Recently I was on a leave to my native place in India. The Imam of our mosque repeatedly declared in his two Friday sermons that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had knowledge of the unseen, and those who don't believe in this are hypocrites. Secondly, he translated the meaning of Shahadah as: "There is no God but Allah and Muhammad (SAW) is the messenger of Allah". And he derived that from the meaning "Muhammad (SAW) is a Messenger of Allah" indicating the Prophet is still alive. Later I told him that the Prophet (SAW) did not have knowledge of the unseen with proof from Quran and that the meaning of the Shahadah is "There is no God but Allah And Muhammad (SAW) is the Messenger of Allah", and it doesn't indicate that he is alive, whereas he has died about 1400 years ago. On this, they brought a Fatwa from Ratnagiri, a place in India, declaring me as a non-believer and banned me from praying with Jamaat (congregation) in our area mosque. Please guide and inform me, was I right or not? Could you send me a Fatwa about them if possible signed and stamped at the earliest?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Allaah The Almighty Says in His perfect Book (what means): {Say: None in the heavens or on earth, except Allaah, knows what is hidden: nor can they perceive when they shall be raised up (for Judgment).} [Quran 27:65].

He, the Almighty, clearly ordered His Prophet to inform the people (what means): {Say (O Muhammad) "I don't tell you that with me are the treasures of Allaah, nor (that) I know the Unseen; …} [Quran 6:50].

How can a common person, let alone a Muslim, believe that the Prophet has the knowledge of the Unseen while Allaah The Almighty and His Prophet deny that? In addition, having knowledge of the Unseen is among the special Attributes of Allaah The Almighty and He is deemed far above from sharing His Attributes with anyone else. In fact, during the time of the Prophet he often used to inform his Companions of some matters of the Unseen such as the signs of the Last Hour, the wars that will happen, and he even informed his Companions about Paradise and Hellfire, etc. However, this was not based on his own knowledge, rather Allaah The Almighty informed him and ordered him to inform others. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {"(He Alone is) the All-Knower of the Ghayb (Unseen), and He reveals to none His Ghayb (Unseen)." Except to a Messenger (from mankind) whom He has chosen (He informs him of unseen as much as He likes)… } [Quran 72:26].

Claiming that the Prophet is alive like us is a totally false claim. The Prophet died just as other Prophets died and he was buried in Madeenah.

Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {Muhammad is no more than a Messenger: many were the Messengers that passed away before him. If he died or were slain, will ye then turn back on your heels? If any did turn back on his heels, not the least harm will he do to Allaah; but Allaah (on the other hand) will swiftly reward those who (serve him) with gratitude.} [Quran 3:144]. In another verse He, The Almighty, declares (what means): {Verily you (O Muhammad) will die, and verily they (too) will die.} [Quran 39:30].

The Prophet is in Barzakh, which is a completely different existence from this world. The details about the life of Barzakh can be known only through the Quran and Sunnah since they are among the matters of the Unseen. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means): {…Nay, they are alive, with their Lord, and they have provision.} [Quran 3:169].

In fact, the rank of Prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention, is far above the grade of martyrs, thus they are more entitled to be alive in the Barzakh. Nevertheless, the life and the matters of Barzakh are not similar to this life, the details of which are known by Allaah The Almighty alone. Thus, comparing these two worlds is not possible. If the life of the Barzakh were similar to the life of this world, it would not be correct to ascribe death to the Prophet as mentioned in the above verse.

Due to the differences of both existences, the Prophet is not aware of what is going on in this world. He does not know who is asking help from him, and who is seeking a child, wealth, wife, etc. from him, as is the practice of the grave worshippers. The Prophet said: "Lo! Some men from my followers will be brought and then (the angels) will drive them to the left side (Hell-Fire). I will say. 'O my Lord! (They are) my companions!' Then a reply will come (from Almighty), 'You do not know what they did after you.'" [Al-Bukhari]. This Hadeeth proves that he does not know the matters of this world after his death otherwise he will be aware of the situations of his people.

On the other hand, if it is said that the Prophet is alive in his grave, it does not mean that his life is similar to the life of those who are living in this world. Thus, if one seeks his help or asks something from him he commits Shirk (polytheism).

Finally, what we mentioned above is the sole truth that is approved in Quran and Sunnah, whoever believes so is a true Muslim and whoever opposes such a person, insults him and accuses him of Kufr (disbelief) is committing a great sin, since he is considering a Muslim an unbeliever without any legitimate reason.

Allaah Knows best.