[25]. A companion of the Prophet said: We went out from Makkah with the Messenger of God ﷺ to Hunayn and we were new in Islam at that time. The pagans had a tree to which they would go and spend time (to seek blessings) and they used to hang their things on it, and it was called Dhaat Anwaat. We passed by a large green tree and we said: ‘O Messenger of God, make for us a dhaat anwaat.’ The Messenger of God ﷺ said: ‘By the One in Whose hand is my soul, you have said the same as the people of Moses said: make for us a god as they have gods. Verily you are a people who know not. These are ways that you will certainly follow as did those who came before you, step by step.’
We learn from this to beware of polytheism (associating others with Allāh in worship) and that a person may think that something is good and will bring him closer to Allāh, when it is as far removed as it can be from the mercy of his Lord and will only bring him closer to His wrath. Seeking blessings from trees and rocks and rivers and being attached to them are all acts of idolatry.
26. The Majesty and Greatness of Allāh and what is obligatory upon you, i.e. to worship none but Allāh, the One and the Only true God of all that exists.
[27]. Seeking blessings is something determined by Allāh and no one can change it, alter it or add anything to it. The permissible ways of seeking blessings that are mentioned in the Scripture are as follows:
a) Seeking blessings through Zam Zam water, and the black stone.
b) Times: the month of Ramadan, the night of Decree, and the first ten days of Thul-Hijjah.
c) Places: Makkah, Madeenah and Jerusalem mosques.
d) Actions: Prayer, fasting alms, etc.
What is not mentioned in the legislation as being permissible to seek blessings with is forbidden. For instance: In human beings: like the saints and pious people.
Times, like the night of Ascension and the night of the birth of the Prophet .
Places: like graves and the like.
Actions: like innovations and newly introduced matters.
The blessings of Allāh, may He be exalted, can only be sought by obeying Allāh and obeying His messenger Muhammad ﷺ. That is achieved by doing what is enjoined and refraining from what is forbidden, and hastening to repent and seek forgiveness in the event of any shortcoming in doing what is obligatory or falling into anything that has been forbidden.