Ruling on Performing Salah Behind Barelvis and Deobandis
Source: Fatāwā Rāshidiyyah, p. 295
❖ Question:
Is salah valid if performed behind a Barelvi or a Deobandi imam? What if in an area only Barelvis or Deobandis are present, while the command of Shariah is to attend the congregation upon hearing the adhān unless there is a valid excuse?
❖ Answer:
الحمد لله، والصلاة والسلام على رسول الله، أما بعد!
✿ 1. Salah Behind a Deobandi Imam
- If the Deobandi is a true monotheist (muwaḥḥid), does not harbor hatred against those who follow the Sunnah, and acknowledges their practice as correct — then, according to me and other researchers among Ahl al-Ḥadīth, it is permissible to pray behind him.
- However, if he is bigoted and hostile toward the Sunnah, then one should not pray behind him.
✿ 2. Salah Behind a Barelvi Imam
- The Barelvi creed is considered corrupt, involving acts of shirk.
- Therefore, praying behind them is strictly impermissible, as their own salah is invalid.
- The Qur’an states regarding the mushrikīn:
﴿أُو۟لَـٰٓئِكَ حَبِطَتْ أَعْمَـٰلُهُمْ وَفِى ٱلنَّارِ هُمْ خَـٰلِدُونَ﴾ (التوبة: 17)
“All their deeds are nullified, and in the Fire they shall abide forever.”
➡ Since their deeds are void, others cannot benefit by following them in prayer.
✿ 3. When Only Barelvis Are Present
- If an area has only Barelvis, this is a valid sharʿī excuse — effectively, there is no imam or congregation available.
- In such a case, the monotheists should:
✔ Pray separately.
✔ If possible, establish a small mosque for themselves and hold congregational prayers there.
✔ Until such a mosque is built, gather in homes or another place to perform prayer in congregation at its due time.
➡ Under no circumstance should salah be performed behind a Barelvi imam.
Conclusion
- Behind a Deobandi imam: permissible if he is non-bigoted and upon sound belief.
- Behind a Barelvi imam: not valid at all, as their creed invalidates their own salah.
- If only Barelvis exist in an area: that counts as an excuse, and Ahl al-Tawḥīd should establish their own congregation separately.
