THE BARELWI SECT( PART 1)

 

A DETAIL ACCOUNT OF THE BARELWI SECT

 

 

Question:

 

My question is regarding the Barelwis. Can you please provide me with ahadith and Quranic verses in which the following beliefs of the Barelwis are condemned:

 

1) They believe that the Prophet (SAW) is Noor (light) and not Bashar (human)

 

2) They say that the Prophet (SAW) is Mukhtar e kul

 

3) They say that the Prophet (SAW) is Alim ul Ghaib (knower of the unseen)

 

4) They say that worshipping the grave and prostrating to it is permissible.

 

JazakAllah khair

 

Answer:

 

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

 

 

1) Allah Ta’ala says:

قُلْ إِنَّمَا أَنَا بَشَرٌ مِثْلُكُمْ

 

Say (O Muhammad): I am only a man bashar HUMAN like yourselves. (Quran 18:110)

 

In the Quran where Rasulullah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) has been called noor (light), it refers to his role as a deliverer from darkness, ignorance and misguidance, and it does not mean to suggest that Rasulullah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) was not a human. The verse itself explains this:

يَا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ رَسُولُنَا يُبَيِّنُ لَكُمْ كَثِيرًا مِمَّا كُنْتُمْ تُخْفُونَ مِنَ الْكِتَابِ وَيَعْفُو عَنْ كَثِيرٍ قَدْ جَاءَكُمْ مِنَ اللَّهِ نُورٌ وَكِتَابٌ مُبِينٌ (15) يَهْدِي بِهِ اللَّهُ مَنِ اتَّبَعَ رِضْوَانَهُ سُبُلَ السَّلَامِ وَيُخْرِجُهُمْ مِنَ الظُّلُمَاتِ إِلَى النُّورِ بِإِذْنِهِ وَيَهْدِيهِمْ إِلَى صِرَاطٍ مُسْتَقِيمٍ (16)

 

O followers of the Book! indeed Our Apostle has come to you making clear to you much of what you concealed of the Book and passing over much; indeed, there has come to you light (noor) and a clear Book from Allah. With it Allah guides him who will follow His pleasure into the ways of safety and brings them out of utter darkness into light by His will and guides them to the right path.

 

(Quran 5:15-16)

 

2) Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy Quran:

وَلَا يُشْرِكُ فِي حُكْمِهِ أَحَدًا

 

And He does not share His Command with any person whatsoever. (Quran 18:26)

قُلْ لَا أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي نَفْعًا وَلَا ضَرًّا إِلَّا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ وَلَوْ كُنْتُ أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ لَاسْتَكْثَرْتُ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ وَمَا مَسَّنِيَ السُّوءُ إِنْ أَنَا إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

 

Say (O Muhammad): I do not control any benefit or harm for myself except as Allah please; and had I known the unseen I would have had much of good and no evil would have touched me; I am nothing but a warner and the giver of good news to a people who believe. 

(Quran 7:188)

 

When the son of Rasulullah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam), Ibrahim (radiyallaahu anhu), passed away, it caused great grief to Rasulullah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) and tears fell down his eyes. Rasulullah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “Indeed tears fall from the eyes and the heart is sad. However we do not say anything except what pleases our Lord. We are indeed grieved by your loss O Ibrahim.”

 

(Bukhari, hadith 1220).

 

If Rasulullah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) was mukhtaar e kul, then wouldn’t he have chosen not to let his son die?

 

Similarly, Rasulullah (sallallaahu alaihi wa sallam) yearned for the acceptance of Islam by his uncle Abu Taalib till he was on his death bed. However, Abu Taalib did not accept Islam. If Rasulullah was mukhtaar e kul, would not he have chosen guidance for Abu Taalib?

 

3) Allah Ta’ala says:

قُلْ لَا أَمْلِكُ لِنَفْسِي نَفْعًا وَلَا ضَرًّا إِلَّا مَا شَاءَ اللَّهُ وَلَوْ كُنْتُ أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ لَاسْتَكْثَرْتُ مِنَ الْخَيْرِ وَمَا مَسَّنِيَ السُّوءُ إِنْ أَنَا إِلَّا نَذِيرٌ وَبَشِيرٌ لِقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ

 

Say (O Muhammad): I do not control any benefit or harm for myself except as Allah please; and had I known the unseen I would have had much of good and no evil would have touched me; I am nothing but a warner and the giver of good news to a people who believe. 

(Quran 7:188)

قُلْ لَا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ عِنْدِي خَزَائِنُ اللَّهِ وَلَا أَعْلَمُ الْغَيْبَ وَلَا أَقُولُ لَكُمْ إِنِّي مَلَكٌ إِنْ أَتَّبِعُ إِلَّا مَا يُوحَى إِلَيَّ

 

Say (O Muhammad: I do not say to you, I have with me the treasures of Allah, nor do I know the unseen, nor do I say to you that I am an angel; I do not follow anything except that which is revealed to me. (Quran 6:50)

وَعِنْدَهُ مَفَاتِحُ الْغَيْبِ لَا يَعْلَمُهَا إِلَّا هُوَ وَيَعْلَمُ مَا فِي الْبَرِّ وَالْبَحْرِ وَمَا تَسْقُطُ مِنْ وَرَقَةٍ إِلَّا يَعْلَمُهَا وَلَا حَبَّةٍ فِي ظُلُمَاتِ الْأَرْضِ وَلَا رَطْبٍ وَلَا يَابِسٍ إِلَّا فِي كِتَابٍ مُبِينٍ (59)

 

And with HIM are the keys of the unseen; none knows them but HE. And HE knows whatsoever is in the land and in the sea. And there falls not a leaf but HE knows it; nor is there a grain in the deep darkness of the earth, nor anything green or dry, but it is recorded in a clear book.

 

(Quran 6:59)

وَيَقُولُونَ لَوْلَا أُنْزِلَ عَلَيْهِ آيَةٌ مِنْ رَبِّهِ فَقُلْ إِنَّمَا الْغَيْبُ لِلَّهِ فَانْتَظِرُوا إِنِّي مَعَكُمْ مِنَ الْمُنْتَظِرِينَ (20)

 

And they say, `Why has not a Sign been sent down to him from his Lord ? Say, `The knowledge of the unseen belongs only to ALLAH. So wait. I am with you among those who wait ?’ (Quran 10:20)

قُلْ لَا يَعْلَمُ مَنْ فِي السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضِ الْغَيْبَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَمَا يَشْعُرُونَ أَيَّانَ يُبْعَثُونَ (65)

 

Say: No one in the heavens and the earth knows the unseen but Allah; and they do not know when they shall be raised. (Quran 27:65)

 

Allah Ta’ala says: Allah Ta’ala had given the Holy Prophet (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) the knowledge of some things of the unseen such as knowledge about the conditions of the grave, the resurrection, paradise, hell etc. However, because of this knowledge, the Holy Prophet (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) is not called ‘Aalim ul Ghaib’ (knower of the unseen). Only Allah Ta’ala is Knower of the unseen.

 

The Holy Prophet (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) merely received knowledge of these things through revelation (wahi) from Allah Ta’ala.

تِلْكَ مِنْ أَنْبَاءِ الْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهَا إِلَيْكَ مَا كُنْتَ تَعْلَمُهَا أَنْتَ وَلَا قَوْمُكَ مِنْ قَبْلِ هَذَا فَاصْبِرْ إِنَّ الْعَاقِبَةَ لِلْمُتَّقِينَ (49)

Such are some of the news of the unseen, which We have revealed to you; before this, neither you nor your people knew them. So persevere patiently: for the End is for those who are righteous. (Quran 11:49)

ذَلِكَ مِنْ أَنْبَاءِ الْغَيْبِ نُوحِيهِ إِلَيْكَ وَمَا كُنْتَ لَدَيْهِمْ إِذْ أَجْمَعُوا أَمْرَهُمْ وَهُمْ يَمْكُرُونَ (102)

 

This is of the news relating to the unseen (which) We reveal to you, and you were not with them when they resolved upon their affair, and they were devising plans.

(Quran 12:102)

 

4) Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said, “May Allah destroy the Jews. They made the graves of their Prophets places for prostrating (i.e. they prostrated before the graves of their Prophets).’

 

(Bukhari, hadith 418; Muslim, hadith 824)

 

Aisha (May Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Messenger (Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said in his sickness in which he passed away, “Allah’s curse be upon the Jews and Christians. They took the graves of their Prophets as places of prostrating.’

 

(Bukhari, hadith 1244; Muslim, hadith 823)

 

And Allah knows best.

Mufti Faizal Riza

Darul Ifta Australia

http://www.mufti-online.net

 

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Wrong beliefs about Prophet Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam

 

Fatwa No : 86281

 

Fatwa Date : Rajab 23, 1424 / 20-9-2003

Question

 

One of my friends told me that Prophet Muhammad (saws) is light but I don’t believe him since he has different beliefs and he doesn’t believe in our four Imams. He said that in the Qur’an, Allah Says this Himself in Surah Al-Ahzaab and he gave me a translation of a verse from Surah Al-Ahzab which is as following:

 

“O Prophet, truly We have sent thee as a Witness, and a bearer of glad tidings, and a Warner, And as a Summoner unto Allah by His command, and as a radiant Lamp.”

 

Then he also said that in Surah Shams Allah describes it well and said: The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings on him) was the Nur (Light) of Allah as Surah Al-Shams describes; in that like the moon draws its light from the sun, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) drew his light from Allah and transmitted it to the spiritually dark world. Then he said that the people who follow the four Imams especially those who follow Imam Abu Hanifa are wrong. Please clarify.

 

Answer

 

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

 

To say that the person of the Prophet is light that is derived from Allah’s Light is a blatant fallacy and a contradiction to the information the Holy Quran gives about the Prophet being a human being.

 

Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

 

{Say (O Muhammad): “I am only a man like you….}

 

[Quran18:110]

 

Say (O Muhammad): “Glorified (and Exalted) be my Lord (Allah) above all that evil they (polytheists) associate with Him! Am I anything but a man, sent as a Messenger?} 

[Quran 17:93].

 

It is well known that human beings are all the offspring of Aadam (Adam) who was created from clay and then his progeny reproduced by means of water (sperm).

 

Allah The Almighty Says (what means):

{(Allaah) Who made everything He has created good, and He began the creation of man from clay. Then He made his offspring from semen of worthless water (male and female sexual discharge).}

 

[Quran 32:7-8].

 

This allegation is also in clear contradiction to the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition). It is narrated in the Saheehayn (the two most authentic books of Hadeeth of Al-Bukhaari and Muslim) that the Prophet once said:

 

“I am no more than a human being like you. It is by nature that I forget in the same way you forget, so whenever I forget, remind me.”

 

Those who advocate this false allegation base their claim on a fabricated Hadeeth which was said to have been narrated from Jaabir that he (allegedly) said,

 

“I said to the Prophet ‘O Messenger of Allaah! Tell me about the thing that Allaah created prior to anything else.’ The Prophet answered:

‘O Jaabir! Verily the first thing Allaah created was your Prophet’s light (meaning himself) which He derived from His own Light.'”

 

Commenting on this Hadeeth, As-Suyooti said, “It has no dependable basis.”

 

As for the Prophet’s description mentioned in the Quran being light, what is meant is the guidance and knowledge (brought with him) with which people are guided to the path of Allaah The Almighty, not that he is light in person. Hence, to take this verse as indicating that the Prophet is light in person is misinterpretation or adulteration that is crystal clear for those who have the least degree of insight.

 

Regarding this person’s insistence on not recognizing the four Imaams of jurisprudence and Sharee’ah (Islamic) knowledge, it is a matter of deviation and arrogance. The four schools of Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence) founded by these four great Imaams have spread throughout the world and the Muslim Ummah (nation) has unanimously and wholeheartedly accepted them.

 

Innumerable people have received knowledge from these four Imaams all over the world. Yet, this does not mean that they are infallible; rather they are subject to committing mistakes just like other people. However, as it is the case with all other human beings, they may commit mistakes; their mistakes are to be reduced to nothing in comparison to their right.

