Salafi Aqeeda - THE FLAMING FALCON SWOOPING DOWN ON THE DISSENTERS OF THE HANBALI MADHHAB

Part: 4-5-6

(Note: Most Scans Available: Here )

Argumentation regarding

Nazeer-e-Muhammadi, Khatme Nubuwat and the Athar of Ibn Abbas continued and answering a question about these issues,

Maulana Mu-hammed Qasim Nanotwi

wrote a book named “Tahzeerun Naas” in which he wrote:

"The common folk, the general populace thinks that the meaning of the saying ‘RasulAllah (s) is the Seal’ means that his time is after the time of the earlier prophets and that he is the last of all the prophets. However, people of discerning know that there is no speciality in being earlier or later.

Suppose if there is a prophet born even after the time of RasulAllah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, there shall be no difference in his being the Seal. So it wouldn’t make any difference if there is a prophet in his own time on a different planet, or even on this very planet"

---

Large Scans: Here

In a letter to: Maulana Muhammad Fazil,

Maulana Mu-hammed Qasim Nanotwi

wrote:

“The meaning of Khatam al-Nabiyyin according to those who look at literal meanings is that the time of the Prophethood of Muhammad is after the time of the Prophethood of all other Prophets and that no other Prophet can come afterwards. However, you know that this is something in which there is neither praise nor any harm.” [1]

Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi writes:
“When Maulana Nanotwi wrote Tahzeerun Naas, nobody in the whole of India supported him, except Maulana Abdul Hay.” [2]
Maulana Muhammad Shah Punjabi, Maulana Fazle Majeed Badayuni, Maulana Hidayat Ali Barelwi, Maulana Faseehuddin Badayuni and Shaykh Muhammad Thanwi all wrote books against Tahzeerun Naas (Here) and strongly refuted its contents.

---

Hazrat Maulana Abdus Samee’ Bedil Rampuri, Khalifa of Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki, wrote the famous book:

“Anwar-e-Sati’ah”

In reply to this book, Maulana Khalil Ahmad Anbethawi Saharanpuri (b.1269 AH-d.1346 AH) (b.1852 CE - d.1927 CE) wrote:

---

“Baraheen-e-Qati’ah”

Large Scans: Here

which was endorsed by Maulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi. This book contains a paragraph which compares the blessed knowledge of Rasoolullah sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam with that of the accursed Iblis in such heart wrenching words.

He writes:
“The end result: One should ponder that by looking at the state of Shaytan and the Angel of death, and proving [similar] knowledge that encompasses the earth to the Pride of the world Sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam without any documentary evidence and merely by wrong analogy – if this is not polytheism, then which part of belief is this?

Because such extensive [knowledge] for the Angel of death and Shaytan is proved from absolute evidence [nuSuS e qaTyi`ah]. Where is any such absolute evidence to prove the extensiveness of the knowledge of the Pride of the world, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam which refutes all absolute documents in order to prove one polytheistic belief?”

Baraheen-e-Qati’ah

was written in 1303 AH (1885 C.E.) and there was great displeasure to it.

The Ulema of the Ahlus Sunnah opposed it and in 1306 H (1888 C.E.), a debate took place in Bhawalpur (Punjab) which was organised by Nawab Muhammad Sadiq Abbasi (Nawab of Bhawalpur). This was the place where Maulana Khalil Ahmad Anbethawi worked. Maulana Mahmood Hasan Deobandi (Shaykh al-Hind) and Maulana Khalil Ahmad Anbethawi argued in favour of Baraheen-e-Qati’ah and for the Ahlus Sunnah: Maulana Ghulam Dastagir Qasuri was the debater. Shaykh al-Mashaikh Hazrat Shah Ghulam Farid was the judge for the debate.

The whole Debate has been published as

Taqdees ul Wakeel an Tauheen ur rasheed wal khalil

First Fatawa on Ahle Deoband;

Sunni Fatwa by Ghulam Dastagir Qadsoori Hashmi Naqshbandi

Taqdees al-Wakeel an Tauheen al-Rasheed wa al-Khalil

The debate was a written one and the argument of Maulana Dastagir was this:

“My objection is that you have denied the vast knowledge of the most knowledgeable of creation sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam and have shown his knowledge to be less than that of Shaytan. This is disrespect of the worst kind.” [3]

Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki and Maulana Rahmatullah Kairanwi supported the Ulema of the Ahlus Sunnah and favouring the stance of Maulana Dastagir, they both signed the Taqdees al-Wakeel.

After seeing the signatures of Maulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi in favour of Maulana Khalil Ahmad Anbethawi, Maulana Rahmatullah Kairanwi wrote in refutation:
“I used to think of Maulana Rasheed Ahmad as “Rasheed” but he turned out to be other than this. He has tried hard to prove the knowledge of Rasoolullah sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam to be less than that of Shaytan and has called it Shirk to believe otherwise.” [4]

In 1319 AH- (1901 C.E)

Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi

answered a question regarding

‘Ilm-e-Ghayb and published it as

“Hifzul Iman”

(scans)

(Read page,7 )

In this book, he has compared the knowledge of Rasoolullah sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam or to show its size or smallness to madmen and animals and has said there is nothing unique to Rasoolullah sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam regarding this knowledge.

The actual paragraph is this:

"And then, if it is correct to attribute the knowledge of the unseen (ilm ghayb) to be possessed by RasûlAllâh Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, as Zayd says, then it remains to be asked, which one he refers to. Is it only a ‘part’ of it (baáĎ) or ‘complete’; if he refers to ‘part’, then what is extraordinary about RasûlAllâh in possessing it? Such knowledge of unseen is also possessed by all and sundry (zayd,amr); even infants, lunatics and all the animals and quadrupeds."

The paternal grandson of Hazrat Sayyid Muhammad Jilani Qadri Hyderabadi, Sayyid Nazeeruddin son of Sayyid Moinuddin, expresses his disgust at this statement:
“Some people brought the book, ‘Hifzul Iman’ by Ashraf Ali Thanwi to my grandfather (Sayyid Muhammad Jilani Qadri) and asked about it. He read the book and said, “Molvi Ashraf Ali has written an utmost disrespectful thing about ‘Ilm-e-Ghayb”.

