Professor Robert Gleave

Monday 1 September 2014

Attack on Mohamed's tomb could stir up sectarian hatred




From the earliest period of Islam, it has been a common practice to pay respects to the Prophet Mohamed and visit his tomb.



Muslims refer to Mecca and Medina as “the two sanctuaries”, and many combine their hajj pilgrimage to Mecca with a visit to the Prophet’s mosque in Medina. There, alongside the prayer area and the Prophet’s pulpit, is the chamber housing his final resting place – where he was buried in 632.

It has also long been controversial, however, due to Islam’s rejection of idolatry, rooted in the firm monotheism laid out in the Koran. Do the prayers performed at the tomb amount to the worship of the Prophet? If so, then they contravene the fundamental Islamic message that God alone is worthy of worship.

Visiting the Prophet’s tomb was clearly popular in the first centuries of Islam, and a building erected over the tomb was first reported in the seventh century, soon after the Prophet’s death. Nevertheless, there has remained a worry among some scholars that the rituals at the Prophet’s tomb were suspect at the very least, and potentially dangerous heresy.

A small but vocal opposition to visiting the tomb existed through the centuries among Sunni scholars, but this became a major political issue only with the rise of the puritanical reform movement known as Wahhabism. Named after its 18th-century founder, Ibn Abd al-Wahhab, Wahhabism viewed any elaborate buildings over grave sites as an invitation to idolatry. To its followers, the prayers uttered at these tombs were a denial of God’s absolute omnipotence.

The 19th and 20th centuries witnessed the Wahhabis, in alliance with the House of Saud, leading the destruction of the tombs of notable Muslim figures.

The great Saudi financial resources have enabled the spread of Wahhabi doctrine beyond the Arabian peninsula in the past 50 years. But while the Wahhabis themselves are virulently Sunni, opposition has come from both Sunnis and Shia. Visiting the Prophet’s tomb has proven so popular among both Sunnis and Shias that it has thwarted all past Wahhabi attempts to end the practice and demolish the tomb. The Saudi royal family prizes its role as guardians of two sanctuaries, believing it gives them a position of religious leadership and responsibility throughout the Muslim world. Destroying the tomb would, in the past, certainly have led many to question their leadership.

Perhaps, as part of the complex power relations within the kingdom, the Saudi authorities see a political opportunity: the destruction of the tomb, or stricter controls on the activities of the pilgrims there, might appease more strident Wahhabi opinion, both internally and internationally.

Yet such a move would run counter to the religious practice of most Muslims, Sunni and Shia, across the centuries. Most dangerously, an attack on the Prophet’s tomb will play into the hands of sectarian actors, who use theological difference as the engine of hatred and violence.

The writer is director of the Islamic Reformulations Project at the University of Exeter

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/attack-on-mohameds-tomb-could-stir-up-sectarian-hatred-9704947.html

Saudis risk new Muslim division with proposal to move Mohamed’s tomb


Second-holiest site in Islam attracts millions of pilgrims each year

Andrew Johnson

Monday 01 September 2014

One of Islam’s most revered holy sites – the tomb of the Prophet Mohamed – could be destroyed and his body removed to an anonymous grave under plans which threaten to spark discord across the Muslim world.

The controversial proposals are part of a consultation document by a leading Saudi academic which has been circulated among the supervisors of al-Masjid al-Nabawi mosque in Medina, where the remains of the Prophet are housed under the Green Dome, visited by millions of pilgrims and venerated as Islam’s second-holiest site. The formal custodian of the mosque is Saudi Arabia’s ageing monarch King Abdullah.

The plans, brought to light by another Saudi academic who has exposed and criticised the destruction of holy places and artefacts in Mecca – the holiest site in the Muslim world – call for the destruction of chambers around the Prophet’s grave which are particularly venerated by Shia Muslims.

The 61-page document also calls for the removal of Mohamed’s remains to the nearby al-Baqi cemetery, where they would be interred anonymously.

There is no suggestion that any decision has been taken to act upon the plans. The Saudi government has in the past insisted that it treats any changes to Islam’s holiest sites with “the utmost seriousness”.

But such is the importance of the mosque to both Sunni and Shia Muslims that Dr Irfan al-Alawi warned that any attempt to carry out the work could spark unrest. It also runs the risk of inflaming sectarian tensions between the two branches of Islam, already running perilously high due to the conflicts in Syria and Iraq.

