Hadhrat Maulana Qari Muhammad Tayyab sahib (ra) writes:
To consider the honouring of Ahlullah [the Men of Allah} and the respecting of pious personalities a negation [of Tawheed], has no part in the Maslak [of the ‘Ulama of Deoband.]
Hence, to be absorbed in Tawheed and [then] to audaciously and boldly claim to be independent from honouring [pious] personalities is not part of this maslak. This is not a perfection of Tawheed, [in fact], it is an exaggeration of Tawheed.
Similarly, to be excessive in honouring [pious] personalities to such an extent that it interferes with Tawheed or that it implies Shirk (associating Partners with Allah}, is also not part of this Maslak. This is not considered respect, [in fact] it is an exaggeration of respect.
Hence, to limit the honouring of pious personalities to the extent that it does not interfere with Tawheed, and Tawheed to the level that the honouring of pious personalities is not affected, is the point of moderation in the Maslak of the ‘Ulama of Deoband.
Pearls of the Elders 
February 18, 2007 at 9:02 pm
Asalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullah
Many people are confused about this point and start feeling uncomfortable, if you talk about pious personalties after the time of Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.), the Sahabah and the following generations.
But matter of fact this Izzat is given by Allah (SWT), that they are even remembered after their death, and when their live, sayings or anecdotes get told, the point of it is most of the time to highlight Islamic morals by Qur’an and Sunnah and not something outside of it.
Of course some go into another extreme like subscribing attributes to these pious personalities of Islam they never had. We don’t have to forget that the first Ahlullah and Wallis after Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) where actually the Sahabah (radhi Allaho anhum).
Just my stubborn and ignorant thoughts on this topic.
Was Salam
True Life
February 18, 2007 at 10:06 pm
Wa ‘alaykum salaam wa rahmatullah wa barakaatuh.
Jazak’allah Khayran for the comments.
Shaykh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghudda (ra) mentions in his commentary of Imam al-Muhasibi’s ‘Risalah al-Mustarshideen’, which has been translated into English and Published as ‘The Sunnah Way of the Sufis’, that Imam Muhammad Ibn Yunus (ra) said, ”I have not seen anything more beneficial for the heart than mention of the righteous.”
He also writes that Imam Sufyan ibn Uyaynah (ra) said: ”At the mention of the righteous, the mercy [of Allah] descends.”
The respected Shaykh wrote that the Muhadditheen would relate stories of the pious in their assemblies. Imam Hafiz Abu Sa’d as-Sam’ani (ra), the Muhaddith, narrates from Sulayman ibn harb (ra), who said, ”We were in the company of Hammad ibn Zayd (ra) who narrated some Ahaadith to us. He then said, ”Now take some spices of Paradise.” He then related some stories to us.”
Shaykh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghudda (ra) writes: ‘Spices are used to to enhance the flavour and fragrance of food. He (Hammad ibn Zayd) referred to these stories as ‘spices’ because these stories urge a person towards good and their narration removes boredom and fatigue from the hearts. This is because these stories contain attractive humour, beloved rarity, and ways of the righteous, which urges one towards rectitude and religion.’
There is no doubt, however, regarding the status of the Sahabah (radiyallahu anhum ajma’een.) They are the greatest of the Ummah.
I will post what Maulana Qari Muhammad Tayyab sahib (ra) has written [in his Maslak Ulama-e-Deoband] about the Sahabah (radiyallahu anhum ajma’een) in the future, Insha’allah.
February 19, 2007 at 11:33 pm
Subhanallah, excellent malfooz…
This is that point which has kept so many capable and intelligent young ulama from sitting in the company of the Ahlullah and getting ilaaj for their spititually diseases.
The reality of this disease is actually shirk of the self, which Allah Ta`ala speaks about: “Do you not see the one who has taken his own base desires as a god?” (Surah Jathiya)
Thus when a person with this egotistical complex sees an Arif Billah or waliullah being praised, his nafs, out of jealousy, blows up in anger because someone other than him is being respected and praised.
Shaytan has fooled him through his limited knowledge, into thinking that he will commit “shirk” if he attends the majalis of the Ahlullah, or respect them. Thus he becomes deprived of many good things.
If he really had some sound understanding, he would know that it is not the Shaikh or Peer which is being respected, rather his taqwa and nisbat to Allah Ta`ala is the actually object of respect. Because if the Shaikh did not have that, he would never have been respected.
Another interesting thing is, none of the people that have this complex (of making an objection against respecting and honoring pious personalities) object against praising and honoring a sports star or cricket player. How ironic? This in actuality, shows the lack of reverence for the deen of Allah Ta`ala.
Whereas the masha`ikh have said, “No one ever reached what he reached except through the company of one who has reached…” No one will attain Allah except through the khidmat and company of one who has attained him.
If we observe the lives of the salaf we will even see incidents in which they would not even stretch their feet towards the house of their asaatiza. In our day and age we now have people who don’t even care if they spread their feet towards the qiblah out of their so called “Tauheed”… this is not tauheed, this is talbees. wallahul musta’aan. All of this comes from lack of reverence for deen and misunderstanding the shariah.
was salaam
February 21, 2007 at 10:44 am
JazakAllah for sharing this.
Keep up the good work
December 17, 2009 at 9:01 am
Is it true that deobandis don’t believe that allah is on top of throne?
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