❀ 12 Barelvi Questions Answered with Evidence by Ahl al-Hadith ❀
Written by: Shaykh Zubair Ali Zai (رحمه الله)
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil ‘Alameen, was-salatu was-salamu ‘ala Rasoolihil Ameen. Amma ba‘d:
A man named Abbas Rizwi (a Barelvi) raised twelve questions against Ahl al-Hadith (Ahl al-Sunnah). Hafiz Waleed Rana from Multan sent these questions for response. Below are the questions with detailed answers, along with counter-questions posed to the Barelvis from the Ahl al-Hadith side.
◈ Barelvi Question ①
Did the Prophet ﷺ raise his hands for du‘a in Witr after ruku‘, or order it explicitly? Provide a clear, sahih, marfu‘ hadith.
✦ Answer:
Ahl al-Hadith follow Qur’an, authentic hadith, and consensus. From hadith, the permissibility of ijtihad is established, hence reasoning by analogy, general proofs, preference of the stronger evidence, masalih mursalah, and the practice of the Salaf are acceptable.
➊ Hasan li-dhatihi is also a valid proof like sahih hadith.
➋ General evidence suffices if no specific evidence exists.
➌ Marfu‘ hadith is permanent proof, but mawquf athar are also hujjah if no explicit contrary evidence exists.
➍ The “ghayr muhtamil” condition is meaningless, as every sect imposes possibilities on others’ proofs.
Hadith Proof:
Sayyiduna Anas ibn Malik (RA) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ raised his hands in du‘a during fajr Salah (Qunoot) for a month against the enemies. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Abu ‘Awanah, with authentic isnad).
➥ Thus, raising hands in Qunoot (including Witr) is established from hadith and practice of Sahabah. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal and Imam Ishaq ibn Rahawayh both affirmed this.
Ahl al-Hadith Counter-Question ①
Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi ruled: “If one forgets Qunoot and goes into ruku‘, he must not return to it; rather, after completing Salah, he should perform sajda sahw.” (Fatawa Ridawiyyah, vol. 8, p. 219)
→ What sahih hadith or proof establishes this? Provide it via Imam Abu Hanifah with authentic isnad.
◈ Barelvi Question ②
Did the Prophet ﷺ raise his hands in every takbir of Janazah Salah?
✦ Answer:
Yes. Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (RA) narrated:
“The Prophet ﷺ used to raise his hands at every takbir of Janazah Salah.” (al-‘Ilal of al-Daraqutni, vol. 13, p. 22 – sanad sahih).
Ibn ‘Umar (RA) himself practiced it. (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 3/296).
Ahl al-Hadith Counter-Question ②
Despite this sahih marfu‘ narration, Barelvis and Deobandis abandon raising hands in Janazah Salah. What is their proof via Imam Abu Hanifah?
◈ Barelvi Question ③
For which companion did the Prophet ﷺ perform ghaybana (absentia) Janazah prayer?
✦ Answer:
The Prophet ﷺ prayed Janazah Salah for the martyrs of Uhud eight years later. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 4042).
Ahl al-Hadith Counter-Question ③
Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi forbade repeated Janazah Salah, calling it “haram and a sin.” (Fatawa Ridawiyyah 9/367).
→ Show sahih hadith via Imam Abu Hanifah where the Prophet ﷺ declared repeating Janazah Salah haram.
◈ Barelvi Question ④
Is there any sahih hadith where the Prophet ﷺ ordered the Imam to make du‘a aloud in Janazah while followers only say “Ameen”?
✦ Answer:
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ himself supplicated aloud in Janazah Salah, as narrated by ‘Awf ibn Malik (RA):
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ (Sahih Muslim 963).
Similarly, during Qunoot, the Prophet ﷺ prayed aloud and followers said “Ameen.” (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 1443 – hasan).
Ahl al-Hadith Counter-Question ④
In Fatawa Shami: “If someone prays with a puppy in his sleeve, his Salah is valid, provided its mouth is tied.” (Radd al-Muhtar 1/153).
→ What proof exists via Imam Abu Hanifah for praying with a dog inside clothing?
◈ Barelvi Question ⑤
Is there sahih hadith proving loud Qunoot after ruku‘ in Witr, where followers only say “Ameen”?
✦ Answer:
Yes. The Prophet ﷺ recited Qunoot aloud in Salah for a month, and followers said “Ameen.” (Sunan Abi Dawud 1443 – hasan).
Ahl al-Hadith Counter-Question ⑤
In Fatawa ‘Alamgiri: “If in sujud, one omits placing hands and knees on the ground, Salah is still valid by consensus.” (vol. 1, p. 70).
