Forbidden words, containing Shirk, scattered amongst the masses

بـسـم الله والحـمـد لله والـصلاة والـسـلام عــلى رسـول الله، وبـعـد

The following are the three main examples:

i. Saying: خير يا طير “Khair ya tair” (meaning: it is a good omen).

[In the Jaahiliyyah (days of ignorance) people used to take omen from the flights of birds. If one of them were to go on a journey, they would look at the flight pattern of the birds, if it was flying in a particular direction, they would say it is a sign of bad omen and delay the trip; and it was flying in another direction, they would accept it as a good omen and continue with their journey.

`Ikrimah said: We were in a gathering with Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما, a bird passed by making sound. One of the men said: “Khair khair” (it is a good omen, there is a good omen). Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما said: “There is neither good in this nor any evil.” [Tafseer al-Qurtubee (7/266)]

Tawoos went out on a journey with one of his companions and a raven made a crowing sound. His companion said: “it is good (omen).” Tawoos said to him: “What is good in this? Do not accompany me any further.” [Fath al-Majeed Sharh Kitaab al-Tawheed (1/309)]]

Narrated `Abdullaah ibn Mas`ood رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Taking omen is shirk, taking omen is shirk.” And he said this three times. There is none among us (except that he is influenced by it) and that Allaah removes it by Tawakkul (reliance upon Him). [Sunan Abu Dawood (3910) and Sunan al-Tirmidhee (1614) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

Apart from this, there are many more superstitious things that people take bad omens from: example: black cat crossing the path, Friday 13^th, the number 13 etc.

ii. Taking oath by other than Allaah. Example: saying:

والنبي (By the Prophet).

والكعبة (By the Ka`bah).

وحياتك (By your life).

وحياتي (By my life).

والله وحياتك  (By Allaah and by your life).

وشرفي ، بعزتي (By my honor).

بالأمانة (By honest).

بصلاتك (By your prayer).

بحق فلان  (By the rights of so-and-so).

بروح والديه (By the soul of the parents).

برأس الأم أو الأب أو الأولاد (Taking oaths by placing hand on the head of the mother or father or the children).

الحلف بالأموات مثل: الجيلاني والبدوي (Taking oaths in the name of the dead, like: Jeelaanee, al-Badawee etc.)ز

Narrated Ibn `Umar: that he found 'Umar bin Al-Khattaab in a group of people and he was swearing by his father. So Allaah's Apostle صلى الله عليه وسلم called them, saying: “Verily! Allaah forbids you to swear by your fathers. If one has to take an oath, he should swear by Allaah or otherwise keep quiet.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6108, 6646) and Saheeh Muslim (4035, 4038)]

Narrated `Abdullaah bin `Umar: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “If anybody has to take an oath, he should swear only by Allaah.” The people of Quraish used to swear by their fathers, but the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلمsaid: “Do not swear by your fathers.” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (3836, 6648)]

Narrated Abdur Rahman bin Samurah: Allaah’s Messenger صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Do not swear by idols, or by your fathers.” [Saheeh Muslim (4043)]

Narrated Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Whoever swears saying in his oath, ‘By Al-Laat and Al`Uzza’(names of two idols worshipped by the pagans), should say, ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah' (None has the right to be worshipped but Allaah).” [Saheeh al-Bukhaaree (6107, 6650) and Saheeh Muslim (4041)]

Ibn `Umar heard a man saying: “No by the Ka`bah” so Ibn `Umar said: “Nothing should be sworn by other than Allaah, for I heard the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم saying: “Whoever swears by something other than Allaah has committed an act of kufr or shirk.” [al-Tirmidhee (1535) and Abu Dawood (3251); and graded as Saheeh” by al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Tirmidhee]

Swearing by other than Allaah is a major sin and its expiation is by saying: “Laa ilaaha illallaah.”

From the above examples, swearing by other than Allaah is a minor shirk (Shirk al-Asghar), considering that the person does not equate them to Allaah. But if the person thinks that the things he is taking oaths on are equal to Allaah, then this is major shirk (Shirk al-Akbar).

iii. Equating the creation with Allaah in words. Example:

ما شاء الله وشئت  (whatever Allaah Wills and you will).

لولا الله وأنت  (if it were not for Allaah and you).

الله لي في السماء وأنت لي في الأرض  (Allaah is my (support) in the heavens and you on earth).

مالي إلا الله وأنت  (There is no one for me except Allaah and you).

هذا من بركات الله وبركاتك  (This is from the blessings of Allaah and yours).

متوكل على الله وعليك (I trust in Allaah and you).

أعوذ بالله وبك  (I seek Allaah’s refuge and yours).

لولا فلان لكان كذا  (If it were not for so-and-so, such-and-such would have happened).

وهذا من الله وفلان  (This is from Allaah and so-and-so).

متوكل على فلان. (I’ve trusted my affairs to so-and-so).

Allaah تعالى said:

{فَلاَ تَجْعَلُواْ لِلّهِ أَندَاداً وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ} [البقرة: 22]

{Then do not set up rivals unto Allaah (in worship) while you know (that He Alone has the right to be worshipped).} [Surah al-Baqarah (2): 22]

Ibn `Abbaas رضي الله عنهما said that once a man came to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and said: “whatever Allaah Wills and you will.” The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Do you make me equal with Allaah? Rather say: ‘Whatever Allaah alone Wills.’” [Musnad of Imaam Ahmad (1839, 1964, 2561, 3247) and it is “Saheeh li ghairihee” (authentic due to supporting chains) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee in Saheeh al-Adab al-Mufrad (783)]

Narrated Hudhaifah رضي الله عنه: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “Do not say: ‘What Allaah wills and so and so wills,’ but say: ‘What Allaah wills and afterwards so and so wills.’” [Sunan Abu Dawood (4980) and graded as “Saheeh” by Shaikh al-Albaanee]

The correct is to add the word “then” or “afterwards”: “Whatever Allaah Wills and then so-and-so wills.”