The False Story of al-Utbi and Seeking Intercession at the Prophet’s Grave — A Clarification from the Scholars
- Muiz As-Siddeeqi
- May 24
- 1 min read
The False Story of al-Utbi and Seeking Intercession at the Prophet’s Grave — A Clarification from the Scholars
The story of al-ʿUtbi that is narrated in relation to the verse: {And if, when they wronged themselves...} [Surah an-Nisāʾ 4:64].
This story has been mentioned by a number of people, as the author said, but—just as the scholars and those who carefully investigated have stated—it is a fabricated story that has no basis and no authenticity. It is bāṭilah (false). What Allah, Glorified and Exalted, mentioned in this verse only applied during the lifetime of the Prophet ﷺ: Allah called them to go to him, seek Allah’s forgiveness, and the Messenger ﷺ would also seek forgiveness for them.
As for going to his grave and asking him to seek forgiveness for them or to intercede for them—this is a reprehensible act, it has no basis and no authenticity. This story is false, fabricated, and baseless. Al-ʿUtbi is not to be relied upon, neither his chain of transmission nor the content attributed to him, as the imams have pointed out—such as Shaykh al-Islām Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn al-Qayyim, al-Dhahabi, and others. They spoke about this story and affirmed that it has no foundation and no authenticity. It is obligatory upon scholars, when narrating such a story, to clarify its error afterward.”
Source: Tafsīr al-Qur’ān al-ʿAẓīm by Ibn Kathīr (under the verse: {Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those in authority among you...} [Surah an-Nisāʾ 4:59])
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