Hardline Saudi clerics have long preached that the country’s strict Wahhabi interpretation of Islam – an offshoot of the Sunni tradition – prohibits the worship of any object or “saint”, a practice considered “shirq” or idolatrous.

Dr Alawi, director of the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation, told The Independent: “People visit the chambers, which are the rooms where the Prophet’s family lived, and turn towards the burial chamber to pray.

“Now they want to prevent pilgrims from attending and venerating the tomb because they believe this is shirq, or idolatry. But the only way they can stop people visiting the Prophet is to get him out and into the cemetery.”

For centuries Muslim pilgrims have made their way to Mecca in order to visit the Kaaba – a black granite cubed building said to be built by Abraham, around which al-Masjid al-Haram, or the Grand Mosque, is built, and towards which every Muslim faces when they pray.

This pilgrimage, or hajj, is a religious duty that has to be carried out at least once in a lifetime.

Many go on to make their way to the nearby city of Medina to pay their respects at the Prophet’s tomb.


Muslims waiting to pray at the tomb of the Prophet at al-Masjid al-Nabawi in Medina (Reuters)

Al-Nabawi mosque around the tomb has been expanded by generations of Arabian rulers, particularly the Ottomans. It includes hand-painted calligraphy documenting details of the Prophet’s life and his family. Dr Alawi said the plans also call for these to be destroyed as well as the Green Dome which covers the Prophet’s tomb.

The Prophet is venerated by both branches of Islam, Sunni and Shia. The strict Wahhabi sect is a branch of the Sunni faith, however, and removing the Prophet could further inflame tensions between the two groups .

The current crisis in Iraq has been blamed on the Shia former Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s sectarianism, which alienated the Sunni, leading to the uprising. Isis, also known as Islamic State, which holds swathes of Iraq and Syria, and which murdered the American journalist James Foley, is a Sunni organisation.

Mainstream Sunni Muslims would be just as aghast at any desecration of the tomb as the Shia, Dr Alawi said.

The Independent has previously revealed how the multibillion-pound expansion of the Grand Mosque has, according to the Washington-based Gulf Institute, led to the destruction of up to 95 per cent of Mecca’s millennium-old buildings. They have been replaced with luxury hotels, apartments and shopping malls.

King Abdullah has appointed the prominent Wahhabi cleric and imam of the Grand Mosque, Abdul Rahman al-Sudais, to oversee the expansion project – necessary to cope with the huge number of pilgrims who now visit each year.

Dr Alawi says the consultation document for the al-Nabawi mosque in Medina, by the leading Saudi academic Dr Ali bin Abdulaziz al-Shabal of Imam Muhammad ibn Saud Islamic University in Riyadh, has been circulated to the Committee of the Presidency of the Two Mosques.

Several pages of the consultation document have just been published in the presidency’s journal. They call for the destruction of the rooms surrounding the tomb – used by the Prophet’s wives and daughters, and venerated by the Shia because of their association with his youngest daughter, Fatima.

The document also calls for the Green Dome, which covers the tomb and these living quarters, to be removed, and the ultimate removal of the Prophet’s body to a nearby cemetery.

The al-Baqi cemetery already contains the bodies of many of the Prophet’s family, including his father who was removed there in the 1970s, Dr Alawi said. In 1924 all the grave markers were removed, so pilgrims would not know who was buried there, and so be unable to pray to them.

“The Prophet would be anonymous,” Dr Alawi added. “Everything around the Prophet’s mosque has already been destroyed. It is surrounded by bulldozers. Once they’ve removed everything they can move towards the mosque. The imam is likely to say there is a need to expand the mosque and do it that way, while the world’s eyes are on Iraq and Syria. The Prophet Mohamed’s grave is venerated by the mainstream Sunni, who would never do it. It is just as important for the Shia too, who venerate the Prophet’s daughter, Fatima.

“I’m sure there will be shock across the Muslim world at these revelations. It will cause outrage.”

The Independent was unable to contact the Saudi Arabian embassy, but it said in a statement last year: “The development of the Holy Mosque of Makkah al-Mukarramah [Mecca] is an extremely important subject and one which the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in its capacity as custodian of the two holy mosques, takes with the utmost seriousness. This role is at the heart of the principles upon which Saudi Arabia is founded.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudis-risk-new-muslim-division-with-proposal-to-move-mohameds-tomb-9705120.html

Hope this won't lead to something serious?

