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Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

I came across a tweet of Shaykhul-Hadeeth (Maulana) Abdur-Raheem Limbada (HA) today about Shaykh (Maulana) Ghulam Ahmad Wastnavi (HA)’s impending visit to UK. I remember reading something about the sacking (firing) of Shaykh (Maulana) Ghulam Ahmad Wastnavi (HA) so I double-checked and sure enough there is a site purporting to have an official press release from Darul-uloom Deoband stating that he was sacked!

I was corrected by Shaykh (Maulana) (HA) that he was not sacked, rather he stepped down. This was confirmed to me by another Indian Muslim brother.

I then read the personal signed statement of Shaykh (Maulana) Ghulam Ahmad Wastnavi (HA)and it also did not mention anything about sacking (unlike the press release).

I then found dead links to some other contradictory press releases of Darul-uloom Deoband.

Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatuallahi Wa Barakatuh,

As a young man drifting in the Dunya, living a life of sin I owe a lot to the Tableeghi Jamaat. They picked me up and gave me a pathway to Islam and for that I can only make sincere dua for everyone involved in Tableeghi Jamaat from Shaykh (Maulana) Ilyas Kandhalwi (RA) to everyone who even sat in the company of those affiliated with Tableeghi Jamaat for even a second with Janaatul-Firdaus (Ameen).

Dazed and confused as a young man as to what a Deobandi was (or is) I was told to stick by 3 simple rules which I (to the best of my knowledge and ability) have NEVER BROKEN in decades and may Allah (SWT) keep me steadfast on them (Ameen).

1. Encourage people towards the commandments of Allah (SWT) and Sunnah of Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam), when someone interacts with you ensure that they leave with some benefit, even if it is criticism ensure that they have clear insight into their problems, shortcomings and the solution.
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Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Shaykh (Colonel) Ameerud-deen Saheb (RA) needs no introduction and I won’t insult anyone with trying to introduce him.

I was young and on active duty in military and we were preparing for an Ijtema. I had spent some time in Tableegh but due to military regulations I was clean shaven with no beard. Colonel Ameerud-deen (RA) was flying in from Canada and we were told by all senior workers of America to be on guard and to be on our best behaviour.

All day I had heard stories after stories so I was beginning to think that if even 20% of what I am being told is true this man must be a legend.

Colonel Saheb (RA) arrived at our local Masjid at 19:25, I still remember because I was so looking forward to it that when I heard the car outside I looked up at the huge clock in the Masjid.

ISLAMIC HISTORY:

1. Crimea which is a peninsula between Russia and Ukraine is home to one of the largest Russain Navy (Black Sea fleet) which Russia leased from Ukraine until 2042. Russia has huge Naval and military presence in this area and Russia will NOT let go of one of their most strategic warm water ports.A warm water port is where the water doesn't freeze in winter and it is of utmost importance to Russian Navy.
2. Crimea is also home to Crimean Tatars which have inhabited this land since the middle ages. They accepted Islam hundreds of years ago and live under the Ottoman Empire.
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Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Over the past 2 decades I have had the pleasure of interacting with Deobandees from all over the world either online or in person. In my limited capacity I have attended Majalis, visited Darul-ulooms, spoken to Ulamah and Mashaykh, gone in Jamaats, sat in Mushwaras etc.

In my limited experience and exposure, I have discovered a dangerous precedence which is the culture of “Yes men” around those who run over institutes and those who in charge of the decision making process.

Most Deobandi institutes are run by a Senior Shaykh who is generally also a Shaykh of Tassawuff. The inner circle of the organisation is almost exclusively a group of individuals who are either Bay’t to the Shaykh or are in awe with him and revere him as a teacher or a spiritual guide. There is nothing wrong with Adab in Islam but the environment isn’t conducive to positive improvements on any fronts if critque is taken as criticism. There are countless examples but few stick to my mind which will illustrate the point:

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Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

Shaykh Imtiaz Damiel (HA) is a Scholar from Abu Hanifah Foundation in Blackburn (UK). I don't live in Blackburn so I don't have the complete details on the issue but I am aware that the respected Shaykh (HA) and the organisation and their general attempts to cater for the Deobandees in the community.

It has always been known (to me) that he isn't a Deobandi and Salafi leaning and I don't know how and why the Muslims in Blackburn simply go for an organisation named "Abu Hanifah (RA)" which is obviously a deliberate attempt to woo the local community in which it operates in. I am sure that the Shaykh (HA) will say that Abu Haneefa (RA) was from the Salaf and Deobandees don’t have a copyright on his name (and they don’t) but I am certain that selecting this name was a deliberate decision (and they are entitled to it) and there is nothing Haram in it.

Ulamah have done some analysis on his Aqai’d and put forth a publication highlighting some of his problematic beliefs which can be read here.

To me, this is only a strand of a strategy.

Disclaimer: I am neither a Shaykh nor a Mureed of Tassawuff and the title aptly dispels any further arguments on the matter so before commenting read, understand and then of course feel free to differ and correct in the comments section.

Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahamatullahi Wa Barakatuh,

A young new Muslim asked me once if he should pursue Tassawuff and if it is needed for his Deen and he is having trouble trying to separate the wheat from the chaff. This series of blogs are being penned to summarise out discussions on the matter from a layman’s (outsider’s) perspective. If you have ever played professional sports or have trained for any Martial Arts this explanation will (Insha’Allah) make some sense to you.

 The objective in any sports is to excel at the highest level, nobody trains hard for hours on end to be mediocre. The key to success is to get the right help, right resources and then to train hard. Islam is no different, we should neither aspire to be mediocre nor accept mediocrity in our Deen.

The first and the most fundamental aspect of your game is to be in the company of those who either excel at your sports or are aspiring to be better. You can’t improve without being in the company of some who are training for the same cause or just by reading book. No one has become excellent at their game by reading books or avoiding the company (and thereby observing) those who are good at their perspective sports!

Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh, 

I was reading a blog this morning and the blogger attempted to disrespect and put down the Deobandi Ulamah with regards to their stance on declaring that it is Makrooh for women to attend Eid Salah. The blogger presented a valid opinion in Islamic Fiqh as sexist, stuck in the past and from those who want to keep their women chained to the kitchen sink.

Let’s take the emotions out of the equation and look at the matter in the light of Qur’aan and Sunnah.

Principle for Muslim women:

The basic premise and principle with regards to Muslim women is clearly given the in the Qur’aan, unambiguously mandated:

Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh, 

When the Muslim migrated to Madina there was severe shortage  of water which troubled the Sahabah (RA). There was only one sweet water well (known as the well of Rauma) owned by a Jew who used to charge astronomical amounts of money for his water.

Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) promised house in paradise for the one who buys this well and dedicates it to the believers for their water needs. Sayyidina Uthman Ibn Affan (RA) went to the Jew and offered to purchase his well which he declined.

Sayyidina Uthman Ibn Affan (RA) persisted in his offer and paid enormous money for half of the well. It is mentioned that he (RA) paid somewhere around 20,000 Dirhams for half of the well which is enormous even by today’s standards. Sayyidina Uthman Ibn Affan (RA) then made an agreement to have the well to him for one day while the Jew had the other day, on his day Sayyidina Uthman Ibn Affan (RA) gave out free water to anybody.

Asslamo Allaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Baraktuh, 

My dear, beloved and Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassalam) ‘s every word is golden and every action worth more than the Heavens and the Earth. However, there are some statements which are so obvious and unambiguous that the heart and mind of even the most ardent opponent has no choice but to accept and submit.