Swearing at the God of the Deobandis and Wahabis

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ

In the Name of Allah Most Merciful Most Kind

Short Answer

I have seen two approaches from Barelvis when trying to defend Ahmad Raza Khan swearing at the God of the Deobandis and Wahabis. The first one is to lie and distract. They will try to cause doubt regarding his having done it. The second one is to accept reality. They will admit he done it, but they defend him by saying the God of the Deobandis and Wahabis is not Allah (Most High). Both approaches expose them and their leader, so their preference is to avoid speaking about it.   

Explanation

وَلَا تَسُبُّوا الَّذِينَ يَدْعُونَ مِنْ دُونِ اللَّهِ فَيَسُبُّوا اللَّهَ عَدْوًا بِغَيْرِ عِلْمٍ 

Revile not those unto whom they pray beside Allah lest they wrongfully revile Allah through ignorance. (Surah al-An’aam, 108). 

Allah (Most High) prohibited reviling or insulting the false gods of pagans. So, there is no situation in which it would be permitted to insult the God of Muslims or even people claiming to worship Allah (Most High). Thus, there is absolutely no justification for Ahmad Raza Khan swearing at the God of the Deobandis and Wahabis. 

People who try to justify his revolting words are not only opposing the Holy Quran directly, but they are also prioritising loyalty to a sectarian extremist over the Holy Name of Allah (Most High). In such a circumstance we would expect every Muslim to rush to defend the blessed Name of Allah (Most High). Shockingly, some sectarian people do the complete opposite. 

Dishonesty and deceit

Some of the blind followers of Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi engage in dishonesty and deceit when it comes to the issue of him swearing at the God of the Deobandis and Wahabis. They ask for the one raising the issue to read Urdu. Or ask for the exact page number for the statement, despite knowing the reference. At the same time, they attempt to distract and change the subject. 

These are the tactics of slippery and deceitful people. Not the honesty of the followers of the Mubarak Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Who was the most truthful and transparent of people. Thereafter the classical scholars of Islam had a practice of mentioning statements that opposed them voluntarily and responding to them. 

As for the deceitful approach of these sectarian extremists, it has nothing to do with our beautiful and truthful religion. They must have learned these tactics from another source. 

The other approach 

Other followers of Ahmad Raza Khan know that they have to acknowledge what he has written. It can no longer be ignored or buried. Since the references are being presented in videos and articles. From that perspective they are more honest than the devious blind followers. However, they defend and justify Ahmad Raza swearing at the God of the Deobandis and Wahabis. 

They argue that since these two groups have corrupt beliefs regarding Allah (Most High), their God is other than Allah. Therefore, insulting their God is not insulting Allah (Most High). This argument is deeply flawed. After explaining why, I will address some related issues. 

A different God?

These extremist sectarians have attempted to defend something so vile and indefensible that they end up directly contradicting the Holy Quran. Allah (Most High) commands us to inform the people of the book, Jews and Christians, that our God is One. There is no doubt that they are both disbelievers, and they attribute things to God that are completely contrary to the truth.  

Therefore, arguing that the God of the Deobandis is not the same as our God, because they hold some corrupt beliefs, directly opposes the Holy Quran. And this defense of Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi leads his followers further down the path of darkness and misguidance. 

وَلَا تُجَادِلُوا أَهْلَ الْكِتَابِ إِلَّا بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُ إِلَّا الَّذِينَ ظَلَمُوا مِنْهُمْ وَقُولُوا آمَنَّا بِالَّذِي أُنْزِلَ إِلَيْنَا وَأُنْزِلَ إِلَيْكُمْ وَإِلَهُنَا وَإِلَهُكُمْ وَاحِدٌ وَنَحْنُ لَهُ مُسْلِمُونَ

And do not debate with the People of the book except in a way that is best. Except for those who have committed oppression among them. And say, “We believe in that which was revealed to us and revealed to you. Our God and your God is One. And we are submissive to Him.” (Surah al-Ankabut, 46).

Imams of Ahl al-Sunnah 

Imam al-Tabari commented on the above Quranic verse. Although it was already clear, he went further and explained, that which we worship is the same. This is despite the clear and vast differences we have regarding the attributes of God. Other Imams of Ahl al-Sunnah made similar comments regarding the Quranic verse. 

This further establishes the extreme misguidance in defending Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi when he swore at the God of the Deobandis and Wahabis, by saying they have corrupt beliefs, thus it is a different God or Ma’bood (معبود). Rather all Muslims have no choice but to be loyal to Allah (Most High) and oppose Ahmad Raza for the indescribably vile insults he wrote.  

ومعبودنا ومعبودكم واحد. (تفسير الطبري)

That which we worship and you worship is one. (Imam Abu Ja‘far al-Tabari 310H, Jami al-Bayan ‘an Ta’wil Ay al-Qur’an).

{وإلهناوإلهكمواحد} أي: لا إله لنا غيره، وإن ادّعى بعضكم عزيراً والمسيح. (السراج المنير)

Our God and your God is One. Meaning: we have no god other than Him. Even though some of you claim (divinity for) Uzayr and the Messiah. (Imam Shams al-Deen al-Shirbini 977H, al-Siraj al-Munir).

Speaking about the verse prohibiting the cursing of their gods, Imam Ali al-Qari said most of them venerate Allah. So, there is a recognition that idolaters, who were so misguided regarding the attributes of Allah (Most High), venerate Allah (Most High). Again, completely destroying the arguments of those making a mistake in attributes means they worship a different God.   

هَذَا الْخَوْف فِي الَّذِينَ غَلَبَ الْجَهْلُ وَالسَّفَهُ عَلَيْهِمْ مِنَ الْكُفَّارِ، أَمَّا أَكْثَرُهُمْ فَيُعَظِّمُونَ اللَّهَ! وَيَقُولُونَ: {هَؤُلَاءِ شُفَعَاؤُنَا عِنْدَ اللَّهِ – وَلَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ مَنْ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُ} [لقمان: 18 – 25]. (مرقاة المفاتيح شرح مشكاة المصابيح)

This fear is regarding those disbelievers who are overcome by ignorance and foolishness. As for the majority of them, they do indeed revere Allah. They say: These are our intercessors with Allah. And if you were to ask them, who created the heavens and the earth, they would surely say: Allah. (Surah Luqman, 25). (Imam Ali al-Qari 1014H Mirqaat al-Mafatih). 

Even pagans worship Allah

The point made by Imam Ali al-Qari regarding the idolators is thoroughly supported by the Holy Quran. Allah (Most High) repeatedly affirms that the idolators made Dua to Allah, swore oaths by Him (Most High) and affirmed Allah as their creator. Their evil crime and Kufr was to believe in other Gods alongside Allah (Most High). Yet this did not negate them believing in Allah (Most High) too. 

So how can the defenders of Ahmad Raza claim that mistakes made by groups of Muslims regarding the attributes of Allah (Most High) mean their God is not Allah (The Exalted). And thus, it was acceptable for him to swear at the God of the Deobandis and Wahabis. Such people are disconnected from Quran and Sunnah and that is why they make such devastating mistakes. 

وَأَقْسَمُوابِاللَّهِ جَهْدَ أَيْمَانِهِمْ لَايَبْعَثُ اللَّهُ مَنْ يَمُوتُ بَلَى وَعْدًا عَلَيْهِ حَقًّا وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لَايَعْلَمُونَ

They swore by Allah, their most solemn oaths, that Allah will not resurrect those who die. Indeed, it is truly a promise of His, but most people do not know. (Surah al-Nahl, 38).

فَإِذَا رَكِبُوا فِي الْفُلْكِ دَعَوُا اللَّهَ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ الدِّينَ فَلَمَّا نَجَّاهُمْ إِلَى الْبَرِّ إِذَا هُمْ يُشْرِكُونَ

And when they boarded the ship, they called upon Allah, sincere to Him in faith; but when He delivered them to the land, swiftly, they associate others with Him. (Surah al-Ankabut, 65).

وَلَئِنْ سَأَلْتَهُمْ مَنْ خَلَقَهُمْ لَيَقُولُنَّ اللَّهُ فَأَنَّى يُؤْفَكُونَ

And if you were to ask them who created them, they would surely say, “Allah.” How, then, are they deluded? (Surah al-Zukhruf, 87).

Another Quranic example 

وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلَى حَرْفٍ

And among the people is he who worships Allah on edge. (Surah al-Hajj, 11). 

Imam Abu Mansur al-Maturidi, he commented on the above verse. Explaining that such people do not truly know Allah (Most High). Thus, they do not believe in the same attributes as rightly guided Muslims. Yet the Holy Quran says they worship Allah. Albeit in a manner contrary to the truth. 

Once again, this Quranic verse, and Imam’s commentary, completely annihilate the argument made by those defending the disgusting insults of Ahmad Raza Khan against the God of the Deobandis and Wahabis. This kind of loyalty to their sect leader destroys Iman. What good is their worship and Dhikr when they defend such insults against Allah (Most High).     

