The Reality of the Deobandi School and Following a Deobandi Imam

Source: Fatāwā ʿUlamāʾ Ahl al-Ḥadīth, Kitāb al-Ṣalāh, Vol. 1, pp. 244–245
Organized for Clarity on Sectarian and Jurisprudential Matters

❖ Question​

Who founded the Deobandi school of thought?
Is praying behind a Deobandi imam valid?
If the imam does not perform Rafʿ al-Yadayn, can the follower perform it?

❖ Answer​

◈ Origin of the Deobandi School​

The Deobandi movement is not a separate religion or sect, but rather a continuation of Ḥanafī jurisprudence. It derives its name from Deoband, a city in India where a prominent Islamic seminary (Dār al-ʿUlūm Deoband) was established. Scholars graduating from this institution are referred to as Deobandis due to their institutional affiliation, not due to the founding of a new madhhab.

They consider themselves as Ḥanafī Sunnis, meaning they adhere to the legal principles of Imām Abū Ḥanīfah رحمه الله.

◈ Praying Behind a Deobandi Imam​

✔ Yes, it is permissible to pray behind a Deobandi imam, provided he adheres to the fundamentals of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jamāʿah.

◈ Rafʿ al-Yadayn (Raising the Hands in Prayer)​

• If the imam does not perform Rafʿ al-Yadayn, the follower (muqtadī) may still perform Rafʿ al-Yadayn in accordance with their own school of thought.
• Obedience to the imam is obligatory in essential acts like rukūʿ (bowing), sujūd (prostration), etc., but in matters of valid scholarly disagreement (like Rafʿ al-Yadayn), the follower may act upon their own fiqh.
• Likewise, different dhikrs and tasbīḥāt in prayer do not invalidate the prayer if done individually by the imam or follower.
  

Reference:
Ahl Ḥadīth Suhādrah, Vol. 15, Issue 19