O
A CALL
FOR
JUSTICE
Original
work entitled “Daawate Insaaf” (Urdu)
BY
ALLAMA
MOHAMMED ARSHAD-UL-QAADIRI
Translated
into English by Mohammed A’qib Qaadiri
PUBLISHED BY
IMAM AHMED RAZA ACADEMY
DURBAN SOUTH AFRICA
A BARAKAATUR RAZA PUBLICATION
COPYRIGHT
RESERVED
Date
of Publication: Rajab
1422 A.H. (October 2001)
Number
of copies: 1 500
Publishers:
Imam
Ahmed Raza Academy
Ahmed
Raza Building
3rd
Floor, 20-22 Lorne Street
Durban.
4001
South
Africa
Postal
Address:
P.O.
Box 5325
Durban.
4000
South
Africa
Phone:
(031) 309-3642
Fax:
(031) 309-3707
Cell: 083-988-6554
Int.
Code: (27) (31) + Number
Web
Site: www.raza.co.za
e-mail: yunusraza@hotmail.com
ISBN:
0-9584436-3-7
FOREWORD
In
the recent past and the present era, Muslims in many parts of the world have
become divided and fragmented due to the mischief of some “scholars” who
have assumed wrongful leadership in the community. This division is observed in
their thinking, attitudes and behaviour regarding certain aspects of the Deen,
the chief aspects being, the love the Holy Prophet Muhammad r
and the Awliya Allah t.
This
division among the Muslims originated from the writings of the Wahabi and
Deobandi “Molvis”. The Deobandi School of Thought has in their writings
expressed disrespect for the august and sublime personality of our Holy Prophet r
and the Awliya t.
Nay, they have even cast doubts of the Integrity of Allah Y. Through their views and convincing speech and false sincerity, they
have succeeded in splitting up families and labelling the old school of
worshippers as grave-worshippers and Bidatis. One fails to understand why these
individuals, who claim to possess vast knowledge, would want to insult the
Beloved of Allah r.
Their aim was to disassociate the true Muslims from the pristine teachings of
Islam and make them devoid of the love and attachment to the beloved Habeeb r.
When
the Ulama-e-Haqq could no longer tolerate these gross, unacceptable insults by
the Deobandi School on the personality of the Best of Creations of all mankind,
they published articles and arguments from authentic Islamic sources disproving
the views of the Deobandi scholars.
In
this treatise, Allama Arshadul Qaadiri, in his usual style, has
systematically analysed of the beliefs of the Deobandi Molvis and convincingly
refuted all the false claims made by the Deobandi Molvis. This book serves to
protect and safeguard the Imaan of the Muslims by furnishing him or her with the
necessary information to refute the baseless arguments of the Deobandi scholars
whose intention is to snatch you away from the Straight Path.
In
my humble opinion, I urge all Muslims who are in search of the truth to read
this book and protect himself or herself from falling prey to the false
pretences of the Deobandi Molvis.
We
would like to acknowledge and sincerely thank brother Mohammed A’qib Qaadiri of the United Arab
Emirates who kindly granted permission to the Imam
Ahmad Raza Academy (South Africa) to publish
this book. We make lots of Duas for Muhammad A’qib Qaadiri that Allah Y grant him the courage and means to continue
with his valuable service of translation Sunni Literature into the English
language. We salute him for this Khidmat.
We
also make Duas for the author, Allama Arshadul-Qaadiri for good health
and prosperity and that Almighty Allah
Y grant him higher stations in Jannah for his
immense services to the Ahle Sunnat wa Jamaat. Amongst the masterpieces
of Allama Arshadul Qaadiri is the book “Tableeghi
Jamaat”. The English translation of this book was
printed for the first time in 1987 by the World Islamic Mission (South Africa)
under the banner of the Imam Ahmad Raza Academy (South Africa). He
has written numerous other books and each one was a magnum opus.
May
Allah Y, in His Infinite Mercy, grant the author and the translator more
knowledge and wisdom to protect us from these mischief-makers and may the Most
Supreme Creator Y
guide
us towards the Truth. Aameen.
Sheikh
Abdul-Haadi Al-Qaadiri
President
Imam
Ahmad Raza Academy
World
Islamic Mission
South
Africa
11
Rajab 1422 A.H.
29 September 2001
O
This book is
written for all those: -
1. Who
sincerely want to know about the differences between the scholars of the Ahle
Sunnah School and the scholars of the Deobandi School and who wish to remove the
real obstacles towards unification.
2. Who in
their private meetings address these serious and principled differences as:
a)
a deceit of the
Maulvis,
b)
a means of making
money,
c)
a way of making a
living etc., - and who receive applause from the people, for expressing such
thoughts.
3. Who,
despite being highly educated, consider making attempts at understanding and
removing such differences as a waste of time.
4. Who
consider the differences between the Ahle Sunnah scholars and the Deobandi
scholars, as merely trivial or secondary.
5. Who spend
their scholarly and research capabilities in clarifying and interpreting the
insolent writings of the Deobandis. (Perhaps religion will remain incomplete
without such explanations!)
6. Who
consider researching the differences between the Ahle Sunnah and Deobandi
scholars just a waste of time, whereas at the same time they are the most
zealous advocators of unification!
7. Who
consider that Teejah (meals for the poor on the third day of passing away of a
Muslim), Daswaan (meals for the poor on the tenth day of passing away of a
Muslim), Chaleeswan (meals for the poor on the fortieth day of passing away of a
Muslim), and visits to mausoleums are the actual differences between the Ahle
Sunnah scholars and Deobandi scholars.
8. Who
consider the publication and sale of literature based on blasphemous and
insolent writings, as the most important service to Islam!
9. Who feel uneasy at the mention of religious differences, but who
spend all their physical and monetary resources in tolerating and solving with
elegance all their official problems and business affairs.
10. Who
advise that as per the circumstances, disputed writings & problems should
not be discussed - but do not render this advice to the institutions that are
ceaselessly publishing such literature.
11. Who term
the issues of:
(a)
Respecting our Holy
Prophet r,
(b)
The status of the Holy
Prophet r,
(c)
The attributes of the
Holy Prophet r,
(d)
Veneration of the
Companions t
and of the members of the
family of the Holy Prophet r,
(e)
Sainthood and
(f)
other Islamic issues,
as
“Sectarianism” perpetrated by the Ahle Sunnah school of thought - and in
this way such persons intentionally or unintentionally support infidelity and
heresy.
12. Who
understand the real causes of the differences and have the true spirit of
presenting a program on the national (or international) level, through which the
wide gulf of differences can be bridged and an initiative can be taken towards
unification.
If you have
a soft corner in your heart for the scholars of Deobandi school, the obvious
effect of reading this booklet will be that you will close it and put is aside
with frustration. However, if you are a great thinker and have the spirit for
searching facts by going deep into events, you will definitely attempt to find
out why the foundations of this dispute were laid - and what are the causes
owing to which the dispute still continues all over the world, after so many
years.
If the
dispute was limited to a few people, it could be ignored by considering that
personal or family interests may be involved - but the range of this dispute is
so wide that not only the whole country (Indian Sub-Continent) but a very large
region abroad has been dragged into it.
From Mosques
to religious schools (Madressahs), all aspects of our religious life have been
so deeply affected by it that from villages to cities, the entire country has
been divided by it.
Therefore,
just terming it as an individual strife between Bareilly and Deoband cannot
overlook the real reasons that actually started the dispute.
Regretfully
until now historians have not attempted to make an impartial research into the
real basis of our dispute with the scholars of the Deobandi school – a dispute
which is going on among millions of Muslims at home and abroad since the last
several decades. Due to it, the entire Muslim society has fallen prey to
spiritual agony and confusion. Can there be a greater mockery of our innocence
that our protest is termed as "Spread of Dissension", whereas it is
the right of every innocent individual to disclose his anger and sorrow?
After these
introductory words, we now present the details of this religious dispute before
our readers trusting that they will ascertain the real causes in light of what
is written here below. Even if reading this booklet is a burden on you, I would
still request you to read the details, because a seeker of the truth does not
have a bias towards any group.
PART ONE
THE THREE FOUNDATIONS OF
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN AHLE SUNNAH SCHOLARS & THE DEOBANDI SCHOLARS
The
religious enmity between Deoband and Bareilly, and its negative effects that are
prominent from the press to the stage, and which started in the previous century
is not a baseless one. If your mind is open to the truth read below the real
foundations of the differences of this religious dispute that has divided the
Muslim nation into two groups.
A) THE FIRST
FOUNDATION OF DIFFERENCES (Insolent Writings of Deobandis against the Holy
Prophet r).
Everyone is
aware that a Muslim has a very strong and devoted relation with his Holy Prophet
r.