 

Therefore, for instance, the most distinguished Imams such as Ash-Shafi’ee, Ibn al-Mubaarak, Yahya ibn Sa’eed and others have extensively hailed Abu Haneefah’s genius and praised his deep understanding of jurisprudence. Hence, to claim that the Hanafi school of Islamic jurisprudence is to be neglected for its many mistakes is a big fallacy.

 

What is clear for us is that the person in question is ignorant of the schools of those jurists, so much so that he tries to belittle their high rank. It is incumbent on him that he fears Allaah The Almighty and does not say anything without knowledge. He has also to follow the scholars in terms of belief, Fiqh (jurisprudence), and behavior so as to escape such deviance.

 

We also advise you to deal with him leniently and to urge him to seek the help of those who can better engage in argument with him.

 

Allaah Knows best.

 

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Ruling on following the Barelvi sect

 

Fatwa Date : Shawwaal 27, 1435 / 24-8-2014

 

Question

 

Aslamualakaum I heard someone say that someone he was talking to done a dua to Allah to guide him to the right group, and the person ended up becoming a brelvwi. Im a bit confused, becuase i thought brewvlis do a lot of bidah and kufr. Could it be may be he wasnt sincere or may be Allah may guide him later.

 

Answer

 

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad , is His slave and messenger.

 

We have previously highlighted the deviation of Barelvi sect and the religious innovations they promote in Fatwa 87790. Whoever holds the false beliefs of this group has not been guided to the Truth. He should not consider this an indication of the acceptance of his supplication. This does not necessarily mean that his supplications were not sincere. Allaah has wisdom when answering supplications.

 

Therefore, he should continue to implore his Lord day and night, especially since ‘Aa’ishah narrated that the Prophet , used to commence the night prayer saying: “Allaahumma Rabba Jibreel wa Mikaa’eel wa Israafeel; Faatir as-samaawaati wa al-ardh, ‘aalim al-ghaybi wa ash-shahaadah, anta tahkumu bayna ‘ibaadika fimaa kaanoo feehi yakhtalifoon, Allaahumma ihdini limakhtulifa feehi min al-haqq bi ithnika innaka tahdee man tashaa’u ilaa siraatin mustaqeem (which means:

 

O Allaah, Lord of Jibreel (Gabriel), Mikaa’eel (Michael) and Israafeel (Israfil); Creator of the heavens and the earth, Knower of the unseen and the seen. You judge between Your slaves concerning that about which they differ.

 

O Allaah, guide me to the matters of truth about which they differ by your permission, for You are the One Who guides to the straight path).”

 

[Muslim]

 

Anyway, this man should be kindly advised and clearly informed about the deviation of such a sect. The Prophet , said:

 

“By Allaah, if a single person is guided by Allaah through you, it will be better for you than the possession of red camels [i.e. better than massive wealth].”

 

Allaah Knows best.

 

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Bralwiya group

 

Fatwa No : 87790

 

Fatwa Date : Rabee’ Al-Aakhir 4, 1425 / 24-5-2004

 

Question

 

We have some people here who are followers of Ahmed Raza Khan (Bralevis) wearing green turbans.

 

What do you say about them? Do they deserve to be followed? Can we have them to be our leaders? Give me a brief history of the movement and their ills.

 

Answer

 

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

 

Bralwiya is a Sufi sect which was founded in the town of Barili, in the Uttar Pradesh state in India during British colonialism. This sect is famous for exceeding the proper bounds of Prophets and Awliya (pious people).

 

Ahmad Ridha Khan bin Taqi Ali Khan founded this sect in 1272 A.H; he died in 1340 A.H. He named himself Abdul Mustapha. The person who gave him this name (Abdul Mustapha) committed a very serious offence because worship should not be dedicated except to Allah.

 

Their false ideologies:

 

1) The Prophet is an absolute assistant to Allah, and that the whole world is under his control, he runs it as he wishes, gives whatever he wants to whomever he wants, and takes away what he wants from whomever he wants. His order is irrefutable and no one can review or comment on his judgement. They say: ‘whoever does not make the Prophet the Owner of all the things is deprived from the sweetness of the Sunnah.’

