A call to Deobandi-Barelwi unity — Fatwas from two leading Deobandi institutes

[Saad]

A call to Deobandi-Barelwi unity — Fatwas from two leading Deobandi institutes

What say the scholars of the faith and muftis of the firm Shari’ah about the following matter. For almost the past two years this difference is increasing day by day and the people associated with the elders of Deoband are being divided into two factions. Therefore, guide us by writing a detailed answer that is supported with proofs and with references to books to the following issues: Is the Deobandi and Barelwi difference of a peripheral nature (furu’i) or of a fundamental (usuli) nature and in beliefs? One group says that the controversy is of a peripheral nature and that the hard stance taken by our scholars and elders of Deoband was temporary and momentary since both parties are from the Ahl al-Sunnah wa ‘l-Jama’ah, adhere to the Hanafi madhhab and to the beliefs elucidated by the Asha’ris and Maturidis, and in tariqah follow the right path. They add that since anti-Islamic elements are rising, the Deobandis and Barelwis should unite and counter them. In light of past experiences, can such an alliance actually be successful? Is it permissible for Deobandis to move from their basic stance and positions in fiqh, and participate in [ceremonies of] ‘urs, mawlids, fatihah etc? The other group says that the elders of Deoband’s difference with the Barelwis are not only of a peripheral nature but also of a fundamental nature (usuli) and in beliefs. For example differences relating to nur wa bashar, ‘ilm al-ghayb kulli, mukhtar al-kul, hadhir wa nadhir, prostrating in front of graves etc. are from the more important and main ones. Their books also contain fatwas of kufr against the elders of Deoband. Therefore, before uniting with them, they should be asked to remove such fatwas of kufr from their books, disassociate themselves from them and rectify their beliefs. The first group provides proofs for the permissibility of mawlid, ‘urs, etc. using some saying of the elders of Deoband such as Hakim al-Ummah Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi’s (may Allah mercy him) Haft Mas’alah and some statements from Shaykh al-Hadith Mawlana Muhammad Zakariyya (may Allah mercy them both). The question is whether it is permissible to attend the Barelwis’ meetings of mawlid, ‘urs etc. if an expedience (maslahah) can be seen? Is it permissible to tolerate their actions due to an expedience and call to unite with them? Is this difference of a fundamental nature, one relating to beliefs or one of a peripheral nature? Are the Barelwis also from the Ahl al-Sunnah wa ‘l-Jama’ah? Are the bid’ah of the Barlewis permissible and lawful in themselves according to Deobandi scholars? What is the reality of the pictures of the na’layn sharifayn (shoes of the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace)? Is it permissible to take blessings from them, to kiss them and place them over one’s head etc? These issues are spreading rapidly in Pakistan. It is the case until now that these people give importance to the fatwas issued by the ‘ulama of Deoband and it is hoped that they will refrain from doing anything that is contrary to the Shari’ah. Please elaborate, may you be rewarded.

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[NeednoName]

Assalaam'aaleykum!

The gist of the article is that no compromise whatsoever in uniting with Barelwis as long as they correct their Aqeedah.

[hope1]

This is very upfront. I wonder how ulema who are pro-unity respond to these fatawas. There are several things which needs to be clarified a bit more. I am assuming all Muslims should be united on some levels and cannot be united on all levels - so what levels can we unite and what levels can we not?

[al-Kankohi]

This is very upfront. I wonder how ulema who are pro-unity respond to these fatawas.

I wonder the same. How can their be compromise on corrupt beliefs and bid'ahs? This fatwa sends a strong message.

There are several things which needs to be clarified a bit more. I am assuming all Muslims should be united on some levels and cannot be united on all levels - so what levels can we unite and what levels can we not?

Unity for purposes such as politics or for example the Khatam al-Nabuwwah movement or for implementing a court system based on Hanafi fiqh is workable and good but promoting a false sense of unity as if having such beliefs that the Ahl al-Bid'ah have is "alright" is problematic. The job of the Ahl al-Haqq is to call a duck a duck, i.e. a bid'ah a bid'ah, whether the bid'ah is in aqa'id or actions. Sweeping it under the carpet is not upholding the standards of the Ahl al-Sunnah.

[Mujib]

As-Salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah

The rest of the Muslim world disagrees with the respected Mufti and agrees with the "first group" who hold that the differences are secondary.

[maneatinglizard]

As-Salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah

The rest of the Muslim world disagrees with the respected Mufti and agrees with the "first group" who hold that the differences are secondary.

Somehow, I doubt that the rest of the Muslim world is properly represented by the Brelwi like Arab sufis that seem bent on forcing everyone into thinking that they actually represent and get to decide what orthodoxy is and what it isn't.

[al-Kankohi]

As-Salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah

The rest of the Muslim world disagrees with the respected Mufti and agrees with the "first group" who hold that the differences are secondary.

Who did the poll?

When their writings clearly reflect that they (the Barelwis) have clearly elevated these issues to being central tenets of their beliefs in many ways, then who are we to deny what is clearly mentioned in their books by their scholars?

[Mujib]

When their writings clearly reflect that they (the Barelwis) have clearly elevated these issues to being central tenets of their beliefs in many ways, then who are we to deny what is clearly mentioned in their books by their scholars?

Wa `alaykum as-Salam

Do any books prominent among the Barelwis state that these points are fundamental tenets of faith? The `aqida texts of the Barelwis are well-known; they are the same texts Deobandis use.

[Ahmad_shakeel]

fatwa say....

"The word “Ahl al-Sunnah wa ‘l-Jama’ah” is applied to the Ash’aris and the Maturidis. Ahmad Rada Khan Barelwi and his group are in no way connected to these groups. The beliefs that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) had the knowledge of the complete unseen (‘ilm al-ghayb kulli) as held by Ahmad Rada Khan and that the Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was entrusted with all powers of disposition are not held by the Ash’aris and Maturidis, has not been mentioned by anyone in the books of ‘aqa’id, and is not mentioned in any way in their books. Both these issues are clearly against the Qur’an and hadiths; these have been created by the Barelwis. If anyone regards the Barelwi sect to be from among the Ahl al-Sunnah wa ‘l-Jama’ah, then this is his clear error."

[Usman]

Wa `alaykum as-Salam

Do any books prominent among the Barelwis state that these points are fundamental tenets of faith? The `aqida texts of the Barelwis are well-known; they are the same texts Deobandis use.

Erm, what barelvi texts you're referring to my brother? If you mean what's being taught in the madaris, then yeah, it's the same. However, their interpretations are such that it conforms with the definition of "Mushrik". Those who want to befriend them, only stick to the point that they teach Aqeedah Tahawiyah, Nasafi, or even Sharh Muwaqif. Those who are more stringent, and tend to do some research, find out their "Twists" in their fatwa and books, after all, it's not the deobandis who wrote waqarul fatawa, or fatawa mazhariah, or even fatawa rizviyah. Deobandis did not claim that the Awliya can Help or that the Prophet SallAllahu alaihi wasallam is hadhir naadhir, it's all barelvi text which, contrary to barelvi allegations against deobandis, Actually DOES match with their beleifs.

Therefore, those who have spent time understanding the barelvi mentality, I would say they now know that there's no compromise.

Talk about Unity, do you know that that most of the people killing Mujahideen in Pakistan are doing so because they are told by barelvi mullahs that these people are kafir? Why do you think they do so? From Sarfaraz Naeemi to Sarwat Baaji, it's all Deobandi/Barelvi difference that leads these people to kill the brothers out in the path of Allah.