The belief regarding the Holy Prophet r
is so reverential and
sensitive that a Muslim cannot bear any insult towards the Holy Prophet r.
In order to protect his honour, the Muslims of the sub-continent have offered
sacrifices in every era and with such an exemplary spirit that it is now a part
of history. This aspect of a Muslim’s love for the Holy Prophet r
should be remembered - that while expressing anger and regret against the
insolent, a Muslim has never bothered to see who will be targeted. Whoever
commits any disrespect or blasphemy against our Holy Prophet r
- whether the individual is an outsider or from among us – the swords of the
Muslims have become unsheathed against such people.
The
contemporary example of the outcast Salman Rushdie is before you. He made the
entire Muslim world his enemy by attacking the honour of our Holy Prophet r.
Indeed all those who gave numerous sacrifices to defend the honour of the Holy
Prophet r,
deserve immense praise.
This itself
is the main foundation of our anger against the scholars of the Deobandi school
– because their elders have written insolent words and phrases against our
Holy Prophet r.
A few examples of such insolent writings are as follows: -
1.
The
religious leader of the scholars of Deoband, Maulvi Ashraf Ali Thanvi in his
book entitled “Hifz-ul-Iman” (The Protection of Faith) has compared the
knowledge of the Holy Prophet r,
with the knowledge of lowly creatures such as animals and beasts - and he
himself has confessed to this heinous crime! (May Allah protect us!)
Learned
people know that if anything is compared with a respectable thing, it implies
respect - whereas on the contrary, if anything is compared with a disgraceful
and shameful thing, it implies defamation and disrespect. This principle is so
well known and widely accepted in the Urdu language, that no learned person can
deny the authenticity of this interpretation.
On
this basis we claim that, beyond doubt, Mr. Thanvi is guilty of insolence
towards the Holy Prophet r.
By comparing the knowledge of the Holy Prophet r
with that of animals and lowly creatures, he has definitely committed the
heinous crime of insulting the Holy Prophet r.
2.
The
second and third leaders of the Deobandi school i.e. Maulvi Khalil Ahmed
Ambethvi and Maulvi Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi have written in their book
"Baraheene Qatia" (The Definite Proofs), that on the issue of
encompassing the knowledge of the earth, the knowledge of Satan exceeds the
knowledge of our Holy Prophet r.
Furthermore, they claimed that if one believes that the knowledge of our Holy
Prophet r
exceeds that of Satan, such a person will become a “polytheist” (Mushrik),
because the vastness of Satan's knowledge is proven from Qur'an and Hadith,
whereas no such proof exists in respect of the knowledge of the Holy Prophet r.
(May Allah protect us!).
In
the above-mentioned case, there are no two opinions that assessing the knowledge
of the Holy Prophet r
to be inferior to that of Satan, is a blatant blasphemy and insolence towards
the Holy Prophet r.
Similarly,
it is a blatant insolence and a blasphemy to say that in contrast to Satan,
anyone who believes in the vast extent of the knowledge of the Holy Prophet r
is a “polytheist” (Mushrik), but having the same belief about Satan is not
polytheism!
Likewise,
it is also a clear disrespect towards our Holy Prophet r
to say that there is no clear proof in the Qur'an on the vast extent of his
knowledge, but there is proof in Qur'an as well as Hadith regarding the vast
knowledge of Satan!
3.
The
most important leader of the Deobandi school, and also the founder of the
Deoband Madressah, i.e. Maulvi Qasim Nanotvi, in his book
"Tahzeer-ul-Naas" has refused to accept our Holy Prophet r
as the Last Prophet - whereas to believe in Prophet Mohammad r,
as the Last Prophet of Allah is proven both from the Qur'an and the Hadith.
He
has gone to the extent of writing that “even if it were assumed that a New
Prophet can come during the era of the Holy Prophet r,
or after the Holy Prophet r,
it would not have an effect on the “Finality” (Khatemiat) of our Holy
Prophet r”.
Whereas every sane person can easily understand the simple principle that the
belief regarding the Finality of the Holy Prophet r
gets negated upon the arrival of a new Prophet. It is this very book of Maulvi
Qasim Nanotvi – i.e. “Tahzeer-ul-Naas” which the Qadianis term a
precursor to validate the prophethood of Mirza Gulam Ahmed Qadiani (May Allah
protect us).
It should be clear that our
dispute with Deobandi scholars on the issue of Khatm-e-Nubuwat (The Finality of
Prophethood) is not a secondary one, but is regarding Islamic principles and is
fundamental. It is not concerned just with the permissibility (hillat) or
prohibition (hurmat), but with infidelity and Islam.
The first
root cause of our disagreement with the Deobandi scholars with references to
their books, is before you. It should be clear that this basic cause of
disagreement is concerned with
(1)
Insulting the Holy
Prophet r,
and
(2)
Denial of the
necessities of Islam.
And there is
no doubt in their infidelity. A number of verses of the Holy Qur'an bear
testimony to the fact that even a minor disrespect towards the Holy Prophet r,
breaks one's relation with faith and Islam. Under no circumstances can
superiority in knowledge or worship save one from the evil consequences of
insolence.
Here, I will
request my readers NOT to read the defamatory writings of the Deobandi scholars
with a view that it is just a religious dispute between Bareilly and Deoband.
Rather what must be kept in mind is that the attack of the Deobandi scholars is
upon the great personality of the Holy Prophet r.
The attack of their insolent pen is NOT upon the Ahle Sunnah Bareillvi scholars,
but especially on the Holy Prophet r
himself!
If you read
these lines with a view that it is just a dispute between the scholars of
Bareilly and Deoband then the sincerity you need to make a fair decision, will
vanish. The purpose of my above request is because to prefer the Holy Prophet r
above any other beloved person is a requirement of our faith. Therefore, put
aside the scholars of Bareilly for a while and ask your faithful conscience the
following questions: -
Ø
Do
the writings of the Deobandi scholars attack the sanctity of our Holy Prophet r,
or not?
Ø
Do
these writings deviate from the basic requirements and tenets of faith, or not?
If you have
any doubt regarding the authenticity and the location of the references given,
you can yourself find and read them – these books are openly available at
bookshops, even to this day.
So what did
the Ahle Sunnah Bareillvi scholars do? It was just that after going through
these defamatory writings of the Deobandi scholars, the Ahle Sunnah Bareillvi
scholars openly displayed the reaction of the unbearable distress and the
spiritual agony that they were made to suffer all of a sudden. The hurdle of
relations did not come in their way.
They
contacted the Deobandi scholars and with authentic proofs asked them to first
seek repentance according to the Shari’ah from those writings - which vilify
our Holy Prophet r,
and which deny the necessities of Islam - and secondly, to delete those writings
from their books. But the spurious fame of the Deobandi scholars came in their
way and they preferred the everlasting punishment of fire to the disgrace of
this world.
I) A Common
Trait among those who Disrespect the Holy Prophet Muhammad r.
Deviating
from the above conversation, I would like to clarify a point to my readers,
trusting that the extra moments of waiting will not be a burden upon them.
Going
through the annals of history you will notice a common trait among those who
were insolent towards the Holy Prophet r.
After uttering or writing any blasphemous word due to hypocrisy, instead of
seeking repentance for their infidelity, they resort to wrong interpretations
and verbal jugglery when they are called to account and admonished.
During the
era of the Holy Prophet r,
the very same attitude existed in the hypocrites of Medinah. Once when the Holy
Prophet r
was returning from a journey, the hypocrites used a derogatory word for him -
and when the Holy Prophet r
called them to account after the honourable companions informed him, the
hypocrites resorted to giving wrong interpretations and lame excuses. It was
revealed in the Holy Qur'an to the Holy Prophet r
as follows: -
“Do not feign excuses, you have turned
disbelievers after becoming Muslims” (Surah
Tauba 9:66 - from the Holy Quran’s English Translation “Treasure of
Faith” by Mohammed Aqib Qadri)
Had the
revelations not been going on, the hypocrites' fraud would not have been
disclosed and they would have concealed their infidelity by reciting Kalima in
the Muslim society.
If you wish
to know about the role of the hypocrites of Medinah in the present age, read
about the Pro-Vice Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia of New Delhi. In order to
be called a supporter of secularism, he expressed his views about the banned
book of Salman Rushdie in an interview for an English Magazine that “the
ban on this book (Satanic Verses) enforced by the Indian Government should be
lifted because everyone has a fundamental right to express his views.”
The clear
meaning of this phrase is that Rushdie cannot be called to account of the
Blasphemy he has done in his book because he has a fundamental right to express
his views. In other words, Mushir-ul-Hasan with his above phrase has openly
supported the disrespect towards our Holy Prophet r.
