This excerpt is taken from the book Ahl-e-Hadith Aik Sifati Naam by Muhaddith al-Asr Sheikh Zubair Ali Zaee, may Allah have mercy on him.
الحمد لله ربّ العالمين والصلوة والسلام على خاتم النبيين أي آخر النبيين و رضي الله عن أصحابه و آله أجمعين و رحمة الله على التابعين و أتباع التابعين و من تبعهم باحسان إلى يوم الدين، أما بعد:
Muslims have many descriptive names such as Mominin, Ibadullah, and Hizbullah, etc., as well as Sahabah, Tabi‘in, Tabi‘ al-Tabi‘in, Muhajirin and Ansar, etc. Similarly, among these descriptive names, Ahl al-Sunnah and Ahl al-Hadith are titles established since the era of Khair al-Qurun, and their usage among Muslims is undeniably widespread and continuous, and indeed there is consensus of the Muslim Ummah on their permissibility.
Ahl al-Sunnah and Ahl al-Hadith are two synonymous descriptive names, by which the true-believing Muslims, i.e., the victorious group and the saved sect, are identified.
By the descriptive name and beloved title of Ahl al-Hadith, two types of true-believing Muslims are meant:
① The noble Muhaddithin
② The common people among the Muhaddithin, i.e., the general people who act upon Hadith
Regarding the former: It is stated that Hafiz Ibn Taymiyyah, may Allah have mercy on him (d. 728 AH), called the noble Muhaddithin Ahl al-Hadith.
Reference: (See Majmu‘ al-Fatawa: vol. 4, p. 95)
Imam Yahya ibn Sa‘id al-Qattan, may Allah have mercy on him, said about a narrator:
He was not among the Ahl al-Hadith.
Reference: (Al-Tarikh al-Kabir by Al-Bukhari: 6/429, Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil: 6/303)
It has been established that not only the narrators of hadith are called Ahl al-Hadith, but those narrators of hadith who have correct creed, i.e., the Muhaddithin, are called Ahl al-Hadith.
At one place, Hafiz Ibn Hibban has described three characteristics of Ahl al-Hadith:
① They act upon the hadith.
② They defend the Sunnah (i.e., hadith).
③ And they annihilate the opponents of the Sunnah.
Reference: (Sahih Ibn Hibban, Al-Ihsan: 6129, second edition: 6162)
A famous enemy of Ahl al-Hadith and a Takfiri Khariji group: the founder of "جماعت المسلمین Registered," Masood Ahmad B.Sc., has clearly written: "We also call the Muhaddithin Ahl al-Hadith."
Reference: (Al-Jama'ah al-Qadimah bi-Jawab al-Firqah al-Jadidah: p. 5)
The "Imam" of Hayati Deobandis, Sarfaraz Khan Safdar Gakharvi, wrote: By Ahl al-Hadith are meant those gentlemen who are passionate and proficient in the memorization, understanding, and following of hadith.
Reference: (Taifah Mansurah: p. 38, also see Al-Kalam al-Mufid: p. 139)
After further discussion, Sarfaraz Khan Sahib wrote: It has become clear that every person who has made arrangements for the acquisition and pursuit of Hadith and has strived and exerted effort for Hadith is a Ahl al-Hadith, regardless of whether he is Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi'i, or Hanbali, even if he is Shia, he is also Ahl al-Hadith.
Reference: (Taifa Mansura: p.39)
In this statement, Khan Sahib has called the great Muhaddithin Ahl al-Hadith, but he has also declared Shia etc. as Ahl al-Hadith, which is false in the light of evidence, indeed the most false of falsehoods, as will be shown later. ان شاءاللہ
There are several groups of great Muhaddithin according to the eras. For example
① The Noble Companions, may Allah be pleased with them all
Haji Imdadullah's authorized successor Muhammad Anwarullah Farooqi Fazilat Jang Bani: Jamia Nizamia Hyderabad Deccan has written: Although Ahl al-Hadith were the companions because the science of Hadith began with them, as they took Hadith from the Holy Prophet ﷺ and passed it hand to hand to the Ummah, then what doubt is there in their being Ahl al-Hadith.
