Some pamphlets are distributed that include Quranic verses. To encourage the messages to be forwarded, they promise that those who obey what is in them will have miraculous benefits and those who do not will be harmed in an unexpected way. What is the ruling on forwarding such messages?

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.

These messages are nonsensical. It is not permissible for Muslims to distribute them or even help in doing so. One of the gravest  sins is to lie and attribute to Allaah The Almighty what is not to be attributed to Him, or to His Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam . Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {And on the Day of Resurrection you will see those who lied about Allaah [with] their faces blackened. Is there not in Hell a residence for the arrogant?} [Quran 39:60]

It was narrated on the authority of Al-Mugheerah Ibn Shu‘bah that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam , said that lying about him was a sin that is far graver than lying about anyone else. He added that whoever lied about him would be taking a place in Hell. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]

It is impermissible for Muslims to believe in the contents of these messages, or that they could bring about benefit or drive away harm. Anyone who believes in this would be committing Shirk (polytheism) and must repent. Allaah The Almighty has completed and perfected the religion for us, and his Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, reported this fact to all Muslims.

Hence, if anyone believes in the message you mentioned, he would be accusing our religion of imperfection, and the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, of having concealed some knowledge. Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

• {This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you.} [Quran 5:3]

• {O Messenger, announce that which has been revealed to you from your Lord.} [Quran 5:67]

• {So leave them, [O Muhammad], for you are not to be blamed.} [Quran 51:54]

Thus, Muslims all over the world should beware of such messages and should never distribute them thinking that if they are not useful, at least they are not harmful. They are indeed harmful, because they spread ignorance among Muslims and teach them to be superstitious. 

One of those circulars speak about someone called Shaykh Ahmad, a servant at the mosque of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, who claims to have seen the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in a dream and that he, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, gave him a message to  spread among Muslims. Another circular was about a disabled woman who had seen the Mother of the Believers, Zaynab in a dream and  was cured when she woke up.

There is no doubt that such messages are sent by suspicious groups. They make up stories and send the circulars  to the Muslims so that they live in the darkness of ignorance and superstition. We ask Allaah The Almighty to guide all Muslims to all that pleases Him.

Allaah Knows best.