Praiseworthy Sunnahs And Prophetic Sunnahs And Explanation Of Various Innovated Practices.

[MuhammedAli]

0.1 - Email Received From Brother Sa’id Imtiaz:

Salam alayqum, I have found your material extremely helpful in understanding the Barelwi point of view on various issues. Yet there are some contradictions which I have not been able to resolve between what you deem to be Barelwi position and what the Barelwi scholars have stated. A certain Barelwi scholar said the method employed by Barelwi’s for celebration of Prophet’s (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) Sunnah. Yet you stated in the email dated 17^th December 2013 and in your article which was response to me that method used to celebrate is a innovation and not Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam).(1) Maybe I have missed something out or misunderstood something so please shed some light on the issue. I have heard Barelwi Pir Saqib Shami saying celebrating the birthday of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is a Sunnah. Yet your position is that it is a innovation composed of Sunnahs but not a Sunnah.(2) It seems that Barelwi position is contradictory so my question is; is celebration of birthday of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) a Sunnah or a Biddah? What are the proofs which prove it is Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam), if any? It would be appropriate to ask; if a practice is innovated but composed of Sunnahs, will it be Sunnah according in your methodology or a Biddah?(3) I also sent you an email regarding the practice of Geeyarweenh but did not get response nor aknowledgment of receiving the email. I understand you are busy but please whenever you have time available shed some light on that issue as well.(4)

0.2 - Info Regarding The Email Before Responding To It:

Part two, beginning with; “I have heard Barelwi Pir …” and ending with; “…which prove it is Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam), if any?” in the actual email was first point. Part one, beginning with; “A certain Barelwi scholar said the method …” and ending with; “… misunderstood something so pleae shed some light on the issue.”, in the emal was second point. The third point and the last point of Giyarweenh has remained in it’s original position. Order of the two points was changed because proper explanation and correct understanding of point two was dependant upon a aspect which was mainly connected with part one – namely the explanation of word Sunnah. Also note, this email was received in Urdu and above is not a exact translation of the email but rather a respresentation of his statements.

1.1 - Praiseworthy And Blameworthy Sunnahs/Biddahs In Islam:

The word Sunnah means; practice, act, way, tradition, norm and Sunnah can be oral or composed of actions. Commonly the word Sunnah is used as Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) but the word Sunnah has also been used by Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa alaihi was’sallam) while legislating the innovations of Khulafah ar’Rashideen. Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is reported to have said: “Indeed, whomever among you lives, he will see much difference. Beware of the newly invented matters, for indeed they are astray. Whoever among you sees that, then he must stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Khulafa'[1], cling to it with the molars." [Ref:Tirmadhi, B39, H2676] Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) has instructed the Muslims to adhere to his Sunnah and innovated Sunnahs (i.e. ways, acts, practices, traditions, norms) of rightly guided Khulafah.[2] Hence the word Sunnah has been used to denote the meaning of a innovation. This is established and strenthened from the following words of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam): “Whoever introduces a good Sunnah that is followed, he will receive its reward and a reward equivalent to that of those who follow it, without that detracting from their reward in their slightest.”[3] [Ref: Muslim, B34, H6466] In this Hadith it is also stated, one who introduces in Islam a evil/bad Sunnah he will bear the burden of its sin just like if one introduces in Islam a good/reward-worthy Sunnah he will be rewarded. This goes on to strenthen the position that the word Sunnah in the Hadith is used to mean innovation – and depending on type of innovation reward/sin is warranted.

1.2 - Method Of Determining Praiseworthy And Blameworthy Sunnah/Biddah:

We already have established in section 1.1 that in deen of Islam there is room for praiseworthy Sunnah/Biddah. Here objective is to explain briefly as possible how a innovation can be determined if it is praiseworthy or blameworthy. If a innovated practice/custom is means of worshiping Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala),[4] charity, encouraging good and forbidding wrong and source of religious education, then it is good Sunnah. As a thumb rule remember, any custom or practice which is composed of Sunnahs of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) it is praiseworthy and good Sunnah/Biddah hence permissible regardless of what it is named. Reward worthiness or sinfulness of a innovative a practice/custom is determined based on what it is composed of and not by the name.

2.1 - Method Of Celebrating Prophet’s Birthday Sunnah Or Biddah:

You stated, that a Barelwi Aalim has stated that method employed by Ahle Sunnat for celebration of Prophet’s (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is a praiseworthy Sunnah. In the email dated 17^th December 2014 the following Hadith was quoted but the word Sunnah was translated to mean practice/way: “Whoever introduces a good Sunnah that is followed, he will receive its reward and a reward equivalent to that of those who follow it, without that detracting from their reward in their slightest.” [Ref: Muslim, B34, H6466] It now should be obvious; Sunni Aalim was not claiming method employed by Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) was a Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) but rather he stated it is a praiseworthy Sunnah/Biddah. Hence there is no contradiction between both positions – only misunderstanding on your part which arised due to your fixation with word Sunnah only being used for Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam).[5]

3.1 – Celebration Of Prophet’s Birthday A Sunnah Or Innovation:

There are three aspects to birthday, first, the concept of celebration of birthday, second, the day on which it is celebrated, and third,  method of celebration of birthday of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi wa’sallam). Maulana Saqib Shami, stated that celebration of birthday of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is a Sunnah and you correctly understood that he meant Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam), note the following Hadith: “Abu Qatada Ansari reported that Allah's Massenger was asked about fasting on Monday, whereupon he said: It is (the day) when I was born and revelation was sent down to me.”[6] [Ref: Muslim, B6, H2606] So basicly, he stated the concept of celebration of birthday is a Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi wa’sallam) and this is established from the quoted Hadith and this is indeed my position also. Celebrating birthday on Monday is Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi wa’sallam) but Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat celebrate it on 12^th Rabbi Ul Awal every year. This establishes the celebration of Prophet’s (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) birthday yearly basis is indeed a Ijtihadi praiseworthy Sunnah/Biddah.The method employed by Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) to celebrate was that he fasted which is an act of worship. Ahle Sunnat’s method of yearly celebration is not Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) but a Ijtihadi praiseworthy innovation. There is no contradiction between my position and position of Maulana Saqib Shami we both agree that conceptually the celebration of birthday is a Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). It is evidentially established that popular Mawlad celebrations - neither the day nor the method is Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) but only on conceptual level celebration of birthday is Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). It was stated in the email dated 17th December that method of celebration is a praiseworthy innovation because it was composed of Sunnahs. I had not written anything about conceptual aspect of Mawlad of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam).

4.1 – Innovation Composed Of Sunnahs A Sunnah Or Biddah:

You asked, if a innovated practice composed of Sunnahs of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is a Sunnah – the answer is that it is not Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). It can be termed Sunnah in meaning of Biddah according to following evidence: “Whoever introduces a good Sunnah that is followed, he will receive its reward and a reward equivalent to that of those who follow it, without that detracting from their reward in their slightest.” [Ref: Muslim, B34, H6466] Note, a innovative practice composed of Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) will be good but ones composed of practices against the soul of Islam are reprehensible Sunnahs and for which there is punishment.

