Islam's Reformers .pdf

has bestowed upon His Messenger is that He accepts thoseprayers sent through his right, through his high rank. For theperson who disbelieves this blessing, the greatest loss is hisdeprivation of it. Rasûlullah (sall-Allâhu ’alaihi wa sallam) wasput as an intercessor when he was alive, too. An-Nasâ’î and at-Tirmidhî reported that a blind man came to Rasûlullah (’alaihi ’ssalâm).He begged him to pray so that his eyes might open.Rasûlullah (’alaihi ’s-salâm) said to him, ‘I will pray if youwish, but you can be patient if you like. Patience will bebetter for you.’ When the man said, ‘I would like you to pray. Ihave nobody to lead me. I am in great difficulties,’ Rasûlullah(’alaihi ’s-salâm) said, ‘Perform ablution and then say, “O myRabb! I turn towards Thee through Thine Beloved Prophet,whom Thou hast sent as a blessing upon people. I ask fromThee! O Muhammad (’alaihi ’s-salâm)! I turn towards myRabb through thee. O my Allah! Make him an intercessorfor me!” ’ Also Imâm al-Baihakî reported that the blind manstood up and, blessed with the sense of sight, walked away.Rasûlullah (’alaihi ’s-salâm) himself did not pray but taught himthe prayer. He wanted him to turn towards Allâhu ta’âlâ, toentreat Him and to put Rasûlullah (’alaihi ’s-salâm) as anintercessor and wished his prayer to be accepted in this way.He was and has been put as an intercessor both when he wasalive and after his death. The Salaf as-Sâlihîn, after his death,said this prayer very often and attained their wishes through it.As reported by at-Tabarânî and al-Baihaki, a man whoserequest was not accepted by the Caliph ’Uthmân (radiy-Allâhu’anh) went to Hadrat ’Uthmân ibn Hanîf, a Sahâbî, and askedhis help. He taught him this prayer. When he approached theCaliph after saying the prayer, his request was accepted. In ahadîth reported by at-Tabarânî, Rasûlullah (’alaihi ’s-salâm),when praying, said, ‘For the right of Thine Prophet and Thineother prophets preceding him’. Tawajjuh, tawassul,istighâtha and tashaffu’ through him, through other prophetsor Awliyâ’ all mean the same thing. Islam has also declared itpermissible to put some kind of deed or ’ibâda as anintermediary. The Hadîth informs that, of old, some people whowere imprisoned in a cave, entreated by mentioning their olddeeds done only for the sake of Allâhu ta’âlâ and the stone thathad plugged the opening of the cave opened the way and theywere rescued. While a prayer is accepted for the sake of one’s- 142 -