The prayers of kuffar, seeking assistance and sustenance, may, paradoxically, receive responses from Allah, despite their invocation of false deities,[1] an act tantamount to committing major Shirk. Likewise, when the Dajjal emerges, he will perform many supernatural feats, such as bringing the dead back to life
Assalamualaikum ustadh, what about the narration of Malik al Dar? It's been used as evidence that even someone from the salaf asked for the Prophet's prayer after his death.
The text of the narration:
It is related from Malik al-Dar, `Umar’s treasurer, that the people suffered a drought during the time of `Umar (his khilafah), whereupon a man came to the grave of the Prophet and said: “O Messenger of Allah, ask for rain for your Community, for verily they have but perished,” after which the Prophet appeared to him in a dream and told him: “Go to `Umar and give him my greeting, then tell him that they will be watered. Tell him: You must be clever, you must be clever!” The man went and told `Umar. The latter said: “O my Lord, I spare no effort except in what escapes my power!””
Imam Ibn Abd al Bar al Maliki in his book “al Isti’ab fi ma’rifat al As-hab”:
The people suffered a drought during the time of ‘Umar (his khilafah), whereupon a man came to the grave of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and said:”O Messenger of Allah, ask for rain for your Community, for verily they have but perished,” after which the Prophet appeared to him in a dream and told him: “Go to ‘Umar and tell him to do istisqa’ (ask Allah for rain) for the people, and that they will be watered. And tell him: You must be clever, you must be clever!” So, the man went and told ‘Umar, and Umar cried and said “O my Lord, I spare no effort except in what escapes my power!”
Ahmad Abdullah at Tabari (d. 694 ) in his book “ar Riyadh an Nadhirah fi Manaqib al Ashara”:
Anas bin Malik narrated:
The people suffered drought during Umar’s time, whereupon a man came to teh grave of the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), and said: “O Messenger of Allah, ask for rain for your community, for verily they have but perished,”, he said so the Messenger of Allah came to him in a dream and told him “Go to ‘Umar then tell him to do istisqa’ (ask Allah for rain) for the people, and that they will be watered. And tell him: You must be clever, you must be clever!” So, the man went and told ‘Umar, and Umar cried and said “O my Lord, I spare no effort except in what escapes my power!”. narrated by al Baghawi in al fada’il and Abu Umar.
Authenticity and analysis (like, who is "the man") of the narration aside, for Ibn Taymiyyah, the response to the request is actually not proof of the correctness of the act as explained in the article. In fact, on this incident or one similar to it, he even commented saying (and he says this in other places too) that people who sincerely and wrongly commit bid'ah could even be rewarded. Pay attention to the last sentence of his words:
وأما الحكاية في تلاوة مالك هذه الآية : (( ولو أنهم إذ ظلموا أنفسهم )) الآية فهو والله أعلم باطل ، فإن هذا لم يذكره أحد من الأئمة فيما أعلم ، ولم يذكر أحد منهم أنه يستحب أن يسأل بعد الموت لا استغفاراً ولا غيره وكلامه المنصوص عنه وعن أمثاله يتنافى هذا ، وإنما يعرف مثل هذا في حكاية ذكرها طائفة من متأخري الفقهاء عن أعرابي أنه أتى قبر النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وتلا هذه الآية وأنشد بيتين : يا خير من دفنت بالقاع أعظمه ... فطاب من طبيهن القاع والأكم نفس الغداء لقبر أنت ساكنه ... فيه العفاف وفيه الجود والكرم ولهذا استحب طائفة من متأخري الفقهاء من أصحاب الشافعي وأحمد مثل ذلك واحتجوا بهذه الحكاية التي لا يثبت بها حكم شرعي لا سيما في مثل هذا الأمر الذي لو كان مشروعاً مندوباً ، لكان الصحابة والتابعون أعلم به وأعمل به من غيرهم ، بل قضاء الله حاجة مثل هذا الأعرابي وأمثاله ولها أسباب قد بسطت في غير هذا الموضع ، وليس كل من قضيت حاجته بسبب يقتضي أن يكون السبب مشروعاً مأموراً به ، فقد كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يسأل في حياته المسألة فيعطيها لا يرد سائلاً ، وتكون المسألة محرمة في حق السائل حتى قال : ((إني لأعطي أحدهم العطية فيخرج بها يتأبطها ناراً )) قالوا : يا رسول الله فلم تعطيهم ؟ قال : (( يأبون إلا أن يسألوني ويأبى الله لي البخل )).وقد يفعل الرجل العمل الذي يعتقده صالحاً ولا يكون عالماً أنه منهي عنه فيثاب على حسن قصده ، ويعفى عنه لعدم علمه ،وهذا باب واسع