Their is much to criticize the Saudi government for, but the "independent" report being circulated about the grave of the Prophet (peace be upon him) being moved is completely false.

They actually release the same story every year around this time.

- Sheikh Omar Suleiman

tbaba1234: Their is much to criticize the Saudi government for, but the "independent" report being circulated about the grave of the Prophet (peace be upon him) being moved is completely false.

They actually release the same story every year around this time.

- Sheikh Omar Suleiman

Excuse me brother! Who is this your sheik Omar Is he part of saudi league of decision making ulama to convince the Muslim world that the above report is false or he simply want to save Saudi's face?

History is right on Saudi's ideology of destroying Islamic heritage, monuments and graves under the disguise of Kaaba expansion. So the above news is within their capability and in the scope of their ideology.

I thank LagosShia for posting this with "independent" as source knowing that other websites like presstv posted the caption. It is people like you that will first comment its a shi'a propaganda. Now its "american" propaganda just like ISIS or ISIL is "jewish" propaganda while in truth the correct ideology of Wahabi-Salafi which Saudi preaches all over the globe is that visitation (ziarat) to the prophet (peace be on him and his family)'s tomb is Shirk.

A time is nigh when Hajarul Aswad ("just a stone" according to the 2nd Caliph) will be remove so that people do not "worship" it as per wahabi ideology.

A time is nigh when even Kaaba will be destroy while this so-called sheik will continue with their pathetic excuse of "its false report".

A few other scholars has thrown doubts on this story.

I think, we should be skeptical as well.

How much does @Independent get paid by the "Islamic Heritage Research Foundation" to publish the same anti-Saudi #clickbait lies yearly?

- Imam Joe Bradford

2012- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/medina-saudis-take-a-bulldozer-to-islams-history-8228795.html

2013- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/the-photos-saudi-arabia-doesnt-want-seen--and-proof-islams-most-holy-relics-are-being-demolished-in-mecca-8536968.html

2014- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudis-risk-new-muslim-division-with-proposal-to-move-mohameds-tomb-9705120.html

The same old story, lies upon lies!

The links work now...

How do repeat the same story same time every year??


Lies

"It is enough of a lie to relate to others everything you hear"
كفى بالمرءِ كذبًا أن يُحَدِّثَ بكلِّ ما سمِع
Narrated by Muslim

The recent bogus article in 'The Independant' regarding the alleged plan to move the blessed grave of the Prophet (SAW) is another sad indication of how sensationalist media can be.

Firstly, this particular newspaper, and especially the journalist Mr. Jerome Taylor, seems to have an unnatural obsession for smearing the Saudis and their relationship with the Holy Sites. See this brief history:

2011- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/mecca-for-the-rich-islams-holiest-site-turning-into-vegas-2360114.html -
2012- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/medina-saudis-take-a-bulldozer-to-islams-history-8228795.html

2013- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/the-photos-saudi-arabia-doesnt-want-seen--and-proof-islams-most-holy-relics-are-being-demolished-in-mecca-8536968.html

2014- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudis-risk-new-muslim-division-with-proposal-to-move-mohameds-tomb-9705120.html

Secondly, the alleged 'plan' turns out to be an academic paper submitted to a government committee. Anyone who is aware of the nature of these things realizes that the submission of a paper is in no way, fashion, or form approval of an actual plan by that committee!

Thirdly, the paper itself does not actually state that the blessed grave should be touched. No sane Muslim would ever suggest that. Rather, what it suggests is that the masjid itself should be replanned in the new construction so that the blessed grave would be outside of the new masjid boundaries. So, what the author suggested was to change the boundary of the masjid, not that of the grave.

Fourthly, this view is a minority view and has been soundly rejected by mainstream Salafi and all non-Salafi scholars. Historically, there has never been any serious opposition to the Umayyad inclusion of the blessed grave into the Prophet's masjid (which occurred in 88 AH), and no major scholar of any madhhab has ever called for the Prophet's (SAW) masjid boundaries to be redrawn.

Lastly, this is NOT a defence of Saudi construction policy around the two Harams: that topic requires an entire article, not just a FB post! There is much to criticize, and yes much to praise as well.