 

2) The Awliya (pious people) after the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) have the power to run this world.

 

3) They have indeed exaggerated in their view about the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) until they raised him to the status of Ahmed Ridha Khan wrote in Hadaiq Bakhshish (the gardens of grants): ‘O, Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam), I cannot call you Allah, but I cannot distinguish between you both. Your matter is in the hands of Allah, He is the One who is best aware about your reality.’

 

4) They believe that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) is present and sees the actions of all the creation at all times and everywhere. They deny him being a human being; they consider him as a light of the lights of Allah.

 

5) They urge their followers to call upon the Prophets and Walis (pious people) for help, and whoever denies this, they label him as apostate.

 

6) They say that Sadaqah should be paid on a dead person according to the number of Salah and Sawm (fasting) that he had missed in his life. The amount of Sadaqah that should be paid on every Salah and fasting is the same as that of Sadaqah Al-Fitr.

 

Whoever believes in this wrong belief becomes a Kafir, and goes out of the fold of Islam and opposes the methodology of Tawheed.

 

Therefore, it is not permissible for a Muslim to follow them or join them. But rather, it would be incumbent on him to advise them and warn others about their wrong belief.

 

Allah knows best

 

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Did the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam , have knowledge of the Unseen?

 

Fatwa No : 81730

 

Fatwa Date : Ramadan 25, 1420 / 2-1-2000

 

Question

 

Did the Prophet have knowledge of the Unseen? Please give references for this from the Quran, Hadeeth and logic.

 

Answer

 

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad , is His slave and Messenger.

 

Allaah The Almighty Says in the Quran (what means):

 

• {Say: None in the heavens or on earth except Allaah knows what is hidden} [Quran, 27:65]

 

{Tell you not that with me (Muhammad) are the treasures of Allaah, nor or do I know what is hidden nor do I tell you I am an angel. I but follow what is revealed to me} [Quran, 6:50]

 

In the same vein, many sound Ahaadeeth (narrations) state what is mentioned above. Among them are, when someone asked the Prophet to inform them about the Hour, the Prophet remarked: “One who is inquired knows no more the one who is inquiring (Jibreel, the Archangel).”

[Muslim]

 

The point is that a true, believing Muslim is commanded to submit to revelation, Quran and Sunnah (Prophetic tradition), without a bit of reservation concerning matters of the Unseen. Moreover, there is no need for seeking knowledge through logic.

 

Allaah Knows best.

 

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The Prophet , sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, only knew the unseen that Allaah informed him about

 

Fatwa No : 91400

 

Fatwa Date : Safar 21, 1427 / 22-3-2006

 

Question

 

It is permissible to say (now) “only Allaah and His Prophet know” in matters that pertain to the unseen, taking into account that the knowledge of the Prophet [about the unseen] stopped with his death?

 

Answer

 

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

 

It is not permissible to say “the Prophet knows best about the unseen” except in what is confirmed that Allaah informed him about. Allaah Says (what means):

 

{[He is] Knower of the unseen and He does not disclose His [knowledge of the] unseen to anyone. Except whom He has approved of messengers, and indeed, He sends before him [i.e. each messenger] and behind him observers.} [Quran 72:26-27].

 

You have to know that it is only Allaah Who Has the knowledge of the unseen. Allaah Says (what means):

 

{Say, “None in the heavens and the Earth knows the unseen except Allaah, and they do not perceive when they will be resurrected.”} 

[Quran 27:65].

 

As regards the Prophet he only knew the unseen that Allaah informed him about. Therefore, what should be said now is exclusively “

 

Allaah Knows best.”

 

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Was the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, human or Noor (light)?

 

Fatwa No : 83805

Fatwa Date : Thul-Qi’dah 28, 1422 / 11-2-2002

 

Question

 

Was the Prophet , purely a human being or was he Noor (light)? I hope for a detailed answer with proofs.

 

Answer

 

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad , is His slave and Messenger.

 

The Prophet , was a human being from the progeny of Aadam . Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

 

{Say (O Muhammad): “I am only a man like you. It has been inspired to me that your Ilaah (God) is One Ilaah (God i.e. Allaah)…} 

[Quran, 18:110]

 

{And We sent not before you (Muhammad) but men to whom We inspired, so ask the people of the reminder [the Scriptures: the Tawraah (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel)] if you do not know. And We did not create them (the Messengers) with bodies that ate not food, nor were they immortals…}

 

[Quran, 21:7-8]

 

Allaah The Almighty also refutes the sayings of the polytheists (which mean):

 

{And they say: “Why does this Messenger (Muhammad ) eat food, and walk about in the markets (like ourselves)…} [Quran 25:7]

 

{And We never sent before you (O Muhammad) any of the Messengers but verily, they ate food and walked in the markets…} [Quran 25:20]

Thus, prophets and messengers, due to their human qualities, sleep and wake up, fall sick and get well, and face trials and difficulties that are even more arduous than those of any other human being.

 

In addition, because they are human, prophets and messengers naturally take part in human activities and occupations. For example, Prophet Muhammad , worked as a trader before embarking on his prophetic mission; Prophet Daawood (David) was a blacksmith, and Prophet Zakariyya (Zachariah) was a carpenter.

 

Furthermore, all the prophets, may Allaah exalt their mention, grazed sheep. However, prophets and messengers are the best of all humankind, for Allaah The Almighty chose them, elevated them and reared them under His eye.

 

The Prophet , stated that the angels were created from light, the Jinn from fire and Aadam from what was described to us i.e. from dust. This Hadeeth was reported by Muslim . Allaah The Almighty Says (what means):

 

{…the likeness of Aadam. He created him from dust…} [Quran, 3:59]

 

Thus, whoever pretends that Prophet Muhammad , was created from light considers him , to be an angel. This saying is similar to that of the polytheists as mentioned in the Quran (which means): {And nothing prevented men from believing when the guidance came to them, except that they said: “Has Allaah sent a man as (His) Messenger?”} [Quran, 17:94]

 

The Prophet , was no more than a human being and Allaah The Almighty ordered him to declare this, as is revealed in the Quran (what means):

 

{Say (O Muhammad): “Glorified (and Exalted) be my Lord (Allaah) above all that evil they (polytheists) associate with Him! Am I anything but a man, sent as a Messenger?”} 

[Quran, 17:93]

 

There is no piece of evidence in the Quran or the Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) that contradicts this fact: that he was just a human being from the progeny of Aadam who was himself created from dust, not from light.

 

Some of those who have exceeded the proper bounds set by Sharee’ah (Islamic legislation) believe that the Prophet , was created from light, and all the other prophets, Paradise, Hell, Al-Kursi (the Chair), Al-‘Arsh (the Throne), etc. were created from his light. This belief is unfounded and false and in disagreement with the texts of the Quran and the Sunnah.

 

Such exaggerators based their belief on a fabricated Hadeeth that was reported from Jaabir . In this Hadeeth, Jaabir asked, “O Messenger of Allaah! Tell me about the first of Allaah’s Creation.”

 

He , said: “O Jaabir! At first, Allaah has created the light of your Prophet from his light; and when He wanted to create the creation, He divided that light into four parts. He created the pen from the first part, the tablet from the second part, Al-‘Arsh from the third part. He then divided the fourth part into four smaller parts.

 

So, He created the Heavens from the first, the earth from the second, Hell and Paradise from the third. He then divided the small fourth part into smaller parts …” So many people know the start of this Hadeeth, but do not know its end. If they knew its end they would believe in its falsehood.

 

Sheikh Ahmad Al-Ghammari said in his book Al-Mugheer ‘Ala Al-Ahadeeth Al-Mawdoo’ah Fil-Jami’ As-Sagheer, “It is a fabricated Hadeeth; if it is narrated in full, everyone will believe in its falsehood. The remainder of this Hadeeth may be in two big pages, full of weak words and abominable meanings.”

 

Rashid Rida stated in his Fatwas vol. 2/Page: 447 that the above-mentioned Hadeeth is baseless.

 

Imaam As-Suyooti when was asked about this Hadeeth said, “It has no reliable foundation.”

 

Allaah Knows best.

