Biography of the Leader of Ahl al-Sunnah
Etiquette with Sacred Images on Prayer Mats
Mawlana Hafiz al-Rahman Attari Madani
Just as the spiritual guide and leader of Ahl al-Sunnah, Mawlana Ilyas Attar al-Qadiri دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ is revered worldwide for his advice, powerful call to Islam, and unmatched efforts to improve the lives of Muslims, he is acclaimed for his love of Madina and respect for Makka. Listening to the abundant mention of Madina and Makka in his discourse has ignited the love of these sacred places in the hearts of millions. He not only loves the blessed cities themselves but also respects everything attached to them.
Considering this reverence, he says:
Even prior to the formation of Dawat-e-Islami, I would avoid offering prayer on a prayer mat depicting the image of the blessed Kaaba or the Green Dome. Since we revere these places so much, how can we stand on a prayer mat depicting their image? No Sunni scholar has opposed me on this. In fact, I used to frequent a scholar who would have such prayer mats laid out. In a very respectable manner, I turned his attention to this, and he not only agreed with me but also had those prayer mats removed.
This is my personal approach. Otherwise, it is permissible to offer prayer on such mats, but etiquette demands that we respect them. Many people who return from Hajj and Umrah gift me such prayer mats, but I prefer to pray on the bare floor.[1]
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