Ruling upon the Barelvi sect in Pakistan, and their false beliefs

Question: In Pakistan, there is an order known as the Barelvis or the order of Nawaree, as named after its current leader Nuwaaree. I ask Your Eminence about the ruling of Sharee`ah (Islaamic law) on this order, its beliefs and the validity of offering Salaah (Prayer) behind one of its members. May your answer relieve many confused hearts that are unaware of the truth! I again remind you of some of their common myths and beliefs, which are:

1- Believing that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) is alive
2- Believing that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) knows the Ghayb (unseen) and is present, especially after the Jumu`ah (Friday) Prayer
3- Believing that the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) has the right of giving intercession in advance
4- Believing in the Awliyaa’ (pious people) and the dead at whose graves they offer Salah and ask for help
5- Building domes and lighting the graves
6- Repeating their famous supplication: O Muhammad, the Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
7- Getting angry with anyone who says Ta’meen (saying: “Aameen” after reciting Soorah Al-Faatihah) aloud and raise their hands in Salaah and considering them as belonging to the Wahhabee order
8- Finding it extremely strange that people use Miswaak (tooth-cleansing stick) before offering Salaah
9- Kissing the fingers during Wudoo’ (ablution) and Athaan (call to Prayer) as well as after Salaah
10- Their Imaam always recites the following Aayah (Qur’aanic verse) after Salaah: Allaah sends His Salaah (Graces, Honours, Blessings, Mercy) on the Prophet (Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم), and also His angels (ask Allaah to bless and forgive him). Consequently, the Ma’mums (persons being led by the Imaam in Prayer) invoke Allah to send peace upon the Prophet collectively and loudly.
11- Gathering in circles after the Jumu`ah Prayer and engaging in loud singing and praise
12- Serving many kinds of food, including desserts, inside the Masjid (mosque) after ending the recitation of the whole Glorious Qur’aan during Taraaweeh (special supererogatory night Prayer in Ramadaan)
13- Building Masaajid and being too preoccupied with decorating them in addition to writing on the Mihraab: O Muhammad
14- Considering themselves the followers of the Sunnah and true `Aqeedah (creed) and deeming those who do not follow their order as wrong
15- What is the ruling of Sharee`ah (Islaamic law) on offering Salaah behind the members of this order?

It is worth mentioning that I am a medical school student, living in Karachi near a Masjid subject to the supervision of the Barelvi order.

Answer: It is impermissible to offer Salaah behind an Imaam who adopts such beliefs. If the Ma’moom knows that the Imaam adopts these beliefs, then the Salaah of the former will not be valid. Most of these beliefs entail Kufr (disbelief) and Bid`ah (rejected innovations in religion)… read more here.

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A Sufi Order called “Al-Ansaar” (Al-Mahdiyyah)

Question:  There is a Sufi Order called “Al-Ansaar” (the followers of Al-Mahdee) which is widespread in Western Sudan. The supporters of this order are millions of common people. Al-Mahdee said in his publications:

“The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to walk before my army and give me glad tidings of victory.” What is your opinion about these superstitions and deceit?

Answer: Firstly, The claim that this man is Al-Mahdee and that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to walk before his army and give him glad tidings of triumph is an open lie and contradiction to the Sharee`ah and the realities agreed upon among Muslims… read more here.

What is the Islaamic ruling regarding Freemasonry?

Question:  

a) What is the ruling on a man who bequeathed to be buried in a coffin?

b) A Muslim who was a Mason died. The Islaamic Funeral Prayer was observed for him followed by the rites of Freemasonry. What is the Islaamic ruling on this dead person and on those who performed these rites or allowed them to be performed?

c) What is Freemasonry? What is the Islaamic ruling regarding it?

Answer: a) Placing the deceased in a coffin was an unknown practice at the time of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or the time of the Sahaabah (the Companions of the Prophet – may Allaah be pleased with them). It is better for Muslims to follow the path of the Prophet and his Companions… read more here.

An abstract about the Druze doctrine (a secret sect of the Baatinee Qarmatians)

Question: All praise is due to Allaah and peace and blessings be upon His Prophet, upon his family and Companions.

