Question:

Assalam o Alaikum shaykh,

Do Ahlus Sunna believe that Prophet (saw) is watching this whole universe and also witnessing the deeds of the whole ummah, Is there nothing which Allah is watching but not Prophet(saw). If not then what are those things that only Allah is watching and not Prophet (saw). Some people say that nothing is hidden from the Prophet(saw). When we do zikr of Friends of Allah. Should we believe that the particular Wali of Allah whose zikr is being done is watching and hearing us and then become happy and therefore pray to Allah on our behalf and then we will get reward of that zikr. Or should we believe that the wali of Allah is not watching and hearing us and Allah will directly give us reward because we are doing the zikr of those whom Allah loves.

What gives us more reward, zikr of Allah or zikr of Awliya?

Answer:

Alaykum Salam,

The knowledge of the Prophet (upon him blessings and peace) is like a drop in the ocean of the knowledge of Allah Most High as stated by Imam Ahmad Rida Khan in al-Dawlat al-Makkiyya. Who fully knows the Divine Essence (dhat) except Allah Himself? As he also said, we must however be careful to understand that drop as an ocean in itself, so it is a drop of magnification (ta’zim) not disparagement (tanqis).

As for this whole universe it is like a small point in the Prophet’s knowledge, since he himself said as narrated in the Sahih: “Truly I am the one who knows Allah the most among all of you.” And what is knowledge of this whole universe next to knowledge of its Creator?

This shows the reality of the Prophet’s true witnessing of all creation as indicated in the Qur’an by his name of Shaheed, and he sees it all as one can easily see the four corners of his room according to Shaykh Abd Allah al-Ghumari in his book on the Prophetic Attributes.

As for the Awliya they receive a share of that witnessing by virtue of the inheritorship of ulama from Anbiya, each according to his respective connection and level, which are reflected in the Salawat and Duas which Allah inspired them through Prophetic dictation, and Allah knows best.

Hajj Gibril Haddad