It is quite common amongst followers of the Shia school of thought to make the statement "Ya Ali Madad." The meaning of this phrase is literally "Oh Ali, help." A simple, oft-used statement like this can seem harmless and not unusual. Unfortunately, the implications of such a statement, when analyzed, can lead down a dark road.
Let us examine its intent. The person saying "Ya Ali Madad" in most circumstances will be in some moment of difficulty or dilemma and by saying such a statement requests help and relief for their dilemma. One may often say it absent-mindedly or without too much purpose, mostly because the phrase is so commonplace and easy to say. Think of a person stretching after waking up; they may say anything from "Allah akbar" to "Oh my God" or simply remain quiet during their stretch. Most likely though, they are not thinking about what they are saying, let alone Allah or anything spiritual. They just say it.
Yet a phrase such as the one we are examining has more than a meaning than simply a verbal reminder of someone or something. It does not simply include "Ya Ali", but adds the important verb "help." The meaning becomes a cry for help or, in other words; a prayer.
Of course, when one asks for something, whether it be a tissue paper or help from beyond, there must be two parties involved: the asker and the giver. The asker's existence and motivation is not disputed. The problem here lies with the target of the request, the giver.
Hazrat Ali RA was one of the greatest and most important Sahabi. He lived an exemplary life and remains renowned for his piety, courage, valour in battle, eloquence in speech and wisdom. He was the first male and first child to accept Islam and his list of accomplishments and triumphs as scholar, warrior and Khalifa are too numerous to list here in their entirety.
Yet the undeniable fact remains, amongst Shias, Sunnis, historians and scientists: Hazrat Ali is dead, and has been dead for 1400 years. He cannot really do anything, much less help the living, more than say, a tree or a light bulb. Hazrat Ali was a man, and men are not immortal but have set lives, determined by the Divine One. Beyond that period, their influence and actions are no more. It is well-known that a person's book of deeds is closed upon their death. After that, nothing is written in them because, frankly, the person does not and cannot act anymore. Indeed, such is one of the aspects of death.
So why, the question begs, would one ask for help from Hazrat Ali RA if he cannot help? A common reason given by Shia scholars is the power of intercession inscribed to Hazrat Ali RA. They suggest that notable Sahabi and members of the family of the Prophet SAW can intercede or pray on our behalf to Allah SWT, and that Allah SWT may listen and respond more readily to their prayers and du'a. Though this premise is rendered false by the previous argument, let us take a closer look at an example.
A well-known saying amongst Shias is the story of one of Hazrat Ali's RA companions falling sick. The story is quoted as follows:
"One of the companions of Imam fell ill. Imam Ali called upon him and thus advised him: "Be thankful to Allah. He has made this illness a thing to atone your sins because a disease in itself has nothing to bring reward to anyone, it merely expiates one's sins and so far as reward is concerned, one has to earn it with his good words and good deeds. The Almighty Lord grants Paradise to his creatures on account of their piety and noble thoughts".
As can be seen in this story, in a time when Hazrat Ali RA was alive and walking amongst people, they did not praise him, worship him or even ask him to pray to Allah SWT on their behalf. He himself, through his own words, called upon his companions to ask Allah SWT for help and aid. If when Hazrat Ali RA was alive and totally able to make du'a for a sick person's behalf, why did he in fact tell the person to ask Allah SWT themselves directly instead of offering to act as an intercessor?
The answer is simple, as all noble truths in this deen are. Hazrat Ali RA understood this truth. It is the very foundation of this creed, that is, the belief in One God Almighty. Lo, the entire creation and dunya, the Earth and the Cosmos, flows from this truth, rests on this truth and is sustained by this truth.
Let's be clear. Imam Hasan RA and Husayn RA, when both were suffering incredible punishment, persecution and hardship in their life, did they ever once say "Ya Ali"? Did they call upon their supposedly divinely-guided, divinely-powered father?
No.
Did Hazrat Ali call upon himself in times of battle and suffering?
No, of course not.
Did he call the next most obvious human candidate for aid, the Prophet SAW?
No.
All four persons mentioned called upon the same source for help and assistance in their trials...the same source from whom which all Muslims call upon, the source of all things:
Allah SWT.
The Enemies of Allah, including the hypocrites and the ignorant, have always tried to actively dissaude others from accepting this truth. They have tried to "muddy the waters," to create debate and turmoil when before there was none.
Let other religions and peoples bicker about the existence of God, how many gods, and other irrelevant questions. Amongst Muslims, there is and can only be one common truth, a stronger than any other tenet of belief in our faith: La illaha il Allah.
And Allah knows best.