I found that the person at the grave was none other than Bilal ibn al Harith :
كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ السَّرِيُّ : عَنْ شُعَيْبٍ ، عَنْ سَيْفٍ ، عن مبشر بْن الفضيل ، عن جبير بْن صخر ، عن عاصم بْن عمر بْن الخطاب ، قال : قحط الناس زمان عمر عاما ، فهزل المال ، فقال أهل بيت من مزينة من أهل البادية لصاحبهم : قد بلغنا ، فاذبح لنا شاة. قال : ليس فيهن شيء ، فلم يزالوا به حتى ذبح لهم شاة ، فسلخ عن عظم أحمر ، فنادى : يا محمداه ، فأري فيما يرى النائم أن رسول اللَّه صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أتاه ، فقال : ” أبشر بالحيا ، ائت عمر ، فأقرئه مني السلام ، وقل له : إن عهدي بك وأنت وفي العهد شديد العقد ، فالكيس الكيس يا عمر ” ، فجاء حتى أتى باب عمر ، فقال لغلامه : استأذن لرسول رسول اللَّه صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، فأتى عمر فأخبره ففزع ، وقال : رأيت به مسا ؟ قال : لا ، قال : فأدخله ، فدخل فأخبره الخبر ، فخرج فنادى في الناس ، وصعد المنبر ، وقال : أنشدكم بالذي هداكم للإسلام ، هل رأيتم مني شيئا تكرهونه ؟ قالوا : اللهم لا ، قالوا : ولم ذاك ؟ فأخبرهم ففطنوا ولم يفطن ، فقالوا : إنما استبطأك في الاستسقاء ، فاستسق بنا ، فنادى في الناس ، فقام ، فخطب فأوجز ، ثم صلى ركعتين ، فأوجز ، ثم قال : اللهم عجزت عنا أنصارنا ، وعجز عنا حولنا وقوتنا ، وعجزت عنا أنفسنا ، ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بك ، اللهم فاسقنا ، وأحي العباد والبلاد.
Narrated Aasim bin umar al khattab that During the Caliphate of Umar Bin Khattab (May Allah Be Pleased With Him) in 18 Hijri when the Famine struck. This year is known as “Aam-u-Ramadah”. The tribe of Banu Mazeena said to one of their men (Bilal) that “we are dying of hunger, slaughter a sheep”. So He (Bilal) said: “There is nothing left in sheeps. But people insisted so he slaughtered a sheep. When the sheep was flayed (removing of skin) they found a red bone inside. On seeing this that person (Bilal) said “Ya Muhamada”. At night he saw the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) in his dream saying to him: “ Greeting about your life. Go to Umar, pay my salaam to him and also tell him O Umar! You are the one who keeps his promises well, so remember my promise. Umar! Use your wisdom. This person of Banu Mazeena woke up and went straight to Umar (may Allah Be pleased with him) and said to the doorman: “Seek permission from Umar for the messenger of Rasoolulah (Peace be Upon Him).” Umar (May Allah Be Pleased With Him) became nervous when the doorman conveyed this message to him and said: “ Bring him to me”. This person was asked to come inside and he told the whole story. Umar (May Allah Be Pleased With Him) gathered the people, stood up on the pulpit and said: “ Swear upon the one who has blessed you with Islam, did you find any mistake in me? People said: “ No. But what happened? Umar (May Allah Be Pleased With Him) told people the story of the dream of Bilal. People understood but Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) did not. People told him that you have delayed in praying Salat-ul-Istesqa’. Pray Salat-ul-Istesqa’ with us. Umar (May Allah Be Pleased WIthHim) made an announcement, gathered the people, stood up and delivered a short Khutba, then prayed two short Rakats and then prayed for rain.
TAREEKH AT-TABARI (HADITH 989)
Hafidh Ibn Kathir –rahimahu Allah :
He cites it in his book “al Bidayah wan Nihaya ” (vol7 pg.104 ), in which he mentions some narrations, right before he mentions Malik ad Dar’s narration, which explain the meaning of the narration. The narrations before it are by Sayf Ibn Umar, and in them is the mentioning of Umar radiyallahu anhu, after hearing about the man’s dream (who is said to be Bilal al Harith), asking the people on the minbar if they have seen anything bad from him, and then he tells them about the dream that Bilal saw, so they told him:
“Bilal has spoken the truth, so make istiqatha (seek or ask for help) to Allah, then the Muslims”. So then Umar radiyallahu anhu does istisqa’ through al Abbas radiyallahu anhu.
He also cites the narration found in Tareekh at Tabari, “he found you slow in doing istisqa’, so do istisqa’ for us “, so he did.
Bilal's name is mentioned by the Sayf b. Umar (سيف بن عمر الضبي) chain, and he's pretty much a condemned narrator. Anyways, still not relevant. The identity of the man is just a side point.
