Question
Who is Maulana Maududi? Is his group a new group in religion? Is he Shia or Sunni? What is the ruling on associating with him, marrying into his family, and his funeral prayer? If his beliefs are shirk or kufr, what are they?
Questioner: Muhammad Zaki, Watch Left, Luggage and WR, Delhi Junction Station, Delhi
Answer
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام علىٰ رسول الله، أما بعد!
Introduction to Maulana Maududi and His Movement
◈ It is surprising that, despite living near the centre of Jamaat-e-Islami, you are unaware of its founder, Maulana Abu al-A’la Maududi (editor of Tarjuman al-Quran, Darul Islam, Pathankot, Punjab), and of the aims and objectives of his movement, Iqamat-e-Din.
◈ Or perhaps you are asking in this manner to learn our opinion and views, as if you were unaware of them.
Comparison Between Jamaat Ahl-e-Hadith and the Maududi Movement
◈ For a person fully aware of the beliefs and creed of Jamaat Ahl-e-Hadith, it is quite easy to understand, by studying the literature of the Maududi movement, to what extent the objective of this movement agrees with the Ahl-e-Hadith creed.
Maulana Maududi’s Creed and Intellectual Standing
◈ In our view, Maulana Maududi is a Sunni in creed, sound in belief, and a monotheist Muslim.
◈ He is a theologian, exegete and religious scholar with ijtihadi insight into religion.
◈ His group is not a new religious group, just as Jamaat Ahl-e-Hadith is not a new sect.
◈ We have no fundamental disagreement with the Iqamat-e-Din movement and its aims, though we do disagree with some scholarly and non-scholarly views.
Maulana Maududi’s Views with Which We Disagree
The following are some of Maulana Maududi’s personal research views with which we disagree:
➊ Diraya, i.e., presenting reason as the criterion for the authenticity of a narration (under the heading Maslak-e-Itidal in Tafhimat)
➋ The issue of I’fa’ al-Lihyah (letting the beard grow)
➌ Clarifying the difference between Sunnah and custom
➍ The issue of the emergence of the Mahdi
➎ Interpretation of the ahadith about the emergence of the Dajjal
➏ The issue of reciting Al-Fatiha behind the imam
➐ The issue of saying Amin
➑ The issue of raising the hands (rafʿ al-yadayn)
➒ The fatwa on the permissibility of hunting with a gun
➓ Hesitation in accepting the narration in Jami’ al-Tirmidhi concerning the prisoners of the Battle of Badr
◈ Rejecting a sahih hadith if it apparently conflicts with the Quran, such as the narration about Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and his three lies
◈ A passage under “Fiqh” in the treatise “Diniyat”
Further in-depth study may reveal other matters on which there is disagreement.
It Is Not Permissible to Issue a Fatwa on the Basis of These Views
◈ To call Maulana Maududi a disbeliever, a sinner, a Kharijite, or misguided on the basis of these views is severe injustice and ignorance.
Allamah Ibn al-Qayyim says:
“إن من رد الخبر الصحيح اعتقاداً لغلط الناقل أو كذبه… فإنه لا يكفر بذلك ولا يفسق…”
Regarding Khilafat-o-Mulukiyat
◈ Criticisms of Maulana Maududi’s book “Khilafat-o-Mulukiyat” have been seen.
◈ His criticisms of Uthman (may Allah be pleased with him) and Mu’awiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) are incorrect, and Ahl-e-Hadith scholars do not agree with them.
◈ Serious Ahl-e-Hadith scholars avoid this kind of discussion and are not accustomed to in-depth study; this is regrettable.
Advice
◈ Compare the original book with its references.
◈ Examine every accusation and criticism in an impartial manner.
◈ Try to view the lives of the Companions in the light of the Quran and Sunnah.
Advice Regarding Publication
◈ If you have written a book on this subject, contact Maulvi Abdul Jalil Rahmani.
◈ A meeting with him can be arranged in Aligarh.
◈ Publication through Idara al-Musannifin can be expected, provided that the specific literature and terminology of Jamaat-e-Islami have been avoided.
Regarding the Hadith about Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him)
◈ It is not correct to call the event narrated in the hadith contrary to reason.
◈ The occurrence of special miracles with the prophets is a normal matter.
◈ Prophet Dawud (peace be upon him) used to finish the Zabur in a short time.
“Therefore, what has been stated in the hadith concerning Prophet Sulayman (peace be upon him) is not rationally impossible to occur…”
ھذا ما عندي، والله أعلم بالصواب
