Ahmad also transmits, on the authority of Ibn ʿAmr: “Whoever is diverted by tiyarah from pursuing his need has fallen into shirk.” They asked, “Messenger of Allah, what is the expiation for that?” He answered, “He should say: ‘O Allah, no good exists save the good that comes from You; no augury holds sway except Yours; and there is no deity but You.’” (1)
He likewise records, on the authority of al-Faḍl ibn ʿAbbas: “Tiyarah is only that which impels you to go forward or turns you back.” (2)
Biographical notes
- Ibn ʿAmr: ʿAbd Allah ibn ʿAmr ibn al-ʿĀṣ, one of the early and prolific transmitters of hadith.
- Al-Faḍl: al-Faḍl ibn ʿAbbas ibn ʿAbd al-Muṭṭalib, the Prophet’s cousin.
“Has fallen into shirk”: because he has failed to place his trust solely in Allah, turning instead to something else.
“Expiation for that”: meaning, for the instance of tiyarah that has occurred.
“There is no deity but You”: i.e., none is rightfully worshipped except You.
“Tiyarah is only”: namely, the type that is forbidden.
“Which impels you to go forward”: that is, drives you to proceed with what you intended.
“Or turns you back”: from carrying it out.
Overall meaning of the hadith: the Prophet—peace and blessings be upon him—states that the forbidden tiyarah