Q 7: Once the Sahabah (the Prophet's companions) used the sputum of the Prophet (Part No. 2; Page No. 82) to rub their faces in his presence. What is the ruling on this? What were his instructions concerning their behavior? Can these instructions be taken as prohibitive caution against this act? Nowadays, shaykhs want their followers to seek blessings from the water they use for their wudu' (ablution) and the like. Thus, their followers do that in the presence of their shaykhs with no objection.

A: As for the accounts that whenever the Prophet (peace be upon him) spat, his spittle was received by the hands of Sahabah who would rub their skin therewith and that they sought blessings from the water he used in Wudu' and the other relics etc., this merit is confined to the Prophet. So, the Sahabah, who were aware of the objectives of Shari`ah and adopted the example of the Prophet in a matchless manner did not do this with any other figure but the Prophet (peace be upon him). Had it been permissible to do so with shaykhs and noble men, they would have hastened to copy this act. Hence, this incident and its likes can not stand as proof of the permissibility of seeking blessing from the saliva and water the sufi shaykhs and others use for Wudu'. Accordingly, what the followers do with their shaykhs is an act of Bid`ah (innovation in religion). It is authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, Anyone who innovates something in this matter of ours (i.e. Islam) that is not part of it, will have it rejected. (Agreed upon by Imams Al-Bukhari and Muslim.) (Part No. 2; Page No. 83) May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.