A few days after this, Molvi Ashraf Ali was sitting in Makkah Masjid in Hyderabad.

My grandfather stood and expressed his disgust at the book and said:

“This paragraph stinks of Kufr.”

A few days later, there was gathering of Ulema at the house of Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Ahmad (son of Maulana Mu-hammed Qasim Nanotwi). Since he had great affection for my grandfather he invited him too.

At the gathering, the Ulema expressed their views on the paragraph in Hifzul Iman.

My grandfather mentioned the disgust he felt and presented a fatwa against the book.

Then, some days after this, my grandfather saw Sayyidina Rasoolullah sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam in a dream. The dear Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam expressed his happiness that my grandfather had refuted the book and had labelled it “Aqbah” (the most repugnant).

Rasoolullah sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam said, “I am happy with you. What do you wish for?”

My grandfather replied that he wished that his remaining life would be spent in Madina and that he be buried in Madina. His wish was granted and he migrated to Madina thereafter. He spent ten years there and passed away there in 1364 AH. (1944 C.E) [5]

Hazrat Maulana Abul Khair Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Dihlawi was once resident in Kothi Ilahi Bakhsh, Meerut. During his stay, Hafiz Mu-hammed Ahmad, son of Maulana Mu-hammed Qasim Nanotwi, and Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi came to one of his gatherings.

A supporter of Maulana Ghulam Dastagir Qasuri read out the passage of Hifzul Iman. Hazrat Shah Abul Khair Dihlawi found it utterly displeasing and said:

“Is this service to the religion? Your elders were upon our path. Why did you oppose this?” Molvi Ashraf Ali Thanwi replied, “I have clarified this passage in another book of mine”. Shah Abul Khair answered, “So many people have diverged from the truth due to your book, what need remains of your clarification?” [6]

The beginning and the end of sectarianism is there for all to see.

Muhammad Husain (Raees Nahtor, Zila Bajnur) writes that when Shah Mu-hammed Isma’il Dihlawi reached Lucknow from Delhi with his supporters and began to preach his ideas:
“At the time, Maulana Abdur Rahman Wilayati was resident in Lucknow. He was famous for his miracles. Molvi Isma’il abstained from debate during this time. When he was about to leave, he said that the Ulema of Lucknow were very astray. He expressed his plan to return from Calcutta and do Jihad against these “astray” people. Molvi Abdur Rahman said, “My son! Whoever has intentions such as this does not return.”[7]
The ideology of Sayyid Ahmad Rae Barelwi and the writings of Shah Isma’il Dihlawi strayed away from the beliefs of the predecessors and the creed of Waliullahi family.

Pointing towards the consequences of this, Maulana Ubaidullah Sindhi clearly expresses his views:

“As time passed by, due to dissent from the original creed, instead of becoming a national movement for the Muslims, the Waliullahi movement became a platform for religious sectarianism.

When connected with Sayyid Ahmad Shaheed, naturally, this sectarianism occurred and the other section of this movement, the Deoband movement, also caused the same result.

Even today, the vast majority of Muslims is Barelwi which does not consider the two above mentioned movements as being anything less than Kufr.” [8]

The religious sectarianism that occurred in India after 1240 AH / 1825 CE, the reasons for it and the people behind it have been mentioned briefly.

A brief list of influential Sunni personalities is also presented.
13th Century Hijri

‘Allama Abdul Ali Farangi Mahalli Lakhnawi (1144-1235 AH)
Shah Muhammad Ajmal Ilahabadi (1160-1236 AH)
Shah Anwarul Haq Farangi Mahalli (1159-1239 AH)
Shah Ghulam Ali Naqshbandi Dihlawi (1158-1240 AH)
Shah Abu Sa’eed Mujaddidi Rampuri (1196-1226 AH)
Shah Sayyid Aale Ahmad Qadri Barkati Marahrawi (1160-1262 AH)
Shah Abul Hasan Fard Phulwarwi (1191-1265 AH)
Shah Ahmad Sa’eed Mujaddidi Rampuri (1217-1277 AH)
‘Allama Fazl-e-Haq Khayrabadi (1212-1278 AH)
‘Allama Abdul Haleem Farangi Mahalli Lakhnawi (1209-1285 AH)
‘Allama Fazle Rasool Uthmani Qadri Badayuni (1213-1289 AH)
Shah Aale Rasool Ahmadi Qadri Barkati Marahrawi (1209-1296 AH)
Maulana Naqi Ali Barelwi (1246-1297 AH)
and many others, may Allah be pleased with them all.
14th Century Hijri
Maulana Abdul Hay Farangi Mahalli Lakhnawi (1264-1304 AH)
Mufti Irshad Husain Mujaddidi Rampuri (1248-1311 AH)
Maulana Fazle Rahman Ganj Muradabadi (1208-1313 AH)
Maulana Ghulam Dastagir Qusuri Lahori (d. 1315 AH)
Maulana Abdul Qadir Uthmani Qadri Barkati Badayuni (1253-1319 AH)
Maulana Hidayatullah Rampuri Jaunpuri (d. 1326 AH)
Maulana Khairuddin Dihlawi (d. 1326 AH)
Maulana Ahmad Raza Hanafi Qadri Barkati Barelwi (1272-1340 AH)
Shah Abul Khair Naqshbandi Dihlawi (1272-1341 AH)
Sayyid Shah Ali Husain Ashrafi Kachochawi (1266-1355 AH)
Shah Mihr Ali Golrawi Punjabi (1274-1356 AH)
and many others, may Allah be pleased with them all.
----------------------------------------

[1] Qasim al-Uloom, page 55. First letter
[2] Al-Ifadat al-Yawmiya, page 580. Deoband – Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi
[3] Taqdees al-Wakeel, page 93
[4] Taqdees al-Wakeel, page 419
[5] Maqamat-e-Khair, page 616. Shah Abul Khair Academy, Dehli
[6] Bazm-e-Khair az-Zayd, page 11. Shah Abul Khair Academy, Dehli
[7] Faryad al-Muslimin, 1308 AH / 1890 CE – Muhammad Husain Bajnuri
[8] Ifadat-o-Malfuzat, page 349. Sindh Sagar Academy, Lahore – Maulana Ubaidullah Sindhi

---

Part5

Wahhabi Fitnah in the Indian subcontinent

In the previous pages, the references and the passages of the leaders of Deoband are based upon misguidance and Kufr (Copies of the original passages can be seen in

“Da’wat e Fikr” by

Maulana Muhammad Mansha Tabish Qasauri).

