Ya Muhammad
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Ya Muhammad (Arabic: يا محمد), Ya Ali (Arabic: يا علي), Ya Hussain (Arabic: يا حسين), Ya Fatimah (Arabic: يا فاطمة) and such are expressions used by Muslims, mainly by Shi'a. A signifiant number of Sunnis (particularly Salafis) do not use such phrases because they deem it shirk (idolatrous) to do so [citation needed].
Definition
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The phrase means "O Muhammad". Literally, the word Ya means O (as in a call to someone). It is a common prefix used by Arabs to call each other. For example someone named Jennifer will be addressed in Arabic as Ya Jennifer.
The word Ya alone is of no religious significance as it is also used as prefix with deragatory and abusive words in Arab culture as in Ya Kazzaab (Arabic: یا کذاب) which means O Liar.
Use
Request for strength
Ya Ali is mostly use as a request for strength in the phrase Ya Ali Madad (Arabic: یا علی مدد, O Ali Help). It is because of the fact Ali is remembered as the greatest warrior of early 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 Ya Hussain, Ya Ali and Ya Rasoolullah (a variation of Ya Muhammad) are very common. On such occasions, the slogans are mostly demonstrations of strong support.
Pilgrimage
Muslims visiting the grave of Muhammad recite: Assalatu Assalamo Alaika Ya Rasool Allah (be greeted O the messenger of Allah) which contains Ya Rasool Allah, a variation of Ya Muhammad. 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 Ya Ali to raise their morale. Sometimes slogan is raised in a call-response format:
- (Call) Naraye-Haidery
- (Response) Ya Ali
Same format is used by Pakistani Shia Muslims in their religious gatherings.
Most Common Religious Call-Response Slogans.
- ( To Praise God )
- Call : Naray-e-Takbir
- Response: Allah-o-Akbar
- ( To Praise Prophet Muhammad )
- Call : Naray-e-Rasalaat
- Response: Ya Rasoolullah
- ( To Praise Imam Ali )
- Call : Naray-e-Haideri ( Traditional )
- Response 1: Ya Ali
- Call: Na-ra-e-Hai-deri ( 2nd Version )
- Response 2: Ya Ali - Ya Ali - Ya Ali Madad. Haq Haider
- ( Each word of Call/Res with a little Pause - When in this format )
Saudi Arabia
In Saudi Arabia, Ya 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.
In popular culture
A popular Hindi/Urdu song in India is Ya Ali (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.[1] The song is from the soundtrack of the Bollywood film, Gangster.
Arguments For and Against
For
Those who support using ya derive their support from the article of faith LA ILAHA ILLALAHO MUHAMMAD AL-RASOOL ALLAH (there is no god but Allah, and Mohammad is His messenger). As the article of faith Shahada can never 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 one sunnah that states "Do not consider those who die on the path for Islam to be dead."
Those who practice this are mainly Shi'as and Sufis.
Against
This practise is regarded as wrong by some Muslims, arguing that no one needs an intermediary to speak to Allah.
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 hadiths which mention "When the prophet Mohammad 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 groups that are typically against this are the Sunnis who belong to the Salafi and Deobandi groups.