Assalamualaikum ustadh, what about the narration of Malik al Dar? It's been used as evidence that even someone from the salaf asked for the Prophet's prayer after his death.
The text of the narration:
It is related from Malik al-Dar, `Umar’s treasurer, that the people suffered a drought during the time of `Umar (his khilafah), whereupon a man came to the grave of the Prophet and said: “O Messenger of Allah, ask for rain for your Community, for verily they have but perished,” after which the Prophet appeared to him in a dream and told him: “Go to `Umar and give him my greeting, then tell him that they will be watered. Tell him: You must be clever, you must be clever!” The man went and told `Umar. The latter said: “O my Lord, I spare no effort except in what escapes my power!””
Imam Ibn Abd al Bar al Maliki in his book “al Isti’ab fi ma’rifat al As-hab”:
The people suffered a drought during the time of ‘Umar (his khilafah), whereupon a man came to the grave of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) and said:”O Messenger of Allah, ask for rain for your Community, for verily they have but perished,” after which the Prophet appeared to him in a dream and told him: “Go to ‘Umar and tell him to do istisqa’ (ask Allah for rain) for the people, and that they will be watered. And tell him: You must be clever, you must be clever!” So, the man went and told ‘Umar, and Umar cried and said “O my Lord, I spare no effort except in what escapes my power!”
Ahmad Abdullah at Tabari (d. 694 ) in his book “ar Riyadh an Nadhirah fi Manaqib al Ashara”:
Anas bin Malik narrated:
The people suffered drought during Umar’s time, whereupon a man came to teh grave of the Prophet (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), and said: “O Messenger of Allah, ask for rain for your community, for verily they have but perished,”, he said so the Messenger of Allah came to him in a dream and told him “Go to ‘Umar then tell him to do istisqa’ (ask Allah for rain) for the people, and that they will be watered. And tell him: You must be clever, you must be clever!” So, the man went and told ‘Umar, and Umar cried and said “O my Lord, I spare no effort except in what escapes my power!”. narrated by al Baghawi in al fada’il and Abu Umar.
wa alaykum assalam,
Authenticity and analysis (like, who is "the man") of the narration aside, for Ibn Taymiyyah, the response to the request is actually not proof of the correctness of the act as explained in the article. In fact, on this incident or one similar to it, he even commented saying (and he says this in other places too) that people who sincerely and wrongly commit bid'ah could even be rewarded. Pay attention to the last sentence of his words:
وأما الحكاية في تلاوة مالك هذه الآية : (( ولو أنهم إذ ظلموا أنفسهم )) الآية فهو والله أعلم باطل ، فإن هذا لم يذكره أحد من الأئمة فيما أعلم ، ولم يذكر أحد منهم أنه يستحب أن يسأل بعد الموت لا استغفاراً ولا غيره وكلامه المنصوص عنه وعن أمثاله يتنافى هذا ، وإنما يعرف مثل هذا في حكاية ذكرها طائفة من متأخري الفقهاء عن أعرابي أنه أتى قبر النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم وتلا هذه الآية وأنشد بيتين : يا خير من دفنت بالقاع أعظمه ... فطاب من طبيهن القاع والأكم نفس الغداء لقبر أنت ساكنه ... فيه العفاف وفيه الجود والكرم ولهذا استحب طائفة من متأخري الفقهاء من أصحاب الشافعي وأحمد مثل ذلك واحتجوا بهذه الحكاية التي لا يثبت بها حكم شرعي لا سيما في مثل هذا الأمر الذي لو كان مشروعاً مندوباً ، لكان الصحابة والتابعون أعلم به وأعمل به من غيرهم ، بل قضاء الله حاجة مثل هذا الأعرابي وأمثاله ولها أسباب قد بسطت في غير هذا الموضع ، وليس كل من قضيت حاجته بسبب يقتضي أن يكون السبب مشروعاً مأموراً به ، فقد كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يسأل في حياته المسألة فيعطيها لا يرد سائلاً ، وتكون المسألة محرمة في حق السائل حتى قال : ((إني لأعطي أحدهم العطية فيخرج بها يتأبطها ناراً )) قالوا : يا رسول الله فلم تعطيهم ؟ قال : (( يأبون إلا أن يسألوني ويأبى الله لي البخل )).وقد يفعل الرجل العمل الذي يعتقده صالحاً ولا يكون عالماً أنه منهي عنه فيثاب على حسن قصده ، ويعفى عنه لعدم علمه ،وهذا باب واسع
I found that the person at the grave was none other than Bilal ibn al Harith :
