[Translator’s note: The following piece of writing is not an open invitation to act upon whatever one desires. Rather, it is a retortive/rhetorical response to those who leave out acting upon the agreed-upon rulings, using the different religious factions as an excuse.]

 

People frequently ask, “Molānā, what type of understanding of the Dīn (religious faction) should we act upon? Deobandīs say one thing and Bareilwīs say something else. Ahle Ḥadīth say something else and so and so says something else. The Shāfi‘īs say this, the Ḥanbalīs say that”.

 

I only say one thing to such people. At least act upon the agreed-upon things. As for the things that are differed upon, I give you a choice to act upon whichever understanding of the Dīn you want[1]. However, act upon the agreed-upon things.

 

So tell me, how many [Fardh] units of prayer are in Fajr? Two or four? They say two. I say, who disagrees with this? The Deobandīs, Bareilwīs or Ahle Ḥadīth? Or the Mālikīs, Shāfi‘ī and Ḥanbalīs? Who disagrees? All Muslim scholars of the world agree that Fajr consists of two [Fardh] units of prayer. Also, these two units of Fajr will be performed after Ṣubḥ Ṣādiq (true dawn), before sunrise. Who disagrees with this? Four units of prayer for Ẓuhr, four for ‘Asr, three for Maghrib and four for ‘Ishā. All scholars of the world agree on this. When one starts Ṣalāh (prayer), he/she says Allāhuakbar and ties his/her hand. This is agreed upon. Qiyām (standing in prayer) is Fardh (compulsory) according to everyone. Rukū’ (Bowing down) is Fardh according to everyone. Sajdah (prostration) is Fardh according to everyone. There are two Sajdahs (prostrations) and one Rukū’ (bowing down posture). Who differs in this?

 

The [compulsory] portion of Zakāt is 2.5%. Who differs in this? Ḥanafiyyah or Mālikiyyah? Shāfi‘īyyah or Ḥanābilah? Deobandīs, Bareilwīs or Ahle Ḥadīth? The whole world unanimously agrees that Zakāt is 2.5%. Will the fasts of Ramadhān be 29 or 30? Who differs in this? Which scholar says that fasts are not to be kept in Ramadhān, they are to be kept in January?

 

The Muslims of the whole world agree that Ḥajj does not take place in France or England. Rather, in Makkah; in Minā and Muzdalifa. The Muslims of the whole world agree that it does not take place in Ramadhān. Rather, it takes place in Dhul Ḥijjah. The Muslims of the whole world agree that it does not start from the 1st of Dhul Ḥijjah. Rather, it takes place between the 8th and the 13th of Dhul Ḥijjah. Muslims of the whole world agree that the 8th of Dhul Ḥijjah should take place in Minā, the 9th in ‘Arafāt, on the night of the 9th people will go Muzdalifah, and after Muzdalifah people will go Minā. Ramī (stoning) will take place in Jamarāt and Ṭawāf Zīyārah will be performed. The Muslims of the whole world do Ḥajj in one way and perform Ṣalāh in one manner. The only difference is that someone’s hand is tied slightly higher and another’s is tied slightly lower. These are differences of a few inches. What difference does it make on the actual Ṣalāh?

 

Just look, all Muslims of the world agree that Zinā (fornication/adultery) is Ḥarām (unlawful), alcohol is Ḥarām, interest/usury is Ḥarām, consuming pork is Ḥarām etc. Muslim scholars of the whole world agree on this. No scholar disagrees with this, nor any Muslim.

 

Muslims of the whole world agree that good behaviour should be shown to parents, good behaviour should be shown to relatives and good behaviour should be shown to neighbours. Which scholar says that good behaviour should not be shown to parents?

 

Hence, to consider Dīn (Islam) to be differed upon and giving weight to differences, and then excommunicating Muslims on that basis, all falls under misguidance because Muslims of the whole world agree on the principal teachings.

 

By Mufti Mahmood Ashraf ḥafiẓahullāh

 

[Rendered in to English by Mufti Sufyan]

 

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[1]Like mentioned at the start of this article, this is not an open invitation to act upon whatever one desires. Rather, this is a retortive/rhetorical response to those who leave out even acting upon the agreed-upon things, using the different religious factions as an excuse.