These passages harm the Islamic doctrine about Allah and the sanctity of Prophethood.

These were the root cause of the division among the Muslims of India and this land became a battleground for sectarianism, the effects of which can be seen even today in every village, town and city, destroying the very soul of Islam.

The movement to preserve the sanctity and sacredness of Prophethood and protection of the creed of the Ahlus Sunnah was aided by many great scholars who played a vital role.

Foremost among them was, Muhibbu’r Rasool Taaju’l Fuhool Maulana Abdul Qadir Uthmani Qadri Barkati Badayuni (son of ‘Allama Fazl e Rasool Uthmani Qadri Barkati Badayuni), student of ‘Allama Fazl e Haq Khairabadi who was the student of Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddith Dihlawi and secondly Imam e Ahl e Sunnat Maulana Ahmad Raza Hanafi Qadri Barkati Barelwi (son of ‘Allama Naqi Ali Barelwi), Khalifa of Maulana Sayyid Shah Aal e Rasool Qadri Barkati Marahrawi who was the student of Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddith Dihlawi. These two personalities, in their own era, played an important role. They both had Bay’ah and also Ijazah and Khilafah from Marahra Mutahhara (Eta, U.P.) and their allegiance was always to the luminaries of Marahra Mutahhara.

The distinctive characteristic of Imam Ahmad Raza Hanafi Qadri Barkati Barelwi was his love for the dear Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam.

His great-grandson, Maulana Mufti Akhtar Raza Qadri Azhari Barelwi writes:

“The love of the Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam was the prime focus in his life. All his sayings and actions were steeped in love for the Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam that it can be said that, he was, from head to toe, immersed in the love of Rasoolullah sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam. Love of the Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam was his life and that was his message.

It is worth noting here that his love was not a kind of madness where all sense of judgment is lost; rather, his love bound him to comply with the wishes of the beloved sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam. This is the state in love, where a man’s own wishes are vanquished and he becomes a follower of the wishes of his beloved.

This is the state mentioned in the hadith : ‘that a man’s desires are compliant with that [message] which I have come with.’ [wa an yakunu hawāhu tab’an limaa jiytu bihi]

This aspect is reflected in all his religious services and efforts.

His book, Maqal e ‘Urafa’ bi I’zaz e Shar’a wa ‘Ulema is sufficient to demonstrate this.

In this book he has shown the loftiness of the Shari’ah, and has eloquently refuted those freethinking Sufis who oppose it. He has strongly refuted rituals and actions that anti-Shari’ah in his books and urged Muslims to abstain from them.

For example, visiting fake graves, visiting of graves by women, festivals and fairs during an ‘Urs, prostration of reverence and making Ta’zia [icons to commemorate the martyrdom of Ahl al-Bayt]. He has strongly advised and urged Muslims to abstain from such rituals. [1]

Prof. Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmad Mujaddidi Mazhari, son of Mufti Muhammad Mazharullah Naqshbandi Mujaddidi (Khateeb and Imam of Masjid Fatehpuri, Delhi) writes:

(1) Imam Ahmad Raza Muhaddith Barelwi considered it to be contrary to adab [respect] to use words or phrases loosely, when referring to Allah ta’ala or the Prophets; because even though the literal meaning might seem correct, they still remain disrespectful.

According to Muhaddith Barelwi, such words are present in

Molvi Muhammad Qasim Nanotwi’s Tahzeerun Naas,

Molvi Ashraf Ali Thanwi’s Hifzul Iman,

Molvi Khalil Ahmad Anbethawi’s al-Baraheen al-Qati’ah,

Molvi Isma’il Dihlawi’s Sirat-e-Mustaqeemand Taqwiyatul Iman and

Molvi Mahmood Hasan Deobandi’s al-Jahd al-Maqal.

Whereas the authors of these books claim that these words should not be taken in the sense that is disrespectful; because even according to them, disrespect is Haram. But the standpoint of Muhaddith Barelwi is that because the passages in these books are in common speech [Urdu].

The default meaning is that which is commonly understood by the native Urdu speaker. Therefore, the ruling will be according to such a meaning [not the abstruse one, which can be extracted].

(2) Secondly, Muhaddith Barelwi believed that the praise mentioned about the Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam in the Qur’an and Hadith should be taken as it is reported and disseminated likewise so that the status and rank of the Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam is known to Muslims and their hearts are filled with his love and respect

However, the Ulema of Deoband chose to be overly cautious in this regard because they believed that this could cause Muslims to transgress the limits.

(3) Muhaddith Barelwi was of the opinion that celebrating the birthday of the Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam was permissible and desirable, whereas the scholars of of Deoband were against it.

(4) Muhaddith Barelwi considered Qiyam [to stand in respect] to be a praiseworthy act in the gatherings of Mawlid an-Nabi sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam whereas the scholars of Deoband considered this to be Bid’ah or an innovation.

(5) Muhaddith Barelwi considered ‘Urs to be permissible (as long as these gatherings did not contravene the Shari’ah) whereas the scholars of Deoband considered them to be impermissible.

(6) Fatiha [donating the reward to deceased] was considered permissible by Muhaddith Barelwi [again as long as it did not have any element against Shari`ah] but the scholars of Deoband considered it to be impermissible.

A few paragraphs later, Prof. Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmad writes:

The Spiritual Master and Murshid of the elders of Deoband, Haji Imdadullah Muhajir Makki, had the same opinions as Muhaddith Barelwi did; and he wrote a monograph, Faisla Haft Mas’ala to unite these two groups. However, the Ulema of Deoband did not accept his views. [2]

From the Salaf (predecessors) to the Khalaf (their successors) it is an unanimous belief that disrespect towards the Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam is a gross crime and manifest Kufr. The Qur’an, Hadith and the sayings of the Sahaba and Tabi’een form the evidence for this ruling.

The Shaykh-ul-Hadith of Darul Uloom Deoband, Maulana Husain Ahmad Tandwi, writes concerning the issue:

“Disrespecting the Prophet sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam is Kufr. Never mind clear disrespect, even if a person utter words that [are ambiguous and hence] might resemble disrespect, even this will cause it to be ruled Kufr.” [3]

Similarly, Ilhad and Zandaqah are also Kufr; and after Shar’i proof is obtained, it is obligatory to rule someone an apostate [Takfeer] who denies a matter deemed among the necessities of faith.

Maulana Ameen Ahsan Islahi from Madrasatul Islah (Azamgarh, U.P.) writes in a letter:

“Maulana Thanwi’s fatwa has been published that Maulana Shibli Nu’mani and Maulana Hamiduddin Farahi are Kafir and because the Madrasatul Islah is part of their mission, it is a Madrasa of Kufr and apostacy up to the stage that those Ulema who attend the missionary gatherings of the Madrasa they too are Mulhid and non-Muslims.” [4]

When the mureed and Khalifa of Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi, Maulana Abdul Majid Daryabadi, wrote a letter to Maulana Thanwi which consisted of praise for Maulana Shibli Nu’mani and Maulana Farahi’s knowledge, their piety and their religious services, Maulana Thanwi replied by writing:

“These are all actions (a’maal). Belief (‘aqaid) is a separate entity to this. Good beliefs can be coupled with bad actions just as bad beliefs can be coupled with good actions.” [5]

Further details on this topic can be found in books like Kitab al-Shifa’ by Qadi Iyad Maliki al-Andalusi, As-Sarim al-Maslool of ibn Taymiya, Ikfar al-Mulhideen by Anwar Shah Kashmiri (Shaykh-ul-Hadith, Darul Uloom Deoband), Ashaddul ‘Adhaab by Murtada Hasan Darbhangwi (Head of Education, Deoband) and two new books – Naamoos-e-Rasool aur Qanoon-e-Tauheen-e-Risalat by Justice Muhammad Isma’il Qureshi and Gustaakh-e-Rasool ki Shar’i Haysiyat by Mufti Muhammad Gul Rahman Qadri

The scholars of Ahlu’s Sunnah defended the sanctity of Prophethood and they performed a Jihad against attacks on established beliefs

Following in their footsteps, the Imam of Ahlu’s Sunnah, Maulana Imam Ahmad Raza Hanafi Qadri Barkati Barelwi protected the creed of the Ahlus Sunnah with his pen;

Books like Kanz al-Iman fi Tarjumat al-Qur’an, Al-‘Ataya al-Nabawiya fi al-Fatawa al-Ridawiyya, Jadd al-Mumtar ‘ala Radd al-Muhtar, Hadayiq-e-Bakhshish and Al-Daulat al-Makkiyah are proof of his efforts to ward of the mischief.

As a part of this service are his Fatawa al-Haramain Bi Rajafi Nadwat al-Mayn (1317 AH, 1899 CE),

Al-Mu’tamad al-Mustanad (1320 AH, 1902 CE) and Husaam al-Haramayn (1324 AH) in which he passed the juridical verdict that the aforementioned writings were Kufr and presented it to the scholars of Haramayn (Makkah and Madinah) who wrote approvals [taqriz] for that fatwa.

Read Fazil-e-Barelwi ‘Ulema-e-Hijaz ki Nazar Mein written by Prof. Dr. Mas’ud Ahmad for more details.

As a Faqih (jurist) and a Mufti, he wrote thousands of fatawa and answered all kinds of questions. Other Sunni contemporaries also rendered this service, but his rank was that of a spokesman for all of them. He was always at the forefront against false belief and anti-Islamic philosophies. He refuted the Wahabi sect and its offshoots with utmost brilliance and this is the reason why he became a target for many a false accusation.

He writes himself in Tamhid e Iman:

“To deceive the public these people have contrived a scheme. They say, “What is the reliability of these scholars of Ahlus Sunnah? These people [Sunnis] make takfir on petty things. Their machines churn out only the decrees declaring people as infidels. They have ruled Isma’il Dihlawi, Molvi Ishaq, Molvi Abdul Hay as Kafirs” [here the imam implies that he has not said so].

And those without shame say that I have ruled Kafir – I seek Allah’s refuge - Shah Abdul Aziz, Shah Waliullah, Haji Imdadullah, Maulana Shah Fazlurrahman [all scholars of Ahlus Sunnah] and those beyond all boundaries of shame, say that I have ruled Kafir – I seek Allah’s refuge – that I have did Takfeer of Shaykh Mujaddid Alfi Thani rahimahullah [implying I have never said so].

They mention the names of whosoever the person they are talking to holds in great esteem.

In fact some of them went to Maulana Muhammad Husain Ilahabadi and said that I have done Takfeer of – I seek Allah’s refuge - Shaykh al-Akbar Muhiyuddin ibn al-‘Arabi quddisa sirruhu! May Allah grant the Maulana an exalted place in paradise for he did not believe those liars. Rather he obeyed the verse: “If a fasiq comes to you with news, make sure of it” [investigate its truthfulness] and he wrote to me asking whether I had done so. I wrote to him back negating it in the form of a booklet by name, Inja al-Bari an Waswasil Muftari. When the Maulana read it he said “La hawla wa la quwwata illa billah”, warding off the deceit of these people.” [6]

A prominent scholar of the Ahlus Sunnah, Maulana Sayyid Ahmad Sa’eed Kazmi Amrohawi (Anwar-ul-Uloom, Multan) writes

“On the issue of Takfeer [ruling someone as an apostate], our stance has always been that, whosoever utters words of Kufr we shall not refrain from pronouncing Takfeer against them; whether they be Deobandi or Barelwi, follower of the League or the Congress, Nechari [naturalists] or Nadwi. On this issue we shall not differentiate whether someone is a friend or a foe. This certainly does not mean that if one follower of the League utters a word of Kufr, all the followers of the League are Kafir; or if one Nadwi committed Kufr that all Nadwis are apostates. We do not declare all the residents of Deoband as Kafirs due to passages of Kufr written by some Deobandis.

