"And do not say of those who are slayed in Allah's path that they are dead

The Islamic creed (aqeedah) is based on authentic and unambiguous divine texts. Furthermore, the interpretation of texts must be from authentic sources. Those who use Quraan 2:154 as a proof for supporting the saying: the Awliyaa of Allah are alive in their graves are in grave error. They seek to use the Quran to support sainthood, which is alien to Islam. The text of the verse in question reads: "and do not say of those who are slayed in Allah's path that they are dead, rather they are alive but you perceive not." The saying that this verse means: the Awliyaa of Allah are alive in their graves is incorrect for the following reasons: 1. It is stated in Asbab Al-Nuzul, by Al-Wahidi: This verse was revealed about those Muslims who were killed at Badr. They were fourteen in total: eight from the Helpers and six from the Migrants. This is because people used to say about any man who was killed for the sake of Allah: So-and-so has died and will miss all the comfort and pleasures of this worldly life. And as a response, Allah, exalted is He, revealed this verse.1 A similar explanation is provided in Tanwr al-Miqbs min Tafsr Ibn Abbs: Allah thereafter mentions the saying of the hypocrites apropos the martyrs of Badr, Uhud and all the other battles: " So-and-so has died and lost all comfort and happiness", this in order to aggravate sincere believers, and so Allah says: (And call not those who are slain in the way of Allah) in obedience of Allah, on the Day of Badr or in any other battle ("dead") like any other dead people. (Nay they are living) they are rather living like those living in Paradise, being provided with comfort and bounties, (only ye perceive not) you are not aware of the honour bestowed upon them or of their real state.2 2. In the verse, Allah, exalted is He, refers to those slayed in His path, in other words, the Shaheeds (martyrs). The verse is specific for this special group of believers, whom Allah has chosen for a special honour, on account their sacrificing their lives in His path. Nowhere in this verse is the term waliyy or Awliyaa used. More so, not every Awliyaa of Allah is blessed with martyrdom in His path. 3. With regards to the words: and do not say of those who are slayed in Allah's path that they are dead, Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi (in Tafhim al-Qur'an [The Meaning of the Qur'an]), said:

It is forbidden to refer to those who are martyred for Allah's sake as "dead" because the very word "death" and its thought are very discouraging, and kill the spirit of self-sacrifice and the urge to fight in the way of Allah. Instead, the Muslims are told to believe that those who fall martyrs in the way of Allah in fact enjoy eternal life. And this is a reality which revitalises and keeps alive the spirit of courage and valour.3 4. The statement: rather they are alive in the verse must be understood as explained by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Ibn Katheer cited a hadith (in Saheeh Muslim) in his explanation of the verse in question. The hadith goes thus: The souls of the martyrs are inside green birds and move about in Paradise wherever they wish. Then they will take refuge in lamps that are hanging under the Throne (of Allah). Your Lord looked at them and asked them: what do you wish for? They said: what more could we wish for while you have favoured us with what You have never favoured any of Your creation? He repeated the question again. When they realized that they will be asked (until they answered), they said: we wish that You send us back to the earthly life, so that we fight in Your cause until we are killed in Your cause again. The Lord than said: I have written that they will never be returned to it (earthly life) again.4 The martyrs are given another life with their souls in green birds in Paradise. They exist in a form we (on earth) do not perceive. In the new existence, they are alive in the sense that they are enjoying pleasures beyond what we can imagine. Theirs is not an earthly existence anymore. We have no connection with them, and neither do they have with us. The belief that people without any earthly existence can influence our lives is a major shirk. This is so, irrespective of how religious those people were during their days on earth.

The concept of Walaayah

Walaayah may be defined as divine friendship.5 Allah, exalted is He, chooses specific individuals as His friends (Awliyaa [plural of Waliy]). These individuals are known to Him alone; thus, Muslims are not permitted to designate any specific individual as a Waliy. The Quran provides us with guidance on what criteria Allah uses to choose His Awliyaa.: Allah, exalted is He, said: Behold! Certaily, no fear or grief shall overtake the Awliyaa of Allah, those who believe and have Taqwa. Quraan 10: 62-63

He also said: verily, His (Allahs) Awliyaa are only those who with Taqwa, but most of mankind do not realize that. Quraan 8:34 It is clear from these verses that the criteria for wilaaya are Taqwa (piety) and Eeman (faith). Since these are matters of the hearts, it is not correct for human beings to assign special status to particular individuals and designate them as Awliyaa of Allah. Unfortunately, this practice is prevalent among some Muslims, for example, the Sufis. They have adopted Christian mythology and set up an order of saints, who are venerated by ignorant Muslims. They visit the saints graves, seek help from them, believing they can hear them and respond to their requests. The act of seeking help from saints (or any other creation for that matter) is nothing short of shirk (associating partners with Allah [exalted is He]). Those who commit this act associate partners with regards to Allahs Lordship by believing that the dead can influence their lives. They equally associate partners with Allah with regards to ibaadah (worship) by praying to the dead.

Certainly, Duaa and asking for help are forms of worship, as Allaah says: And your Lord said: Invoke Me [i.e. believe in My Oneness (Islamic Monotheism) and ask Me for anything] I will respond to your (invocation). Verily, those who scorn My worship [i.e. do not invoke Me, and do not believe in My Oneness, (Islamic Monotheism)] they will surely enter Hell in humiliation! [Quraan 40:40] Also, according to a report narrated by al-Tirmidhi, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: Duaa is worship. From the above, it is clear that it is not permissible to make duaa to or call upon anyone except Allaah. Allah, exalted is He, makes it clear that those they call other than Him do not hear. Even if they hear, they certainly cannot respond. And those, whom you invoke or call upon instead of Him, own not even a Qitmeer (the thin membrane over the date stone). If you invoke (or call upon) them, they hear not your call; and if (in case) they were to hear, they could not grant it (your request) to you. [Quraan 35:13-14]

References: 1. Asbab Al-Nuzul by Al-Wahidi. From: http://www.altafsir.com

2. Tanwr al-Miqbs min Tafsr Ibn Abbs. From: http://www.altafsir.com 3. Mawduudi. 4. Sohih Muslim/ ibn Kathir 5. Bilaal philips Tafhim al-Qur'an. From: http://www.englishtafsir.com/Quran/2/index.html#sdfootnote155sym