The purpose of this post was merely to point out how sensationalist the media continues to be, and how easily Muslims seem to *want* to demonize another group. And help is sought from Allah alone!

-Sheikh Yasir Qadir

I think the best way to look at this is referring to Allah's Book and sayings of His noble prophet(saw). I dont think we should doubt Saudi could destroy historic places. Enough said, there is Hadith located in Sunna Abu Daud (Kitab Malahim) Book 37, Number 4282. It reads:
Narrated Mu'adh ibn Jabal:
"The Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) said: The flourishing state of Jerusalem will be when Yathrib is in ruins, the ruined state of Yathrib will be when the great war comes, the outbreak of the great war will be at the conquest of Constantinople and the conquest of Constantinople when the Dajjal (Antichrist) comes forth. He (the Prophet) struck his thigh or his shoulder with his hand and said: This is as true as you are here or as you are sitting (meaning Mu'adh ibn Jabal)."

Hadith above is in effect. It's just tip of the iceberg. @bold-blue, common sense tells us we getting there. Just look around you. However, when non-muslims join this thread, we better comport ourselves because they will contribute negatively.

I find these their "concern" puzzling, these people wouldn't mind cartoons mocking the holy prophet pbuh. I am missing something?

Empiree: I think the best way to look at this is referring to Allah's Book and sayings of His noble prophet(saw). I dont think we should doubt Saudi could destroy historic places.

There are many things to criticize the saudi government for. There is no need to include falsehoods.

tbaba1234:

There are many things to criticize the saudi government for. There is no need to include falsehoods.

2nded

AlBaqir:

Excuse me brother! Who is this your sheik Omar Is he part of saudi league of decision making ulama to convince the Muslim world that the above report is false or he simply want to save Saudi's face?

History is right on Saudi's ideology of destroying Islamic heritage, monuments and graves under the disguise of Kaaba expansion. So the above news is within their capability and in the scope of their ideology.

I thank LagosShia for posting this with "independent" as source knowing that other websites like presstv posted the caption. It is people like you that will first comment its a shi'a propaganda. Now its "american" propaganda just like ISIS or ISIL is "jewish" propaganda while in truth the correct ideology of Wahabi-Salafi which Saudi preaches all over the globe is that visitation (ziarat) to the prophet (peace be on him and his family)'s tomb is Shirk.

A time is nigh when Hajarul Aswad ("just a stone" according to the 2nd Caliph) will be remove so that people do not "worship" it as per wahabi ideology.

A time is nigh when even Kaaba will be destroy while this so-called sheik will continue with their pathetic excuse of "its false report".

And mix not the Truth with falsehood, nor conceal the Truth while you know. ~Quran 2: 42

tbaba1234: The recent bogus article in 'The Independant' regarding the alleged plan to move the blessed grave of the Prophet (SAW) is another sad indication of how sensationalist media can be.
Firstly, this particular newspaper, and especially the journalist Mr. Jerome Taylor, seems to have an unnatural obsession for smearing the Saudis and their relationship with the Holy Sites. See this brief history:
2011- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/mecca-for-the-rich-islams-holiest-site-turning-into-vegas-2360114.html -
2012- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/medina-saudis-take-a-bulldozer-to-islams-history-8228795.html
2013- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/the-photos-saudi-arabia-doesnt-want-seen--and-proof-islams-most-holy-relics-are-being-demolished-in-mecca-8536968.html
2014- http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/saudis-risk-new-muslim-division-with-proposal-to-move-mohameds-tomb-9705120.html
Secondly, the alleged 'plan' turns out to be an academic paper submitted to a government committee. Anyone who is aware of the nature of these things realizes that the submission of a paper is in no way, fashion, or form approval of an actual plan by that committee!
Thirdly, the paper itself does not actually state that the blessed grave should be touched. No sane Muslim would ever suggest that. Rather, what it suggests is that the masjid itself should be replanned in the new construction so that the blessed grave would be outside of the new masjid boundaries. So, what the author suggested was to change the boundary of the masjid, not that of the grave.
Fourthly, this view is a minority view and has been soundly rejected by mainstream Salafi and all non-Salafi scholars. Historically, there has never been any serious opposition to the Umayyad inclusion of the blessed grave into the Prophet's masjid (which occurred in 88 AH), and no major scholar of any madhhab has ever called for the Prophet's (SAW) masjid boundaries to be redrawn.
Lastly, this is NOT a defence of Saudi construction policy around the two Harams: that topic requires an entire article, not just a FB post! There is much to criticize, and yes much to praise as well.
The purpose of this post was merely to point out how sensationalist the media continues to be, and how easily Muslims seem to *want* to demonize another group. And help is sought from Allah alone!
-Sheikh Yasir Qadir

let us put the independent newspaper and their views about the saudis aside. let us also put our sentiments aside and look at the reports, and also look at their history.

