Shaykh (Maulana) Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA) [1863-1943] respecting Ulama
Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahimahullah) and Shaykh Ahmad Raza Khan Barelwi (rahimahullah) by Shaykh Muhammad Tayyib al-Qasimi (RA)
I have witnessed the fact that Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahimahullah) differed on numerous subjects from Shaykh Amad Raza Khan Barelwi (rahimahullah). Their differences covered the topics of Qiyaam, Urs, Meelad etc. But in spite of this, whenever his name happened to be mentioned in a Majlis (gathering), he used to say, "Moulana Ahmad Raza Khan Sahib."
On one occasion an individual sitting in the Majlis mentioned his name without adding the title Moulana to his name saying, "Ahmad Raza Khan." Shaykh Thanwi (rahimahullah) became angry and scolded him saying, "He is an Alim after all in spite of the fact that there are differences of opinion between us, you are disrespecting the position he has been granted. How can this be correct? Differences of opinion is another matter altogether. It is a seperate issue that he considers me to be upon error pertaining to certain issues. What is the meaning of such condescension, such disrespect for him?"
Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahimahullah) was among the Ahl-ul-ilm, the people of knowledge. If and when someone's name occurred he used to consider respect for that person to be necessary. Even if it was a person who bore absolute enmity towards him, he never allowed respect to leave his side.
Shaykh (Maulana) Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA) [1863-1943] on the matter that Ulama shouldn't reply to every question!
Shaykh (RA) responds in Volume 2 on page 213 that Ulama should not respond to every question and this is an undesirable trait of the Ulama that they consider every query to be responded to. The query which deserves to be answered should be responded to and the one which needs to be ignored, should be ignored. I say that if someone is foolish (to do so) then us (those with intellect) shouldn’t be expected us to behave in the same way. There should be someone (with intellect) to point out the errors of these arrogant ones otherwise those with arrogance wouldn’t realise their error until the day of judgement. Some people are apprehensive and afraid of these (reminders) but I say why did you step on this path of (Tassawuff)? You want to become something but don’t want to do anything so on what grounds did you step onto the playing outfield?
If you are scared of a pinprick then how would you take the pain of being (scrubbed) clean?
Shaykh (Maulana) Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA) [1863-1943] on the matter that response should be satisfactory and merely responding is not enough!
Shaykh (RA) responds in Volume 3 on page 51 that merely responding is not enough rather, the response should (make sense) and this is the criteria for judging a response (and not just that a response is given). A Ghair-Muqallid saw one of my booklets and commented that if I would have seen his booklet then I would have retracted my words. I say that if he would have seen (this publication) of mine then he would have retracted his booklet. Academic discussions and research are matters which if not known are not harmful but the real crux of the matter is action. Without action everything (else) is futile! Action completes the religion ...Look at the lives of Sahaba (RA) they acted which superseded every other quality, they had more action then they had knowledge.
Shaykh (Maulana) Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA) [1863-1943] on the due care and diligence when writing a Fatwa
Shaykh (RA) responds in Volume 5 on page 263 and writes that a person brought along a written query so Hazrat (RA) replied that I have seen it and I will write the response and someone will deliver it but the person said that he can pick up the response. Hazrat (RA) said that this is dependent upon when I will have time to write a response and then for it to be ready and then available when you come up so there are many factors while I am extremely careful and diligent when replying to Fatwaas.
Some people are so careless that they reply to a person verbally! This is dangerous because sometime the one asking the question doesn’t have sufficient vocabulary to articulate his thoughts so it is possible that a certain portion of the Fatwa may remain hidden and it is discovered (later on) that the response was inadequate because a portion of the query was unsatisfactory. Therefore I have mandated that query must be written and then I don’t respond in front of him because the heart feels a heavy burden that perhaps a mistake can be made in haste!
Today people are careless in writing Fatwaas and they should be extremely careful, diligent and cautious.
Because of my due diligence and care, people think of me as suspicious, (I ask you) is due care and diligence a sin for which I am blamed? Surely avoidance of error (and thereby) sin demands due diligence and care.
Shaykh (Maulana) Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA) [1863-1943] on not acting on things which are heard!
Shaykh (RA) responds in Volume 4 on page 113 and writes that Alhumdolillah I don't act on narations which are just heard because if someone denies uttering these then there is no action!
As far as doubt is concerned then it is beyond my (human) control so doubts can occur but it is Fadhl of Allah (SWT) that what is within my control I don’t exceed it.
Shaykh (Maulana) Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA) [1863-1943] considered Prawns (Shrimps) to be Permissable!
