Is it right to follow Tableegh Jammat’s teaching on supplication to graves?

‘Waseelah’ is the word used to describe the point you are trying to make. Waseelah means to supplicate (make dua) to Allah Ta’ala by presenting the auspicious proximity to Allah Ta’ala enjoyed by either A’maal-e-Saalihah (Righteous Deeds) or Pious beings such as the Ambiyaa and Auliya. In simple terms, Waseelah is to make dua as follows: “O Allah! Accept my dua for the sake of Your Nabi…..(or a certain Wali)…..or (a certain good deed).”It is understood in this concept that the being which is stated as the Waseelah is not the bestower of the need. Allah Ta’ala has not delegated power of bestowal to the being of Waseelah. He is the Sole Bestower.

There is absoloutly nothing wrong with this method of supplication and it has been adopted by the Sahaabah (R.A) and our pious predecessors. Please refer to the following narration of Sahih Al Bukhari (R.A):

Hadhrat Anas (radhiyallahu anhu) said:
“When it used o be drought, then Umar Bin Khattaab (R.A) would supplicate for rain through the medium of Abbaas Bin Abdul Muttalib (R.A)). He would say (i.e. make dua):”O Allah! Verily, we used to invoke the waseelah of our Nabi to You and You bestowed rain to us. (Now) we invoke You by virtue of the uncle of our Nabi.therefore, bestow rain to us.” He (Anas) said: Then rain was bestowed to them.”
(Bukhaari)

As far as the quotation of Imam Abu Hanifa, firstly Imam Abu Hanifa is not recorded to have refuted the above Hadith as far as we know and thus to suggest that he believed otherwise would be a gross misinterpretation of the quotation. Secondly, the principles of ruling within the shariah are based on four things viz:

1) Quran
2)Sunnah
3) Ijmaa
4) Qiyaas

When the Quran and Sunnah have alreadly established a ruling there is no room for Qiyaas which is when the scholars make use of their own intellect whilst comparing with similar Islamic teachings in order to produce a ruling.
Hence the case above is quite clear and decided upon to be permisible.

The final incident which you mention as related in Fazaaile Aamaal written by Hadhrat Sheikh Maulana Zakaria (R.A) is part of a dream. The reason for including this anecdote is for laypersons like ourselves to appreciate the closeness to Allah and His Messenger (SAW) enjoyed by the pious that they are blessed with His vision in their dreams. Thus it is pointless to include this incident in order to question the validity of ‘Waseelah’ not dreams.

And Allah (SWT) knows best.

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‘Aalima K. Lorgat