(وَمِنَ النَّاسِ مَنْ يَعْبُدُ اللَّهَ عَلَى حَرْفٍ) وذلك – واللَّه أعلم – أنهم قوم لا يعرفون اللَّه حق المعرفة؛ فيعبدونه بحق الربوبية له قبلهم، ولا يؤمنون بالآخرة؛ فيكون عملهم للعواقب، ولا يعرفون غير الدنيا ومنافعها، فجعلوا دينهم وعبادتهم ثمنًا لها. (تفسير الماتريدي)

(And of the people is he who worships Allah on edge). That, and Allah knows best, is because they are people who do not truly know Allah. Thus, do not worship Him acknowledging His Lordship over them. They do not believe in the Hereafter. Consequently, their actions are driven by outcomes. Knowing nothing beyond this world and its benefits. They treat their religion and worship merely as a price to be exchanged for it. (Imam Abu Mansur al-Maturidi 333H, Ta’wilaat Ahl al-Sunnah).

The Sunnah 

Do these people who justify Ahmad Raza Khan swearing at the God of the Deobandis and Wahabis ever stop to think about the blessed Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. What would our beloved Prophet ﷺ say about such a disgusting act? 

These people are so disconnected from the Mubarak Prophet ﷺ that they do not know how strongly he opposed any hint of undermining the rank of other Prophets (peace be upon them). So how strongly would our beloved Prophet oppose people swearing at the God of fellow Muslims? 

Undoubtedly, the Sahabah would never come close to disrespecting any of the noble Prophets (peace be upon them). However, in their love for the blessed Prophet Muhammad ﷺ they would react if they encountered someone seemingly considering another Prophet to be superior to our Prophet ﷺ. Whereas our blessed Prophet ﷺ is unquestionably the greatest of all Prophets (peace be upon them). 

عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، قَالَ: بَيْنَمَا يَهُودِيٌّ يَعْرِضُ سِلْعَتَهُ، أُعْطِيَ بِهَا شَيْئًا كَرِهَهُ، فَقَالَ: لاَ وَالَّذِي اصْطَفَى مُوسَى عَلَى البَشَرِ، فَسَمِعَهُ رَجُلٌ مِنَ الأَنْصَارِ، فَقَامَ فَلَطَمَ وَجْهَهُ، وَقَالَ: تَقُولُ: وَالَّذِي اصْطَفَى مُوسَى عَلَى البَشَرِ، وَالنَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بَيْنَ أَظْهُرِنَا؟ فَذَهَبَ إِلَيْهِ فَقَالَ: أَبَا القَاسِمِ، إِنَّ لِي ذِمَّةً وَعَهْدًا، فَمَا بَالُ فُلاَنٍ لَطَمَ وَجْهِي، فَقَالَ: لِمَلَطَمْتَوَجْهَهُ؟ فَذَكَرَهُ، فَغَضِبَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ حَتَّى رُئِيَ فِي وَجْهِهِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ: لاَتُفَضِّلُوا بَيْنَ أَنْبِيَاءِ اللَّهِ،فَإِنَّهُ يُنْفَخُ فِي الصُّورِ،فَيَصْعَقُ مَنْ فِي السَّمَوَاتِ وَمَنْ فِي الأَرْضِ،إِلَّا مَنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ،ثُمَّ يُنْفَخُ فِيهِ أُخْرَى،فَأَكُونُ أَوَّلَ مَنْ بُعِثَ،فَإِذَا مُوسَى آخِذٌ بِالعَرْشِ،فَلاَأَدْرِي أَحُوسِبَ بِصَعْقَتِهِ يَوْمَ الطُّورِ،أَمْ بُعِثَ قَبْلِي

Abu Hurairah (May Allah Most High be pleased with him) said: Once while a Jewish man was selling something, he was offered a price that he was not pleased with. So, he said, “No, by Him Who gave Moses superiority over all people.” Hearing him, an Ansari man got up and slapped him on the face and said, “You say: By Him Who Gave Moses superiority over all people although the Prophet ﷺ is present amongst us.” The Jew went to him ﷺ and said, “O Abu-l-Qasim, I have protecting and a treaty. So why does so-and-so slap my face?” The Prophet ﷺ said: Why did you slap his face? He told him ﷺ what happened. The Prophet ﷺ became angry, till it appeared on his face. Then said, Do not attribute superiority among the Prophets of Allah. When the trumpet is blown. And everyone in the heavens and earth will become unconscious except those whom Allah will exempt, then the trumpet will be blown for a second time and I will be the first to be resurrected. Musa will be holding on to the Arsh. I do not know whether the unconsciousness on the Day of Tur took its place, or he will be raised before me. (Sahih al-Bukhari, 3414).

In the above Hadith we find the Mubarak Prophet ﷺ telling the Sahabah not to attribute superiority among the Prophets. Imam al-Qastallani explained that the concern was diminishing the virtue of other Prophets.

So, we see our blessed Prophet being so protective of other Prophets, that the slightest chance of diminishment is not tolerated. Rather it is thoroughly reproached. How would such a noble Prophet ﷺ respond to someone swearing at the God of the Deobandis and Wahabis? Who are two groups amongst the Muslims. 

It is their distance and disconnect from the Mubarak Prophet ﷺ that leads to such catastrophic errors. Their slogans of loving the blessed Prophet are meaningless when they demonstrate loyalty to Ahmad Raza Khan over loyalty to Allah (Most High) and His beloved Prophet ﷺ.  

تخييرًا يؤدي إلى تنقيصه أو تخييرًا يفضي بكم إلى الخصومة. (إرشاد الساري لشرح صحيح البخاري القسطلاني)

Preference that leads to diminishing. Or preference that results in enmity. (Imam al-Qastallani 923H, Irshad al-Sari li-Sharh Sahih al-Bukhari).   

The great grandson 

I could provide so many more examples from Quran, Sunnah and classical scholars. However, most sectarian people do not take a discussion seriously until members of their own sect are mentioned. Therefore, I will quote the great grandson of Ahmad Raza, Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan. He said the words Khudā and Allah are synonymous. Therefore, according to him, Khudā is Allah and Allah is Khudā. 

This completely destroys the argument put forward by those defending Ahmad Raza Khan swearing at the God of the Deobandis and Wahabis. Their entire argument was founded upon the fact that the Khudā of these Muslim groups does not refer to Allah (Most High). Thus, according to them, Ahmad Khan did not swear at Allah (The Exalted). 

Their own scholar, Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan completely destroyed this defense. So, as well as Quran, Sunnah and classical scholars nullifying their evil defense, their leading Mufti has also done the same.  

The words Khudā and Allah are synonymous, and both are proper names for the Divine Essence of Allah Most High. It is not permissible to apply either of them to anyone other than the Creator, Most High. (Mufti Akhtar Raza Khan, Fatawa Tajus-Shariah, Kitab al-Aqaid, v1, Mas’alah 34-39, p191-194). 

They cannot read the text 

After addressing the main defense put forward by those who justify Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi swearing at the God of the Deobandis and Wahabis, I want to mention some related issues. 

Firstly, most of those who defend Ahmad Raza for swearing at Allah (Most High) will not do so publicly. They will defend Ahmad Raza’s vile actions in private discussions or groups but will then prevent people from mentioning what they said to others. Thus, demonstrating a lack of conviction or comfort in what they are saying. This approach opposes the transparency and honestly of Islam. We Muslims do not hide our religious positions.   

Secondly, the few amongst them that publicly defend Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi swearing at the God of the Deobandis and Wahabis, are unable to read his words. His words were so despicable that even his own followers cannot read them. Usually, they will read a portion of what he said but leave out the worst parts. Yet they consider him to be a reviver of the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.     

Worse than their leader 

When people blindly follow a sect leader, they often end up being more misguided than the leader himself. Especially when they try to promote the teachings of the leader in a different culture or environment. Since, they may be unable to assert some of his views. This has occurred for many of the followers of Ahmad Raza Khan in the UK. 

He declared Deobandis Kafir. Whereas most of his UK based followers are unwilling to assert this publicly. Rather they will say Deobandis are deviant and not Sunni. Rarely, will they declare them Kafir. This causes them to appear confused and contradictory. 

Regarding the issue at hand, it is even worse for them. Ahmad Raza Khan swearing at the God of the Deobandis and Wahabis was blasphemous and disgusting. But he considered them disbelievers (Kufar). So, he could claim he was insulting the god of disbelievers. 

However, his followers in the UK cannot make such assertions. Since they tend not to make public Takfir of Deobandis. So, they have to defend and justify their sect leader repeatedly swearing at the God of fellow Muslims. That is where sectarianism has led them. It has destroyed their loyalty to Allah (Most High), the blessed Prophet ﷺ and our noble religion. Their only loyalty is to the sect and its leader. 

Conclusion 

The followers of Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi tend to defend his swearing at the God of the Deobandis and Wahabis by saying it is not applicable to Allah (Most High). They elaborate saying that they attribute false beliefs to Allah (Most High) thus their god is not Allah (The Exalted). This defense contradicts Quran, Sunnah, classical scholars and even their own senior Mufti. Yet, they persist in it. 

This is one of the clearest examples of sectarianism destroying a person’s religion and spirituality. What kind of connection to Allah (Most High) and His beloved Prophet ﷺ can these people expect to have after supporting their leader swearing at Allah (Most High). They have annihilated the most important thing in this life and the next for the sake of their sect. May Allah (Most High) protect us all. 

And Allah Most High Knows Best.

–Answered by Shaykh Noorud-deen Rashid (28.10.26)