Misconception Regarding Sajdah and throwing of stones at the pillar when visiting the Holy Land and Comparing it with the actions of Kuffars
Query 1: Zaid says that the Hindus prostate (make Sajdah) to idols, whereas we go to the Kaaba and prostate to a stone. He further says that Hindus place water, flowers etc. on their idols and they say that it will reach ‘Maha Dev’ (their so-called deity), and we go to the Kaaba (i.e. to the Holy Land), and throw stones and say that the shaitaan feels the pain. He then asks what the difference between them and us is. Please provide such an answer, which will also allow me to become fully content.
The Verdict: (Firstly) This person should make Tauba (repent) promptly. No Muslim performs Sajdah to the Kaaba. We only face the direction of the Kaaba, we perform Sajdah for Almighty Allah, and the kufaar make Sajdah to their idols. They worship their idols as Deities. To say that the Muslims go to the Kaaba and make Sajdah to a stone is a false accusation on Muslims. You make your Sajdah facing the Direction of Qibla when you are far away from the Kaaba, and even when you go there, you face the same direction of Qibla. The only difference is that you are at the actual Qibla.
No matter where ever one makes Sajdah, it is for Allah alone. Can someone with even the least intelligence say that when we are praying Namaaz in any other Musjid, we are making Sajdah to the walls of the Musjid, or if we are praying Namaaz in our homes, then we are making Sajdah to the walls of our homes? To say the direction of making Sajdah to be what (object) Sajdah is being made for, is to reject the reality of Islam and Kufr, and to do this is incorrect. ولا حول ولا قوة الا بالله العلي العظيم
The person who made these statements must repent (make sincere Tauba). The Muslims perform Rami of the Jamraat (i.e. they pelt the pillars where shaitaan tried to obstruct Hazrat Ibraheem عليه الصلاة والسلام) and this is done only to follow the manner prescribed. There is wisdom in every command of the Wise. Man often does that which is commanded to him by those he has faith in, without knowing the wisdom behind it. He knows and understands that due to his ignorance and simple nature, he does not recognise the real benefits in such practices. However, there is always some benefit in it. So, what then what can be said about Allah, who is All Knowing! There is no questioning His command and His Divine Authority. It is Muhaal (absolutely impossible) that He will command you to do that which has a weakness in it.
There is no doubt that there is benefit in that which He has commanded. None of us says that when we throw the stones, it strikes shaitaan on his body. We only throw the stones to follow the Divine command and imitate the action of Hazrat Ibrahim عليه الصلاة والسلام during the instance when shaitaan tried to be an obstacle in his way; so Almighty Allah commanded him to pelt shaitaan with stones, so that he (shaitaan) may become disillusioned (and runaway).
Thus, we too follow the manner of Hazrat Khaleelullah عليه الصلاة والسلام when we are there. To throw stones towards anyone is definitely with the intention of trying to hurt him. (Also) If you intend to chase someone away, then too you would throw stones at him, and he would usually run away, even though a single stone does not hit him. Does a monkey or crow not run (take flight) when they are hit by stones? Sometimes the intention of chasing them (throwing the stones) is only based on showing ones intent.
Sometimes when wanting to chase a monkey or crow etc. all that one needs to do, is to bend over as if picking up a stone and then use a throwing action even though one has no stones in ones hand. This action alone is sufficient in certain situations, to chase something away.
We must realise that it was at this same place that the cursed enemy of Allah (shaitaan) tried to divert Hazrat Ibraheem عليه الصلاة والسلام (from his mission). How then will he leave us? He is always trying to mislead us. Thus, we should use the very same treatment here, which was used by Hazrat Ibrahim عليه الصلاة والسلام . In following the way of Hazrat Ibrahim عليه الصلاة والسلام we will (firstly) receive barkat (blessing), and (secondly) shaitaan the accursed will flee.
Even though not a single stone of Hazrat Ibrahim عليه الصلاة والسلام went without striking its target, whereas ours misses the target. However, when there is a flurry of stones raining over shaitaan, then he will not wait there, but he will flee. Thus, this will fulfil the idea of having shaitaan belittled. If one makes a picture of a person, and throws stones at the picture and strikes it with his shoes, the person whose picture it is will definitely feel offended to see such a thing, even though he is not being struck directly on his body and only his picture is being hit.
Thus, to hurt (offend) shaitaans feelings deeply, we throw stones at him at the places where Ibrahim عليه الصلاة والسلام pelted him. Now, to compare this to that baseless action of the kufaar is definitely a bad thing. How can such a person say that to put water and flowers over an idol is the same as pelting the shaitaan?
It is not necessary for the body to be struck, in order for the heart to be inflicted with pain. واللہ تعالیٰ اعلم
References
Fatawa Mustafawiyah, Ghaus-ul-Waqt Mufti e Azam e Hind Mawlana Mustafa Rida Khan Qadri RadiyAllahu Anhu.
[Translation]
Mufti Afthab Cassim Qadri Ridawi Noori