the links you presented right from 2011 are true reports. however, if i may recall correctly, you even defended the demolitions of historical/islamic heritage sites in Makkah under the guise of "expansion". so really, the independent however biased you feel they are towards the saudis only reported what the saudis did.

as for this report about the Prophet's (sa) tomb, they (the saudis) have not yet done it, but they are well capable of doing it. and it is good the independent is sounding the alarm before such a heinous act is carried out. such a report is believable going by the history of the saudi wahhabis. their founders along with the founder of the wahhabi school of thought ransacked Karbala in the 19th century, and the tomb of the Prophet's grandson, Imam Hussain (as), was destroyed and the treasures of the shrine stolen and many innocent Shias lost their lives. again, when al-saud rose to power in the hijaz and formed saudi arabia with wahhabi religious backing, they destroyed Jannatul Baqee in Madina and destroyed Jannatul-Mualla in Makkah. all the tombs of the Prophet's Ahlul-Bayt (as) and sahaba were destroyed, flattened, and even defaced to the extent that no one would know whose grave is where in both Baqee and Mualla. these personalities are our heritage, and visiting them revives their memories and keeps Islam in the days of the Prophet (sa) alive in this our modern age. we can't just relate based on stories we read in books. however, the wahhabi interpretation is drastic and too far by calling ziyarat "shirq" (idolatry), and thereby declaring other muslims as "idolaters".

of recent, wahhabis/salafist groups have destroyed the tombs of sahabas in syria, and Prophet Yunus (Job) in Iraq. in timbuktu, wahhabi/salafist groups did the same with Sufi shrines. these Sufi Islamic heritage sites are as old as Islam on the continent. the threat posed by wahhabi/salafist terrorist groups linked to alqaeda to the shrine of Sayyida Zainab (as)-granddaughter of Prophet Muhammad (sa)- in syria prompted the Lebanese Shia Islamic resistance movement, Hezbollah, to militarily intervene in the Syrian conflict to protect the shrine and also back the government of the syrian president bashar al assad.

If they want to stop people visiting the tomb, they should do an electric fence (of 150 square meter ) around the tomb, with security guard and constant light 24\7 with an inscription : 'NO GO AREA' on some meters before the tomb area.

Muslims should stop disgracing themselves with unnecessary display of violence on every matter thar can be handled with civility.

true2god: If they want to stop people visiting the tomb, they should do an electric fence (of 150 square meter ) around the tomb, with security guard and constant light 24\7 with an inscription : 'NO GO AREA' on some meters before the tomb area.

Muslims should stop disgracing themselves with unnecessary display of violence on every matter thar can be handled with civility.

Thanks but no thanks. Perhaps, you should butt out of this thread since this has nothing to do with you. Your advise or opinion is not needed here. Fair enough?

Empiree:
Thanks but no thanks. Perhaps, you should butt out of this thread since this has nothing to do with you. Your advise or opinion is not needed here. Far enough?

That is the issue with pple who dont like to be advised or told the truth.

Tho' I'm not a mohammed fan, that wont stop me from saying my mind, especially when the issue of his tomb wants to lead to another bloodbath.

Of Tombs, Discord, and Manufactured Journalism-The Reality Behind the Independent Article on the Prophet’s Grave

By Hasib Noor

Yet another article about the destruction of the Prophet's grave is published and I catch the story early as it's released.

Wincing at the title of the article in the Independent, the UK national daily newspaper”…Muslim division… proposal… Mohamed's tomb,” I think to myself as I'm reading, “oh no, not again.”

Social media is absolutely livid. I'm getting tags, messages, and posts directed at me as everyone is inquiring about what is going on.

Why me? Living and studying in the City of the Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) is a mix of having a guilty conscience wrapped in a blessing.

We constantly question ourselves.

We constantly say it's not something we ever deserved.