5.1 - History Behind Geeyarweenh:

In Urdu the number elevan is Giyara and in various Punjabi dialects Yaranh. The word Giyarweenh or Yarweenh or Yarmi are derivative of these two words. Commonly the word Yarweenh is used to denote 11^th of a month; is maheenay ni yarweenh tareekh wich  (i.e.in this month’s 11^th date). Yarweenh is associated with 11^th of month. There’re two traditions connected with 11^th , first one is that Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al Jilani (rahimullah alayhi ta’ala) on every 11^th of Islamic month would arrange a modern equilvent of a conference to educate the residents of Baghdad with knowledge of Islam and at the end of this conference food was served. This practice continued from there after uptil the present and became known in subcontinent as Yarweenh due to the date associated with it. Second tradition which I cannot remember clearly, but roughly is; a wedding party returning home via boat capsized and all those in it drowned. The grooms mother gathered people of village and fed the poor and gifted the reward of her good deed to Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al Jilani (rahimullah alayhi ta’ala) and made Tawassul to Allah through him for return of wedding party. The drowned and long dead members of boat refloated and the wedding party came home after some 20+ years. The day she held this gathering was on 11^th due to the miraclous return of wedding party people continued this practice thereafter. Another tradition is that after Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al Jilani (rahimullah alayhi ta’ala) passed away one of his Khalifah for the purpose of Isaal Al Sawab on 11^th of every month held a meeting in which religious teaching plus food was distributed and modern Giyarweenh is continuation of that. There is really no clear evidence to establish which of the two accounts is true or if any of the two is true. Note, the history of Yarweenh is not really important to determining if it is permissible and if it is good Sunnah.

5.2 - Geeyarweenh At Present And As Practiced:

From my personal experience, Giyarweenh has no particular method rather it differs from place to place and region to region. Residents of Azad Kashmir Mirpur, Islamgarh, village [Uchi Aziz] Mura Rathiyan, in past twenty years ago or so began the event with recitation of Quran. After which poetical verses of various poets written in praise of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) were recited. After about an hour the traditional sweets called Mithahi were bought into Masjid. Note, this Mithahi was bought from communal chartible donations for Isaal Al Sawab (i.e.sending of reward) for Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al Jilani (rahimullah alayhi ta’ala). Everyone would recite Surah Fatiha, Surah Ikhlas and then invocation would be made gifting the reward of good deeds performed in the event to Prophets, Sahabah, deceased Muslims, Awliyah and with this special mention of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al Jilani (rahimullah alayhi ta’ala). Invovation would be made for the protection of Ummah from various tribulations and forgivness of sins of Muslims and asking Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) to grant mercy and permit the sinful Muslims to enter paradise. After invocation completed the Mithahi would be distributed among the attendees and it would conclude with recitationn of Salam of Sayyidi Ala Hadhrat Imam Muhammad Ahmad Raza Khan (rahimullah alayhi ta’ala). It is a poetical praise of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) unmatched in Urdu language. It is Arabic equlivent of Qasidah Burdah in Urdu language. Sunni community living in Derby commemorate the Giyarween by gathering last Sunday of every month at Dairyhouse Road. The members of gathering recite Salawat (i.e. Allahuma salli ala sayyidina wa maulana Muhammadiv wa ala aali sayyidina wa maulna muhammadiv wa barak was’sallam) for a specified time and then make invovation. Again invocation is along the same lines as mentioned previously and it ends with distribution of food (i.e. Salan/Roti, fruits, salad). On a youtube video the mehfil of Giyarweenh is being comemorated by speech of a Aalim and invocation and food part is same. All this substantiates that there is no precise or particular method involved in Giyarweenh rather it depends upon the people holding the gathering how to engage in it. In short the heart and soul of Giyarweenh is worship, charity, education and praising Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam).

5.3 - Best Advice Regarding Practice Of Geeyarweenh:

Once a Deobandi brother bumped into me in a takeaway thinking of me as a Deobandi he greeted me with Salam and I responded with Wa Alayqum Salam. He initiated discussion about Mr Ashraf Ali Thanvi praising him. Upon realizing that he is Deobandi I informed him: ‘I am Sunni and not Deobandi.’ Changing tact he enquired about my opinion regarding innovation and my response was; one who innovates reprehensible innovation and those who follow it are sinful their good deeds will be rejected if they die upon innovation – they will enter hell as a result. He saw it as a perfect opportunity to snip the Geeyarweenh saying: - it is innovation, no evidence from Quran or Hadith and those who engage in this will go to hellfire due to their innovation. Upon hearing this, request was made that he come with me to my house so we can discuss and he can further educate me. The invitation was accepted gladly and he accompanied me to my home. We discussed various aspects of Giyarweenh  it being good but he was admanant that it takes to hell fire. Then Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) opened my heart to; do you know what Giyarweenh is composed of? He seemed bit unsure how to answer this question so told him let me tell you what Giyarweenh is. So I recited Darood Sharif, Surah Fatiha, Surah Ikhlas, Sura Jinn, Surah Kawthar, Darood Sharif then made short invocation in which the reward of the worship was gifted to Ambiyah, Sahabah, Muslims, Awliyah, especially Shaykh Abdul Qadir Al Jilani (rahimullah alayhi ta’ala) and sought forgiveness for Muslims etc. Then said to him this is the Geeyarweenh. Do you think I will go to hell for this? He suddenly realized what he was arguing against. He was taken aback a bit and said this is not Giyarweenh this is invocation. I explained to him Geeyarweenh is people gathering on the 11^th of Islamic month there is Quran recitation, poetry in praise of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam), Nawafil, and accompanied by a speech and invocation and food distribution. He said all these practices are part of Deen of Islam there is nothing wrong with them. Why do you call it Geeyarweenh then? The answer to this question was that it is traditionally done on 11^th of a Islamic month hence name Giyarweenh.[7] Coming to the point of narratingt his incident, best way to know what Giyarweenh is to actually be part of a mehfil. You don’t take part just be silent spectator and hear with your own ears what they read and do in this practice of Giyarweenh. Once you have experienced it in person, then ask your self; how does this earn one hell fire?

5.4 - Verdict On The Legality Of Geeyarweenh:

Practice of Giyarweenh is essentially composed of various acts of worship, Sunnahs of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam), serves as platform for religious education and encouraging good and warning against wrong. Supplication aspect of Giyarweenh is covered by the following verse of Quran: “And your Lord says, ‘Call upon Me; I will respond to you’. Indeed, those who disdain My worship will enter Hell [rendered] contemptible.” [Ref: 40:60] Can supplicating to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) be the reason of a Muslim going to hellfire? Part of supplication in Giyarweenh is seeking forgiveness for the sins of Muslims who have passed away and Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) lists this has a quality of Saliheen: “And [there is a share for] those who came after them, saying; "Our Lord, forgive us and our brothers who preceded us in faith and put not in our hearts [any] resentment toward those who have believed. Our Lord, indeed You are Kind and Merciful." [Ref: 59:10] Will a Muslim go to hell for emulating the Sunnah of companions of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) – i.e. seeking forgiveness for our predecesors? Recitation of Darood Sharif, which is basicly a supplication in which Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is invoked, requesting Him to send Salawat/blessings upon Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam), and this is sanctioned by following verse: “Allah sends His blessings on the Prophet and also His angels. O you who believe! send your blessings on him and (you should) greet him with the Islamic way of greeting.” [Ref: 33:56] Or will a Muslim go to hell for invoking Salawat (i.e. blessings- Darood Sharif) upon Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam)? Recitation of Quran is said to be worship according to Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). Imam Bayhaqi in his Musnad narrates on the authority of Nuʿmān b. Bashīr that the Messenger of God (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) said: “The most superior form of worship for my community is the recitation of the Qur’an.” Imam Daylami narrates on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Huraira (radiallah ta’ala anhu), that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) said: “The most worshipful servant is the one who recites the Qur’an.”[8] Feeding of the people is one of the best qualities: “Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr: A man asked the Prophet, "What Islamic traits are the best?" The Prophet said, "Feed the people, and greet those whom you know and those whom you do not know." [Ref: Bukhari, B74, H253] Will a Muslim who feeds another Muslim by contributes toward cost of food will he go to hell for this?

