Question
Please can you explain the following two verses:
That (is so) because Allah, He is the True, and that which they INVOKE beside Him is the False, and because Allah, He is the Sublime, the Great. (Luqmaan 31: 30)
Say (unto them, O Muhammad): Have ye thought on all that ye INVOKE beside Allah? (Al-Ahqaaf 46: 4)
What kind of phrases are appropriate for muslims to use as we see people using phrases invoking others besides Allah?
Many thanks
Reply
It is clear from the context and the style of these verses that the ‘invocation’ referred to in these verses is one, which is of the category of ‘prayer’, ‘supplication’ and ‘calling upon’. In other words, the referred invocation is, in fact, the polytheistic practice of invoking other gods, with the belief that such other deities actually exist and that they can help or harm us through their intervention in our lives and circumstances.
If seen in the correct perspective, it can easily be derived that it is not the kind of phrase that is used in such ‘invocations’, which renders them prohibited, but actually the polytheistic belief that such invocations entail. If an invocation entails a polytheistic belief, it would stand prohibited, while any invocations, which do not entail such polytheistic beliefs shall not come under this directive of the Qur’an.
Practicing muslims should be very careful in what they say and should only follow what prophet(pbuh) has taught us.The Prophet (pbuh), for instance, has taught us to say: “Subhaan Allah” (God is absolutely clear of all fault); “Alhamdulillah” (All praise/gratitude is due to God); “Allah Akbar” (God is the greatest authority). Even in supplications, which directly address God, the Prophet (pbuh) (as well as the Qur’an) has never taught us to repeat the phrase “O God, O God, O God…” meaninglessly; but has actually taught us to invoke Him with meaningful prayers and supplications.
Hope this helps
UIUK team
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