The courageous and sacrificing students of Jamia Millia deserve praise and
applause. When they read the interview of Mushir-ul-Hasan, and based on his
crime of supporting a blasphemer, they joined hands in the spirit of defending
the honour of the Holy Prophet r
and demanded from the then Indian Government that since a supporter of a
blasphemer is also a blasphemer, Mushir-ul-Hasan should be sacked from his post
– and that they cannot tolerate a blasphemer and cruel person at any cost.
As this was
a question of defending the honour of our Holy Prophet r,
a large number of teachers of the Jamia Millia became indifferent of the
consequences and announced their support with the students.
When the
Muslims of Delhi learned about the incident, a wave of hatred and detestation
spread, and the people of the city also started supporting the students. The
manner in which Anjuman-e-Raza of Zakir Nagar displayed their anger against
Mushir-ul-Hasan, gave correct advice to the students and encouraged everyone,
should be written down in letters of gold.
“The
students should see in the light of Islamic teachings, whether the one who is
being termed an insulter of the Holy Prophet r,
is really an insulter or not.”
How
regretful and astonishing it is, that the students and the teachers of Jamia
Millia and the general public who are not scholars understood the blasphemy of
Mushir-ul-Hasan, but the scholars of Darul Uloom Deoband could not understand it
– although the appeal of the Chancellor Mr. Bashiruddin Ahmed about
Mushir-ul-Hasan was published on the last page of “Qawmi Awaz”, and
the following excerpt from it perfectly reveals the crime of Mushir-ul-Hasan.
“The
Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Jamia, Prof. Mushir-ul-Hasan has expressed his
opinion about lifting the ban on this book (Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie).
As this is a cause of annoyance, an environment of anger and revolt has been
created.”
It is clear
from the statement of the Vice Chancellor that the charge of the students
against Mushir-ul-Hasan is not baseless because he has based his statement on
the fact that every one has the right to freely express his views.
Therefore,
whatever Salman Rushdie has written against our Holy Prophet r,
is Rushdie's permitted right. But it is a matter of great regret that despite so
much explanation, the Deobandi scholars consider Mushir-ul-Hasan guiltless. The
most important justification given by them for his innocence is as follows: -
“The
one who is being termed an insulter of the Holy Prophet
r
has clarified that he is free from this sin and has complete respect in his
heart for the Holy Prophet r”.
The insanity
of the Deobandi scholars is really pathetic that they do not even know that in
order to prove any charge, the confession or admission of guilt is NOT required.
His statements and the words he has used are more than enough to prove his guilt
– or else it should be pointed out where in the history of Islamic punishments
has a criminal been punished on the basis of his confession. Whoever has been
punished, has been punished on the basis of his words and statements. Can
Dar-ul-Ifta of Deoband prove that has anyone who was termed an infidel by it
because of uttering blasphemy, been made to confess his infidelity? But it is
obvious here that the Deobandi scholars would not have uttered such immature
statements if their love for the Holy Prophet r,
had not been overcome by the motive of supporting Mushir-ul-Hasan. They have now
to answer what was the reason for their supporting and advocating
Mushir-ul-Hasan.
We have
referred to this event just to clarify to our readers how the love of the Holy
Prophet r,
unites the believers against the insulters - and how those whose hearts are
devoid of this noble spirit resort to indecent and ridiculous interpretations in
order to defend a blasphemer.
In order to
expose the mentality of the blasphemers as well as their supporters, I think I
have swayed far from the main subject. I now request you to direct your
attention to the discussion in the previous pages regarding the charges against
the elders of Deoband for insulting the Holy Prophet r.
The very
same thing happened at that time. In order to protect the insolent writings of
their elders, the Deobandi scholars adopted a stance of hostility and
stubbornness, and with all their might began propagating among the masses that
they were completely free from the charges of blasphemy. And furthermore, they
claimed that the scholars of the Ahle Sunnah Bareillvi school had created this
entire dispute and that the accusation against them – that of insulting the
Holy Prophet r
- is totally untrue, and baseless.
They had a
large number of resources and means of communication at their disposal. When
people started getting influenced from their false propaganda, we were left with
no other option but to go for discussions and debates and to reveal the fact
that the charges on the elders of Deoband school for writing insolent remarks
against the Holy Prophet r,
are NOT baseless, but in fact a reality.
Therefore,
in every debate, the insolent writings of their elders were read before them
along with proper reference to the page numbers and the Deobandi scholars never
said that the books from which the reference were given were not written by
their elders or that these insolent writings were not present in their books.
The most
important benefit derived from these debates was that the general public
realised that the charges of blasphemy on the Deobandi scholars are based on
solid grounds - and that the protest and agitation of the Ahle Sunnah scholars
which is reflected in their speeches is to defend the honour of the Holy Prophet
r.
B) THE
SECOND FOUNDATION OF DIFFERENCES (Incorrect Beliefs of the Deobandi School)
You have
read in the previous pages that the first basic cause of our differences with
the Deobandi scholars, is their disrespect of the Holy Prophet r,
and their denial of the basic tenets of Islam. You would have definitely
assessed by now that our hatred and abhorrence of the Deobandi scholars because
of their blasphemy can never end - for it is a requirement of our faith.
The first
basic cause was quite sufficient for our separation from the Deobandi school,
but you will be astonished to know that there are quite a few special beliefs
upheld by the Deobandi scholars, which are also playing a vital role in widening
the gulf between us. Provided below are some of their beliefs, with reference to
their books: -
1)
A follower (member
of the Ummah) can surpass the Prophets in deeds.
(Tahzeer-ul-Naas)
2)
It is not necessary
for the Prophets to be immune from saying blatant lies.
(Tasfia-ul-Aqaid)
3)
It is wrong to
consider that saying lies is against the dignity of Prophethood.
(Tasfia-ul-Aqaid)
4)
It is wrong to
believe that Prophets are innocent of sinning.
(Tasfia-ul-Aqaid).
5)
A person engaged in
prayers becomes a polytheist (mushrik) upon diverting his thoughts towards the
Prophet.
(Siraate-Mustaqeem)
6)
To think about the
Prophet whilst one is in prayer is worse than being engrossed in the thoughts of
adultery, or thinking about a donkey or an ox. (Siraate-Mustaqeem)
7)
It is possible for
Allah to tell lies (Yakrozi).
8)
It is a heresy to
deem Allah free from time and space
(Idha-ul-Haq)
9)
The deceptions of
magicians are greater than the miracles of the Prophets.
(Mansabe-Imamat).
10) A
person, who labels the Companions of the Holy Prophet r
as “infidels”, is not out of the fold of Jamaat Ahle Sunnah.
(Fatawahe Rashidiah)
11) Whoever
is named “Mohammed” or “Ali” does not have authority over anything. (Taqwiat-ul-Iman)
12) All
creations – whether small (such as common men) or great (such as prophets and
saints) – they all are, before Allah's majesty, more lowly than even a
cobbler.
(Taqwiat-ul-Iman)
13) One
who considers the Holy Prophet r
as his mediator and intercessor on the Day of Resurrection, is equal to Abu
Jahal in polytheism.
(Taqwiat-ul-Iman)
14) It
is polytheism to have names such as “Rasool Baksh”, “Nabi Baksh”,
“Gulam Mohiuddin” and “Gulam Moeenuddin”.
(Taqwiat-ul-Iman)
15) To
be “A mercy for the entire creation” (Rehmatul Lil Alameen) is not an
exclusive attribute of our Holy Prophet r.
The followers can also be the “A
mercy for the entire creation” (Rehmatul
Lil Alameen). (Fatawahe
Rashidiah)
16) Eating
from the food prepared for Fateha of the saints, causes the heart to die.
(Taqwiat-ul-Iman)
17) The
Holy Prophet
r is our elder brother, we
are his younger brothers.
(Taqwiat-ul-Iman)
18) It
is polytheism to say, “if Allah and His Prophet will a thing, it will be
accomplished”.
(Bahishti Zewar).
19) To
travel for the sake of visiting the mausoleums of any Prophet or any Saint, or
to illuminate their mausoleums, to carpet them, to sweep there, give people
water to drink or make arrangements for their ablution and bathing – (all
this) is polytheism.
(Taqwiat-ul-Iman).
Here I will
request my readers to reflect upon the above-mentioned beliefs of the Deobandi
school with justice and sincerity. Among these beliefs are a few that affect the
belief of Tauheed (the Oneness of Allah) and a few others which if accepted as
true would put the faith of a billion Muslims in danger - and this does not stop
here. Billions of our ancestors, who accepted faith contrary to these beliefs as
true Islam, will also come within the purview of such beliefs.