5.5 - Finale Argument Against Giyarweenh And Its Refutation:

If you was just in your judgment and Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) had not sealed your heart with misguidance you would have answered; not, by Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), rather reward in paradise. If you said ‘not’ to the questions but still sent the Muslims to hell fire for Giyarweenh then sole justification is the label (i.e. Giyarweenh) is not sanctioned in Islam. Remember in Islam permissibility is judged based upon the content of a practice and not label of a practice. If labels determined permissibility then  Bukhari/Muslim fail to satisfy your criteria and you are without essential source of Islamic knowledge. Without going to refutation, Giyarweenh based on what it is composed of is a praiseworthy Sunnah/Biddah for which there is reward. Those who followed it after its invention earned reward due Sunnahs of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) and sanctioned aspects of deen which consist of it.

Conclusion:

Like most common people you was unaware of the word Sunnah being used to mean innovation. You understood the word Sunnah to mean practice/way of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). Evidence established the word Sunnah has also been used to mean innovative way/practice of a rightly guided successors of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) namely Hadhrat; Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, Hassan (may Allah be pleased with them all). Also clearly words of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) establish reward for one who introduces into Islam a praiseworthy innovation and reward for those who follow this praiseworthy innovation and told of sinfulness of introducing bad Sunnah into Islam and its sins being equal for one who follows it. This also goes on to establish that Sunnah in the discussed Hadith does not mean Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) but it means innovative practice/way. Coming to celebrating the birthday of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam), the idea/concept of birthday celebration is Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) but the method of employed Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) and method employed at present Mawlad celebrations is not Sunnah.[9] Instead the method is composed of various Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) hence rewarworthy. Giyarweenh, is neither Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) but it is a Biddah/Sunnah but it is composed of various reward worthy acts from Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam).[10]

Wama alayna ilal balaghul mubeen.
Muhammed Ali Razavi

Footnotes:

- [1] “He said: 'I urge you to fear Allah, and to listen and obey, even if (your leader) is an Abyssinian slave. After I am gone, you will see great conflict. I urge you to adhere to my Sunnah and the path of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, and cling stubbornly to it. And beware of newly-invented matters, for every innovation is a going astray.'" [Ref: Ibn Majah, B1, H44] “No one will deviate from it after I am gone but one who is doomed. Whoever among you lives will see great conflict. I urge you to adhere to what you know of my Sunnah and the path of the Rightly-Guided Caliphs, and cling stubbornly to it. And you must obey, even if (your leader is) an Abyssinian leader. For the true believer is like a camel with a ring in its nose; wherever it is driven, it complies." [Ref: Ibn Majah, B1,H45] “He then said: I enjoin you to fear Allah, and to hear and obey even if it be an Abyssinian slave, for those of you who live after me will see great disagreement. You must then follow my Sunnah and that of the rightly-guided Caliphs. Hold to it and stick fast to it. Avoid novelties, for every novelty is an innovation, and every innovation is an error.” [Ref: Abu Dawood, B41, H4590]

- [2] The heretics may argue; Khulafah ar-Rashideen followed the Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) and Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) instructed us to follow them because they are beacons of Prophetic Sunnah not because they innovate a Sunnah. Say to them; indeed Khulafah ar-Rashideen were the embodiment of Prophetic Sunnah and they are beacons of Prophetic Sunnah for those who came after them. Their knowledge and practice of Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) guides Muslims toward the Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). Yet this cannot be the reason for which Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) said follow their Sunnah. Note, all the companions were embodiment and beacons of Prophetic Sunnah and this is why Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) states: “You are the best of peoples ever raised up for mankind.” [Ref: 3:110] Now if the embodying and being beacons of Prophetic Sunnah was the reason for which Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) instructed to follow their Sunnahs then would it not be better to say; follow my Sunnah and the Sunnah of all my companions? It would be better to say follow my Sunnah and the Sunnah of all of my companions especially considering the fact that companions as whole represent all aspects of Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) which the four/five cannot. Also if by saying; “Whoever among you sees that, then he must stick to my Sunnah and the Sunnah of the rightly guided Khulafa …” intention was that Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is followed then it would have been suffient to say, follow my Sunnah, or he would have said, follow my Sunnah and Khulafah who follow my Sunnah. Hence it is reasonable to conclude, Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) did not say, follow my Sunnah and rightly guided Khalufah, due to their adherence to Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). In reality he was instructing the Muslims to follow the praiseworthy Sunnahs/Biddahs that will eminate from rightly guided Khulafah. Footnote #3 quotes evidence from Ahadith which further strenths the position of Ahle Sunnah, read below.

