Ruling on reading poems after Khatmah

A: First of all, it is not permissible to recite any poem after Khatmah. This applies to the poem in question as well as any other. (Part No. 2; Page No. 322) There is nothing reported from the Prophet (peace be upon him) or the Rightly-Guided Caliphs (may Allah be pleased with them) sanctioning this act. Therefore, this practice is considered Bid‘ah (innovation in Islam). It was authentically reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) stated, “Anyone who introduces anything into this matter of ours (Islam) that is not part of it will have it rejected.” According to another wording, “Anyone who does an action which is not in accordance with this matter of ours (Islam) will have it rejected.” Secondly, We have previously issued a Fatwa no. 5042 regarding the ruling on reciting Du‘a’ after Khatmah which reads: The Du‘a’ after Khatmah, which is attributed to Shaykh-ul-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah is not authentic as far as we know. This Du‘a’ is commonly attributed to Ibn Taymiyyah and we think there is no harm in reciting it. Since there is no proof specifying a certain Du‘a’, there is nothing wrong with reciting any other Du‘a’. Thirdly, the poem you mentioned involves seeking help, support and protection from other than Allah (Exalted be He) regarding things that only Allah can do. To name but a few, it reads:We call upon you for help and in your name we beseech; O refuge of the fearful.O most trustworthy handhold to whom I resort; when the distress befalls as you are my protector.Hasten your succor. You are the One who brings prompt relief.You, who possess all glory, inheritedAnother example is:O Ahmad Al-Tijany! O succor to the hearts! Do you not see the distresses befalling us?All these utterances are major Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) and lead to eternal abiding in Hellfire if one dies without repenting. (Part No. 2; Page No. 323) Moreover, the poem involves acts of Bid‘ah; such as Tawassul (beseeching Allah) in the name of or by virtue of the status of the Prophet or any other person, pious or not. You must ask Allah for forgiveness and repent to Him. It is Him who says in His Book, And verily, I am indeed forgiving to him who repents, believes (in My Oneness, and associates none in worship with Me) and does righteous good deeds, and then remains constant in doing them, (till his death). And And those who invoke not any other ilâh (god) along with Allâh ...then verily, he repents towards Allâh with true repentance. Fourthly, Ahmad Al-Tijany and adherents to his Tariqah (Sufi order) are the worst perpetrators of Ghulu (exaggeration/extremism), acts of Kufr (disbelief), Ibtida‘ (heresy) in religion and deviation from the right by committing acts that are not sanctioned by Allah or His Messenger (peace be upon him). The Permanent Committee previously published examples of Bid‘ah and misguidance practiced by these people. We hope these will be beneficial for you and be a reason for your guidance to the path of the saved sect of Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jama‘ah (those adhering to the Sunnah and the Muslim main body) whose attributes are expressed in the following Hadith, “My Ummah (nation based on one creed) will split into seventy-three sects, all of which will be in Hellfire except one.” It was asked, “Which will it be, O Messenger of Allah?” He said, “Those who follow the very same (path) that I and my Sahabah (Companions) follow today.” May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions!