Alahazrat Imām Aĥmad Riđā Khān al-Ĥanafī al-Baraylawī [1272-1340 AH / 1856-1921 CE] received a query from Madrasah e Ahl e Sunnat, Bāzār Dīwān, Murādābād, sent by Maulavi Abu’l Masúūd Ábdu’l Wadūd Sahib, Ţālib e Ílm [student of knowledge], on 1st Jamād al-Ūlā
1336 AH:
Which sect is Wahābī, which are common, and where is their origin from, and what are their beliefs, and what has come in the Ĥadīth in their matter?
The answer:
Wahābī is a faithless sect, which burns at the honouring of those beloved to Allāh and wishes to erase
their remembrance and honouring by various sorts of stratagems. Its origin is from Iblīs Laýīn [accursed], that Allāh ázza wa jall gave the command to honour Sayyidunā Ādam عليہ الصلاة والسلام and that Malúūn did not accept. And in the time of Islām Dhu’l Khuwayşarah Tamīmī
IS IT VALID TO BELIEVE ALLĀH IS LOCATED ON THE ÁRSH?
Alahazrat Imām Aĥmad Riđā Khān al-Ĥanafī al-Baraylawī [1272-1340 AH / 1856-1921 CE] was sent by Ţālib Álī Sahib on 15th Jamād al-Ūlā 1336 AH:
To consider the Dhāt of Bārī [the Creator] táālā to be only on the Ársh and not to
consider any creation of Allāh, other than above the Ársh, to be encompassing the Dhāt of Bārī táālā, but rather to say that only the Divine knowledge encompasses all things and his Dhāt is solely on the Ársh, and not in another place. Is this belief that of Ahl e Sunnat or
not? And the one who believes this, is it permissible or not to pray behind him? And also explain this, that people attribute this belief to the Ĥanābilah, is this truly the belief of the Ĥanābilah or not? To consider the Dhāt of Allāh to be on the Ársh, without expressing the
Since they cannot refute the writings of the Imām, they feel the need to cast false accusations against him. Anybody who has read the writings of the Imām would know he hated Kāfirs, especially the British, and did not support them.
Mawlānā Arshad al-Qādirī [1343-1422/1925-2002] was a famous debator, prolific author, prominent activist and educationist. He wrote in the foreword to Sawāniĥ Imām Aĥmad Riđā by Shaykh Badruddīn Aĥmad:
“Often, I have challenged those who try to clean the dirt upon their faces by
trying to wipe it with the mantle of Alahazrat, to show us proof for their claims; regardless of such proofs in the books of his admirers or in those of his adversaries. Show us a single instance where Alahazrat was invited by any officer of the British government; or that any
This is what was given when we asked for references. These are not even books by the Imām, but works that are against Sufism. Let us take a look at these sources:
1. al-Kashf ‘an Haqeeqat as-Sufiyyah (1/350). There is no mention of Alahazrat
This is a common claim made by the enemies of Allāh and His Rasūl ﷺ. However, let us investigate the reality of this claim by perusing the books of lexicon and Tafsīr.
The word کواعب, Kawāíb, is the plural of کاعب, Kāíb.
Let us first take a look at how this word is defined by the lexicographers.
Abu’l Ĥusayn Aĥmad ibn Fāris ibn Zakariyyah al-Qazwīnī al-Rāzī [329-395 AH / 941-1004 CE] writes in Maqāyīs al-Lughah:
“Káb is a sound root that
indicates protrusion and rising in something. From the same root comes the word Kaáb: the ankle of a man, which is the bone on the two sides of the lower leg where it meets the foot. And the word Kaábah: House of Allāh táālā, it is said it is named this because of its prominence
Imām Abū Ábdullāh Muĥammad ibn Saýīd al-Būşīrī al-Shādhilī [608-696 AH / 1213-1295 CE] devoted the fourth chapter of his poem to the Mawlid of RasūlAllāh ﷺ. This makes clear that the mention of Mawlid is an ancient practice of our scholars.
He writes:
“His noble birth [Mawlid] did reveal the purity of his roots.
How pure the outset of them as well as finality!
A day the Persians perceived that they indeed had been warned