Askimam states that Hazrath Ml Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA) says “there are no specific features of a samak(proven through valid evidence) in the absence of which, would discount it from being classified as a samak.”. Therefore Hazrat (RA) believed that Prawns (Shrimps) are fish therefore permissable!Shaykh (Maulana) Ashraf Ali Thanwi (RA) [1863-1943] on wearing Jackets and other Western styled clothes (in London etc)
I had this discussion with Brother Umar in my house but this is his post on Sunniforum
Is wearing a jacket in London regarded as tashabbuh?
A person asked whether the wearing of a jacket by a Muslim living in London would be regarded as tashab-buh or not? The reply was that this is not tashab-buh because over there this item is not regarded as the specific dress code of the non-Muslims. Everyone dresses the same, hence there is no distinction. If this jacket becomes common here too, such that no importance or significance is attached to it, then the prohibition in wearing it (here) will be removed. [Hasanul Azeez, page 213, vol. 3]
Recognising the elimination of tashab-buh
The recognition lies in the fact that when the common-folk do not anymore regard a thing as being specific to any creed/nation/religion, and this doubt is removed from the heart that the thing in question is specific to any group, like the wearing of angar khaya achkan (a narrow-sleeved like coat with double fold on one breast and single fold on the other). But as long as the speciality of that thing/practice remains specific to any group, it will be prohibited. For example in our country (India) the wearing of a jacket, wearing a dotie (fastened loincloth worn by Sikhs), etc. would be regarded as tashab-buh, but even if this speciality remains no more in our society that no one regards the jacket as a speciality of any particular nation, then this prohibition will be removed. [Hayaatul Muslimeen]
The difference in considering time and place in the ruling of tashab-buh
A question was asked whether it will be permissible for women to have cuffs on their sleeves. The reply was that as long as it does not bear resemblance to the style of men it will be permissible otherwise not. [Malfoozaat, page 75, vol. 3]
The ruling regarding the wearing of the Sherwani (type of suit) and whether it is regarded as tashabbuh or not
A person asked whether it will be permissible to wear sherwani or not. The reply was that it must be seen whether this is a common garb or not. It is known that this was originally the dress of the people of Hyderabad, and the first to wear this were the people from Aligarh. Now it is regarded as the dress of the people of Aligarh. Therefore it will be tashab-buh. [Hasnul Azeez, page 213, vol. 3]
You ask us for reasons so we equally have the right to ask you for your reasons:
Here are a few sample Fatwaas for your attention, please state clearly that you follow these in their entirety:
Fatwa 1:
www.themajlis.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view...
IT IS WAAJIB FOR MUSLIMS ALL OVER THE WORLD TO ABSTAIN FROM, NOT ONLY CADBURY CHOCOLATES, BUT FROM CHOCOLATES AND SWEETS OF ALL MANUFACTURERS. ALL THESE CONFOUNDED PRODUCTS CONTAIN A MYRIAD OF INGREDIENTS CAMOUFLAGED WITH LONG CHEMICAL NAMES AND E-NUMBERS. IT IS HARAAM COMPOUNDED WITH HARAAM.
Fatwa 2:
www.themajlis.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view...
ALL COMMERCIAL BISCUITS ARE HARAAM
Fatwa 3:
www.themajlis.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view...
ALL SWEETS, CHOCOLATES, BISCUITS AND SOFT DRINKS COMMERCIALLY PRODUCED ARE HARAAM. CONSUME THIS POISONOUS JUNK AT THE PERIL OF YOUR HEALTH AND DESTRUCTION OF YOUR MORAL AND SPIIRITUAL FIBRE.
Fatwa 4:
reliablefatwas.com/miscellaneous-food-issues/
Food prepared in any commercial facility of the kuffaar is not halaal. It is compulsory to abstain from the food served on planes. A piece of scrap paper dubbed ‘halaal’ certificate does not render the food halaal.
Jazakallahu Khayran
Question 1:
Why is it that almost all majlis/ml a.s desai threads end up this way.....??????????
Frustration 1:
Now please, for Allah's sake, DO NOT bring up past debates and arguments. We're not here to argue about what happen 300 years ago - i just want to know: in your opinion WHY do majlis threads generally turn into arguments?
Confirmation of Question 1:
My question is not futile. And since nobody wants to answer it, i'll try to do it myself...
Accusation 1:
Too much emotions involved.
Accusation 2:
If each person can just think calmly + rationally
Claim 1:
If each person can just think calmly + rationally when they see 'ML A.S DESAI' written, all these futile debates will end. Hidayat will prevail. Disrespect will vanish, and and everyone will live happliy ever after.
Slander 1:
Hidayat will prevail.
So those disagreeing are not on Hidayat? What are they Kaafir???
This cannot be undone and I am sure it will be greatly appreciated.
Please wait...