 

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Beliefs of the Bareilawis (or Barelvis)

 

Islam Q&A

 

What are the beliefs of the Bareilawi (or Barelvi) sect?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

 

The Bareilawis are an extreme Sufi sect that appeared in the Indo-Pakistani subcontinent, in the city of Bareilly, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh during the days of British colonialism.

 

The basic principles of their misguided, deviant teachings are based on exaggeration about the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) and the members of his household, exaggeration about the righteous, enmity towards Ahl as-Sunnah, and diverting the people away from jihad for the sake of Allah.

 

The founder of this sect was called Ahmad Reza Khan Taqiy ‘Ali Khan; he called himself ‘Abd al-Mustafa.

 

“When you are confused, seek help from the occupants of the graves.”

 

In his extreme exaggeration about the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), he said:

 

“The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) is in control everywhere; he is the king of earth and the sovereign of mankind.”

 

And he said: “O Muhammad, I cannot say that you are Allah and I cannot differentiate between you and Him; your matter is for Him to judge, for He knows best what you really are.”

 

And he said: “Allah, may He be blessed and exalted, gave the one who brought the Qur’an, our master Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him), everything that is in al-Lawh al-Mahfooz.”

 

And he said: “The Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) is light from the Light of Allah, and all of creation comes from his light.”

 

Amjad ‘Ali, one of their leaders, said: “The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) is a deputy of Allah with complete authority, and the entire universe is under his control. So he does whatever he wants, he gives whatever he wants to whoever he wants, he takes whatever he wants, and there is no one in the universe who can alter his rule. He is the master of humans  and whoever does not make him his sovereign is deprived of the sweetness of the sunnah.”

 

And he said: “Those who reject seeking help from the Prophets and saints and from their graves are heretics.”

 

Ahmad Yar Khan – one of their shaykhs – said:

 

“The shar‘i meaning of the one who is present and watching [this refers to the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him] is that the one who is possessed of holy power is able to see the world like the palm of his hand from the place where he is; he can hear sounds from near and from far; he can go around the world in a single moment; he helps those who are in need and he answers those who call on him.”

 

They used to build structures over graves and frequent them, lighting candles and lamps in them, offer sacrifices to them in fulfilment of vows, seeking barakah (blessing) from them, holding celebrations for them, putting flowers and roses and cloths on them and putting curtains around them, and calling their followers to circumambulate the tombs, seeking barakah from them.

 

See: Al-Kashf ‘an Haqeeqat as-Sufiyyah (1/350); As-Sufiyah: Nash’atuha wa Tatawwuruha (p. 62); Al-Mawsoo‘ah al-Muyassarah fi’l-Adyaan wa’l-Madhaahib wa’l-Ahzaab al-Mu‘aasirah (p. 302-306).

 

See also the answer to question no. 1487

 

The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas were asked:

 

There is a certain group in Pakistan that is called the Bareilawis or the Nawaari group, named after their current leader who is known as Nawaari. I asked you for the shar‘i ruling concerning them and their beliefs, and praying behind them, so that this may bring peace of mind to many people who do not know the truth about them. And once again, I would like to ask you about some of their myths and widespread beliefs:

 

1. The belief that the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) is alive

 

2. The belief that the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) is present and can see what is happening, especially immediately after Jumu‘ah prayer.

 

3. The belief that the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) will definitely intercede for them.

 

4. They believe in the awliya’ (“saints”) and the occupants of graves, and they pray at their graves and ask them to meet their needs.

 

5. They build domes over graves and put lights in them.

 

6. They are known to say “Ya Rasool, Ya Muhammad (O Messenger, O Muhammad) (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him).

 

7. They get angry with the one who says Ameen out loud and raises his hands when praying, and they regard him as a Wahhaabi.

 

8. They find it very strange when the siwaak is used at the time of prayer.

 

9. They kiss their fingers during wudoo’, at the time of the adhaan, and after prayer.

 

10. Their imam always recites the verse “Allah sends His Salat (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy, etc.) on the Prophet (Muhammad ) and also His angels too (ask Allah to bless and forgive him)”

[Al-Ahzaab 33:56] after prayer, then all the worshippers send blessings upon the Prophet in unison and loudly.