For a little
while, put the Bareillvi scholars aside, and with your religious temperament,
decide whether you agree with the above mentioned beliefs and actions or not -
and without any hesitation just decide in a clear YES or NO - whether the
present Muslim society is based on these beliefs or not. If not and obviously
not, then please give a decision regarding the scholars of Bareilly who have
disagreed with the above noted beliefs and have struggled to save the Ummah from
these filthy beliefs & actions, and have also striven to keep the Ummah
associated with the correct beliefs of Islam.
It is now up
to the Muslim masses to decide whether this significant achievement of the
righteous Ahle Sunnah Bareillvi scholars was in the interest of the Ummah or
otherwise - and whether the services they rendered caused dissension within the
Ummah or have saved it from breaking up.
If you agree
that the faith of the majority of the Muslims world-wide is the same as that
which the scholars of Bareilly upheld, you will then have to accept that it was
these scholars who were the true leaders of the Muslim masses. Those who, under
the influence of false propaganda of the opponents, accuse the Ahle Sunnah
Bareillvi scholars of sowing the seeds of dissension within the Ummah, deserve
to be called the worst ingrates in history.
Even if you
do not call yourself a Bareillvi, you must be thankful to the Ahle Sunnah
Bareillvi scholars for the noble role that they played by saving you from
falling victim of the incorrect teachings of the Deobandi school - and for
keeping the Muslim Ummah associated with proper beliefs.
C) THE THIRD
FOUNDATION OF DIFFERENCES (Improper Decrees Issued by the Deobandi School)
Under this
basis of differences are the verdicts and writings of the Deobandi scholars in
which the religious traditions of the Muslims masses (Jumhur) have been termed
as “Forbidden” (Haram) and heretic innovations. Read please the details
below: -
1)
They term the seeking
of mediation (Tawassul) from the Prophets and Saints as forbidden and a sin.
2)
They do not accept the
belief that the Holy Prophet r
had knowledge of the hidden, even if it is given by Allah.
3)
According to the
explanation of Taqwiat-ul-Iman, they believe that the Holy Prophet r
has mingled with dust.
4)
Holding of Meelad
(Mawlid) gatherings and Qiyam & Salaam (the prevalent way in which a devotee
prays for peace and blessings of Allah upon the beloved Prophet r,
in a state of standing upright) – all these are forbidden according to them.
5)
Holding gatherings in
order to convey the reward of Fateha, recitation of the Qur’an etc., either
for saints or for common Muslims – all these are forbidden according to them.
6)
They term it forbidden
to hold public meetings to narrate the martyrdom of Hadrat Imam Husain t
or to commemorate Gyarhween Shareef of Hadrat Shaykh Abdul Qaadir Jilani t and Chatti of Hadrat Shaykh Moeenuddin Chishti t.
7)
They term the
rejoicing, holding of public meetings and taking out of processions on the
occasion on the birth of our Holy Prophet r
as forbidden.
8)
According to them,
building of domes over the mausoleums of Saints and pious Muslims is forbidden.
9)
They term the slogans
of “Ya Rasool Allah” and “Ya Nabi Salam Alaika” as forbidden.
10) According
to them, inviting relatives and others on the occasion of Khatna (circumcision)
and Bismillah (The start of reciting the Qur'an) and Aqeeqah (sacrifice for
new-born) is prohibited.
11) Teejah
(meals for the poor on the third day of passing away of a Muslim), Daswaan
(meals for the poor on the tenth day of passing away of a Muslim), Chaleeswan
(meals for the poor on the fortieth day of passing away of a Muslim),
preparation of Halwa (sweet dish) on the occasion of Shabe-Bara`at (15th Night
of Shabaan) - all these are not permissible according to them.
12) According
to them it is not permissible to invite anyone on the occasion of weddings,
engagements etc., nor is it permissible for one to attend such gatherings.
13) They
decree the wearing of head-garlands by the grooms (on the day of wedding) as an
act of polytheism.
14) Regarding
the person who places wreaths on the mausoleums of Saints, and commemorates the
Urs of Saints - they term the marriage of any Muslim female with the son of such
a person as Haraam. They also forbid participation in the funeral prayers of
such a person, inquiring after his health and greeting him.
15) They
also term the seeking and obtaining of benefit (Faiz) from the souls of Saints
and seeking their assistance as forbidden.
16) According
to them, kissing the thumbs upon hearing the name of the Holy Prophet r is forbidden.
17) They
also term the Fateha of Imam Jafar Sadiq t
in the month of Rajab, as
forbidden.
18) They
term the illumination of mosques upon completion of the recitation of Holy
Qur'an in the month of Ramadan, as forbidden.
19) They
also deem prohibited the placing of epitaphs showing the date of death on the
grave of Muslims.
20) To
pray for the forgiveness of the deceased after the funeral prayers, is
prohibited according to them.
21) They
term the act of embracing each other on the Eid days as forbidden.
Now the
third root cause of our differences with the scholars of Deoband is also before
you. You have now to decide 3 things, with justice.
q
Firstly, do you agree
with the above-mentioned verdicts issued by the Deobandi scholars, or not.
q
Secondly, are these
verdicts contrary to the lawful traditions and customs practised in the Muslim
world, or not.
q
And thirdly, is the
religious and social system of our Muslim society harmed by these verdicts or
not.
If yes, and
surely yes, then according to these verdicts, is the entire Muslim society
involved in forbidden acts from dawn to dusk? And if so, where does our Islamic
society stand?
This is the
stage where you have to draw a line between the scholars of Deoband and that of
Bareilly - and you must arrive at the conclusion that all the efforts of the
Deobandi scholars were directed at proving that the entire Muslim society, each
and every member of it, was a sinner - whereas the efforts of the Ahle Sunnah
Bareillvi scholars was to prove that unless an act is explicitly forbidden by
Allah or the Holy Prophet r,
then no one has the right to forbid it.
Terming the
ethical and religious customs upon which the Muslim society is built, as
forbidden (Haraam) is a clear deviation from proven facts and an open enmity
with the Muslims.
If
my readers adopt a fair stance, they will have to admit that all the efforts of
the Ahle Sunnah Bareillvi scholars are in support of majority of the Muslim
Ummah, whereas those of the Deobandi scholars are directed against it.
Can there be
a greater ingratitude other than taking those who are hell bent upon attacking
and ruining us, as our greatest well-wishers – whereas on the other hand to
deem those who have put their lives and status in danger for us, as our greatest
enemies?
The purpose of clarifying the foundations of our differences, up to what
I have written until now, is that the readers may clearly understand the nature
of differences, and may not attribute our anger, frustration and separation for
any other reason.
If the
assault of the insolent pen of Deoband was on us, there could have been plenty
of ways for forgiveness and reconciliation. But the fact is that they tried to
harm the honour of the Holy Prophet r, and have thereby caused suffering to Allah Y
and His Holy Prophet r
– and so the decision regarding them will come from these sources.
We do not
have any direct relationship with any scholar - it is through the means of the
Holy Prophet r.
When someone severs his relationship with the Holy Prophet r,
then the question of our having a relation with him does not arise. Rather the
spirit of loyalty towards the Holy Prophet r
demands from us that as long as we live, we shall not only have our relations
severed with such blasphemers, but shall continue our struggle of keeping each
and every Muslim away from them.
A) CHARGES OF THE DEOBANDI SCHOLARS
AGAINST THE SCHOLARS OF BAREILLY
The history
of our differences will remain incomplete if we do not narrate here the charges
that the Deobandi scholars have levelled against us. The most important blame on
us is that we have termed their learned and worthy scholars as infidels and we
have been very bold and careless in giving the verdict of infidelity, and
furthermore that we have been very biased and fanatical in our views.
In
defence, we only wish to state that the verdict of infidelity mentioned in our
book "Hussaam-ul-Haramain" (The Sword of the Two Holy Sanctuaries),
for the charge of insulting the Holy Prophet r,
and on the charge of denial of tenets of Islam, has been given against ONLY 5
(five) persons - and the verdict has been upheld and attested by the then
scholars of Mecca and Medinah, and other cities of the Arab world.
Of those
five, four are the very same elders from the Deobandi School (the blasphemous
writings of whom are detailed above) and the fifth person is the great liar and
impostor Gulam Ahmed Qadiani.
So
henceforth, if someone supports the blasphemous writings of any one of the 5
mentioned above, he will himself be responsible for the consequences and the due
punishment. The scholars of Bareilly are not interested in unnecessarily
expelling anyone from the fold of Islam. By supporting the blasphemous and
insolent writings and disrespect of the Holy Prophet r,
it is they themselves who make arrangements for their own ruin in this life and
in the hereafter. It is absolutely ridiculous to blame anyone else for it.
A
Point To Remember: Here,
an important matter needs to be explained. A non-Muslim, after his recitation of
the Kalima and acceptance of faith and Islam, should be considered a Muslim –
and likewise it is necessary that if any Muslim commits blasphemy (Allah
forbid), he should be considered an infidel – this is a fundamental rule.
The Ahle
Sunnah Bareillvi scholars had to fulfil this unpleasant obligation under
specific conditions – and similarly, the Deobandi scholars have not lagged far
behind. As a proof, please read the letter of Maulvi Amin Ahmed Islahi,
extracted from his famous book “Hakeem-ul-Ummah” written by Maulvi
Abdul Majeed Daryabadi. This letter was written at the time when Maulvi Islahi
was the Chief Administrator of Madrasahe Islah, in Sarae Meer, District
Azamgarh, India. The following extract from the letter is worth reading: -
“The
verdict given by Maulana (Ashraf Ali) Thanvi that - 'Maulvi Shibli Nomani and
Maulvi Moeenuddin Farahi are infidels, and since the Madrassah is the mission of
these two individuals, it follows that the Madrassahe Islah is a teaching place
of infidelity and hypocrisy - to the extent that even the scholars who attend
its public meetings are also infidels and faithless’ - has now been
published.”
Upon
receiving this letter, Maulvi Abdul Majeed Daryabadi (a disciple and caliph of
Maulvi Thanvi) wrote a detailed letter as a confidante to Maulvi Thanvi in which
he referred to the piety, intense worship and “Tahajjud” prayers of Maulvi
Shibli Nomani and Maulvi Moeenuddin Farahi, as proofs of their Islam. His aim
was to convey that the verdict of infidelity against these two prominent pious
persons could not be easily accepted. The reply he received from Maulvi Thanvi
was as follows: -
“All
these are deeds - and beliefs are quite apart from them. It is possible for
wrong deeds to combine with correct faith and beliefs, and the opposite is also
possible.”
(Hakeem-ul-Ummah, page 476)
The only
possible inference from the above reply of Maulvi Thanvi is, that despite Maulvi
Shibli Nomani’s and Maulvi Moeenuddin Farahi’s fame, knowledge and piety,
the decree of infidelity issued by Maulvi Thanvi against the two is correct. In
order to prove that Maulvi Ashraf Ali Thanvi was correct in issuing such a
verdict, his devotees and fans will resort to the interpretation that surely
Maulvi Thanvi must have seen or noticed some act of infidelity (in writing or in
speech) in these two Maulvis - without a solid reason based on Shariah, he would
surely not have issued a verdict of infidelity.
Now
if we apply the same principle on Mr. Thanvi and other scholars of Deoband, then
it transpires that the verdict of infidelity issued against them by the scholars
of the two Holy Cities, is also NOT unfounded. They also had solid reasons based
on the Shari’ah for terming them infidels, the details of which you have read
in the earlier pages.
If the fame
and piety of Maulvi Shibli Nomani and Maulvi Moeenuddin Farahi could not save
them from being termed infidels, then has some special revelation descended from
the sky, which exempts these elders of the Deobandi school from being termed
infidels, despite their being guilty of blasphemy and disrespect of the Holy
Prophet r?
B) AN ANSWER TO THE CHARGE OF BIAS
AND FANATICISM
One of the
charges levelled against us by the Deobandi scholars is that we have been very
biased and fanatical in our views. At this juncture, it will be most appropriate
to show them their own face in the mirror, so that they may think before they
point a finger at anyone else!
I)
The First Example of Deobandi Extremism
You have
just read in the previous paragraphs the verdict given by Maulvi Ashraf Ali
Thanvi which was as follows: - ‘Maulvi Shibli Nomani and Maulvi Moeenuddin
Farahi are infidels - and since the Madrassah (Islah) is the mission of only
these two individuals, it follows that the Madrassahe Islah is a teaching place
of infidelity and hypocrisy - to the extent that even the scholars who attend
its public meetings are also infidels and heretics.’
Now you can
yourself decide - can there be fanaticism beyond that?
II)
Second Example of Deobandi Fanaticism
Maulvi
Thanvi is such an extremist in his views that he does not allow his devotees and
fans to even read the books of the persons he considers heretics. An extract
from the book “Kamalate-Ashrafia” (A collection of Maulvi Thanvi's
sayings etc.,) is as follows: -
“If a
person from a stray sect talks about religion, there is always evil hidden in
it. Their writings also contain evil hidden within, therefore one should never
keep their company and never ever read their books.”
(Kamalate-Ashrafia, page 55)
Now please
be fair with us - if we adopt the same strict attitude towards those whom we
consider infidels because of their denial of the necessities of faith and
disrespect of the Holy Prophet r,
we are reproached. Why should we not be allowed the same privilege that the
Shari’ah allows them?
Those who
are aware of the history of Nadwah, know that the elders of the Deobandi school
were against its very formation. To the extent that when the principle of Nadwah
Maulvi Mohammed Ali Mongeree went to invite Maulvi Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi to
attend its yearly conference, he not only declined to accept the invitation, but
also refused to meet Maulvi Mongeree.
When Maulvi
Mongeree insisted that if Maulvi Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi could not attend the
conference, he should allow any of his men to attend on his behalf, Maulvi
Gangohi's reply was: -
“It has
been made known to me that it (Nadwah) does not have a good ending. I therefore
cannot permit any of my men to attend on my behalf.”
(Tazkerat-ur-Rasheed, Vol. 2, page 205).
“It does
not have a good ending” – there cannot be better proof of this ILHAM
(revelation) other than the fact that Nadwah is now under the control of the
Deobandis!
And the
horrible picture of its ending will become clearer if you keep its beginning in
sight.
Learned
people know that Shibli Nomani occupied an important place amongst the founders
of “Nadwah”. One of his articles has been published in the sixth volume of “Makalate
Shibli”. He wrote this article at a time when there was some
misunderstanding between him and the principal of Nadwah. Gradually, the
differences rose to such an extent that the students went on strike in support
of Shibli. The excerpt is as follows: -
“When
the crisis was at its peak, the time of Mawlid Shareef arrived and the students
wanted to celebrate it according to their yearly routine - but knowing that I
(Shibli) would speak on the occasion of Mawlid Shareef, they were prevented from
it. At last some people intervened and persuaded him (the principal) that if
Mawlid Shareef celebration was not permitted, there will be widespread anger in
the city. So under this compulsion, the celebration of Mawlid Shareef was
allowed, but under various conditions and restrictions.”
(Makalate Shibli, Vol 6. Page 131)
But
can the Mawlid Shareef celebration be held in the courtyard of Dar-ul-Uloom
Nadwah in this age? Is the trend of celebrating Mawlid Shareef still prevalent
among the students of Nadwah? No. Because Nadwah has now been usurped by
Deobandis.
Just think!
That was the beginning and this is the end – and strangely enough, note that
the “Ilham” of Maulvi Rasheed Gangohi relates only with its “evil” end
– not with the beginning!
IV) Yet
Another Example Of Deobandi Fanaticism
You have
read one example of the fanaticism of Maulvi Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi. Now please
read one more example of his extremism and stubbornness.
His hatred
for the Saints t
and their mausoleums had reached to such an extent, that he hated even their
Urs. The mausoleum of one of the famous Chishti Saints Hadrat Maulana Abdul
Quddoos Gangohi t
is also in the same Gangoh,
which happens to be the native place of Maulvi Rasheed Ahmed. The hatred in his
heart for the great Saint, and for the celebration of the Saints’ “Urs”
can be gauged from the following extract from the book of Maulvi Zakaria – the
Shaykh-ul-Hadith of Saharanpur. He writes in his book “Tareekhe Mashaikhe
Chisht” – page 294 (The History of Chishti Shuyukh) as follows: -
“The
Urs of Hadrat Maulana Abdul Quddoos Gangohi which Maulvi Rasheed Ahmed was
powerless to stop, distressed him so much that it was almost impossible for him
to bear it. At first, he used to leave Gangoh and stay in Rampur in those days,
but in the last few years of his life he was compelled to bear this anguish and
had to spend the time of the Urs in his Khankah (house). During the days of Urs,
he also detested his disciples coming to Gangoh to such an extent that he often
showed his anger and even avoided speaking to them. One of his Caliphs and
disciples, Maulvi Mohammed Saleh Jalandhari set off for Gangoh in order to have
the privilege of seeing Maulvi Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi. Incidentally, the Urs was
in full swing. Although Maulvi Mohammed Saleh did not have the faintest idea of
the Urs, Maulvi Rasheed Ahmed instead of replying to his greetings, did not even
bother to ask him whether he had taken his meal, or even ask him the reason of
his arrival.”
“Two
days passed away in the same stalemate. Seeing Maulvi Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi’s
face turned away from him, and purposely ignoring his presence was unbearable
for Maulvi Mohammed Saleh. At last he approached Maulvi Rasheed Ahmed, and with
tears in his eyes he asked Maulvi Rasheed as to what had he done, for which he
was being punished so severely. As an apology he further said, ‘Hadrat, Allah
knows that from the very beginning, I have no interest in things like Urs. I
swear that I have not come to Gangoh for the sake of attending the Urs. I did
not know that the Urs was being held in these days.’ Imam Rabbani said,
‘Although your intention was not of attending the Urs, but on the way through
which two men were coming to attend the Urs, you were the third!’ ”.
Readers must now decide with
justice - can there be fanaticism more intense than this? His disciple had not
come to Gangoh for the sake of attending the Urs, but had come to meet his
Shaykh. But as he had made the terrible mistake of coming at the time of Urs, he
was punished severely, as if he had committed a heinous crime!
Now the
question arises that if Maulvi Rasheed Ahmed had so much hatred for the Urs of
Maulana Abdul Quddoos Gangohi t,
then why did he ever become a disciple in the Chishti Sabri order of Saints? And
whereas the fact is that in this order, right from Hadrat Khwaja Moeenuddin
Chishti t,
to Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki t,
Baba Fareeduddin Ganj Shakr t,
Meboob-e-Ilahi Hadrat Nizamuddin Awliya t,
Hadrat Sabir Pak t,
Hadrat Chirag Dehli t,
Hadrat Banda Nawaz Gaysu Daraz t,
Hadrat Turk Panipati t,
Hadrat Shaykh Abdul Haq Radolvi t,
Hadrat Shaykh Abdul Quddoos Gangohi t,
Hadrat Shaykh Jalaluddin Thanesri t,
Hadrat Akhi Siraj t,
Hadrat Alauddin Pindvi t
and Hadrat Sultan Ashraf Jehangir Samnani t
– among them there is not a single Saint who has not held the Urs of his
Shuyukh.
It is quite
strange to note that only because of the fact that his disciple had come during
the time of Urs, Maulvi Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi turned his face away from him.
Whereas all the Shuyukh of the Chishti order who have kept the tradition of Urs
alive, believe him (Shaykh Abdul Quddoos t)
to be their Dastageer (aide). Now the question which swings like a sword above
the head of Maulvi Rasheed Ahmed is – how can someone who (according to the
beliefs of Maulvi Rasheed Ahmed) is himself involved in “Moharrimat wa
Bidaat” (forbidden acts and innovations), take someone else close to Allah Y?
C) ANOTHER OBJECTION BY THE DEOBANDI SCHOLARS – AND
ITS ANSWER
The people
against whom Ala Hadrat Imam Ahmed Raza t
(of Bareilly) used his pen could not bear their wounds, and kept moaning all
their life. Revenge is a basic instinct of every wounded person - and naturally,
when a person cannot restrict his enemies, he resorts to hurling abuses.
The same
thing happened with Ala Hadrat t.
The people who could not defend the charge of insulting the Holy Prophet r
through knowledge and proper arguments, concluded that the only way of
satisfying their lust for revenge was to tarnish the image of Ala Hadrat t–
by any means, fair or foul.
When they
could not find anything objectionable in the dignity and personality of Ala
Hadrat t,
they concocted the false charge that Ala Hadrat t
has revived various
innovations instead of reviving the Sunnah – whereas as a Renewer of Islam,
the greatest accomplishment of Ala Hadrat t is his differentiation and segregation of right from wrong, and truth
from falsehood - innumerable examples of these are spread over huge volumes of
his decrees (Fatawas).
The name of
Shaykh-e Deoband Husain Ahmed Madani, tops the list of those who raised such
accusations against Ala Hadrat t.
In his book entitled “Al Shihab–ul-Saqib”, he has hurled about 600
abuses on Ala Hadrat t,
among which is “The Renewer of Innovations” – which is a scar on the page
of his book.
But at this
stage, I wish to salute the character and dignity of Ala Hadrat t
again and again that despite the Deobandis’ grave enmity, the accusers have
not yet been able to prove him as a pioneer of innovations.
The
difference in the meaning of “Pioneer” and “Renewer” is well known to
every learned person. Those who called Ala Hadrat t
the “Renewer” of innovations must now prove who is the “Pioneer” of the
“innovations” which supposedly Ala Hadrat t
has revived. And they will
also have to give account, as to how many times have they abused the
“Pioneers” of such innovations.
Although it
is not the main topic, I do have a long list of innovations - the “pioneers”
of which are none other than the Deobandi scholars themselves! Though I do not
have ample time, but to prove my objection and in relevancy with the occasion, I
quote only some of the innovations pioneered by the Deobandi scholars, as listed
below: -
1)
Reading the complete
Saheeh Bukhari Shareef (the famous Hadith collection), in order to raise money
for the Madressah, while giving the excuse that this was done for “repelling
calamities and fulfilling needs” - the pioneer of this innovation is none
other than the Darul Uloom Deoband itself.
2)
Assigning a specific
place for funeral prayers in the courtyard of Darul Uloom Deoband, not on the
basis of administrative reasons but on the basis of wrong beliefs – the
pioneer of this innovation is none other than the Darul Uloom Deoband itself.
3)
Stipulating that the
shroud of a dead Muslim must always be made of Khaddar (a hand spun coarse
cloth) – and refusing to lead / offer the funeral prayers in the absence of
Khaddar – the pioneer of this innovation is none other than the Shaykh of
Deoband, Maulvi Husain Ahmed!
4)
Holding a large
celebration upon completion of 100 years of Deoband Madressah, with huge
arrangements and publicity for the sake of conferring certificates to scholars
– and inviting a polytheist, “Gair Mahram” (forbidden even to look at)
woman on the stage, and giving her the seat of “Chief Guest” – and as if
this was not enough, seating all their elderly scholars and students at her
footsteps below the stage - the pioneers of these several evil innovations are
none other than the scholars of Deoband.
5)
Standing up
respectfully on hearing the National Anthem (of India) which contains several
polytheistic phrases, and that too in the courtyard of a religious school - the
pioneers of this evil innovation are none other than the scholars of Deoband.
6)
Considering that it is
a “religious duty” to help a Congress Leader to gain victory in elections -
the pioneer of this innovation is none other than the Shaykh of Deoband, Maulvi
Husain Ahmed!
7)
Holding a public
meeting with invitations, for the sake of condoling the death of their elders
and then reciting eulogies based on heresy and apostasies - the pioneer of this
innovation is none other than the Darul Uloom Deoband itself.
8)
Compulsorily stopping
the people after a predetermined particular Salaat (obligatory prayer) and
delivering a lecture from the book “Tableeghi Nisaab” - the pioneers
of these several innovations are none other than the scholars of Deoband. (This
book has now been named “Fazaile Aamal”).
9)
Taking the people out
of their homes for “special worship” and on tours around the world in the
name of inviting people to recite Kalima and offer Salaat - the pioneers of this
innovation are none other than the scholars of Deoband.
10) Ordering
all the people present to stand up in respect of the Indian President when he
arrived, while the national anthem (of India) was being sung in the courtyard of
the Darul Uloom - the pioneers of this innovation are none other than the
scholars of Deoband, who were themselves present on the stage. Now they must
answer as to what kind of innovation this was.
These and
countless other innovations have been pioneered by the Deobandi school - but
they never get tired of terming Ala Hadrat t
as an Innovator!
Scholars of
the Deobandi school give the decree of “heresy” without any hesitation on
every newly originated action, and by terming it as prohibited, they create new
differences and new intrigues among the Muslims.
Take the
case of Mawlid as an example. The most important reason given by them to prove
that it is “an innovation, Haraam (prohibited) and a heresy” is that it is a
700-year-old innovation. In its present state, it was neither at the time of the
Holy Prophet r,
nor in the age of the Companions t
or Tabayeens t.
But when it is asked, that if according to you it is a heresy only because of it
being a newly invented act, then please point out any of its components which
eradicates any Sunnah or comes under the category of forbidden acts – so they
have no answer, except to keep silent.
Following
are the components of a Mawlid Shareef gathering: -
1.
Public announcement
2.
Carpeting, stage,
tent, etc.,
3.
Illumination
4.
Perfumes and
sprinkling of rose water
5.
Distribution of sweets
6.
Gathering of Muslims
7.
Narration of events
that took place at the time of birth of the Holy Prophet r
8.
Remembrance of Allah Y
and His Holy Prophet r.
9.
Standing and recital
of Salaam.