But it's a blessing we have to constantly be thankful for and live up to the legacy of this city.

There is a tradition that's been passed down among the students to remind us of living up to that legacy, something age old. It's been narrated by each generation of Madinah students to the next. The saying goes:


“don't ever think you were so special to deserve to come here, but know that you needed this the most.”

Everything about being here reminds us of the responsibility. We are studying the faith that two billion people hold dear, in a tradition of over 1400 years, in the same location that the most beloved person to these two billion taught it in… the city of Madinah, one of the holiest cities in all of Islam.

The Prophet's masjid— Al-masjid Al-Nabawi —the world's oldest Islamic institution is the legacy of all of Islamic civilizations, scholarship, and history. All of it traces back to what every single Muslim shares and holds dear about this city. Not only because the masjid serves as the world's oldest Islamic learning institution, but because Muslims know the exact location where the beloved Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) is buried.

Madinah is where I read the article published by the Independent.

I feel sick. The language itself is loaded, divisive, intended to make an impact. And the reaction is the same. All of us feel it, think it, say it. “This CAN'T be true.”

I immediately send messages to my friends and contacts that are researchers at the Center for Historical Studies and Research of Madinah – to verify the news. My friend and long time researcher Abdullah Kabir Al-Shanqiti responds right away. He had already heard about the article. Many of the researchers, as well as the British-educated director of the center whom I know well, speak English. We have a conversation to discuss the details of the article and it is conclusive.


Standards of Journalism

Divisively worded to bring about an intended response, almost all of the facts in the article are not only out of context, but embellished or completely untrue. The article is laced with references to sectarian differences, and even manages to fit in a mention of ISIS for effect.

The source mentioned in the article, Dr. Irfan Al-Alawi, of the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation, represents a polarizing organization called the Center of Islamic Pluralism based out of Washington D.C. The background, connection, and history of the organization and Dr. Irfan Al-Alawi is deserving of an entire separate article.

The timing of this article is something that came to light as research is done by close friends that showed that the Independent regularly posts articles every year that seemingly recycled the same story regarding the destruction of masjid Nabwi, Mecca and/or the Prophet's ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) tomb. These articles date as far back as least to 2011. Dr. Alawi is consistently used as a source annually on this topic in 2011, 2012, 2013 and now with the most recent one in 2014. One can recognize a clear trend or what some might call agenda.

Focusing on the facts of the latest Independent article, the article is pure tabloid—not journalism and certainly not news. Written not with intent to share an event, but a planned disposition for an intended effect.

Worse, it seems entirely premeditated.

Who is Dr Al-Shabal?

The entire story plays off the words “proposal” and “plans.” Emphasizing the veneration of this site by all Muslims, Shia and Sunni, of all backgrounds to create a crisis —a strategic divisive effect.

The reality is, there was no such proposal, and there were no plans.

The article discusses a 61-page document by a “leading Islamic academic Dr Ali ibn AbdulAziz al-Shabal.” The reality is he is not a leading academic, unheard of by the Center of Historical Studies, and someone unknown until the Independent coins him as a “leading Islamic academic” figure.

The document he wrote is a paper that post-doctoral candidates in Saudi Arabian universities write in order to reach the level of adjunct professor. Al-Shabal teaches at imam University. He submitted this paper to the Committee of the Presidency of the Two Masjids in order to establish credibility and at the end of his paper he makes suggestions. He did not submit a proposal to the government; that was never intended—let alone accepted. It is an entry submitted to an academic journal that was taken completely out of context in the Independent article—no, not out of context, seemingly used for an intended purpose.

The writer of the Independent article makes the claim that Dr. Al-Shabal “calls for the destruction of chambers around the Prophet's grave ” and “the removal of Mohamed's remains to the nearby al-Baqi cemetery, where they would be interred anonymously.” A prominent and well known scholar and professor in Umm al Qurra University in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, from the lineage of the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him), Dr. Hatim Al-Awni Al-Sharif calls this a lie and the article a fabrication.

He says that Dr. Al-Shabal in fact called for the “separation” of the grave from the masjid structure and not destruction of the tomb or removal and relocation of the grave.

While correcting this fact, he scathingly critiques Dr.Al-Shabal's academic journal submission and calls it “against the tradition of scholarship from the time of the companions and scholars of this ummah.”He further says while the Independent article stands corrected, “this does not change the fact that [Al-Shabal] went beyond all bounds… and the problem that exists with some is that they believe that they are more knowledgeable and stand more for (the defense of) monotheism than the entire Muslim nation, otherwise they would never have the audacity to put forth such a preposterous opinion!”

Dr Al-Sharif concludes that the academic paper went against the tradition and understanding of orthodoxy entirely and that even though the Independent is completely wrong, lied, and falsified what Dr. Al-Shabal wrote, it still is something that's rejected.

Furthermore, Dr. Al-Shabal is painted as a “leading islamic academic figure,” yet he does not represent any kind of scholarly decision-making body, such as the Council of Senior Scholars whom the government directly seeks approval from. Nor does he represent the Organization of the Islamic Council, a 500-member body comprised of scholars from all over the world that's based in Jeddah. Nor does he sit in the Fiqh Council (alMajma' al Fiqhi) another international council that has members such as renowned scholar Sh Abdullah ibn Bayyah, and holds its meetings in Mecca.

This single fact shows how little the Independent even knows about how scholarly bodies are petitioned when it comes to matters dealing with Islam's holiest sites.

Flashback to last year—the Council of Scholars in Saudi Arabia oversaw the decision to expand the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him)'s masjid. An official government proposal and plan was given to them for approval. The expansion of the masjid in this proposal required changing the place of where the imam leads prayers in the original masjid.

For over 1000 years Imams have led prayer here. This proposal suggested—for the first time in Muslim history—that the imam would deliver sermons on a minbar other than the pulpit of the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him)

The Council unanimously rejected the proposal with the exception of only two members who gave secondary suggestions. The King called for a readjustment of the expansion to demolish all of the 5 star hotels in the back of the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) masjid and expand in a direction that preserves the original building, pulpit, and prayer cove.

I had to ask. How could the Council of Scholars, made up of at least one Madinan scholar, my own teacher, Sh. Muhammad Al-Mukhtar Al-Shanqiti, reject a plan and proposal to not have the pulpit of the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) moved, yet they listened to a plan for his tomb to be moved? It was something impossible

A Divisive Strategy to Sow Seeds of Discord

The problem of manufactured journalism is something we've seen more rampant today. A former CNN reporter, Amber Lyon, exposed that some news outlets even get paid by governments.

Regardless, seeds of discord spread among Muslims throughout social media because of the pervasive and almost subliminal impact such media plays. Many are in deep hate mode and have lunged full on attacks… without checking the facts.

When the facts are pointed out to many that the article contains false information, most seem to not care, “the reality is we can't forget that Saudi did…” or “but in Saudi…” type rhetoric is spreading. Even academics that lay claim to scholastic standard, even journalists, even educators… many are falling prey to the exact intention of the article —the sowing of discord.

For many equating Saudi to not just a government but to an ideology that pigeonhole others is becoming comfortable, again. The “they” and “us” is something that spread through the discussions on social media, no matter which “spectrum” the person belonged to. The standing and representing movements rather than Islam again reared its ugly head.

Many are letting their feelings dictate their rationale—it doesn't matter if the assertions in the article are false, there is injustice that needs to be spoken against, and criticism that needs to be made.

Destruction and Preservation in the Haramain

We must admit. We must be truthful. The realities of history, the truth of demolishing many archaeological sites, historical locations, and other damages to the two holiest sites in Islam is something that is concrete, recorded, and undeniable. There is no doubt, a time, a place, and a discourse that must be had on the destruction of historical sites (I plan on writing a critical analysis of the destruction and preservation of historical sites in the Haramain). However, many do not know about the existence and the work of the organizations to preserve historical sites. In fact, the Center for Historical Studies and Research of Madinah has an entire division that oversees preservation of archaeological sites in Madinah, makes recommendations to the government body overseeing expansion, and I have personally witnessed the director signing 18 sites to be preserved in the future expansion of the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him)'s masjid.

Another organization that does the same in Mecca is called the Al-Furqan Islamic Heritage Foundation, and many other organizations exist both in Mecca and Madinah that work to preserve historical and archaeological sites as best as they can.

But what must be realized, what must resonate, is that there is no doubt that this strategy of manufactured journalism to sow discord is prevalent and strategically placed.

Muslims cannot afford to fall prey to this. Muslims cannot accept to give up the ethos of our faith in verifying news, not spreading everything we hear, and lose sight of the brotherhood that unifies us to collectively speak out against injustice, oppression, and transgression in our faith.

Muslims cannot fall into emboldening sentiments of partisanship and hatred that these type of articles wish for. Right now a correction of false information that's spreading, an understanding of our history, our heritage, our tradition, and our knowledge must be sought. It is in these turbulent times that we clearly see the work of strategy in play, and it is in these times that we beseech our teachers, our scholars, our academics, our journalists, our educators, all Muslims to hold fast and not let distraction seep in. Not let the seeds of discord blur our vision. Not let the disagreements distance ourselves from the objective of reaching a mutual understanding. Holding tight to the same rope, the unity of Muslims, a mutual understanding, a strength must be kept.

Holding on to the Legacy of Madinah

After my preliminary responses on Twitter, I have the opportunity to have an exchange with prominent British journalist Mehdi Hasan. The disagreement over the facts isn't there. It is a deeper sentiment that the article targets and wishes to sow.

We have a calm exchange, where we lay out our points. I point out the factual inaccuracy and emphasize that. And the exchange ends cheerfully with me offering him a cup of tea on his next visit to the holy city of Madinah and a discussion we can have—person to person.

He happily obligeds and says he was looking forward to it.

And I respond; I assure him the Legacy of Madinah is alive and well and will continue to be. This legacy will always defeat those who wish the seeds of discord. The legacy of the Prophet ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) that is ingrained in our faith to overcome and realize the bigger picture, know and understand not just the time to discuss disagreements but the place and environment as well, and to see through the elements that wish to sow that discord in our ranks.

This is the type of discourse we should encourage to have with one another, this is the type of legacy that we should preserve.

In trying times where there are major events occurring in the world, our priorities should be directed by that legacy. A legacy that informs us, that the honor, blood, and sanctity of a Muslim is holier than the Ka'aba itself (1). A legacy that tells us, “It is enough of a lie to relate to others everything you hear (2).” A legacy that guides us, “O you who have believed, if there comes to you an immoral person with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful (3).”

Let's uphold to that legacy, and not allow our discourse to be set by divisive elements and let discord sow in our hearts and ranks. These are from the hadiths of the beloved, our Prophet Muhammad ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) and guidance from the Qur'an. That is the legacy we must carry.

That legacy lives on… and will continue to live on.

Hasib Noor, completing his final year in Bachelors at the College of Islamic Law in the University of Madinah, following undergraduate study in the US majoring Pre-Med & minor in Psychology.

FOOTNOTES:

1. A hadith narrated in Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah, & Ibn Hibban- by Abdullah ibn Amr raḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him) who said “I saw the Messenger of Allah ṣallallāhu 'alayhi wa sallam (peace and blessings of Allāh be upon him) circumambulating the Ka'bah and saying: 'How beautiful are you and how good your fragrance; how great are you and how great your sanctity. By the One in Whose Hand is the soul of Muhammad, the sanctity of the believer is greater before Allah than your sanctity, his blood and his wealth, and to think anything but good of him.'”

2. A hadith narrated in Sahih Muslim by Abu Hurayrah raḍyAllāhu 'anhu (may Allāh be pleased with him)

3. Qur'an 49:6

http://muslimmatters.org/2014/09/03/of-tombs-madinah-and-manufactured-journalism-the-reality-behind-the-independent-article-on-the-prophets-grave/

That article closes the case of this garbage.

Guess this will go into my hoax and fabrication thread.This clears the falsehood beyond any doubt, sometimes hatred or dislike for people can push people to believe anything thrust upon you, even when higher reasoning should prevent you from accepting such garbage. The Qur'an says one should not allow hatred for disbelievers lead you to do things that are unacceptable to Islam. Someone was saying people are trying to engineer a sectarian strife in muslim countries, but it is surprising that you aid these people in their plots.

tbaba1234: In trying times where there are major events occurring in the world, our priorities should be directed by that legacy. A legacy that informs us, that the honor, blood, and sanctity of a Muslim is holier than the Ka'aba itself (1). A legacy that tells us, “It is enough of a lie to relate to others everything you hear (2).” A legacy that guides us, “O you who have believed, if there comes to you an immoral person with information, investigate, lest you harm a people out of ignorance and become, over what you have done, regretful (3).”.