Reference: (Haqiqat al-Fiqh Part Two p. 228, published by Idara al-Quran wal Uloom al-Islamia Karachi)
Here, as a testimony of gratitude and appreciation, it is mentioned that this book was gifted to me by Qari Abdul Qayyum Zaheer Hafizahullah. جزاہ اللہ خیراً
The famous Deobandi scholar and author of many books Muhammad Idris Kandhlawi Lahori has written: Ahl al-Hadith were indeed all the companions, but the fatwas were given by the people of opinion (Ahl al-Ra'y). Later, this title became associated with Imam Abu Hanifa and his companions, and all the Ahl al-Hadith of that time gave Imam Abu Hanifa the title of Imam Ahl al-Ra'y.
Reference: (Ijtihad aur Taqlid ki Baimisaal Tehqeeq p. 48, published by Ilmi Markaz, Anarkali Lahore, West Pakistan)
From this statement, it is proven that Ahl al-Hadith existed during the time of Imam Abu Hanifa.
② The correct creed of the Tabi‘in, Taba‘ Tabi‘in, and those after them
Saying that Shia and the people of innovation (Ahl-e-Bid'ah) are also Ahl al-Hadith is wrong and false for several reasons, for example:
① It is mentioned in an authentic hadith that the victorious group (Taifah Mansurah) will always prevail, etc.
In its explanation, Imam Bukhari, Imam Ali bin al-Madini, and Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal, etc., have said: These are the Ahl al-Hadith.
Reference: (In summary, see Masalah al-Ihtijaj bil-Shafi'i p. 47, Sunan Tirmidhi: 2229, Ma'rifat 'Ulum al-Hadith by al-Hakim: 2)
And saying that Shia and the people of innovation are also the victorious group (Taifah Mansurah) is absolutely false, indeed the most false of falsehoods.
② Imam Ahmad bin Sinan al-Wasiti, may Allah have mercy on him, said: There is no innovator in the world who does not harbor enmity towards Ahl al-Hadith.
Reference: (Ma'rifat 'Ulum al-Hadith: p. 4)
From this golden statement, it is clear that Ahl al-Hadith is a separate group and the people of innovation are a separate group.
③ Imam Shafi'i, may Allah have mercy on him, said: When I see a person from Ahl al-Hadith, it is as if I see the Prophet ﷺ alive.
Reference: (Sharaf Ashab al-Hadith by al-Khatib: 85)
That is, through Ahl al-Hadith, the invitation of the Prophet ﷺ is alive.
If by Ahl al-Hadith, Shia and innovators are also meant, then would Imam Shafi'i, may Allah have mercy on him, have been pleased to see Shias, Mu'tazilites, Jahmites, Murjites, and various kinds of innovators?!
④ Ahmad bin Ali Lahori Deobandi said in his sayings: I am Qadri and Hanafi. Ahl al-Hadith are neither Qadri nor Hanafi, but they have been praying in our mosque for 40 years. I consider them to be on the truth.
Reference: (Malfoozat-e-Tayyibat: p. 115, second edition p. 126)
Five points are established from this saying:
First: Ahl al-Hadith are on the truth.
Second: Ahl al-Hadith is a title for Muslims of sound creed, therefore Shia etc. are not Ahl al-Hadith; they are people of innovation.
Third: Ahl al-Hadith is not only said for the muhaddithin (scholars of hadith), but also for the common people of the muhaddithin; otherwise, who were those muhaddithin who had been praying in Lahori Sahib’s mosque for forty years?
Fourth: A person can be from the people of truth even if he is not Hanafi or Qadri.
Fifth: Sarfaraz Khan Safdar calling Shia Ahl al-Hadith is false.
There are many other references that prove that whether it is the noble hadith scholars or their common people, the term Ahl al-Hadith refers to Ahl al-Sunnah (i.e., those with correct belief), and this title does not include the people of innovation at all; rather, the people of innovation harbor enmity towards Ahl al-Hadith.
The latter mentioned: (the common people of the noble hadith scholars, i.e., the general people who act upon hadith) it is stated that some people keep propagating that Ahl al-Hadith refers only to the noble hadith scholars and not to the common people. Therefore, to refute such people, twenty (20) references are presented:
① Many true scholars, such as Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Imam Ali ibn al-Madini, and Imam Bukhari, have described Ahl al-Hadith as a victorious group.
Reference: (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Chapters of Tribulations, Chapter on the Misguided Imams: Hadith 2229, edition of Al-Awzai: 9/74 with authentic chain), (Masalah al-Ihtijaj by Al-Khatib: p.47 with authentic chain), (Ma'rifat 'Ulum al-Hadith by Al-Hakim: p.2 and authenticated by Ibn Hajar in Fath al-Bari: 13/250)
Keeping this in mind, it is incorrect and a mockery of Islam to say: only the noble Muhaddithin are the victorious group and not their followers, or only the noble Muhaddithin will enter Paradise while their followers remain outside.
② Hafiz Ibn Hibban said about Ahl al-Hadith: They act upon the hadiths, defend them, and suppress their opponents.
Reference: (Sahih Ibn Hibban: 6129, second edition: 6162)
It is clear that the followers of Ahl al-Hadith also act upon the hadiths. End of discussion.
③ Imam Abu Bakr bin Abi Dawood, may Allah have mercy on him, said: And do not be among those who play with their religion (otherwise) you will end up criticizing Ahl al-Hadith.
Reference: (Ash-Shari'ah lil-Ajri: 2075)
From this, it is understood that those who speak ill of Ahl al-Hadith are playing with religion, meaning they are people of innovation (Ahl al-Bid'ah). It is also clear and evident that the people of innovation do not only harbor enmity against the noble Muhaddithin but also have much greater enmity against the followers of Ahl al-Hadith.
Ameen Okaraavi Deobandi has written under the heading "Definition of Non-Follower":
But the person who is neither an Imam nor a follower, sometimes abuses the Imam and sometimes fights with the followers, is a non-follower.
Reference: (Tajalliyat Safdar:3/ 377)
Also, Okaraavi has written elsewhere: Therefore, the greater the non-follower, the greater the blasphemer and ill-mannered he will be.
Reference: (Tajalliyat Safdar:3/ 590)
Okaraavi further wrote: Every non-follower is a manifestation of wonder كل ذی رأی برأيه and according to the command of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, the door of repentance is closed for such people.
Reference: (Tajalliyat Safdar:6/ 164)
These are the phrases and other similar references, due to which it is completely false and rejected for the Ahl-e-Taqleed to use the term non-follower against Ahl-e-Hadith.
④ Imam Ahmad bin Sinan Al-Wasiti, may Allah have mercy on him, said: There is no innovator in the world who does not harbor enmity against Ahl-e-Hadith.
Reference: (Ma'arifat Uloom al-Hadith lil-Hakim: p.4)
And it is obvious that every Ahl al-Hadith, whether a scholar or from the common people, is hated by all the innovators, who mock Ahl al-Hadith by giving them various names, such as calling them non-followers.
⑤ Hafiz Ibn al-Qayyim said in his famous poem Nuniyyah:
O you who hate and curse Ahl al-Hadith, you are given the glad tidings of friendship and alliance with Satan.
Reference: (p. 199), (Al-Kafiyah al-Shafiyah fi al-Intisar lil-Firqah al-Najiyah p. 99, The best explanation that Ahl al-Hadith are the supporters of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ especially)
And it is known to the general public that all the extreme innovators as a group hate all Ahl al-Hadith, whether scholars or common people, and speak ill of them.
⑥ Hafiz Ibn Kathir, may Allah have mercy on him, mentioned a virtue of Ahl al-Hadith:
Some righteous predecessors said: This verse
Reference: (Bani Isra'il: 71)
is the greatest virtue of Ahl al-Hadith, because their Imam is the Prophet ﷺ.
Reference: (Tafsir Ibn Kathir: 4/164)
Just as the Holy Prophet ﷺ is the greatest Imam of the Muhadditheen, similarly, the Ahl al-Hadith are also the greatest Imams of the common people, and this is not a hidden matter but is evident from the speeches of both the prominent and ordinary preachers and orators of the Ahl al-Hadith.
⑦ Qawam al-Sunnah Ismail bin Muhammad bin al-Fadl al-Asbahani, may Allah have mercy on him, said: The mention of Ahl al-Hadith and this very group will remain dominant on the truth until the Day of Judgment.
Reference: (Al-Hujjah fi Bayan al-Muhjah: 1/246)
This proves that by Ahl al-Hadith is meant the Muhadditheen and their followers, and this group will remain present in every era until the Day of Judgment. Therefore, Masood Ahmad Sahib's following statement is false: The Muhadditheen have passed away; now only those remain who narrate from their books.
Reference: (Al-Jama'ah al-Qadimah: p. 29)
⑧ Abu Ismail Abdul Rahman bin Ismail al-Sabuni said: The Ahl al-Hadith hold this belief and testify that Allah, Glorified and Exalted, is above His Throne over the seven heavens.
Reference: (Aqeedat al-Salaf Ashaab al-Hadith: p.14)
Whether it is the honorable Muhaddithin or the common people of Ahl al-Hadith, everyone holds the belief that Allah Almighty is established on His Throne and His knowledge and power encompass everything, but He is not present everywhere with His essence.
⑨ Abu Mansur Abdul Qahir bin Tahir al-Baghdadi said about those living on the borders of Syria and other places: They all belong to the Ahl al-Sunnah and follow the creed of Ahl al-Hadith.
Reference: (Usool ad-Deen: p.317)
⑩ Hafiz Ibn Taymiyyah also classified the followers of Hadith, i.e., those who act upon Hadith, as Ahl al-Hadith.
Reference: (See: Majmoo' al-Fatawa 4/95)
⑪ Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal said: According to us, Ahl al-Hadith is the one who acts upon Hadith.
Reference: (Al-Jami' lil-Khatib: 1/144, Ahl al-Hadith as a descriptive name: p.81)
⑫
Reference: Explanation of Surah Bani Isra'il, verse number 71
Syuti Sahib said in its commentary: There is no greater virtue for Ahl al-Hadith than this, because apart from the Prophet ﷺ, Ahl al-Hadith has no Imam (i.e., no supreme Imam).
Reference: (Tadreeb ar-Rawi: 2/126, Type 27)
⑬ Rashid Ahmad Ludhianvi Deobandi has written: Around the second to third century Hijri, due to differences of opinion among Ahl-e-Haq in resolving subsidiary and minor issues, five schools of thought were established, namely the four madhhabs and Ahl-e-Hadith. From that time until today, the truth has been considered dependent on these five methods.
Reference: (Ahsan al-Fatawa:1/316)
Three issues are clearly proven from this statement:
First: Ahl-e-Hadith are on the truth.
Second: Ahl-e-Hadith refers to both the great muhaddithin and their common followers.
Third: The Ahl-e-Hadith group is the fifth group besides the four madhhabs, therefore Sarfaraz Khan Safdar's classification of Hanafis etc. as Ahl-e-Hadith is incorrect.
⑭ Ahmad Ali Lahori Sahib's statement (Malfooz) has passed that he said: Ahl-e-Hadith are neither Qadri nor Hanafi, but they have been praying in our mosque for 40 years; I consider them to be on the truth.
Reference: (Malfoozat-e-Tayyibat p. 115, old edition p. 126)
From this statement, it is clearly evident that Ahl-e-Hadith does not only mean the great muhaddithin but also their common followers are Ahl-e-Hadith.
⑮ Muhammad Qasim Nanotvi's favorite book:
Reference: Haqani Aqaaid al-Islam
in which Abdul Haq Haqqani Dehlvi said: And Ahl al-Sunnah are Shafi'i, Hanbali, Maliki, Hanafi, and Ahl al-Hadith are also included among them.
Reference: (p. 3)
In this statement, just as the common people of the Shafi'is etc. are meant, similarly the common people of the Muhaddithin (scholars of Hadith) are meant by Ahl al-Hadith.
⑯ Kifayatullah Dehlvi Deobandi wrote in response to a question: Yes, Ahl al-Hadith are Muslims and are included in Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah. It is correct to marry them. Mere abandonment of Taqlid (imitation) does not affect Islam, nor does one who abandons Taqlid fall outside Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama'ah.
Reference: (Kifayat al-Mufti: Vol. 1, p. 325)
From this fatwa and the previous fatwa, it is clear that Ahl al-Hadith are Ahl al-Sunnah, and it is absolutely correct to call the common people Ahl al-Hadith as well.
⑰ The historian of the fourth century Hijri, Bashari al-Maqdisi (d. 375 AH), said about the people of Mansura (Sindh): Their sects are these: most of them are Ahl al-Hadith, etc.
Reference: (Ahsan al-Taqasim fi Ma'rifat al-Aqalim: p. 481)
It is rationally understood that at that time not all people of Sindh were Hadith scholars; rather, among them were also the common people of the Hadith scholars.
⑱ In Isharat-e-Faridi, that is
Reference: Maqabis al-Majalis
, it is written: The Imam of the Ahl al-Hadith, Hazrat Qazi Muhammad bin Ali Shawkani Al-Yamani, wrote a reasoned treatise on Sama, titled "The Refutation of the Claim of Consensus." In this treatise, he proved from the Prophetic Hadiths that Sama is permissible.
Reference: (p.156)
In this statement, it is acknowledged that by Ahl al-Hadith is meant the common people of Ahl al-Hadith of India and other places, and regarding the rest of the statement, two important points are as follows:
First: Shawkani is not the Imam of all Ahl al-Hadith, that is, the Greatest Imam; rather, the Greatest Imam of Ahl al-Hadith is Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. Shawkani was one of the later scholars among the Ulama.
Second: If by Sama is meant Qawwali, musical tunes, and musical instruments, then according to authentic Hadiths, this is forbidden, and similarly, reciting polytheistic and heretical poetry is also forbidden.
⑲ Deobandi "Mufti" Muhammad Anwar wrote in the preface of Sufi Abdul Hamid Swati's book: Namaz-e-Masnoon: Undoubtedly, for the followers of the Hanafi school, "Namaz-e-Masnoon" is a sufficient and comprehensive compilation for their school and open-mindedness. This compilation, consisting of 837 pages, covers the necessary details related to prayer. In our opinion, not only is it beneficial for every Imam and preacher of the Hanafi school specifically and for the general public, but it will also be ان شاءاللہ insightful and eye-opening for the unbiased individuals of the Ahl-e-Hadith school.
Reference: (Namaz-e-Masnoon: Commentary p.18)
In this statement, Muhammad Anwar has also referred to the general public as Ahl-e-Hadith.
⑳ A fanatic Deobandi, Muhammad Umar, wrote: We politely request the Ahl-e-Hadith general public that you have been intellectually exploited by being kept unaware of these facts. The Ahl-e-Hadith public might wonder why the Ahl al-Sunnah wal Jama'ah Hanafis do not follow the books of their scholars?
Reference: (Chhupe Raaz: Part Four p.2)
In this ambiguous phrase, the Ahl al-Hadith masses have also been recognized as Ahl al-Hadith.
These twenty references are just a handful; otherwise, there are many more references besides these.
Some people, due to their self-made considerations, do not call themselves Ahl al-Hadith but are ashamed of it and try to introduce themselves by different names. Some fear opposition from non-Ahl al-Hadith due to the name Ahl al-Hadith, and some try to convince others by calling themselves Ahl al-Sahih al-Hadith, etc. All these actions and tactics are wrong, and among the descriptive names of the people of truth, Ahl al-Sunnah, Ahl al-Hadith, Salafi, and Athari are very excellent titles, and among all of them, the highest is Ahl al-Hadith, whose legitimacy is agreed upon by the consensus of the pious predecessors. والحمدللہ
The urgent need of the time is that all Ahl al-Hadith scholars and masses unite, end all differences, and wholeheartedly strive to raise the banner of the Book and Sunnah proudly in the world.
The book under review is a collection of various articles by the author, so there is some repetition in places, but it is equally beneficial for both the general public and the elite.
وما علینا إلا البلاغ
(19 Sha'ban 1433 AH corresponding to 10/ July 2012)