كَتَبَ إِلَيَّ السَّرِيُّ : عَنْ شُعَيْبٍ ، عَنْ سَيْفٍ ، عن مبشر بْن الفضيل ، عن جبير بْن صخر ، عن عاصم بْن عمر بْن الخطاب ، قال : قحط الناس زمان عمر عاما ، فهزل المال ، فقال أهل بيت من مزينة من أهل البادية لصاحبهم : قد بلغنا ، فاذبح لنا شاة. قال : ليس فيهن شيء ، فلم يزالوا به حتى ذبح لهم شاة ، فسلخ عن عظم أحمر ، فنادى : يا محمداه ، فأري فيما يرى النائم أن رسول اللَّه صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أتاه ، فقال : ” أبشر بالحيا ، ائت عمر ، فأقرئه مني السلام ، وقل له : إن عهدي بك وأنت وفي العهد شديد العقد ، فالكيس الكيس يا عمر ” ، فجاء حتى أتى باب عمر ، فقال لغلامه : استأذن لرسول رسول اللَّه صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، فأتى عمر فأخبره ففزع ، وقال : رأيت به مسا ؟ قال : لا ، قال : فأدخله ، فدخل فأخبره الخبر ، فخرج فنادى في الناس ، وصعد المنبر ، وقال : أنشدكم بالذي هداكم للإسلام ، هل رأيتم مني شيئا تكرهونه ؟ قالوا : اللهم لا ، قالوا : ولم ذاك ؟ فأخبرهم ففطنوا ولم يفطن ، فقالوا : إنما استبطأك في الاستسقاء ، فاستسق بنا ، فنادى في الناس ، فقام ، فخطب فأوجز ، ثم صلى ركعتين ، فأوجز ، ثم قال : اللهم عجزت عنا أنصارنا ، وعجز عنا حولنا وقوتنا ، وعجزت عنا أنفسنا ، ولا حول ولا قوة إلا بك ، اللهم فاسقنا ، وأحي العباد والبلاد.
Narrated Aasim bin umar al khattab that During the Caliphate of Umar Bin Khattab (May Allah Be Pleased With Him) in 18 Hijri when the Famine struck. This year is known as “Aam-u-Ramadah”. The tribe of Banu Mazeena said to one of their men (Bilal) that “we are dying of hunger, slaughter a sheep”. So He (Bilal) said: “There is nothing left in sheeps. But people insisted so he slaughtered a sheep. When the sheep was flayed (removing of skin) they found a red bone inside. On seeing this that person (Bilal) said “Ya Muhamada”. At night he saw the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) in his dream saying to him: “ Greeting about your life. Go to Umar, pay my salaam to him and also tell him O Umar! You are the one who keeps his promises well, so remember my promise. Umar! Use your wisdom. This person of Banu Mazeena woke up and went straight to Umar (may Allah Be pleased with him) and said to the doorman: “Seek permission from Umar for the messenger of Rasoolulah (Peace be Upon Him).” Umar (May Allah Be Pleased With Him) became nervous when the doorman conveyed this message to him and said: “ Bring him to me”. This person was asked to come inside and he told the whole story. Umar (May Allah Be Pleased With Him) gathered the people, stood up on the pulpit and said: “ Swear upon the one who has blessed you with Islam, did you find any mistake in me? People said: “ No. But what happened? Umar (May Allah Be Pleased With Him) told people the story of the dream of Bilal. People understood but Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) did not. People told him that you have delayed in praying Salat-ul-Istesqa’. Pray Salat-ul-Istesqa’ with us. Umar (May Allah Be Pleased WIthHim) made an announcement, gathered the people, stood up and delivered a short Khutba, then prayed two short Rakats and then prayed for rain.
TAREEKH AT-TABARI (HADITH 989)
Hafidh Ibn Kathir –rahimahu Allah :
He cites it in his book “al Bidayah wan Nihaya ” (vol7 pg.104 ), in which he mentions some narrations, right before he mentions Malik ad Dar’s narration, which explain the meaning of the narration. The narrations before it are by Sayf Ibn Umar, and in them is the mentioning of Umar radiyallahu anhu, after hearing about the man’s dream (who is said to be Bilal al Harith), asking the people on the minbar if they have seen anything bad from him, and then he tells them about the dream that Bilal saw, so they told him:
“Bilal has spoken the truth, so make istiqatha (seek or ask for help) to Allah, then the Muslims”. So then Umar radiyallahu anhu does istisqa’ through al Abbas radiyallahu anhu.
He also cites the narration found in Tareekh at Tabari, “he found you slow in doing istisqa’, so do istisqa’ for us “, so he did.
Bilal's name is mentioned by the Sayf b. Umar (سيف بن عمر الضبي) chain, and he's pretty much a condemned narrator. Anyways, still not relevant. The identity of the man is just a side point.