Beliefs of the Sunnis and Shias

QUESTION:

1. There is a lady who is inclined to the Sunni sect in our Taleem. What would be the best way to guide her towards the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah?

2. Please elaborate on the status of the Imaan of the Sunnis and their beliefs?

3. Are all Shias considered to be Kaafir?

ANSWER:

1. If the Barelwis (a deviated sect) believe in Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam being omnipresent, then they will lose their Imaan.

قال علمائنا من قال أرواح المشايخ حاضرة تعلم يكفر(فتاوى بزازية 6/326)

وفي الخانية والخلاصة لو تزوج بشهادة الله ورسوله لا ينعقد ويكفر لاعتقاده أن النبي يعلم الغيب(البحر الرائق 3/94)

Below we have listed some of the incorrect beliefs and actions of the Barelwi sect:

1. Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam knowing the unseen.
2. Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is created from Noor and is not a human.
3. Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is omnipresent.
4. Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam has the absolute power of choice.
5. They regard it permissible to seek help from the Awliya and the pious.
6. To stand up at the time of reciting Durood and Salaam believing that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is present.
7. Constructing structures and domes over the graves of the pious.
8. Kissing the thumbs when hearing the name of Nabi Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam particularly at the time of Adhaan.
9. Commemorating 3 days, 10 days and 40 days after the demise of a relative.

[Re:-Adyaan-e-Baatilah Pg.296]

 2. The Fatwa of Jamiah Khair ul Madaris Multan is as follows:

The beliefs of the Barelwi sect is out of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa’ah. There is no doubt in it being from the Ahle Bidat and Ahle Hawaa (those who follow their whims and fancies). However, the Ulama of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal-Jamaa’ah have not issued a Fatwa of Kufr and Shirk on all members of this sect. Nonetheless, specific individuals who explicitly made statements of Kufr which could not be explained and rationalized correctly, and they are dogged on their Kufr meanings will become Kaafirs. That is all. Allah Ta’ala knows best!

Regarding your query, at this stage, it is best to display good character and love towards the person. This type of attitude should continue until the lady is prepared to accept anything that you will present before her. Once you have won her confidence, then gradually start correcting her by presenting authentic literature of our Ulama and guiding her. If she raises any objections then she should be directed to some Darul Ifta where her questions will be adequately answered by experienced Ulama. Don’t be too hasty in trying to correct her. In fact, remaining in the company of the righteous females will have a great impact on her.

3. Thirdly, the Fatwa of Ali Radiallahu Anhu regarding the Shias which is recorded in Ahsanul Fataawa on Page 84, Vol. 1 is as follows:

“If I were to assess the Shias, they will prove to be people who merely make verbal claims and are fabricators. If I were to test them, they will all turn out to be apostates.”

Imaam Maalik Rahimahullah states under the following verse:

ليغيظ بهم الكفار

So that He may enrage the Kuffar by them

This is the Quranic proof of the Kufr of the Shias, i.e. they burn within themselves when they see the Sahaabah. This is why they are Kaafirs.

(الاعتصام ص1261 ج2 – روح المعاني جزء 26)

The Fatwa of Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Rahimahullah in Ghunyatut Taalibeen on pages 156 -162 is as follows:

“All groups of the Shias believe that the appointment of the Imaam takes place under the clear order of Allah Ta’ala, that they are Ma’sum, Hadrat Ali Radiallahu Anhu is superior to all Sahaabah, apart from a few they had all become apostates after the demise of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam because they did not accept Ali Radiallahu Anhu as the Imaam.”

The author of Fataawa Bazzaaziyyah states on page 317 vol.3:

“The one who rejects the caliphate of Abu Bakr and Umar Radiallahu Anhuma is a Kaafir because there was Ijmaa (consensus) of the Sahaabah on the caliphate of these two.”

Fataawa Aalamghiri states on page. 268 Vol.2:

“If the Shias denigrate Hadrat Abu Bakr and Umar Radiallahu Anhuma and curse them, then they are Kaafirs. The Shias are out of the fold of Islam and they are Kaafirs. They are to be treated just as the Shariah treats apostates.”

It is recorded in Durr-e-Mukhtaar:

“The one who denigrates either Abu Bakr or Umar Radiallahu Anhuma or criticizes them is a Kaafir. His repentance will not be accepted.”

The Fataawa of Allama Shaami Rahimahullah recorded on pg.294 Vol.2:

“There is no room for any doubt about the Kufr of the person who slanders Hadrat Aisha Radiallahu Anha or rejects Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu being a Sahaabi.”

The Fatwa of Hadrat Maulana Rashid Ahmad Gangohi Rahimahullah recorded in Hidayatush-Shia on page 14:

“The Shias are extremely insolent. They cannot be Muslims merely by uttering the Kalimah-e-Tauheed verbally.”

The Fatwa of Hadrat Shah Anwar Kashmiri Rahimahullah recorded in Ikfaar-ul-Mulhideen on page 51:

“There is no doubt whatsoever about the Kufr of the person who rejects the caliphate of any one of them, Abu Bakr, Umar and Uthmaan Radiallahu Anhum.”

In conclusion, those that accuse Hadrat Aisha Radiallahu Anha of committing Zina, or reject the companionship (Sahaabiyyat) of Hadrat Abu Bakr Radiallahu Anhu) or consider Hadhrat Ali Radiallahu Anhu as a Ilaah, or believes that Jibraeel Alahis Salaam erred in bringing Wahi etc. is a Kaafir. These are beliefs held by the Ithna-Ashariyyah or Imaamiyyah.

لا شك في تكفير من قذف السيدة عائشة – رضي الله تعالى عنها – أو أنكر صحبة الصديق، أو اعتقد الألوهية في علي أو أن جبريل غلط في الوحي، أو نحو ذلك من الكفر الصريح المخالف للقرآن.(الدر المختاو و حاشية ابن عابدين 4/237)

Re: – Kitaab-un-Nawaazil Vol.2 Pg.51

Another sect of the Shias are those who give preference to certain Sahaabah over others and are known as the ‘Tafdeeli Shias.’ They are considered as Muslims if their remaining beliefs do not contradict the Quraan and Sunnah.

Majority of the Shias present nowadays fall in the first category, hence we should refrain from associating with them. Also, we should refrain from reading their literature.

ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!

ANSWERED BY:

Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani

Date:- 14 Muharram 1444 / 08 August 2023

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:

Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb