Excerpted from the book Ā’īnah Tawḥīd wa Sunnat – A Response to “What is Shirk?” along with “The Reality of Bidʿah”
✍ By Shaykh Abū Ḥudhayfah Muḥammad Jāwīd Salafī
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the noblest of the Prophets and Messengers. To proceed:
Honorable readers! Let it be clear that lying and slandering others falsely are not merely sins in religions that affirm the existence of Allah; in fact, even atheists, including those with Pharaonic tendencies and modern-day Communist materialists, who deny the existence of Allah, also recognize such behavior as a grave crime and a disfigurement upon the face of humanity.
Since Islam is responsible for the reformation, salvation, and eternal success of humankind, the Noble Qur’ān has labeled lying as a heinous crime and a cause of divine curse and disgrace. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared lying to be a definite sign of hypocrisy, saying that while a believer may fall into various sins, lying and slandering are impossible for a true believer.
However, it is most unfortunate that despite these severe warnings from Qur’ān and Sunnah, some among today’s Muslims—especially those who claim to possess knowledge and reform the Ummah—turn out to be nothing but professional liars. These individuals claim to be true representatives of the Ḥanafī-Barelwī school, and even boast of their love for the Prophet ﷺ, yet their livelihood revolves around fabrications and falsehoods. They spread their self-made religion and doctrines under the guise of righteousness, considering it their life’s mission and the ultimate source of spiritual satisfaction.
Worse yet, they are so proud of their falsehoods that they openly challenge: “Whoever proves our fabrications wrong will be awarded a prize!” One such example is found in the book by Ḥafīẓ al-Raḥmān Qādirī Riḍwī.
About a month ago, I was sitting at a friend's academy in the evening. Other companions like Muḥammad Ḥusayn Bhaṭṭī, Ḥammād Dānish, ʿUmar Salīm, Fayṣal Salīm, Muḥammad ʿAlī Bhaṭṭī, and Muḥammad ʿUthmān were also present. During our conversation, a friend named Rāḥīl arrived with a book in hand, exclaiming: "I am shocked after reading this. The author has tried to prove all innovations (bidʿāt) as Sunnah!"
By the tawfīq of Allah, I immediately refuted the misconceptions presented in that book. While the brothers appreciated the brief response, others suggested a detailed, truth-shattering rebuttal should be written. Despite suffering from typhoid fever at the time, I firmly resolved that, if Allah wills, I would write a comprehensive response.
I thoroughly studied the book “What is Shirk? along with The Reality of Bidʿah” by Ḥafīẓ al-Raḥmān Qādirī. It contained nothing but the same outdated Barelwī arguments I was already familiar with, as I myself once used them to defend Barelwī beliefs before embracing Tawḥīd. This made rebutting them a relatively easy task.
Upon reading the book, it became evident that:
① Most of the narrations cited are fabricated or unverified.
② The authentic narrations mentioned are irrelevant to the core issues.
③ Qur’ānic verses are misused, forcibly twisted to support their sectarian views.
④ The main objective of the book is to promote love for the innovators (ahl al-bidʿah) and hatred for the people of Tawḥīd.
Some particular groups have worked tirelessly to spread these polytheistic ideologies. Falsehood has been propagated so extensively that truth has been buried underneath it. Due to lack of reflection, the masses have remained in deception. However, the ease of publication and growing access to literature has shattered these layers of injustice, bringing previously hidden facts into the open. Today, it is no longer difficult for a sincere seeker of truth to find the Straight Path (Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm).
I have made it my mission to rescue the seekers of truth from the veils of confusion and distinguish truth from falsehood. In this book, I have responded only to the arguments presented by the opposing author. As for his fabricated tales and baseless stories, they do not qualify as evidence and hence have been disregarded.
This book is addressed to the believers. Our intention is to invite those committed to the Sunnah to reflect further and to clarify the truth for those who oppose the path of truth due to ignorance. This effort is not intended to sling mud at anyone, nor to mock or insult others.
Ḥafīẓ al-Raḥmān Riḍwī Barelwī discussed 39 topics in his book. This book will present responses to those same points. For each topic:
① First, the correct view will be established using Qur’ānic verses and authentic ḥadīths.
② Then, the doubts and objections raised by the opponent will be addressed in sequence, with clarity.
In shāʾ Allāh, both sides' evidences will be presented before you. The scale of justice is in your hands.
Our aim, dear brothers and sisters, is clearly stated in the noble verse:
﴿إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا الْإِصْلَاحَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ ۚ وَمَا تَوْفِيقِي إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ ۚ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ﴾
Surah Hūd: 88
“I only desire reform to the best of my ability. And my success is not but through Allah. Upon Him I rely, and to Him I turn in repentance.”
Your Religious Brother,
Abū Ḥudhayfah Muḥammad Jāwīd Salafī
✍ By Shaykh Abū Ḥudhayfah Muḥammad Jāwīd Salafī
✦ A Candid Intellectual Response to Fabricated Doctrines
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, and peace and blessings be upon the noblest of the Prophets and Messengers. To proceed:
Honorable readers! Let it be clear that lying and slandering others falsely are not merely sins in religions that affirm the existence of Allah; in fact, even atheists, including those with Pharaonic tendencies and modern-day Communist materialists, who deny the existence of Allah, also recognize such behavior as a grave crime and a disfigurement upon the face of humanity.
Since Islam is responsible for the reformation, salvation, and eternal success of humankind, the Noble Qur’ān has labeled lying as a heinous crime and a cause of divine curse and disgrace. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ declared lying to be a definite sign of hypocrisy, saying that while a believer may fall into various sins, lying and slandering are impossible for a true believer.
However, it is most unfortunate that despite these severe warnings from Qur’ān and Sunnah, some among today’s Muslims—especially those who claim to possess knowledge and reform the Ummah—turn out to be nothing but professional liars. These individuals claim to be true representatives of the Ḥanafī-Barelwī school, and even boast of their love for the Prophet ﷺ, yet their livelihood revolves around fabrications and falsehoods. They spread their self-made religion and doctrines under the guise of righteousness, considering it their life’s mission and the ultimate source of spiritual satisfaction.
Worse yet, they are so proud of their falsehoods that they openly challenge: “Whoever proves our fabrications wrong will be awarded a prize!” One such example is found in the book by Ḥafīẓ al-Raḥmān Qādirī Riḍwī.
✦ The Spark That Ignited This Response
About a month ago, I was sitting at a friend's academy in the evening. Other companions like Muḥammad Ḥusayn Bhaṭṭī, Ḥammād Dānish, ʿUmar Salīm, Fayṣal Salīm, Muḥammad ʿAlī Bhaṭṭī, and Muḥammad ʿUthmān were also present. During our conversation, a friend named Rāḥīl arrived with a book in hand, exclaiming: "I am shocked after reading this. The author has tried to prove all innovations (bidʿāt) as Sunnah!"
By the tawfīq of Allah, I immediately refuted the misconceptions presented in that book. While the brothers appreciated the brief response, others suggested a detailed, truth-shattering rebuttal should be written. Despite suffering from typhoid fever at the time, I firmly resolved that, if Allah wills, I would write a comprehensive response.
I thoroughly studied the book “What is Shirk? along with The Reality of Bidʿah” by Ḥafīẓ al-Raḥmān Qādirī. It contained nothing but the same outdated Barelwī arguments I was already familiar with, as I myself once used them to defend Barelwī beliefs before embracing Tawḥīd. This made rebutting them a relatively easy task.
✦ Faults in the Opponent’s Book
Upon reading the book, it became evident that:
① Most of the narrations cited are fabricated or unverified.
② The authentic narrations mentioned are irrelevant to the core issues.
③ Qur’ānic verses are misused, forcibly twisted to support their sectarian views.
④ The main objective of the book is to promote love for the innovators (ahl al-bidʿah) and hatred for the people of Tawḥīd.
Some particular groups have worked tirelessly to spread these polytheistic ideologies. Falsehood has been propagated so extensively that truth has been buried underneath it. Due to lack of reflection, the masses have remained in deception. However, the ease of publication and growing access to literature has shattered these layers of injustice, bringing previously hidden facts into the open. Today, it is no longer difficult for a sincere seeker of truth to find the Straight Path (Ṣirāṭ al-Mustaqīm).
✦ Purpose of This Book
I have made it my mission to rescue the seekers of truth from the veils of confusion and distinguish truth from falsehood. In this book, I have responded only to the arguments presented by the opposing author. As for his fabricated tales and baseless stories, they do not qualify as evidence and hence have been disregarded.
This book is addressed to the believers. Our intention is to invite those committed to the Sunnah to reflect further and to clarify the truth for those who oppose the path of truth due to ignorance. This effort is not intended to sling mud at anyone, nor to mock or insult others.
✦ Structure of the Book
Ḥafīẓ al-Raḥmān Riḍwī Barelwī discussed 39 topics in his book. This book will present responses to those same points. For each topic:
① First, the correct view will be established using Qur’ānic verses and authentic ḥadīths.
② Then, the doubts and objections raised by the opponent will be addressed in sequence, with clarity.
In shāʾ Allāh, both sides' evidences will be presented before you. The scale of justice is in your hands.
✦ Our Sincere Intention: Reform
Our aim, dear brothers and sisters, is clearly stated in the noble verse:
﴿إِنْ أُرِيدُ إِلَّا الْإِصْلَاحَ مَا اسْتَطَعْتُ ۚ وَمَا تَوْفِيقِي إِلَّا بِاللَّهِ ۚ عَلَيْهِ تَوَكَّلْتُ وَإِلَيْهِ أُنِيبُ﴾
Surah Hūd: 88
“I only desire reform to the best of my ability. And my success is not but through Allah. Upon Him I rely, and to Him I turn in repentance.”
Your Religious Brother,
Abū Ḥudhayfah Muḥammad Jāwīd Salafī
