Search In Fatwa

The title 'Ala-Hazrat' is permissible

Question

Salam o Alaikum. Dear Sir, It is stated that I have some question to ask your highness to be enlightened. 1. Can shift Mukam-e-Ibrahim from it’s original place? 2. Calling to someone respected with the title “Ala-Hazrat” is a major sin (Shrik)? 3. What if one Muslim calls other Muslim “Kafir” without any proof or justification from Quran or Sunnah (Hadihs)? 4. If someone says that a Muslim is “Kafir” who says “Ala-Hazrat” to other Muslim due to respect and will be held sinful due to saying a “Kafir” to other Muslim? Please explain these matters in the light of Quran and Sunnah with references. Thanking you in anticipation.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.

The first point: There is no harm in moving Maqaam Ibraaheem from its place if the need arises such as if it gets in the way of the pilgrims while performing the Tawaaf or causes any harm or difficulty for the pilgrims due to over-crowding.

It has been narrated that the Maqaam was originally inside the Ka‘bah and the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, took it out and attached it to the wall of the Ka‘bah as narrated by Ibn Mardawayh from Al-Kalbi on the authority of Abu Saalih who reported it on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him. However, the chain of narration of this report is Dha'eef (weak). ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab  may  Allaah  be  pleased  with  him was reported to have moved it away from the wall of the Ka‘bah because of the crowding of pilgrims. This was reported by Ibn Katheer and others. This indicates the permissibility of moving its place when needed.

The second point: We have come to know that the title "Ala-Hazrat" is used to show respect and reverence, such as "Your Highness", for instance. If this is the correct indication of the title, then there is no harm in using it to address a pious believer worthy of respect. This does not constitute any sin, let alone to be an act of disbelief or Shirk. Please refer to Fatwa 88858. It should be noted that whoever claims that using the title "Ala-Hazrat" leads to disbelief has spoken without knowledge and committed a serious mistake.

The third point: It is impermissible for the Muslim to declare his fellow Muslim a disbeliever. This is a grave and serious matter; we have clarified the gravity of this in Fataawa 721 and 34660.

Allaah Knows best.

Related Fatwa