I have a question with sincere intentions and only ask to clarify something I have been told.
Many people say that the Deobandi founders like Shaykh Rashid Gangohi and others compare the knowledge of the prophet to a madman. I have seen with my own eyes these statements in certain publications. Is this true? I have no intention what so ever to slander anyone rather I think such claims are wide spread and it would be beneficial for someone to clarify this.

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

We as Muslims have been commanded by Allah to always give others the benefit of doubt and think good of people.

Allah (SWA) in the Holy Qur’an says,
“O you who believe, abstain from many of the suspicions. Some suspicions are sins. And do not be curious (to find out the fault of others), and do not backbite one another…” (Surat Hujurat v.12)

Regarding your question, people who have a dislike for a particular scholar or group will come out with some accusations or statements which are totally untrue. Sometimes they will make a judgement without understanding the context it was said in.

For example, a scholar is giving a speech and to explain the severity of missing a salah intentionally he quotes a Fiqhi ruling from Imam Malik (RA) and Imam Shafee (RA) who have said it is lawful to kill a person who misses his salah in an ISLAMIC STATE. (See Mazaahirul Haqq p.506 v.1)

Now someone with the intention to cause fitnah spreads the news that the scholar has said you can kill people. This is totally wrong and against the teachings ofIslam.

Shaikh Rashid Ahmad Gongohi (RA) did not say such a statement and the books which you have seen it in must have been fabricated by the authors.

The comments made by those brothers are such that it does not even deserve a response. How could it ever be imagined of a Muslim, who believes in Allah and His Prophet to make such a comment, let alone a great scholar of Islam?

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham.