Whom Mushriks Used To Worship?

Whom the Mushriks Used to worship?.

In this article Inshallah we will discuss the major points that to whom the Mushriks used to call and are Human being also included in the Ayats or not.

قُلِ ٱدۡعُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمۡتُم مِّن دُونِهِۦ فَلَا يَمۡلِكُونَ كَشۡفَ ٱلضُّرِّ عَنكُمۡ وَلَا تَحۡوِيلاً (٥٦)
أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ ٱلَّذِينَ يَدۡعُونَ يَبۡتَغُونَ إِلَىٰ رَبِّهِمُ ٱلۡوَسِيلَةَ أَيُّہُمۡ أَقۡرَبُ وَيَرۡجُونَ رَحۡمَتَهُ ۥ وَيَخَافُونَ عَذَابَهُ ۥۤ‌ۚ إِنَّ عَذَابَ رَبِّكَ كَانَ مَحۡذُورً۬ا (٥٧)

Say: Cry unto those (saints and angels) whom ye assume (to be gods) beside Him, yet they have no power to rid you of misfortune nor to change. (56) Those unto whom they cry seek the way of approach to their Lord, which of them shall be the nearest; they hope for His mercy and they fear His doom. Lo! the doom of thy Lord is to be shunned. (57) [Surah Isra 17 : 56-57]

a) Tafsir Ibn-e-Kathir :
﴿قُلِ ادْعُواْ الَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُم﴾

(Say: “Call upon those whom you pretend) Al-`Awfi reported from Ibn `Abbas, “The people of Shirk used to say, `we worship the angels and the Messiah and `Uzayr,’ while these (the angels and the Messiah and `Uzayr) themselves call upon Allah.”

﴿أُولَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ﴾

(Those whom they call upon, desire) Al-Bukhari recorded from Sulayman bin Mahran Al-A`mash, from Ibrahim, from Abu Ma`mar, from `Abdullah:

﴿أُولَـئِكَ الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ يَبْتَغُونَ إِلَى رَبِّهِمُ الْوَسِيلَةَ﴾

(Those whom they call upon, desire a means of access to their Lord,) “Some of the Jinn used to be worshipped, then they became Muslims.” According to another report: “Some humans used to worship some of the Jinn, then those Jinn became Muslim, but those humans adhered to their religion (of worshipping the Jinn).”

b) Tafsir Ruh-Al-Ma’ani of Allama Alusi :
وأخرج عبد الرزاق وابن أبـي شيبة والبخاري والنسائي والطبراني وجماعة عن ابن مسعود قال: كان نفر من الإنس يعبدون نفراً من الجن فأسلم النفر من الجن وتمسك الإنسيون بعبادتهم فنزلت هذه الآية

Allama Alusi quoted from Abdur Razzaq, Ibn-e-Abi Shayba, Bukhari, Nisai and Tabrani the saying of Ibn-e-Masud (r) : “”Some humans used to worship some of the Jinn, then those Jinn became Muslim, but those humans adhered to their religion (of worshipping the Jinn) then this ayat was revealed”

He quotes Ibn-e-Abbas (r) :
وعن ابن عباس أنها نزلت في الذين أشركوا بالله تعالى فعبدوا عيسى وأمه / وعزيراً والشمس والقمر والكواكب

This ayat was revealed for those who did Shirk with Allah swt, so they worshipped Essa, his mother Maryam, Uzair, Sun, Moon and the Stars.

c)In Tafsir Baizawi :
{ قُلِ ٱدْعُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمْتُم } أنها آلهة. { مِن دُونِهِ } كالملائكة والمسيح وعزير

They worship Angels, Essa and Uzair same here as the Ibn-e-Abbas reported In Ibn-e-kathir and Ruh-al-Ma’ani.

d)In Tafsir Ar-Razi of Imam Razi :
إنها نزلت في الذين عبدوا المسيح وعزيراً

It was revealed for those who worship Christ and Uzair.

e) In Tafsir Al-Baghawi of Imam Baghawi :
قال ابن عباس، ومجاهد: وهم عيسى، وأمه، وعزير، والملائكة، والشمس، والقمر، والنجوم

He quotes Ibn-e-Abbas and Mujahid that they used to worhsip Essa, his mother Mariam, Uzair, Angels, Sun, Moon and the Stars.

