AHYA Multi-Media - QSEP

Chapter 10: Excessive Praise for the
Messenger of Allah
Introduction
Exaggeration (in the religion) means exceeding the limits set by
Allah and His Messenger . Exaggeration, whether in belief or
actions, is highly condemned in the religion of Islam, Allah says:
“O people of Scripture! Do not exceed the limits in your
religion…” 539
Abdullah Ibn Mas’oud reported that Allah’s Messenger said:
“Destroyed are those who are extreme (in the religion).” He said
it three times. 540
Exaggeration in regards to the honor and status of righteous
people was the root cause behind the deviation of previous
nations. Allah’s Messenger said: “Beware of exaggeration.
Your predecessors perished on account of their exaggeration.” 541
The Prohibition of Exaggeration in Praising Allah’s
Messenger :
Exaggeration in praising Allah’s Messenger involves exceeding
his status and attributing Divine qualities to him , invoking him
for help, supplicating to him, swearing by him, etc. Allah’s
Messenger warned, “Do not praise me as the Christians
praised the son of Maryam. Indeed, I am a slave of Allah. So
say, ‘the slave of Allah and His Messenger .’” 542 This Hadeeth
forbids exaggeration like the Christians (who exceeded the limits
in praising Eesa ), and sufficing with the fact that Allah, the
Most High, chose Muhammad as a Prophet and a Messenger,
and as His beloved.
539 Soorah ali-Imraan (3): 31.
540 Saheeh Muslim.
541 Musnad Ahmad and others.
542 Saheeh al-Bukharee vol. 6, no. 478.
191