Muhammad () was a Messenger of Allah, but still they must believe
that he was merely a slave and worshipper of Allah.
But Prophet Muhammad () is the best human ever raised amongst
humanity, and he is the leader of all Messengers. We name ourselves with this name
seeking its blessings and seeking to draw near to Allah by his elevated status and
special position. We seek intercession of the Prophet () by his status and position.
That’s not all, my brother's name is Abd-ul-Hussein 4 and my father’s name is Abdur-Rasool
5 . Calling ourselves by these names is an old and wide custom amongst
our people. Don’t be too strict in this issue. The matter is simple and religion is easy.
This is another issue even worse than the first: to seek from other than
Allah what only He can give. Calling upon the Prophet () or someone lesser in
status, such as Hussein () or other righteous people, for something that only
Allah is able to give is an act in total contradiction to the Tawheed which we have
been commanded to implement. It is in direct opposition to the meaning of the
statement Laa Ilaaha Ill-Allah.
I shall present to you some examples that will show you the importance of this
issue, and that there are terrible consequences for calling oneself by these names. I
have no goal or intention except to clarify the truth and follow it, to make falsehood
clear and to avoid it, and to enjoin goodness and forbid evil. Only Allah is the only
One who helps, and we place our trust in Him. There is no power or strength except
by Allah (). But before I do so, let me remind you of the saying of Allah ():
“The answer of the believers, when summoned to Allah and His Messenger, in
order that He may judge between them, is no other than this: they say, 'We
hear and we obey’.” [24:51]
And Allah said: “And if you dispute about anything, refer back to Allah and His
Messenger if you truly believe in Allah and the Last Day.” [4:59]
Now… you said that you declare that Allah is One, and that you testify Laa
Ilaaha Ill-Allah. Can you explain its meaning?
Tawheed is to believe that Allah exists, that He created the heavens
and the earth, that He gives life and death, that He controls all existence, and that
1 Abdullah literally means the slave/worshipper of Allah.
2 The slave/worshipper of the Prophet.
3 The slave/worshipper of the Messiah, i.e. Jesus. This is a common name among Arab Christians.
4 The slave/worshipper of Hussein, the grandchild of the Prophet and son of Ali.
5 The slave/worshipper of the Messenger.