Note : That Angels are neither dead nor is Essa but calling them Ghaibana comes in the category of Shirk because even they are certain rules for a calling an alive person that he should be alive, and should be present. Then it will not be known as Shirk but Attat (following) of Allah swt because in the Qur’an we find calling an alive person. And even the Mushriks used to call each other in Wars and in other Wordly aspects but it is not condemned as Shirk in Quran and Sunnah.

Allah says in 3:52
“But when Jesus became conscious of their disbelief, he cried: Who will be my helpers in the cause of Allah? The disciples said: We will be Allah’s helpers. We believe in Allah, and bear thou witness that we have surrendered (unto Him).”

2:60
“And when ye said: O Moses! We are weary of one kind of food; so call upon thy Lord”

Or calling an alive person to make Dua, see these two also 5:2 and 8:72.

If someone is in the other country you are calling him through cell phone or etc then it will not come in the category of Shirk also because such as we say “Take help from the right hand when you eat” this is not Shirk but this is the Natural Power Allah has given us. We say eat the bread to satisfy your stomach, or drink water to quench your thirst these all comes in the category of wordly things which Allah has given us.

But when such Angels, Jinns and Prophets have got no Power to remove harm or do benefit how can any Awlia or other one can do that.

The Mushriks used to call the Dead Pious Persons, Not Only Idols. From Bukhari they were the names of Pious People :

Narrated Ibn Abbas: (regarding His Statement about the Lat and the Uzza: Lat was originally a man who used to mix Sawiq for the pilgrim. (Book #60, Hadith #382)

See for more details Tafsir of Ibn-e-Kathir (rah).

Their Aqida regarding this Pious People they used to call them directly not from the Idol, pertaining them to Omnipresent, or the Power that they have after death to benefit and to remove harm see this hadith must :
Bukhari :

Narrated Al-Bara bin Azib: The Prophet appointed ‘Abdullah bin Jubair as the commander of the infantry men (archers) who were fifty on the day (of the battle) of Uhud. He instructed them, “Stick to your place, and don’t leave it even if you see birds snatching us, till I send for you; and if you see that we have defeated the infidels and made them flee, even then you should not leave your place till I send for you.” Then the infidels were defeated. By Allah, I saw the women fleeing lifting up their clothes revealing their leg-bangles and their legs. So, the companions of ‘Abdullah bin Jubair said, “The booty! O people, the booty ! Your companions have become victorious, what are you waiting for now?” ‘Abdullah bin Jubair said, “Have you forgotten what Allah’s Apostle said to you?” They replied, “By Allah! We will go to the people (i.e. the enemy) and collect our share from the war booty.” But when they went to them, they were forced to turn back defeated. At that time Allah’s Apostle in their rear was calling them back. Only twelve men remained with the Prophet and the infidels martyred seventy men from us. On the day (of the battle) of Badr, the Prophet and his companions had caused the ‘Pagans to lose 140 men, seventy of whom were captured and seventy were killed. Then Abu Sufyan asked thrice, “Is Muhammad present amongst these people?” The Prophet ordered his companions not to answer him. Then he asked thrice, “Is the son of Abu Quhafa present amongst these people?” He asked again thrice, “Is the son of Al-Khattab present amongst these people?” He then returned to his companions and said, “As for these (men), they have been killed.” ‘Umar could not control himself and said (to Abu Sufyan), “You told a lie, by Allah! O enemy of Allah! All those you have mentioned are alive, and the thing which will make you unhappy is still there.” Abu Sufyan said, “Our victory today is a counterbalance to yours in the battle of Badr, and in war (the victory) is always undecided and is shared in turns by the belligerents, and you will find some of your (killed) men mutilated, but I did not urge my men to do so, yet I do not feel sorry for their deed” After that he started reciting cheerfully, “O Hubal, be high! (1) On that the Prophet said (to his companions), “Why don’t you answer him back?” They said, “O Allah’s Apostle What shall we say?” He said, “Say, Allah is Higher and more Sublime.” (Then) Abu Sufyan said, “We have the Al Uzza, and you have no Uzza.” The Prophet said (to his companions), “Why don’t you answer him back?” They asked, “O Allah’s Apostle! What shall we say?” He said, “Says Allah is our Helper and you have no helper.” (Book #52, Hadith #276)

From this we came to know the Gods of Mushriks, whom were not present at the time of Uhud they believed in them and called them by “Ya Hubal” that they have the Powers to remove their harm or benefit them. However they were dead same is the case with Essa,Uzair, Maryam the mother of Essa, Angels, Jins etc. As i have quoted above. So this proves they don’t used to worship Idols but the Dead ones.

A brief discussion on “Min Dun Illah”

a) Does MindunIllah includes only Idols?.
نَّ ٱلَّذِينَ تَدۡعُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ عِبَادٌ أَمۡثَالُڪُمۡ‌ۖ فَٱدۡعُوهُمۡ فَلۡيَسۡتَجِيبُواْ لَڪُمۡ إِن كُنتُمۡ صَـٰدِقِينَ (١٩٤)

Surah Araaf 7:194
Lo! those on whom ye call beside Allah are slaves like unto you. Call on them now, and let them answer you, if ye are truthful!

وَجَعَلُواْ لِلَّهِ شُرَكَآءَ ٱلۡجِنَّ وَخَلَقَهُمۡ‌ۖ وَخَرَقُواْ لَهُ ۥ بَنِينَ وَبَنَـٰتِۭ بِغَيۡرِ عِلۡمٍ۬‌ۚ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ وَتَعَـٰلَىٰ عَمَّا يَصِفُونَ (١٠٠)

Surah Anaam 6:100
Yet they ascribe as partners unto Him the jinn, although He did create them, and impute falsely, without knowledge, sons and daughters unto Him. Glorified be He and high exalted above (all) that they ascribe (unto Him). (100)

قُلِ ٱدۡعُواْ ٱلَّذِينَ زَعَمۡتُم مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِۖ لَا يَمۡلِڪُونَ مِثۡقَالَ ذَرَّةٍ۬ فِى ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَلَا فِى ٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَمَا لَهُمۡ فِيهِمَا مِن شِرۡكٍ۬ وَمَا لَهُ ۥ مِنۡہُم مِّن ظَهِيرٍ۬ (٢٢)

Say (O Muhammad): Call upon those whom ye set up beside Allah! They possess not an atom’s weight either in the heavens or the earth, nor have they any share in either, nor hath He an auxiliary among them.
Surah Saba 34:22

a) In Tafsir Al-Nafsi under the same ayah we find :
(تفسير مدارك التنزيل وحقائق التأويل/ النسفي (ت 710 هـ)
من دون الله من الأصنام والملائكة

MindunIllah means Idols and Angels.

ٱتَّخَذُوٓاْ أَحۡبَارَهُمۡ وَرُهۡبَـٰنَهُمۡ أَرۡبَابً۬ا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ وَٱلۡمَسِيحَ ٱبۡنَ مَرۡيَمَ وَمَآ أُمِرُوٓاْ إِلَّا لِيَعۡبُدُوٓاْ إِلَـٰهً۬ا وَٲحِدً۬ا‌ۖ لَّآ إِلَـٰهَ إِلَّا هُوَ‌ۚ سُبۡحَـٰنَهُ ۥ عَمَّا يُشۡرِڪُونَ (

They (Jews and Christians) took their rabbis and their monks to be their lords besides Allah, and (they also took as their Lord) the Messiah, son of Maryam, while they were commanded to worship none but One God, none has the right to be worshipped but He. Praise and hallowed be He above what they associate (with Him).”

Surah Tawbah 9:31 In this Ayat MindunIllah has been used for Essa, Rabbis and Monks.

See for more Tafsir Ibn-e-Kathir.
http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&;task=view&id=2566&Itemid=64

The Biggest Proof the clear-cut Ayat of Qur’an specifically used for Anbiyas as being MindunIllah.

﴿مَا كَانَ لِبَشَرٍ أَن يُؤْتِيهُ اللَّهُ الْكِتَـبَ وَالْحُكْمَ وَالنُّبُوَّةَ ثُمَّ يَقُولَ لِلنَّاسِ كُونُواْ عِبَادًا لِّى مِن دُونِ اللَّهِ وَلَـكِن كُونُواْ رَبَّـنِيِّينَ بِمَا كُنتُمْ تُعَلِّمُونَ الْكِتَـبَ وَبِمَا كُنتُمْ تَدْرُسُونَ

(79. It is not (possible) for any human being to whom Allah has given the Book and Al-Hukm and prophethood to say to the people: “Be my worshippers rather than Allah’s.” On the contrary (he would say): “Be you Rabbaniyyun, because you are teaching the Book, and you are studying it.[Surah Al-Imran 3:79]

Imam Ibn-e-Kathir writes :

This Ayah ﴿3:79﴾ means, it is not for a person whom Allah has given the Book, knowledge in the Law and prophethood to proclaim to the people, “Worship me instead of Allah,” meaning, along with Allah. If this is not the right of a Prophet or a Messenger, then indeed, it is not the right of anyone else to issue such a claim.

http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&;task=view&id=524&Itemid=46

Here MindunIllah refers to those who has been blessed with Kitab,Hikmat and Nabuwat.

قُلۡ يَـٰٓأَهۡلَ ٱلۡكِتَـٰبِ تَعَالَوۡاْ إِلَىٰ ڪَلِمَةٍ۬ سَوَآءِۭ بَيۡنَنَا وَبَيۡنَكُمۡ أَلَّا نَعۡبُدَ إِلَّا ٱللَّهَ وَلَا نُشۡرِكَ بِهِۦ شَيۡـًٔ۬ا وَلَا يَتَّخِذَ بَعۡضُنَا بَعۡضًا أَرۡبَابً۬ا مِّن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَقُولُواْ ٱشۡهَدُواْ بِأَنَّا مُسۡلِمُونَ

Say: O People of the Scripture! Come to an agreement between us and you: that we shall worship none but Allah, and that we shall ascribe no partner unto Him, and that none of us shall take others for lords beside Allah. And if they turn away, then say: Bear witness that we are they who have surrendered (unto Him). [3:64]

Here MindunIllah is used for Human Beings.

وَيَوۡمَ يَحۡشُرُهُمۡ وَمَا يَعۡبُدُونَ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ فَيَقُولُ ءَأَنتُمۡ أَضۡلَلۡتُمۡ عِبَادِى هَـٰٓؤُلَآءِ أَمۡ هُمۡ ضَلُّواْ ٱلسَّبِيلَ (١٧)

And on the day when He will assemble them and that which they worship instead of Allah and will say: Was it ye who misled these my slaves or did they (themselves) wander from the way? [Surah Furqan 25:17]

Imam Jarir Tabari writes under this ayah :

يقول تعالـى ذكره: ويوم نـحشر هؤلاء الـمكذّبـين بـالساعة العابدين الأوثان وما يعبدون من دون الله من الـملائكة والإنس والـجنّ.
{ أأنْتُـمْ أضْلَلْتُـمْ عِبـادي هَؤُلاءِ } قال: عيسى وعُزيرٌ والـملائكة.

Here Mindunillah refers to Jinns,Angels and Mankind whom they used to Worship. Such as Essa, Uzair and Angels.