→ Provide sahih proof for this claim.
◈ Barelvi Question ⑥
Did the Prophet ﷺ order hands to be folded on the chest in Salah?
✦ Answer:
Yes. From Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahl ibn Sa‘d (RA) narrated:
“The people were ordered to place the right hand on the left arm in Salah.”
Also, from Hulb al-Tai (RA): the Prophet ﷺ “placed his hand upon his chest.” (Musnad Ahmad – hasan).
Ahl al-Hadith Counter-Question ⑥
Ahmad Raza Khan wrote: “Giving adhan inside a masjid is disrespect of Allah’s court and masjid.” (Fatawa Ridawiyyah 5/411).
→ Provide sahih evidence via Imam Abu Hanifah that adhan inside a masjid is “disrespect.”
◈ Barelvi Question ⑦
Did the Prophet ﷺ place his right hand on his left arm including wrist and forearm?
✦ Answer:
Yes, narrated by Wail ibn Hujr (RA). (Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith 727 – sahih).
Ahl al-Hadith Counter-Question ⑦
In Fatawa Shami: “The best imam is he whose wife is most beautiful.” (Radd al-Muhtar 1/412).
→ Provide sahih hadith for this statement.
◈ Barelvi Question ⑧
Did the Prophet ﷺ order a permanent adhan for Tahajjud throughout the year?
✦ Answer:
No explicit command. However, Bilal (RA) used to give adhan before fajr; the Prophet ﷺ approved it. (Sahih al-Bukhari 622).
➥ Therefore, night adhan is permissible.
Ahl al-Hadith Counter-Question ⑧
Ahmad Raza Khan wrote: “The north wind disobeyed Allah’s command during the Battle of Ahzab, hence Allah made it barren, so it never brings rain.” (Malfoozat 4/419).
→ Provide sahih hadith where wind disobeyed Allah!
◈ Barelvi Question ⑨
Did the Prophet ﷺ recite “Bismillah” aloud in congregational prayer?
✦ Answer:
Yes, Abu Hurairah (RA) recited it aloud, saying: “I am closest to the Prophet’s prayer.” (Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah 499, Ibn Hibban 1794 – sahih).
Ahl al-Hadith Counter-Question ⑨
In Fatawa ‘Alamgiri: “It is permissible to sell meat of wild beasts and slaughtered donkeys.” (vol. 3, p. 115).
→ Provide sahih proof for this ruling.
◈ Barelvi Question ⑩
Did the Prophet ﷺ continue raising hands (raf‘ al-yadayn) before and after ruku‘ until his death?
✦ Answer:
Yes. Sahih narrations prove it continuously from the Prophet ﷺ, Ibn ‘Umar (RA), and his son Salim (rahimahullah). (Sahih al-Bukhari 736, 739).
Ahl al-Hadith Counter-Question ⑩
Provide sahih hadith via Imam Abu Hanifah where leaving raf‘ al-yadayn earns reward like performing it.
◈ Barelvi Question ⑪
Is there sahih hadith commanding to pray bareheaded while having clothes?
✦ Answer:
If clothes are available, covering the head is better. But praying bareheaded is permissible, as the Prophet ﷺ prayed in one cloth only. (Sahih al-Bukhari 354).
Ahl al-Hadith Counter-Question ⑪
Ahmad Raza Khan ruled: “After bringing the bride, wash her feet and sprinkle the water in the four corners of the house for blessing.” (Fatawa Ridawiyyah 6/595).
→ Provide sahih hadith proof for this.
◈ Barelvi Question ⑫
Is there sahih hadith commanding standing in prayer with feet apart (two feet wide)?
✦ Answer:
No. Instead, the Prophet ﷺ commanded:
“Stand close together, shoulder to shoulder, foot to foot.” (Sahih al-Bukhari 719, 725).
Ahl al-Hadith Counter-Question ⑫
Provide sahih hadith via Imam Abu Hanifah that forbids aligning feet with fellow worshippers.
✅ Conclusion
◈ The 12 questions posed by the Barelvis were answered from Qur’an, authentic hadith, and athar of the Sahabah.
◈ In return, Ahl al-Hadith posed 12 counter-questions exposing weak and baseless positions in Barelvi/Deobandi fiqh.
◈ Only evidences directly from Qur’an, sahih hadith, and the Salaf are binding — blind following of imams is not.
Answer began and ended on 13 Ramadan 1429H (14 September 2008).