In the above
list, except for the standing and recital of Salaam, there is not a single
component that is missing in their gatherings for Seerah, sermon, preaching, or
for honouring their scholars. Public announcement, stage, illuminations,
gathering of people, speeches by one or more speakers - all these are present
– so by their own decree, they should also term these as prohibited.
The only
remaining issue is that of Standing and reciting Salaam. This too is not the
reason of prohibiting Mawlid Shareef - for according to them, the celebration of
Mawlid Shareef is prohibited even without this. (According to the explanation of
the decree issued by their famous Maulvi, Rasheed Ahmed Gangohi.)
And if it is
asserted that the reason for prohibition is the narration of incorrect
traditions in it, then I would like to remind you that Maulvi Rasheed Ahmed
Gangohi prohibited the Mawlid Shareef even if the traditions narrated in it are
correct!
In a number
of debates I have asked the scholars of the Deobandi school, that when the
components of our Mawlid gatherings and that of your various gatherings are one
and the same, then why are your gatherings for the purpose of delivering sermons
permissible - and at the same time, why are our gatherings for Mawlid not
permissible? An act cannot be permitted or prohibited just because the reason of
our assembly is Mawlid Shareef and your assembly is for delivering a sermon or
for seerah.
When they
could not come up with any reply, I said that there is only one reason which
comes to my mind - and that is – on the occasion of the birth of the Holy
Prophet r,
when the entire universe was celebrating, only Satan (along with his disciples)
was mourning and casting dirt upon his head.
Only Satan the outcast was
aggrieved at the birth of the Holy Prophet r. Possibly you too feel hurt and follow Satan’s footsteps, because the
event of his noble birth has taken place a long time ago, and now only its
memories are left. When you people celebrate the “Diamond Jubilee” of
Madressah Deoband, Shari’ah does not stop you - and when we celebrate Mawlid
Shareef, the Deobandi school starts screaming!
Someone has rightly said - that
when the heart is envious of someone, it gets enflamed even at the mention of
his name!
A
VERY PAINFUL QUESTION AND ITS ANSWER
After going
through this article, a question may come to mind – why is it that when there
are so many stray sects, that the scholars of Ahle Sunnah seem to come together
against only the Deobandi School of thought, and not so much against any other?
Before
answering this question, I consider it essential to point out that by Allah’s Y
grace, the scholars of Ahle Sunnah have fought against, and denounced and
refuted every stray sect by speech, literature and debate – there is ample
proof of this. We have never compromised with anyone in our quest to overcome
evil and to protect the true faith. A number of treatises written by Ala Hadrat
Imam Ahmed Raza t
(and other scholars) in denunciation of Shias, Qadianis, and Non-Abiders (Gair
Muqallid) have been published in millions and are being published right up to
this day. After Ala Hadrat t,
his caliphs, pupils and disciples performed religious duties through their
speeches and writings and the influence of their services has spread all over
the world. It would be wrong to assume that we have a soft corner for any
deviated sect.
A point that
remains to be clarified is – why is the attitude of the Ahle Sunnah scholars
so severe against the Deobandi sect? There are a number of reasons for it –
they must be read and understood with a cool mind.
Reason # 1 -
Their Infidelity
The first
and foremost reason is the infidelities and blasphemies of the Deobandi scholars
– these are actually the fundamental differences – these heretic beliefs are
written in their books and are ingrained in the hearts of the Deobandis.
As far as
actions are concerned, they too call themselves Hanafi, and apparently they
offer Salaat (prayer) as we do. Their call of Salaat, Salaat of Eid etc. are the
same as ours. In short, there are no outward signs with which the simple Muslims
can identify / recognise them. There is every possibility that simple Muslims
will misunderstand them. Therefore, it was necessary that the beliefs of the
Deobandi school be presented clearly to the masses, in order that there is no
difficulty in identifying them.
As far as
Shias are concerned, their calls for prayers, their mode of prayer, etc., are
vastly different from that of Sunnis – they are easily identifiable. The same
is the case of the Non-Abiders (Gair-Muqallid). Their compulsory prayers, Witr
prayers, Taraweeh and Eid prayers clearly warn others that they have different
beliefs. Therefore, the need to warn people of such deviated sects is not as
urgent as is the need to educate them about the deviant Deobandis.
They are
very good impostors. By entering the ranks of our Sunni masses, and
impersonating to be on our side, they bring people close to them through various
tricks - and when they deduce that they have been successful in doing so, they
inculcate respect and adoration in their hearts for the elders of the Deoband
school. Thereafter they change them to such an extent that they begin to abhor
all the beliefs and customs, which were dear to them like their faith - and
consider them polytheism and heresy! Within a few days, their hearts get sealed
with such wretchedness that they are not prepared to listen to any reference
either from the Qur’an or Hadith. It should be noted very clearly that I am
not writing this from imagination. Rather these are our daily observations.
In such
circumstances, there is no other way left to save the simple masses from going
astray from the Straight Path followed by the Holy Prophet r
and the Saints t,
but to educate them about the filthy beliefs of the Deobandi sect, and their
deceits and fraud.
Going
through the traits of Deobandi sect, it becomes very clear that they are truly
the inheritors of the traits of the hypocrites mentioned in the Holy Qur’an.
For instance, the hypocrites were double-faced. One face was meant for their own
group whilst the other was for the honourable Muslim Companions of the Holy
Prophet r.
The Holy Qur’an has narrated this trait of theirs in the following words: -
“And when they meet with the believers, they
say, “We believe”; and when they are alone with their devils, they say,
“We are undoubtedly with you, we were just mocking!”
(Surah Al Baqarah 2:14 - from the Holy Quran’s English Translation “Treasure
of Faith” by Mohammed Aqib Qadri)
The same is
the case with the Deobandi sect. They too have two faces – one for the
faithful followers of the Holy Prophet r
and the other for members of their own group.
An
Interesting Example of Deobandis’ Hypocrisy
If you want to see a living example of the above, come to Delhi. A very
famous person by the name of Jamil Ilyasi resides here who is a staunch Deobandi
Tableeghi. The addition of the term Ilyasi is sufficient to portray his complete
background. On the one hand, he is such an active preacher of Deobandism and
Tableeghi Jamaat in Delhi that it is highly unlikely that there is any Mosque in
Delhi of which he is member of the Delhi Waqf Board and Waqf Council, which he
has not turned into a camp of the Tableeghi Jamaat.
But now learn the other side of picture and lament - that there is not a
single Mausoleum of the twenty Khwajas t
of Delhi at which he is not present on the occasion of Urs. When the late Rajiv
Gandhi became the Prime Minister for the first time, Jamil Ilyasi was the one
who placed the floral wreath on the grave of Khwaja Moeenuddin Chishti t
on his behalf. Another more interesting fact is that when the late Mrs. Indira
Gandhi was removed from her post and was passing her life in the abyss of
defeat, Jamil Ilyasi approached her - and like a soothsayer who could see the
future, advised her that there is only one person on earth who could restore her
rule – and that person is Huzoor Ghause Azam Shaykh Abdul Qaadir Jilani t
whose sacred mausoleum is in Baghdad. Indira Gandhi did not want anything else.
She immediately arranged for his trip and Jamil Ilyasi set off for Baghdad. He
remained in seclusion at the holy shrine for fifteen days – and upon returning
he informed her that he had received the good news from the shrine that her
(Indira Gandhi’s) rule would be restored within 9 months.
Now please
be fair – can someone wage a war more intense against his or her own faith,
except the followers of the Deobandi faith? They, according to their own
terminology, have “worshipped” graves and accepted those as “faithful”
who according to them have spread polytheism. Now you yourself decide – how
difficult it is to avoid people who have so many faces. They portray a different
face in Deoband and Saharanpur – and a different one in Baghdad and Ajmer.
The Deobandi
Faith Murdered!
Those who
have read “Taqwiat-ul-Iman” and “Bahishti Zewar” are aware
of the fact that according to the Deobandi school, seeking assistance from the
“graves” is “Shirk-e-Jali” (absolute polytheism). But now read the
belief they have for the graves and tombs of their own elders – extracted from
the book “Tareekhe Mashaekhe Chisht”, written by none other than the
Shaykh-ul-Hadith of Saharanpur, Maulvi Zakaria Sahab.
While
writing about the demise of Mianji Noor Mohammed Jhanjhanvi, who was the Shaykh
of Haji Imdadullah Makki, he quotes Haji Sahab that his Shaykh (while in his
fatal disease) said to him:
“’I
wanted to put you into toil and exertion (of spiritualism), but I cannot go
against the will of God - the call of my last journey has arrived.’ When
Hadrat Sahab uttered these words, I (Haji Imdadullah) burst into tears. Hadrat
comforted me and said that a saint does not die, but rather he moves from one
world to another. The same benefit will be derived from the grave of a saint, as
was during his lifetime.”
Read one
more extract regarding the grave of Mianji Noor Mohammed Jhanjhanvi – from his
biography which is published by Idara Talifaat Ashrafia in Thana Bhavan, the
preface of which is written by Qari Mohammed Tayyeb Sahab, the principal of
Darul Uloom Deoband. The writer says: -
“Even
after the demise of Mianji Noor Mohammed Jhanjhanvi, the same spring of bounty
flows from his honourable soul and according to his own words, the same
beneficence which used to be received from his angelic personality is derived
from his grave.”
So in order
to prove that the same benefits do accrue from Mianji Noor Mohammed
Jhanjhanvi’s grave after his demise, the writer of the biography quotes the
following event: -
“Haji
Imdadullah Makki once said that there was a weaver among the disciples of Mianji
Noor Mohammed Jhanjhanvi. After the death of Hadrat, the weaver paid a visit to
the mausoleum of Hadrat Sahab and after offering ‘Fateha’, he pleaded that
he was very disturbed and was living a life of poverty. He received a reply from
Hadrat Sahab that he will get two annas (Indian currency coins) daily from his
grave. Once when I visited the mausoleum, I found him there. After narrating the
whole event to me, he said that he receives the promised amount from the foot of
the grave every day.”
(Sawanahe Hadrat Mianjev, page 79)
Now please
be fair! It is clearly stated in the famous books of the Deobandi sect - namely “Taqwiat-ul-Iman”,
“Bahishti Zewar” and “Fatawahe Rasheediyah” - that seeking
help by paying a visit to a mausoleum and requesting the Saint to help in times
of troubles and calamities is blatant polytheism. But now you can see that in
this whole event, the verdict of polytheism has been accepted as part of faith!
Now you can
yourself decide that when there is such a thick cover of hypocrisy on the face
of the sect that it hides the doctrines of its own faith, how difficult it is to
identify them. So in order to save the general public from the evils of this
double-faced religion, the scholars of Ahle Sunnah school felt the need to
educate the people time and again regarding the features of their hidden face,
so that they be saved from falling into their trap.
A BRIEF DEBATE REGARDING INNOVATION
The word
“Bidah” (innovation) is a very frequently used term in the Deobandi sect.
Every now and then terming the Ahle Sunnah as “Bidati” is part of their
daily conversation - to the extent that they have named the Ahle Sunnah as
“Bidati” (innovators). For example in his book “Tareekhe Mashaekhe
Chisht” Maulvi Zakaria has quoted the following statement of Haji
Imdadullah Makki: -
“I
never decline to make anyone my disciple in order that he may not be trapped by
some innovator – upon which Allah may call me to account that ‘This man had
come to you - why did you turn him away, because of which he got trapped at such
a place?’ ”
There can be
no other interpretation of the above statement except that since Haji Sahib is
the Shaykh of Deoband, only he is on the proper way of Sunnah – and that all
the other Shuyukh are innovators!
At this
juncture I feel the need to bring before you the other side of the picture. In
the same book, Maulvi Zakaria has written that Haji Imdadullah Makki had affixed
a stone at the grave of his Shaykh Mianji Noor Mohammed Jhanjhanvi, on which the
following verses are inscribed: -
§
“The city of
Jhanjhana is a place of guidance - the place where exists your home and refuge -
§
Your Lord the Pure,
and your mausoleum - is here - therefore know, O wise man!
§
Here is the sacred
grave of the great person, here all the Shuyukh and commoners bow their heads!
§
Whoever wishes to see
the Lord God, should go to pay a visit to his grave,
§
The moment he sees it,
I firmly believe - he will see the Lord of the creation!”
Just
imagine! (1) To set off for visiting his grave, and (2) Seeing his grave is
equal to seeing Allah Y
– are all these things permitted in the Deobandi faith? I challenge every one
right from Maulvi Zakaria down to every elder and student of the Deobandi sect,
to prove in the light of their beliefs – as stated in “Taqwiat-ul-Iman”,
“Bahishti Zewar” and “Fatawahe Rasheediyah” – that all
these verses are according to the Deobandi faith. But regrettably, since their
own elders have committed this deed, the Deobandis must blindly accept it as
correct!
Going
against their own principles for the sake of their elders, is the exclusive
double-faced policy of the Deobandis that had to be exposed. And in order to
expose the Deobandis, the scholars of Ahle Sunnah had to resort to writing
books, go for debates, and had to make the spreading of the truth a mission of
their lives.
Allama
Arshad ul Qadri
Founder
& Chief Administrator
Hadrat
Nizamuddin Awliya Islamic University – New Delhi.
17 Muharram
1413 (19 July 1992)
The
Imam Ahmed Raza Academy is an organisation that was established on the
5th of July 1986 (1406 A.H.) in South Africa with the sole purpose of serving
the Muslim community and to provide some form of
academic and spiritual direction to the Muslims.
The
organisation has been named after the great Muslim scholar and Saint, Imam
Ahmed Raza Khan Bareilvi t,who lived in India between 1856 and 1921, and was popularly known as
"Ala’ Hadrat" in the Islamic world. Ala’ Hadrat Imam Ahmed
Raza Al-Qaadiri t achieved
the status of a versatile scholar and obtained a high distinction in over 50
branches of learning. On his visit to Makkatul Mukarramah and Madinatul
Munawwarah, Imam Ahmed Raza Al-Qaadiri t
was treated with great dignity and was
conferred the title of "Imam-e-Ahle-Sunnat" by eminent Ulema. He was also
hailed as the Mujaddid or Revivalist
of the Century. He acted as a shield against those who wanted to assault the
principles of the Ahle Sunnah Wa Jamaah.
As
a devout Sufi, Ala’ Hadrat Imam Ahmed Raza t was awarded the Ijaazah and Khilafat
(Certificate of Spiritual Successorship) in the Qaaderiya Silsila
(Order), as well as in 13 other branches of Sufism. As an author, Imam
Ahmed Raza Khan Al-Qaadiri t has left to his credit more than a 1 000 books on 50
different subjects ranging from Tafseer, Logic, Grammar, Literature,
Islamic Jurisprudence, Education, Sociology, Astronomy, Mathematics, Physics,
History, Science of History, Engineering, Biographies, Philosophy, Mysticism to
Persian, Arabic, Urdu and Hindi Literature.
The
key aim of the Imam Ahmed Raza Academy is to promote and propagate the
teachings of the Ahle Sunnah Wa Jamaah.
In order to achieve this key objective we have dedicated ourselves to
translate, compile, publish and distribute useful Islamic literature, books,
magazines, brochures, periodicals, newsletters, pamphlets, etc. with special
reference to the teachings of Ala’ Hadrat Imam Ahmed Raza Al-Qaadiri t
and his
Successors t
In this age of immorality and emergence of corrupted Sects claiming to be the
beacons of salvation, it is our responsibility to save our society from such
wickedness and adopt the correct perspective of Islam based on the teachings of
the Ahle Sunnah. A vital ingredient in this work is the publication of Sunni
literature in English – to which we have committed ourselves.
We
are presently offering a variety of services to the community on a daily basis,
from being a centre for imparting Islamic education for our children - to
issuing Fatawa (Legal Islamic Decrees). At the same time, in the last few
years, we have also developed as an organisation laying emphasis on the
publication of Sunni literature for the community and have thus far to
our credit a regular newsletter – “Raza” and numerous titles of
authentic Sunni books, and we will, Insha-Allah, be adding more
titles each year. We have already designed a set of madressa textbooks
that are being implemented locally and, we are proud to add that these textbooks
have gained international repute. We have also developed a web site (www.raza.co.za)
which is highly information based and is continually being updated.
We
need your help not only to retain but promote our Ahle Sunnah Aqaa’id
at a time when we are surrounded and bombarded by non-Sunni publications,
which have corrupted our Aqeeda and have made deep inroads in the minds
of the youth. All such activities in Islam that helps in promoting Islam
constitute an act of Jihad for which there will be an enormous reward.
The celebrated Saint, Hadrat Sheikh Sirri Saqti t
said, “That person can never become perfect until he does not give
preference to Deen over his personal desires.”
The
Imam Ahmed Raza Academy is an organisation that relies solely on the
assistance and Wasila of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah r
and the Fuyooz and Barakaat of
the Awliya Allah, and
the support of our well-wishers. Our vision for the future and our dedication to
the mission of Al’a Hadrat Imam Ahmed Raza Al-Qaadiri t
has a
significant contribution to be made locally and in the world - a world in which,
we pray, that Sunni Islam dominates. Insha-Allah!