QUESTION:
What do the scholars of the Dīn and muftīs of the Sacred Law state regarding the following issue: A person who presents himself as a practitioner or possessor of spiritual power, shows scenes of healing illnesses by blowing on social media, cannot even recite the Quran or the Kalimah correctly, uses sacred topics and conferences like the Finality of Prophethood for his own publicity and financial benefit, and when confronted with scholarly challenges regarding his claims from people of knowledge, he chooses to flee—what is his status according to the Shariah? And is it correct for the scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah to warn against him?
Questioner: Adil from Birmingham, UK
ANSWER:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحیم
الجواب بعون الملک الوھاب اللھم ھدایة الحق والصواب
A person possessing the aforementioned characteristics is, according to the Shariah, a fake practitioner, a trickster, and a seller of the faith. Relying on his blowing, healing, and claims is impermissible and sinful. It is obligatory upon the common people to avoid such a person and to warn others of his deception. For the scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah to speak openly against such a person falls under the category of ‘enjoining good and forbidding evil’ and is commendable and praiseworthy.
Because, the first point is that giving cure is a specific attribute of Allah, the Exalted. Allah says:
وَ اِذَا مَرِضْتُ فَهُوَ يَشْفِيْنِ۪ۙ
[Surah Ash-Shu’ara: 80]
Translation: (Prophet Ibrahim, peace be upon him, said) “And when I am ill, it is He who cures me.”
Therefore, to definitively and absolutely attribute healing to one’s own self, hand, or blowing is, according to Shariah, a false and misleading claim.
The second point is that severe warnings exist in Hadith regarding false claims and trickery. As the Final Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, said:
مَنْ تَشَبَّعَ بِمَا لَمْ يَنَلْ، فَهُوَ كَلَابِسِ ثَوْبَيْ زُورٍ
Translation: Whoever claims to have what he has not been given is like one who wears two garments of falsehood.
[Musnad Imam Ahmad,Vol: 14, Page: 143, Hadith: 24593]
This Hadith applies to every person who makes a false claim of miraculous ability (Karamat), healing, or spiritual power.
The third point is that using religion as a means of worldly gain is forbidden. Allah the Exalted says:
وَ لَا تَشْتَرُوْا بِاٰيٰتِيْ ثَمَنًا قَلِيْلًا١ٞ
[Surah Al-Baqarah: 41]
Translation: And do not exchange My verses for a small price.
The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, said:
مَنْ طَلَبَ الْعِلْمَ لِيُمَارِيَ بِهِ السُّفَهَاءَ اَوْ لِيُبَاهِيَ بِهِ الْعُلَمَاءَ اَوْ لِيَصْرِفَ وُجُوهَ النَّاسِ اِلَيْهِ، فَهُوَ فِي النَّار
Translation: Whoever seeks knowledge to argue with the foolish with it, or to boast before the scholars with it, or to divert people’s attention towards himself with it, then he is in the Fire.
[Sunan Ibn Majah,Chapters on the Sunnah, Page: 170, Hadith: 253]
When such a warning exists regarding knowledge, then using religion, spirituality, and the Finality of Prophethood merely for earning money is, by greater reason, forbidden.
The fourth point is that the Shariah ruling regarding a fake practitioner and soothsaying (magic/trickery) is explained in Hadith. The Noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, said:
مَنْ اَتَى كَاهِنًا اَوْ عَرَّافًا، فَصَدَّقَهُ بِمَا يَقُولُ، فَقَدْ كَفَرَ بِمَا اُنْزِلَ عَلَى مُحَمَّدٍ
Translation: Whoever goes to a soothsayer or a fortune-teller and believes in what he says has disbelieved in what was revealed to Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family.
[Musnad Imam Ahmad,Vol: 15, Page: 331, Hadith: 9536]
The jurists have clarified that every person who claims unproven spiritual power, supernatural effect, or unnatural healing falls under the ruling of a soothsayer, and going to him is at the very least forbidden.
And regarding such people, the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, said:
يَكُونُ فِي آخِرِ الزَّمَانِ دَجَّالُونَ كَذَّابُونَ، يَاْتُونَكُمْ مِنَ الْاَحَادِيثِ بِمَا لَمْ تَسْمَعُوا اَنْتُمْ، وَ لَا آبَاؤُكُمْ، فَاِيَّاكُمْ وَاِيَّاهُمْ، لَا يُضِلُّونَكُمْ، وَلَا يَفْتِنُونَكُمْ
Translation: At the end of time, there will be great deceivers and liars. They will bring to you narrations that neither you nor your forefathers have heard. So beware of them, lest they mislead you and put you to trial.
[Sahih Muslim, Vol: 1, Page: 12, Hadith: 7]
The dramatic scenes of healing shown on social media are a practical depiction of this Hadith. And using the Finality of Prophethood for worldly benefit is impermissible, as stated in the Holy Quran:
وَ لَا تَلْبِسُوا الْحَقَّ بِالْبَاطِلِ
[Surah Al-Baqarah: 42]
Translation: And do not mix the truth with falsehood.
Therefore, if the purpose of a Finality of Prophethood (Khatm-e-Nabuwwat) event is to earn money, that act becomes forbidden, no matter how sacred the name may be.
The fifth point is that it is obligatory for scholars to refute such a person. The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, said:
اَلدِّينُ النَّصِيحَة
Translation: Religion is sincere advice.
[Sahih Muslim,Book of Faith, Vol: 1, Page: 74, Hadith: 55]
Speaking against a fake practitioner is not backbiting (Gheebah) but rather public advice. As Imam Ahmad Raza, may Allah have mercy on him, states in Fatawa Ridawiyyah: Backbiting is forbidden except in exceptional circumstances, for example: backbiting a sinful person regarding his sin is permissible.
[Fatawa Ridawiyyah, Vol: 24, Page: 358]
And in a similar manner, the Ummah was warned about such ‘Pirs’ (spiritual guides). As the Noble Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and his family, said:
اِنَّمَا اَخَافُ عَلَى اُمَّتِي الأَئِمَّةَ المُضِلِّين
Translation: What I fear most for my Ummah are the misleading leaders.
[Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Chapters on Trials, Vol: 4, Page: 504, Hadith: 2229]
Warning the public against such people is in accordance with the Sunnah and for the welfare of the Ummah. And demanding proof for false claims is the practice of the Prophets, as Allah the Exalted, quoting the statements of the Prophets in the Quran, says:
قُلْ هَاتُوْا بُرْهَانَكُمْ اِنْ كُنْتُمْ صٰدِقِيْنَ
[Part 1,Surah Al-Baqarah: 111]
Translation: Say, “Produce your proof, if you should be truthful.”
A person who is upon truth does not run from proof, does not fear investigation, and faces the questions of the people of knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid every gathering of such a person.
والله تعالی أعلم ورسوله أعلم صلی الله علیه وآله وسلم
کتبه أبو الحسن محمد قاسم ضیاء القادري
Answered by Mufti Qasim Zia al-Qādiri
Read the original Urdu answer here: [Q-ID0880] What is the ruling on this internet personality by the name ‘Pir Chuff Chuff’ who claims to cure people by blowing into a microphone?