Imam Tabari further writes under the ayat of Surah Yunus Chapter 10 Verse 106, the verse as follows :
وَلَا تَدۡعُ مِن دُونِ ٱللَّهِ مَا لَا يَنفَعُكَ وَلَا يَضُرُّكَ‌ۖ فَإِن فَعَلۡتَ فَإِنَّكَ إِذً۬ا مِّنَ ٱلظَّـٰلِمِينَ
“And cry not, beside Allah, unto that which cannot profit thee nor hurt thee, for if thou didst so then wert thou of the wrong-doers. (106)”

يقول تعالى ذكره: ولا تدع يا محمد من دون معبودك وخالقك شيئاً لا ينفعك في الدنيا ولا في الآخرة ولا يضرّك في دين ولا دنيا، يعني بذلك الآلهة والأصنام، يقول: لا تعبدها راجياً نفعها أو خائفاً ضرّها، فأنها لا تنفع ولا تضرّ، فإن فعلت ذلك فدعوتها من دون الله { فإنَّكَ إذاً مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ } يقول: من المشركين بالله، الظالم لنفسه.

Here Allah swt says to Prophet (s) that don’t call any Sanam or Ila besides your Creator because they can neither benefit or harm you in this world on in the hereafter. Means don’t expect from them any benefit or worship them in fear of any difficulty. They neither posses any ability to do harm or benefit. If such thing happens from you then it means that you have called besides Allah of which result would be that you will be amongst the group of Mushriks who have done unjust to themselves.

The evidence for this is that:

وَلَقَدۡ أُوحِىَ إِلَيۡكَ وَإِلَى ٱلَّذِينَ مِن قَبۡلِكَ لَٮِٕنۡ أَشۡرَكۡتَ لَيَحۡبَطَنَّ عَمَلُكَ وَلَتَكُونَنَّ مِنَ ٱلۡخَـٰسِرِينَ (٦٥)

And verily it hath been revealed unto thee as unto those before thee (saying): If thou ascribe a partner to Allah thy work will fail and thou indeed wilt be among the losers.[Surah Zumar39:65]

Atai (Given) or Zati (Own) Powers ?.

The Mushriks also used to believe that the Powers to whom they call are being given by God (Atai) not their Own (Ziyati) as the today Kalma Gou Mushrik Believes.

Sahih Muslim Book 007, Number 2671:

Ibn ‘Abbas (Allah be pleased with them) reported that the polytheists also pronounced (Talbiya) as: Here I am at Thy service, there is no associate with Thee. The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Woe be upon them, as they also said: But one associate with Thee, you possess mastery over him, but he does not possess mastery (over you). They used to say this and circumambulate the Ka’ba.

Istighasa :

وروي الطبراني بإسناده أنه كان في زمن النبي منافق يؤذي المؤمنين، فقال بعضهم: قوموا بنا نستغيث برسول
الله من هذا المنافق، فقال النبي : ( إنه لا يستغاث بي، وإنما يستغاث بالله عزوجل).
[ Al-Majam Al Kabir Al-Tabrani Fee Majma Al-Zawaid 10/159 ]

Tabrani narrates from his own sanad that at era of Prophet (s) one Munafiq used to bother Sahabas. So the Sahabas had suggested amongst themselves that we should go to the Prophet (s) and do Istighasa to get rid of him. Prophet (s) said from me Istighasa cannot be done, but Istighasa should only be done from Allah swt.

Prophet prohibited this word for his personality, however he had the power in his life to do this. The prohibition of this is the creed of Tawheed (Oneness of Allah in his Zaat, Sifat and Ibadah). So that doors which lead to Shirk should be closed for the Ummah. When he prohibited in his life when he can do that how can it be permitted after his death, which (Istighasa) only suits the Zaat of Allah swt and which belongs solely to him.

As Allah Promised that :

2:186
“When My servants ask thee concerning Me, I am indeed close (to them): I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calleth on Me: Let them also, with a will, Listen to My call, and believe in Me: That they may walk in the right way.”

4:60
“And your Lord says: “Call on Me; I will answer your (Prayer): but those who are too arrogant to serve Me will surely find themselves in Hell – in humiliation!”

12:87
“Surely none despairs of Allah’s mercy except the unbelieving people.”

4:110
“If any one does evil or wrongs his own soul but afterwards seeks Allah’s forgiveness, he will find Allah Oft-forgiving, Most Merciful.” تفسير انوار التنزيل واسرار التأويل/ البيضاوي (ت 685 هـ)

Proof that “Istighasa” is Ibadah (Worship).

إِذۡ تَسۡتَغِيثُونَ رَبَّكُمۡ فَٱسۡتَجَابَ لَڪُمۡ أَنِّى مُمِدُّكُم بِأَلۡفٍ۬ مِّنَ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةِ مُرۡدِفِينَ (٩)

When ye sought help of your Lord and He answered you (saying): I will help you with a thousand of the angels, rank on rank.

Surah Al-Anfal Chapter 8 Verse 9.

In the great calamity and difficulty the Prophet (s) and Sahabas sought the “Istighasa” from Allah swt, neither did the Prophet did “Istighasa” from any of the Anbiya and neither did the Sahabas did take Istighasa from Prophet (s).

Are the verses revealed to condemn Stealing,Illegal Sexual Intercourse, Shirk can be used for Muslims if they are found doing that ?.

Today if you find a Muslim doing Zina, Shirk, Robbery then the Muslim will be a Zani, a Robber and a Mushrik.

First we have to look at the Usool :

“Rulings are dealt with by their indications, not the specific reasons behind revealing them”

We will see here the indications that if a Ayat is revealed to Condemn Shirk, if the same indication is found there in then the ayat should be applied onto him we will not see to whom Allah has directed there, because the same indication is found there in. There are many Usools but this one is sufficient to refute the lame claim of Kalma Gou Mushriks of today. However the Indication must be there of which Allah speaks about in that Ayat.

If a indication such as Shirk, Robbery, Zina is find in them such verses should be applied unto him because that Illat is there in.

However whether the verses revealed for Mushriks or Kuffar. Because there is no conflict in this amongst Muslims if someone is find doing Kufr so the ayats in will be applied onto him such as taking his matter to Taghut or etc.

That’s why you find Great Muffasirs like Imam Qurtubi (rah), Allama Alusi (rah), Imam Razi (rah) declaring those People as Mushriks who read out Kalima but indications found in them about Shirk.

It is reality that Ayat’s of Shirk were revealed in the era of Mushriks and to refute their Practices and Creed. But not only these Ayats but the whole Qur’an was revealed in the era of Mushriken-e-Arab. But at the same time we have to keep this reality in mind that there is consensus of Muslims amongst this that Qur’an-e-Kareem is the last word of God which can applied to every individual, group or nation in every era because it is a live message for everyone. The rulings of it are till Qayamat, the Rulings of it doesn’t see the caste, color, area and era. Allah gives warning not only to Mushrikeen-e-Makah but to the whole of Mankind by giving them warning.

Imam Ibn-e-Kathir (rah) quotes this Usool in his Great Tafsir under this Ayat:

يأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ لاَ تَخُونُواْ اللَّهَ وَالرَّسُولَ وَتَخُونُواْ أَمَـنَـتِكُمْ وَأَنتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ

(27. O you who believe! Betray not Allah and His Messenger, nor betray knowingly your Amanat (things entrusted to you))

Surah Anfal 8:27

However, it appears that this Ayah is more general, even if it was revealed about a specific incident. Such rulings are dealt with by their indications, not the specific reasons behind revealing them, according to the majority of scholars.

Example :

You will often find Muqallids (Blind Followers) quoting one ayat to prove Taqleed (Blind Following):

Surah An-Nahl 16:43

“So ask Ahl Adh-Dhikr, if you know not.”

now let us look about whom it was revealed they were Mushriks and Disbelievers as well.

Imam Ibn-e-Kathir :

So ask Ahl Adh-Dhikr, if you know not.). meaning, (ask) the people of the previous Books.

It was reported by Mujahid from Ibn `Abbas that what is meant by Ahl Adh-Dhikr is the People of the Book.

http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&;task=view&id=2975&Itemid=71

Imam Ibn-e-Jarir Tabari :

{ فـاسْئَلُوا أَهْلَ الذِّكْرِ } وهم الذين قد قرأوا الكتب من قبلهم: التوراة والإنـجيـل، وغير ذلك من كتب الله التـي أنزلها علـى عبـاده.

حدثنا ابن وكيع، قال: ثنا الـمـحاربـيّ، عن لـيث، عن مـجاهد: { فـاسْئَلُوا أهْلَ الذّكْرِ } قال: أهل التوراة.

حدثنا ابن وكيع، قال: ثنا الـمـحاربـي، عن سفـيان، قال: سألت الأعمش، عن قوله: { فـاسْئَلُوا أهْلَ الذّكْرِ } قال: سمعنا أنه من أسلـم من أهل التوراة والإنجيل.

حدثنا القاسم، قال: ثنا الـحسين، قال: ثنـي حجاج، عن ابن جريج، عن مـجاهد، قوله: { وَما أرْسَلْنا مِنْ قَبْلِكَ إلاَّ رِجالاً نُوحِي إلَـيْهِمْ فـاسْئَلُوا أهْلَ الذّكْرِ إنْ كُنْتُـمْ لا تَعْلَـمُونَ } قال: هم أهل الكتاب.

حدثنا أبو كريب، قال: ثنا عبـيد الله، عن إسرائيـل، عن أبـي يحيى، عن مـجاهد، عن ابن عبـاس: { فـاسْئَلُوا أهْلَ الذّكْرِ إنْ كُنْتُـمْ لا تَعْلَـمُونَ } قال: قال لـمشركي قريش: إن مـحمداً فـي التوراة والإنـجيـل.

Imam Tabari quotes so many Scholar Mujahid, Amash, Ibn-e-Abbas etc that Ask the People of the Book (Torah and Injeel).

Imam Fakharuddin Razi :

[النجم: 13] ولما ذكر الله تعالى هذا الكلام أتبعه بقوله: { فَٱسْأَلُواْ أَهْلَ ٱلذّكْرِ إِن كُنْتُم لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ } وفيه مسائل:

المسألة الأولى: في المراد بأهل الذكر وجوه: الأول: قال ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما: يريد أهل التوراة، والذكر هو التوراة. والدليل عليه قوله تعالى:
{ وَلَقَدْ كَتَبْنَا فِى ٱلزَّبُورِ مِن بَعْدِ ٱلذّكْرِ }
[الأنبياء: 105] يعني التوراة. الثاني: قال الزجاج: فاسألوا أهل الكتب الذين يعرفون معاني كتب الله تعالى، فإنهم يعرفون أن الأنبياء كلهم بشر، والثالث: أهل الذكر أهل العلم بأخبار الماضين، إذ العالم بالشيء يكون ذاكراً له.

He says the same about the People of the Book.

Imam Qurtubi :

{ فَٱسْأَلُواْ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ } قال سفيان: يعني مؤمني أهل الكتاب

He quotes Imam Sufyan that ask the faitful People of the Book.

In Tafsir-e-Nafsi :

{ فَٱسْأَلُواْ أَهْلَ ٱلذِّكْرِ } أهل الكتاب ليعلموكم أن الله لم يبعث إلى الأمم السالفة إلا بشراً

Same here ask the People of the Book.

These tafsirs are enough to refute the claim, however you often find scholars of every sect using this ayat to ask from the Muslim Scholars. So this is lame claim what the Khawarij did they interpreted with their own Tafsir leaving aside the Salaf and did Takfir on Companions. Hazrat Ali (r) appointed Hazrat Abu Musa Al-Ashari (r) to take decision it is obvious he would have done from the Quran and Hadith, but they did wrong intrepretation and applied to the Muslims as the Shia claims that all the Sahabas MazAllah are Murtad (executed) from Islam except their Imams.

http://www.qtafsir.com/index.php?option=com_content&;task=view&id=1551&Itemid=63

For more Details also check out this Great Article of Brother Asim ul Haq on MindunIllah :

http://systemoflife.com/index.php?option=com_content&;view=article&id=132:if-anbiya-are-in-mindoonillah-will-you-say-they-are-falshood-a-false-claim&catid=152:refutations&Itemid=214