 

11. They gather in circles after Jumu‘ah prayer, standing, reciting and reciting poetry in praise of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) loudly.

 

12. After completing the recitation of the Holy Qur’an in Taraweeh prayer in Ramadan, they make a great deal of food and distribute it in the forecourt of the mosque, as well as sweets.

 

13. They build mosques and adorn them elaborately, and they write over the mihraab “Ya Muhammad (O Muhammad)”.

 

14. They regard themselves as followers of the Sunnah and correct ‘Aqeedah (belief), and think that others are in the wrong.

 

What is the shar‘i ruling on praying behind them?

 

They replied:

 

It is not permissible to pray behind one who is like this, and if one who knows that the belief of the imam is like that prays behind him, his prayer is invalid, because most of the things listed are characteristics of kufr (disbelief) and bid‘ah (innovation) that are contrary to the Tawheed (affirmation of the Oneness of Allah) with which Allah sent His Messengers and which He revealed in His Books.

 

It is contrary to the clear meaning of the Qur’an, such as the verses in which Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):

 

“Verily, you (O Muhammad ) will die and verily, they (too) will die” [Az-Zumar 39:30]

 

and “And the mosques are for Allah (Alone), so invoke not anyone along with Allah” [Al-Jinn 72:18].

 

The innovations that they do should be denounced in a gentle way; if they accept it then praise be to Allah. If they do not accept it, then shun them and pray in the mosques of Ahl as-Sunnah.

 

We have a good example in the Close Friend (Khaleel) of the Most Merciful, as Allah tells us he said (interpretation of the meaning):

 

“And I shall turn away from you and from those whom you invoke besides Allah. And I shall call on my Lord; and I hope that I shall not be unblest in my invocation to my Lord” 

[Maryam 19:48].

 

End quote from Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah, 2/396-398

 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked: What is the ruling on praying behind an imam from the Bareilawi sect, who believes that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) is alive and present and can see us?

 

He replied: If they believe that, then they have gone against ijmaa‘ (consensus of the ummah), and if they seek his help, then that is shirk, so it is not permissible to pray behind them. 

End quote.

 

Thamaraat at-Tadween, p. 8

 

And Allah knows best.

 

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1487: The Braylwiyyah sect

 

Islam Q&A

 

What is the Braylwiyyah sect and what is their belief ?

 

Praise be to Allaah.

 

The Braylwiyyah are a Soofee sect which was born in India at the time of the British rule there.

 

It’s followers concern themselves in exceeding in their love and honour for the Prophets and the “saints” in general, and the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) specifically.

 

It’s founder was a man by the name of Ahmad Ridhaa Khaan ibn Taqee ‘Alee Khaan who was born in 1272 A.H. (1851 C.E.) and called himself Abdul-Mustafaa (slave/servant of Mustafaa, i.e. Muhammad (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam)).

 

He was born in the city of Braylee in the province of Uttar Pradesh and was a student of al-Mirza Ghulaam Qaadir Begg who was the older (blood) brother of Mirza Ghulaam Ahmad Al-Qaadiyaanee (founder of the Qaadiyaaniyyah sect).

 

He was of a slim build and known to be shrewd and clever, whilst also being ill-tempered and foul-mouthed. He used to suffer from chronic illnesses, and used to consistently complain of headaches and back pains.

 

He visited Makkah and studied under some of the scholars there in 1295 A.H. (1874 C.E.).

 

Amongst his “notable” books are: ((Anbaa. al-Mustafaa)) and ((Khaalis al-I’tiqaad)).

 

From the beliefs of this sect is that the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) has the ability/power to control the creation and all that occurs, and that the “saints” have the ability/power to influence the creation and all that occurs.

 

And they have exceeded in their belief with respect to the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) such that they have ascended him to a rank close to that of worshipping him.

 

And they have exceeded in their belief with respect to the Messenger of Allaah (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) such that they believe he has knowledge of the unseen, and they deny that he was a human being, rather that he was the light (noor) of Allaah. And they also permit calling for assistance from the “saints” and the Prophets and other than them from the false beliefs.

 

Islam Q&A

 

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid