What are the beliefs of the Bareilawi (or Barelvi) sect? The Braylwiyyah are a Soofee sect which was born in India at the time of the British rule there. Its 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. Its 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). 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
Posted on: Tue, 25 Nov 2014 05:16:21 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015