To proceed:
The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Iftaa’ have studied the letter sent by His Excellency the Deputy-Interior Minister to his Eminence the General Chairman No. 2/5400 on 15/5/1397 A.H. The Committee also read the two brochures attached to his letter detailing two alleged debates:

The first was held between a durzi student who is studying in Al-Az-har and someone that he claimed to be the Grand Shaykh of Al-Azhar called Mustafaa Al-Raafi`ee. The second was held between a person who ascribed himself (according to the letter) to Ahl-ul-Sunnah wal-Jamaa`ah (those adhering to the Sunnah and the Muslim community) called Shaykh Al-Haq Al-Husaynee and a durzi professor called Abu Hasan Hany Zaydan. According to the request of His Excellency to study this letter, the response comes as follows:

Firstly: An abstract about the doctrine of the Druze which unveils their reality.

Secondly: A brief explanation about the two debates explaining their illusion and misconception.

First: An abstract about the Druze doctrine

Druze are a secret sect of the Baatinee Qarmatians who entertain camouflaging their religious convictions to deceive non-Durzi people. Sometimes, they pretend to be religious, ascetic, pious and show false religious jealousy. They also feign love of Raafidah, Sufism and Ahlul-Bayt (Members of the Prophet’s extended family). They claim that they are reformers who reconcile between people and gather them aiming to deceive them with regards to their religion. They continue doing so until they become strong and receive support from a ruler, they then show their reality, declare their dogmas and reveal their intentions.

At this time, they will be the callers to evil, corruption and a destructive means to religions, dogmas and ethics… read more here.

Al-Ismaa`eeliyyah and Agha Khani sects who live in many places and most of them live in the north of Pakistan

Question: What is the view of Sunni scholars regarding Al-Ismaa`eeliyyah and Agha Khani sects who live in many places and most of them live in the north of Pakistan. Following are some of their views that explain their doctrine.

1- The word of Faith: ‘I testify that there is no god but Allaah, Muhammad is the Messenger of Allaah, and `Alee, the Commander of Believers, is Allaah.’ The Ismaa`eelis and Agha khans say these words are the word of Shahaadat Al-Tawheed i.e. the testimony of belief in monotheism, and the true word of Islaam.

2- The Imaam: They believe that Agha Khan Shah Kareem is their Imaam (religious leader) who has dominion over everything; the earth, the heavens, and what is in and between them. They even believe he is the supreme ruler of the whole world.

3- The Sharee`ah: They do not believe in the truth of Islaamic Sharee`ah. In fact, they believe that Agha Khan is the embodiment and the true tongue of the Qur’aan. They also believe that he is the “Ka`bah” and “Al-Bayt-al-Ma’moor” (i.e. Allaah’s House in the seventh heaven) and the one to be followed and no one else. Their books say that the word “Allaah” mentioned in the Qur’aan is the apparent term used to refer to Imaam Agha Khan.

4- Salaah (Prayer): They do not believe that the Five Prayers are obligatory. Only three formulae of supplication are required instead.

5- The Masjid (mosque): They take a place of worship called Jamaa`at khanah instead of mosques.

6- Zakaah (obligatory charity): They deny that Zakaah is obligatory. They instead allocate 10% of their wealth to the Agha Khan calling it as “dushond” or “Mal-Al-Waajibat i.e. money for religious obligations”.

7- Sawm (Fast): They deny that it is obligatory to fast the month of Ramadaan.

8- They do not believe that Hajj is obligatory, rather they believe that their belief in Agha Khan is itself Hajj.

9- Salaam (Islaamic greeting): Instead of the Islaamic formula of greeting, they invented a special greeting. When one of them meets another, he says, “`Alee madad” (May `Alee help you!). The other replies, “Mawlaa `Alee madad” i.e., (`Alee is a sufficient master for help!) This is a brief note about their sayings and the `Aqaa-id (creeds) they adopt.

Now I would like to ask few questions:

1- Are the Ismaa`eelis considered a Muslim sect or a disbelieving one?

2- Is it permissible to offer Funeral Prayer for their dead people?

3- Is it permissible to bury them in the Muslims’ graves?

4- Is it permissible to intermarry with them?

5- Is the meat of their sacrificed animals lawful for Muslims?

6- Should they be treated like Muslims?

In the Name of Allaah, the Great, we ask you to answer our request for Fatwaa to dispel the doubts in many Muslims’ minds. In the past, the followers of this sect used to hide their false `Aqidah (creed), therefore the early Muslim shuyookh called them Al-Baatiniyyah (those who hide their real faith). Nowadays, they overtly call people to their false `Aqeedah (creed) to lead Muslims astray in matters related to `Aqeedah (creed) and for some other purposes we do not yet know.

Answer: First, The belief that Allaah is incarnated in `Alee or in any other being is sheer disbelief that excludes a person from Islaam. Likewise, the belief that any being other than Allaah (Glorified be He) can control the heavens and earth, is disbelief as well… read more here.

What is the Sharee`ah ruling on Al-Habriyyah Tareeqah?

Question: What is the Shari`ah ruling on the two Tareeqahs (Sufi orders) that are prevalent in Algeria called Al-Habriyyoon. They were named after their grand shaykh Al-Habree, who is beloved by them. They believe that they alone are on the right path while other Muslims are in error. Is this Tareeqah truthful?

Answer: The only sound and truthful order is that which was introduced by the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and followed by his Companions. Thus, the one who follows his example will be on the right path… read more here.

Which books would you advise me to read to strengthen my Deen; and Ruling upon the Naqshabandi order in particular

Question: I am seeking knowledge and Eemaan (Faith) that may please Allaah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).

Which Islaamic books would you advise me to read to strengthen me, especially nowadays when there are many books that contain doubtful matters and falsehoods about the Deen (religion)?

Secondly: What is the ruling, in your understanding, on the Sufi Tariqahs (orders) in general, and the Naqshabandiyyah order in particular?

Answer: Firstly, you should devote your attention to the Qur’aan, reciting it regularly and contemplating its meanings, as the Qur’aan is the root of all that is good. You should then attend to the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). We recommend the following books on Tawheed (Islaamic monotheism):

“Sharh Al-`Aqeedah Al-Tahaawiyyah”, “Tat-heer Al-I`tiqaad” by Al-San`aanee, “Al-Tawheed” by Ibn Khuzaymah, “Mukhtasar Al-Sawaa`iq Al-Mursalah” by Al-Mawsilee. “Kashf Al-Shubuhaat” and “Al-Tawheed” by Shaykh Muhammad ibn `Abdul-Wahhaab, “Al-`Aqeedah Al-Wasitiyyah” by Ibn Taymiyyah, along with its commentaries, and also his two books: “Al-Hamawiyyah” and “Al-Tadmooriyyah.”… read more here.

Ruling upon Al-Burhaamiyyah Tareeqah (of Sufism)

Question: We trust Your Eminence and have confidence in your Fatwaa; therefore, we wish that Your Eminence will read this book carefully and give us a legal opinion about it, bearing in mind that the book is distributed to a wide range of people who worship Allaah through the regularly said supplications and utterances of Thikr (remembrance of Allaah) cited in this book.

We want to know whether it is permissible to worship Allaah through what is cited in it or not?

Answer: It is impermissible to worship Allaah through what is cited in this book – i.e. Awraad Al-Burhaamiyyah Tareeqah (Invocations of Al-Burhaamiyyah Order). To clarify, it involves reciting the Qur’aan for the dead, or more correctly for specific dead people, more likely for the purpose of seeking their blessings, as in the openings dedicated to the so-called “Ahlul-Silsilah” (people of spiritual lineage)… read more here.

Muslim’s attitude towards innovated sects in Islaam

Question: There are at present many Muslim sects such as the Sufi orders of Al-Shadhooliyyah, Al-Ibraaheemiyyah, Al-Qaadyaaniyyah, etc. What is the Islaamic attitude towards these sects?

What is our attitude as Muslims towards these sects and the ideas promulgated by their followers which defame Islaam?

Answer: We accept their deeds that go in agreement with Allaah’s Book (the Qur’aan) and the Sunnah of His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and refuse their deeds that differ from the Qur’aan and the Sunnah… read more here.