We and our elders have repeatedly said that we do not decree any resident of Deoband or Lucknow as a kafir just because they live there. According to us, only that person is a kafir who commits insults against Allah, His Prophets and the chosen people of Allah and despite repeated warnings, does not repent. We also consider those people to be kafir who are aware of such Kufr and are aware of the clear meanings of these insults, and despite this they consider the insults to be the truth, the insulter to be a believer and their leader. And that is it.

Apart from this, we do not declare anyone who claims to be a Muslim as an apostate. The number of people we have ruled as apostates are very few in number and restricted [to a specific issue]. Apart from these specific individuals, no Muslim from Deoband or Bareilly is termed an apostate. Neither are [Muslim] followers of the League or the Congress. We consider all Muslims to be exactly that – Muslims.” [7]

Mufti Muhammad Sharif al-Haq Amjadi, an exegete of Al-Bukhari, and head of the fatwa division [Dar al-Ifta’], al-Jamiat al-Ashrafiya, Mubarakpur (India) writes:

“Mere currency among common folk [úrf] is not sufficient to issue a ruling. Rather, rulings must take the real meanings of words into consideration. Therefore, a person who calls himself a Deobandi, is known by others as a Deobandi, believes these four Ulema-e-Deoband to be his leaders, even labels the Ahlus Sunnah as Bid’atis, but is not aware of the infamous statements of Kufr of these four scholars, then in reality he is not a Deobandi [who is ruled kafir]. Such a person is not ruled as a disbeliever or that performing his funeral prayer is disbelief. And Allah knows best.” [8]

Note by the translator: The reason why the shaykh says ‘he is not a Deobandi in reality’ is because in the fatwas of Imam Ahmed Raza and other prominent Sunni scholars, the tag ‘Deobandi’ is used for a specific group. People should not confuse this to accuse these scholars of indulging in blanket takfir. Allāh táālā knows best.

---------------

[1] Weekly Hujoom, New Delhi. December 1988
[2] Imam Ahmad Raza Muhaddith Barelwi, page 37-38. Qadri Kitab Ghar, Bareilly – Prof. Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmad
[3] Maktubat Shaykh-ul-Islam, vol. 2, page 165
[4] Hakeem-ul-Ummah, page 475 – Abdul Majid Daryabadi
[5] Hakeem-ul-Ummah, page 476
[6] Tamheed-e-Iman, page 45-46. Idara Ma’arif-e-Nu’mania, Lahore - Imam Ahmad Raza Barelwi
[7] Al-Haq al-Mubeen, page 24-25. Multan – ‘Allama Ahmad Sa’eed Kazmi
[8] Ma’arif Shaareh Bukhari, page 914, Raza Academy, Mumbai

---------------

Original Scans of Wahhabi/Deobandi Elders (akabir's)

books/writings:

1-Fatawa Rashidiyah, Vol: 1.page, 19 (Fatawa -e- Rasheedyah by Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi)
2-Tafsir Bulghatul Hayieraan, page, 157/158 (Bulghatul Hairan by Husain Ali Wan Bhachrani )
3-Barhareen e Qaatiah (Barahin-e-Qatiyah by Khalil Ahmad Ambetwi )
4-Barhareen e Qaatiah, (Barahin-e-Qatiyah )page, 51
5-Hifzul Imaan (Hifzul Ieemaan) page,7 (Hifzul Iman by Ashraf Ali Thanvi )
6-Siraat e Mustaqeem, page, 86/87 (Sirate Mustaqeem by Shah Ismail Dehalvi )
7-Fatawa Rashidiyah, Vol: 2, page, 12
8-Tahzeerun Naas, page,3 and 25 (Tahzeer Un Nas by Muhammad Qasim Nanotvi )
9-Baraaheen-e- Qaatiah, page, 26
10-Taqwiyatul Ieemaan, page, 58 (Taqwiyat-ul-Iman by Shah Ismail Dehalvi )
---

1-Fatawa Rashidiyah, Vol: 1.page, 19 (Fatawa -e- Rasheedyah ) -…Can tell lie…
2-Tafsir Bulghatul Hayieraan, page, 157/158-…Does not Know?
3-Barhareen e Qaatiah-…knowledge of Iblis/Satan…
4-Barhareen e Qaatiah, page, 51-…Knowledge behind the Wall…
5-Hifzul Imaan (Hifzul Ieemaan) page,7- …knowledge of Prophet…
6-Siraat e Mustaqeem, page, 86/87-…Thinking or even thought of Prophet during prayer…
7-Fatawa Rashidiyah, Vol: 2, page, 12-…Word Rahmatul Lil Aalamin for Prophet…
8-Tahzeerun Naas, page,3 and 25-…Khaatim un Nabiyeen Last Prophet…
9-Baraaheen-e- Qaatiah, page, 26-…Prophet –Urdu…
10-Taqwiyatul Ieemaan, page, 58-…Respected as Elder brother…
11-Book Taqwitul Imaan (Taqwiyatul Ieeman)- …create million like Prophet…
12-Taqwiyatul Ieeman page,59-…Mingled with Dust…
13-Taqwiyatul Ieeman page,29-…are worthless..
14-Tasfiyatul Aqaaid, page,25- …not free & innocent from every lie..
15-Taqwiyatul Ieeman, page,35-…praise only as a human being do reduction…
16-Taqwiyatul Ieeman, page,24-…are unaware and foolish…
17-Taqwiyatul Ieeman, page,14-…more disgraced than a cobbler…
18-Tafsir Bulghatul Haieraan,page,43-…call taaghoot (satan)…
19-Taqwiyatul Ieeman, page,61-…status of Prophet…
20-Taqwiyatul Ieeman, page,41-…they have no authority over anything…
21-Taqwiyatul Ieeman, page,55-…lost his wits…
22-Tahzeerun Naas, page, 5- A follower apparently excels in deeds…
23- Bulghatul Haieraan,page,8- …saved from falling of Pulsiraat…
24-Risalah Al Imdad,page,35-…no harm in saying so…
25-Fatawa Milad Shreef page,8 - Baraaheen-e- Qaatiah, page,148-…celebrating Mawlid is like…
26-Aabe Hayaat,page,169 (Dajjaal) …blessed with life /characterise are also shared…
27- Taqwiyatul Ieeman, page,56-Nothing happens on the wish…
28- Taqwiyatul Ieeman, page,14-(Belief…)
29- Taqwiyatul Ieeman, page,54-…(worthless Speck…)
30-Baraaheen-e- Qaatiah, page,3- (…your brother…)
31- Taqwiyatul Ieeman, page,7/27- (…is equal to abu Jahal in Kufr…)
32-Darud Taj -(…not permitted…) -Fatwa
33-Saiyyid Ahmad of Raae Bareilly (…Bathed put clothes on him…) Siraat e Mustaqeem
34-Fatawa Rashidiyah- (Milad and 11 Giyaarveen Shareef…are all unlawful &false innovations…)
35-Eating Crow-rewarding act-Fatwa
36-Calling upon Awliyah (friends) of Allah is infidelity-Fatwa
37- Funeral prayers— supplicate/forbidden-Fatwa
38-Food distributed (by Hindus is permitted)-Fatwa
39-Eating Food-(…cobblers & sweepers…)-Fatwa
40-Drinking water- (…set up by Hindu/Money/Interest is permitted) -Fatwa

(Astaghfirullah)

______________________________

Part 6

Wahhabi Fitnah in the Indian subcontinent

The Ahlu’s Sunnah scholars have described criteria and conditions that are to be met before someone can be ruled an apostate.

(1) Takallum – that a particular statement was certainly said;

(2) Kalam – that such a statement is certainly blasphemous;

(3) Mutakallim – that such a statement was certainly said by the person.

When there is not the frailest doubt [or misunderstanding] in any of the criteria above OR when there is not an acceptable explanation, only then can a ruling of apostacy be issued. This is the same for both actions and words [amounting to blasphemy]. This principle can be understood by a simple example. If Zayd claims to be a Muslim, then the ruling of apostacy [takfeer] can be issued only if he denies or contravenes any necessary article of faith either through his words or his actions and such a denial or contravention has:

(1) indeed occurred

(2) such words or actions are indeed blasphemous

(3) such words or actions are indeed proved to be that of Zayd.

And only when all three aspects above are conclusively proven and ascertained, the ruling of apostacy [takfeer] can be pronounced for Zayd.

The unambiguous position of the scholars of Ahlu’s Sunnah concerning the leaders of Deoband and their infamous statements is that: any person who has complete knowledge of these statements and clear understanding of those statements, and yet, does not consider such people as disbelievers is a disbeliever himself. That is, being fully cognizant of the issue and complete understanding of those statements is a necessary condition for ruling the second person [the follower or admirer of Deobandi elders] an apostate.

The doctrine and the actions of Ahlu’s Sunnah are those which have been handed down from the time of the Prophet and his companions [Sahabah] to their successors [Tabiyeen] and that which have been documented in the books of tafseer, hadith, fiqh, tasawwuf, seerah and tareekh. The writings and speeches of the scholars of Farangi Mahal, Lucknow, Khayrabad, Badayun and Bareilly conform to this very set of beliefs. They are the true spokesmen of the teachings and opinions of scholars like Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dihlawi (d. 1052 AH) and Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddith Dihlawi (d. 1239 AH) who are the true heirs of Islamic scholars. They do not accept nor even contemplate novel ideas that contradict Islamic doctrine. They hold fast unto the doctrine propounded and promulgated by the elders; they consider this to be a precious gift and a path for their own salvation and that of other Muslims.

Maulana Nayimuddin Muradabadi, a deputy of Imam Ahmad Raza Hanafi Barkati Barelwi, writes:

“A Sunni is one, who is a living example of Maa ana ‘alaihi wa as’habi. They are upon the creed of the Khulafa al-Rashideen, the Imams of religion [both fiqh and tasawwuf] and among the latter scholars Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dihlawi, Malik al-Ulama Bahr al-Uloom Maulana Abdul Ali Farangi Mahalli, Maulana Fazle Haq Khairabadi, Maulana Shah Fazl e Rasool Badayuni, Mufti Irshad Husain Rampuri and Maulana Mufti Shah Ahmed Raza Barelwi, may Allah have mercy on them.” [1]

Imam Ahmed Raza Barelwi in his fatawa – like other scholars of Ahlu’s Sunnah – has enjoined Muslims to be steadfast in their belief and better their social standing. These are available as small booklets and following are the subjects of his fatawa :

- Shari’ah is the ultimate law and following it is obligatory for all Muslims;
- to refrain from Bid’ah is of utmost importance
- a Sufi without knowledge or a Shaykh without actions is a joke of the devil;
- it is impermissible to imitate the Kuffar, to mingle with the misguided [and heretics] and to participate in the festivals of the Hindus.
- it is polytheism [shirk] to prostrate to any other than Allah táālā with the intention of worship. And if such a prostration is out of reverence [sajdah at-taĥiyyah], it is Haram.
- it is prohibited to ridicule other muslims and consider oneself higher than others.
- the iconography of the Shi`ah [ta’aziyah] and respecting such icons is forbidden
- Qawwali [sama’a] with musical instruments is forbidden
- it is not permissible for women to travel to visit graves [or maqams of awliya]
- it is not permissible to make pictures of living things.
- abbreviating the blessing ‘sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam’ to an acronym ‘sa’d lam ayn meem’, [in english it is abbreviated as PBUH] is impermissible
- to visit fake graves [that have no basis or record but simply the product of folklore] is impermissible
- feeding the poor and needy with the intention to donate the reward to the dead is permissible; but to hold obsequies and banquets where even the rich are invited is impermissible

---

For further details, see my book, “Imam Ahmed Raza aur Radd e Bid’aat-o-Munkaraat”, [Imām Aĥmed Rida and his refutation of heresies and innovations] published in India and Pakistan.

He had the same opinion like that of the Sawad al-A’dham (the great majority) of the Ahlu’s Sunnah wal Jama’ah; similar to that of the scholars of Badayun, Khairabad, Bareilly, the masters of Marahra and Kichaucha with regards to the following practices and beliefs are permissible:

- that intercession [tawassul] of the Prophets and saints is permissible
- to respect relics of the prophets and elders and to rever them
- visit shrines or graves of saints with the intention of tawassul
- to celebrate ‘Urs which is free from impermissible practises and sin
- to celebrate the birthday of the prophet şallAllāhu álayhi wa sallam [Mawlid, Qiyam] and to stand up in his honor
- to donate reward of good deeds to the dead [Fatiha and Isaal al-Thawab] etc.

These are practices permitted by our predecessors and even today, 90% of the Muslims of the world practice these actions.

The newly published Arabic book, Mafaheem Yajib an Tusahhaha [2] [Matters that need to be Clarified], by the late Sayyid Muhammad bin Alawi ibn Abbas al-Maliki al-Makki is a detailed exposition and research on the practices of the Ahlu’s Sunnah.

Many contemporary Arab and African scholars have endorsed this book, many of whom are the members of Raabta al-‘Aalam-e-Islami, Makka.

I have translated this book into Urdu by the name of Islah-e-Fikr-o-I’ytiqad, which has been published both in India and Pakistan

Sayyid Muhammad Faruq al-Qadri, the Urdu translator of Anfas al-‘Arifeen, an important book on taşawwuf among the followers of Shah Waliyullah, writes the following about the practices of Ahlu’s Sunnah:

“Imagine! Were Shah Waliullah Muhaddith Dihlawi, Shah Abdur Raheem, Shaykh Abū’r Rida and Siraj al-Hind Maulana Shah Abdul Aziz all Barelwis? Maulana Shah Ahmed Raza Barelwi and Darul Uloom Deoband were not even in existence when these disagreements began.

It is ironic that the first thing that disrupted the peaceful environment of the Subcontinent was a member of this prominent family [of Shah Waliyullah] - Shah Muhammad Ismay’il and his Taqwiyatul Iman. His thought was unacceptable, his beckoned towards a strange idea and his way of invitation was warlike.

I have seen a list of 250 books written as a rebuttal to Taqwiyatul Iman in various languages as soon as it was published. From this, one can surmise the reaction towards this book amongst both ordinary Muslims and scholars. We have no proof to say that all the scholars, Sufis and ordinary Muslims were steeped in polytheism and heresy [Shirk and Bid’ah] and that Shah Muhammad Isma’il was enlightening the nation and introducing them to real Tawĥīd for the first time.

After all, what is the time gap between Shah Waliyullah, Shah Abdul Aziz and Shah Muhammad Isma’il?

Had the entire Subcontinent been engulfed in Kufr and Shirk in this very short period?

And if it was already afflicted with Shirk and Kufr, then why did Hakeem al-Ummah Shah Waliullah and Shah Abdul Aziz not use the same harsh language [as Shah Isma’il]?

The reality of the matter is that, the first voice that erred from the creed of Sawad al-A’dhamor the Great Majority that shook the Subcontinent was that of Shah Isma’il. Certainly, this can be termed as an invitation to the movement of Muhammad bin Abdu’l Wahhab an-Najdi but it surely not a call towards the thought or practices of Shah Waliyullah.” [3]

The movement to protect the Ahlu’s Sunnah and to reinstill the respect of the Prophet in the hearts of Muslims, was led by the scholars of Khairabad, Badayun and Bareilly. This movement came into prominence as an answer to the Wahabi movement and was greatly aided by the Imam of the Ahlu’s Sunnah, Maulana Ahmed Raza Hanafi Qadri Barkati Barelwi (d. 1340 AH, 1921 CE) whose immense knowledge and outstanding leadership saw to it that the creed of Ahlu’s Sunnah, the creed of our predecessors, our elder scholars prevailed.

A brief list of scholars, institutions and publishing houses that belong to the Ahlu’s Sunnah is in order. Scholars among many others, may Allah have mercy on them all:

· Mawlānā Waşī Aĥmed Muĥaddith Sūratī
· Mawlānā Amjad Álī Azmi
· Mawlānā Nayimuddin Muradabadi
· Sayyid Jama’at Ali Shah Muhaddith Alipuri
· Mawlānā Sayyid Deedar Ali Alwari
· Mawlānā Hamid Raza Qadri
· Mawlānā Mustafa Raza Qadri Noori
· Mawlānā Abdul Muqtadir Badayuni
· Mawlānā Abdul Qadeer Badayuni
· Mawlānā Abdul Aleem Siddiqi
· Mawlānā Sayyid Muhammad Muhaddith Ashrafi Kachochwi
· Mawlānā Zafaruddin Qadri Bihari
· Mufti Muhammad Abdul Baqi Burhanul Haq Jabalpuri
· Mawlānā Hashmat Ali Lakhnawi
· Mawlānā Karamatullah Dihlawi
· Mawlānā Hasnayn Raza Barelwi

Contemporary scholars:
Mufti Muhammad Akhtar Raza Qadri Azhari
Mawlānā Shah Ahmad Noorani
Mawlānā Tahseen Raza Barelwi
Mufti Muhammad Shariful Haq Amjadi
‘Allama Arshadul Qadri
‘Allama Sayyid Mahmood Ahmad Rizvi Lahori
Mufti Abdul Mannan Azmi
Mufti Ghulam Muhammad Rizvi Nagpuri
Mufti Muhammad Abdul Qayyum Qadri Hazarvi
Prof. Muhammad Mas’ud Ahmad Mujaddidi Mazhari
Mufti Zafar Ali Nu’mani
Mufti Jalaluddin Ahmad Amjadi
Mawlānā Sayyid Muhammad Madni Ashrafi Kachochwi
Mufti Muhammad Ashfaq Husain Na’imi
‘Allama Zia-ul-Mustafa Qadri
Khwaja Muzaffar Husain Rizvi
Mawlānā Mujeeb Ashraf Rizvi
Mawlānā Abdul Hakeem Sharf Qadri
Shah Turabul Haq Qadri
Sayyid Hamid Ashraf Kachochwi
Mawlānā Qamaruzzaman Azmi
Mawlānā Muhammad Ahmad Azmi Misbahi

Institutions and Universities [or Madrasah, Jami`ah] of Ahlu’s Sunnah:
Manzar-e-Islam, Bareilly
Mazhar-e-Islam, Bareilly
Al-Jamiatul Ashrafiyah, Mubarakpur
Jamia Na’yimia, Muradabad
Darul Uloom Hizbul Ahnaaf, Lahore
Darul Uloom Amjadia, Karachi
Jamia Nizamia Rizvia, Lahore
Darul Uloom Ishaqia, Jodhpur
Markaz al-Thaqafat al-Sunniya, Calicut, Kerala
Jamia Sa’dia, Kasargod, Kerala
Jamia Hazrat Nizamuddin Awliya, New Delhi
Darul Uloom Amjadia, Nagpur
Darul Uloom Faizur Rasool, Bara’un Shareef
Jamia Ashraf, Kichaucha Shareef
Jamia Hameedia Rizvia, Banaras
Jamia Na’yimia, Lahore
Darul Uloom Na’yimia, Karachi
Al-Jamiatul Islamia, Ronahi, Faizabad
Darul Uloom ‘Aleemia, Jamdashahi, Basti
Darul Uloom Muhammadia, Mumbai
Faizul Uloom, Jamshedpur
Zia-ul-Islam, Hora, Bengal
Anwar-ul-Qur’an, Balrampur
Darul Uloom Ghareeb Nawaz, Ilahabad
Ahsan-ul-Madaris, Kanpur
Darul Uloom Warsia, Lucknow

Publishers:
Sunni Darul Isha’at, Mubarakpur
Al-Majma’ al-Islami, Mubarakpur
Markazi Majlis-e-Raza, Lahore
Raza Academy, Lahore
Raza Academy, Mumbai
Idara Tahqeeqat-e-Imam Ahmad Raza, Karachi
Idara Ma’arif-e-Nu’mania, Lahore
Darul Qalam, Dehli
Al-Majma’ al-Misbahi, Mubarakpur
Idara-e-Afkar-e-Haq, Baisi Purniya
Maktaba Jaam-e-Noor, Delhi
Faruqia Book Depot, Delhi
Rizvi Kitab Ghar, Delhi and Bhiwandi
Maktaba Na’imia, Delhi
Kutub Khana Amjadia, Basti
Qadri Kitab Ghar, Bareilly
Qadri Book Depot, Bareilly
Maktaba Rahmania Rizvia, Bareilly

Periodicals:
Monthly Kanzul Iman, Dehli
Monthly Ashrafia, Mubarakpur
Monthly Jahan-e-Raza, Lahore
Monthly Sunni Dunya, Bareilly
Monthly A’la Hazrat, Bareilly
Monthly Taybah, Ahmadabad
Monthly Yaseen, Kota, Rajasthan
Monthly Sirat-e-Mustaqeem, Udaipur, Rajasthan
Monthly Maah-e-Taybah, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Quarterly al-Kausar, Sahsaram
Annual Ma’arif-e-Raza, Karachi
Monthly Zia-e-Haram, Lahore

---

The focal point of all these institutions is, “Oh Allah! Guide us upon the straight path. The path of those whom Thou hast favoured; not those who have earned Your anger and those gone astray”.

A few of the awliya in the subcontinent, may Allāh be pleased with them:

Hazrat Daata Ganj Bakhsh Hujweri Lahori
Hazrat Khwaja Muyinuddin Chishti Ajmeri
Hazrat Shaykh Bahauddin Zakariya Multani
Hazrat Khwaja Fariduddin Ganj Shakar
Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtyar Kaki
Hazrat Makhdoom ‘Alauddin Ali Ahmad Sabir Kalyari
Hazrat Mahboob-e-Ilahi Nizamuddin Awliya
Hazrat Sharfuddin Yahya Muneeri
Hazrat Makhdoom Jahaniyan Jahan Gasht
Ameer Kabeer Hazrat Sayyid Ali Hamdani
Hazrat Makhdoom Sayyid Ashraf Jahangir Samnani
Hazrat Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dihlawi
Hazrat Mujaddid Alf e Thani Shaykh Ahmad Faruqi Sarhandi

Muslims following in their footsteps attain high ranks and immense favour of Allāh táālā even to this day. These are the pure souls who enlightened the subcontinent with the blessing of Islam and faith, and made it an epicentre of light.

---------

[1] Al-Faqeeh, page 9, Amritsar – 21st August, 1925 CE
[2] First published in 1985, Cairo
[3] Anfas al-‘Arifeen, page 18-19. Maktaba al-Falah, Deoban

---------

This is a translation of Mawlana Yaseen Akhtar Misbahi booklet:

AHLU’S SUNNAH WA’L JAMA’AH AN INTRODUCTION Ahle Sunnah wa'l Jama'at ka ijmaali ta'aruf. Translated by Muhammad Aqdas Ahlu's Sunnah wa'l Jama'ah - An Introduction

Read the original Pdf: Here

---------

Husaam-Ul-Haramain.pdf (2.91MB) “Husaamul-Haramain Ala Manhar-if-Kufr-e-wal Mayn”

(1324.AH)

----------

Taqwiyat al-Īmān: Strengthening of the Faith

by Shāh Ismāil Dihlawī (1193-1246) Book review by Shaykh GF Haddad:

“Ismāīl Dihlawī was the first of the Wahhābīs of India to forward the heresy of imkān kadhib or the possibility of lying. (on the part of Allāh Most High!)1 and was imitated in this belief by the Deobandīs Shaykhs Ahmad Rashīd Gangohi (d. 1323/1905) in his Fatawa-e-Rashidia and his apologist Khalīl al-Saharanfūrī (d. 1927) in his al-Barāhīn al-Qātia.

" Ismāīl Dihlawī is also notorious for affirming in his purported Straight Path (al-Sirāt al-Mustaqīm) . Apparently co-authored with his close associate Sayyid Ahmad Barelwī that Becoming absorbed (sarf-e-himmat) in the Prophet Muhammad(S) “, were it to occur during Salāt, is much worse than to become absorbed in the thought of an ox or a donkey..7

It goes without saying that such a statement constitutes clear disparagement of the Prophet “, which is passible of death in all four Sunnī Schools. The Condemnation of Taqwiyat al-Īmān... [..Read on..]