Ya Muhammad

Yā Muhammad (Arabic: يا محمد), Yā ‘Alī (Arabic: يا علي), Yā Hussain (Arabic: يا حسين), Yā Fātimah (Arabic: يا فاطمة) are expressions used by Shī‘as.

Definition

The phrase means "O [name] ". Literally, the word "Yā" means O (as in a call to someone). It is a common prefix used by Arabs to call each other. Someone named Zaid will be addressed in Arabic as "Yā Zaid".

The word "Yā" alone is of no religious significance. It is used as well with derogatory and abusive words in Arabic, for example in "Yā kadhdhāb" ("یا کذاب") "O Liar".

Use

Request for strength

"Yā ‘Alī" is mostly used as a request for strength in the phrase "Yā ‘Alī Madad" ("یا علی مدد", "Ali, help!") because he is the Imām in Shī‘a Islam.

Other phrases are mostly used as slogans which are meant to increase one's level of morale in certain situations and also increase the religious passion. These phrases are mostly used in religious gatherings.

Remembrance of Muharram

During the Remembrance of Muharram, spontaneous slogans of "Yā Hussain", "Yā ‘Alī" and "Yā Rasūlu l-Lāh" "Messenger of God!" are very common. On such occasions, the slogans are mostly demonstrations of strong support.

=Pilgr

Muslims visiting the grave of Muhammad recite "As-salātu as-salāmu ‘alayka, Yā Rasūlu l-Lāh" "Greetings and peace be upon you, O Messenger of God". Shia Muslims use similar kinds of greetings while visiting graves and shrines of other holy personalities.

Pakistan

During the training and drill Pakistani Forces repeat the slogan "Yā ‘Alī" to raise their morale. Sometimes slogan is raised in a call-response format:: (Call) "Naraye-Haidery": (Response) "Yā ‘Alī"The same format is used by Pakistani Shī‘as in their religious gatherings.

Most Common Religious Call-Response Slogans.: "To Praise God": Call : "Naray-e Takbir": Response: "Allāhu akbar!": "To Praise the Prophet Muhammad": Call : "Naray-e Rasalaat": Response: "Ya Rasoolullah"

: "To Praise Imām ‘Alī": Call : "Naray-e Haideri ( Traditional ): Response 1: Yā ‘Alī

: Call: Nara-e Haideri ( 2nd Version ): Response 2: Yā ‘Alī - Yā ‘Alī - Yā ‘Alī Madad. Haqq Haydar!

audi Arabia

In Saudi Arabia, "Yā Muhammad" is used to address a stranger in order to begin a conversation. It is considered one of the polite and respectful ways to address a stranger, as Muhammad is considered as the most respectful name anyone can be called, hence its popularity among Muslims worldwide.

In popular culture

A popular Hindi/Urdu song in India is "Yā ‘Alī" (Urdu: یا علی, Hindi: या अली), sung by Assamese singer Zubeen Garg. The song, basically a fast techno-fusion romantic track, is a plea to Ali for a lover. The song’s words are written by Sayeed Qadri. [ [http://www.apunkachoice.com/music/alb119/ Apunkachoice: Ganster] ] The song is from the soundtrack of the Bollywood film, "Gangster".

Arguments For and Against

For

Those who support using "Yā" derive their support from the articles of faith, "There is no god but God and Muhammad is the messenger of God". As this cannot be changed, they claim that Muhammad is still alive because Muhammad "is" the messenger of Allah, not "was". There are also some arguments from the Qur'an, such as the Qur'anic verse that states "Do not consider those who die on the path for Islam to be dead." (2:154) In addition, a plaque on the Prophet's grave to this day reads "As-salāmu ‘alayka, Yā Rasūlu l-Lāh" "Peace be upon you, O Prophet of God", highlighting that the Salafis, who run the mosque, themselves should agree with the practice.

Those who practice this are mainly Shi'as and Sufis.

Against

This practice is regarded as wrong by some Muslims, arguing that no one needs an intermediary to speak to God. There are some sects and groups who consider this to be an innovation and idolatry, because only God alone can help and no one else. They derive their support from the Qur'an where it states, "Do not recall any god beside me...Ask me directly if you are in need." There are also narrations through the hadith which mention, "When the prophet Muhammad died, Umar didn't want to believe that he was dead. He didn't let anyone bury him, nor did he allow anyone to cry; he said that the prophet was still alive. Abu Bakr calmed him down and told him that the prophet had died but not his religion. It is here to stay." Another hadith says "Now the religion is complete, the only thing you need is the Koran and my sunnah". This confirms that there is no need to go through the prophet or any other saint to reach God. It is only permitted to reach him directly by asking him.

The Islamic revival movements in the late colonial period developed puritan thoughts in islamic theology. Groups which condemn the phrase ya to anyone than God are today known as salafis, a school of thought within the sunni sect of islam. they are known as Deobandis and ahle hadith in sub-continent.

See also

*Islam
*Tawassul

References

External links

* [http://www.answering-ansar.org/answers/tawassul/en/index.php Answering-Ansar: Ya Ali Madad! (Tawassul)]
* [http://ww.smashits.com/video/hindi-songs/music/1748/gangster.html Ya Ali Hindi/Urdu song]
* [http://www.hindilyrix.com/songs/get_song_Ya%20Ali%20Reham%20Ali.html Hindi Lyrix: Ya Ali Reham Ali]