- [3] “He who introduced some good Sunnah in Islam which was followed after him (by people) he would be assured of reward like one who followed it, without their rewards being diminished in any respect. And he who introduced some evil Sunnah in Islam which had been followed subsequently (by others), he would be required to bear the burden like that of one who followed this (evil practice) without their's being diminished in any respect.” [Ref: Muslim, B34, H6466] “Whoever initiates a good Sunnah that is followed, he will receive a perfect reward for that, and a reward equivalent to that of those who follow it, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest. And whoever introduces a bad Sunnah that is followed, he will receive the complete burden of sin for that, and a burden of sin equivalent to that of those who follow it without that detracting from their burden in the slightest." [Ref: Ibn Majah, B1, H204]

- [4] Note, worshiping Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) in ways which Prophet (sallallahu alayhi was’sallam) taught, such as engaging in invocation, recitation of Quran, performing optional prayers (i.e. Nawafil), circumambulating of Kabah (i.e. Tawaf), sacrificing a animal in the name of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), and optional fasting. These are all acts of worship recognized by Shari’a of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). If anyone employs a act of worship which is not sanctioned and not deemed as an act of worship by Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) and not in accordance with teaching of Islam then one has invented a reprehensible innovation and it is rejected.

- [5] You are not to blame for this because in subcontinent words such as Nabi, Ummah, Sunnah are always used in technical/Shar’ri meaning and not in linguistic meaning. A non-Arabic speaking individual from Pakistan, uses these words as Nabi meaning teller of news [of Ghayb/Wahi], Ummah meaning nation [of Muslims], Sunnah in meaning of way/speech of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). Yet the Arabs use the words in lingusitic sense as well as technical/Shar’ri sense as well. Once a Somalian Salafi brother was talking in Arabic with another Somalian brother in a book shop. While browsing books I over heard him saying: “Nabi brought the parcel and I had to open the door …” Hearing that was enough, politely approached the brother and said; you know there is no Nabi after Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). You have committed Kufr, please repent. He translated that he said: “Postman brought the parcel …”, and I requested him to say what he again, he did. Again I pointed out see, see, you said Nabi. He did his best to explain, brother we use nabi to mean one who delivers the message and in modern context it is used to mean postman. I repeatedly requested him to make repent from Kufr getting frustrated he left saying; death be upon you. Eventually, I realized the fault is with my understanding and not in his use of word. These things happen due to lack of knowledge and when we are corrected and when we realize our faults we should correct them.
- [6] “The tradition mentioned above has also been transmitted by Abu Qatadah through a different chain of narrators. This version add: He said: Messenger of Allah, tell me about keeping fast on Monday and Thursday. He said: On it I was born, and on it the Qur'an was first revealed to me.”  [Ref: Abu Dawood, B13, H2420]

- [7] Commonly it is argued by Deobandi’s/Wahhabi’s that fixing of a date for a practice is one of reasons which determine a practice to be innovation. As a Muslim our response should be; we dispute with your claim therefore establish from Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) or to Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) that fixing of time or date decides a practice to be innovation. They will never be able to substantiate their claim with evidence of Quran and Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi was’sallam).

