Is it valid to pray behind someone who seeks help from other than Allah?
- Muiz As-Siddeeqi
- Apr 24
- 2 min read
Question to Shaykh Ibn Baaz:
Is it valid for me to pray behind someone who seeks help from other than Allah and utters such phrases as “Help us, O Ghawth! Assistance, O Jilānī!”? And if I find no one else, may I pray in my home?
Shaykh Ibn Baaz Answer:
It is not permissible to pray behind any of the polytheists, including those who seek help from other than Allah and ask others for aid—because seeking help from the dead, idols, jinn, and the like is considered shirk (associating partners with Allah). However, seeking help from a living, present person who is capable of helping is permissible, as Allah said regarding the story of Mūsā (peace be upon him):
“The man from his party asked him for help against his enemy.”[Surah al-Qaṣaṣ, 28:15].
If you cannot find a Muslim imam to pray behind, then you may pray in your home. If you find a group of Muslims who are able to pray in the masjid before or after the polytheist imam, then pray with them. And if the Muslims are able to remove the polytheist imam and appoint a Muslim imam to lead the people in prayer, then it becomes obligatory for them to do so. This is part of commanding the good, forbidding the evil, and establishing Allah’s Sharīʿah on His earth—so long as it can be done without causing a greater trial or tribulation (fitnah).
Allah the Exalted said:
“The believing men and believing women are allies of one another. They enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong…”[Surah al-Tawbah, 9:71].
And He said:
“So fear Allah as much as you are able.”[Surah al-Taghābun, 64:16].
And the Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever among you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; if he is unable, then with his tongue; if he is unable, then with his heart—and that is the weakest of faith.”Narrated by Muslim in his Ṣaḥīḥ.
Published in Majallat al-Daʿwah, 13/10/1409 AH (Corresponding to 1989). Also found in Majmūʿ Fatāwā wa-Maqālāt Shaykh Ibn Bāz, Vol. 4, p. 314.
Comments