- [8] I have been unable to trace a precise refference for these two Ahadith but can be found via Shaykh Google (rahimullah alayhi ta’ala). I do appologise for relying on Shaykh Google for this once – had no other alternative available.

- [9] Part One: A jubilant heretic will be gloating thinking/saying; he killed his side by saying that – how can you not follow the Sunnah and innovate your own way? There is really no need for celebration, my un-friend. Part Two: This was Tandeeqi response, critical response, following would be Tehqeeqi response. Jihad is essential part of teaching of Islam and Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) tought/demonstrated Jihad. He used sword, spear and other weapons available in his time, agree? Great, so Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is to fight with sword, spear, so is it only permissible to fight Jihad with the weapons he used and Sahabah used? See, even Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Al-Khariji used Biddah [weapons] to kill Muslims. You cannot use Biddah to kill the infidels in war, you have use Sunnah [weapons] otherwise you are distorting the religion of Islam – bringing innovation into Islam. See, now what your stupidity has done, you have made me apply your principle to your terrorist activities which you label -Jihad. Your end isn’t pretty, is it? Part Three: (1) If one adheres to Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) – there is reward but if one leaves a Sunnah for another Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) there is still reward. (2) If one leaves a non-fundamental Sunnah method of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) and adopts a innovated method composed of Sunnahs of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) to act on a prophetic Sunnah there is still reward.(3) If one leaves a Sunnah method of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) for something which is not Sunnah but the destination is another Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) then there is still reward. (4) If one invents a Sunnah/Biddah and it is conceptually not a Sunnah of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) but it is composed of various Sunnahs, there is reward for this. Part Four: Note, all the following are ‘suppose if’ type to explain the mentioned principles in part three. (a) Suppose, Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) drank milk every  morning but once or twice drank water. A certain y drinks milk and one day decides to drink water. He has left a Sunnah for another Sunnah – he gets reward for following Sunnah. ( Suppose, y knows Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) drank milk regularly and ocasionaly water but he also knows Prophet ate honey in the evening. So he pours water in the milk and adds honey to it, and drinks that in the morning with intention of emulating all three Sunnahs of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). He will get reward for all three Sunnahs of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) despite that he didn’t enact on one specific Sunnah but combined three. © Lastly, suppose y makes ghair-muqallid type of mini-Ijtihad. He reasons, purpose of using Siwak is to clean your teeth, improve oral hygiene.Tooth brush and toothpaste do the same, therefore it is permissible and it is reward worthy. If he had used Siwak and cleaned his teeth, he would have got reward for using Siwak [a Sunnah] and cleaning teeth [another Sunnah], so his reward would be two fold but by using tooth brush he gets reward for cleaning teeth but not for using the Sunnah tool. (d) Suppose, y preaches pure Tawheed on PalTalk and quotes Surah Ikhlas, no added sugar or anything else, just Surah Tawheed (i.e. Ikhlas). There is reward for him even though the concept of Dawah via internet did not exist in the time of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). So even though the tool being used is not Sunnah the end goal is, hence the reward. What has this all got to do with Mawlad celebrations, you ask! Part Five: I just explained you the principles which will help you to understand the answer. Hadith records Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) commemorated his birthday [every Monday] by fasting.  In other words, principle (1) in part three and part four’s section (a) do not apply to modern methods of comemmorating Mawlad Un Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). Principle (2) and principle (3) in part three and section ( and section © in part four, fully apply to modern methods of commemorating birthday of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). Part Six: Since argument against use of modern weapons in Jihad was erected to point to fault of heretical methodology. It would be only appropriate to explain the correct position with regards to Jihad with modern weapons. Part three’s and part four’s principle three and section © refers to Jihad with modern weapons. Even though the weapons are not Sunnah the destination is, so there is one degree of reward.

- [10] Footnote 9’s, part three’s, principle (4) and part four’s section (d) applies to this.