Refuting A Kafir When He Says: ‘In Creed There Is No Difference Between Disbelievers Of Makkah And Today’s Barelwi’s.’

[MuhammedAli]

Introduction:

Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab started the evil Sunnah of saying beliefs of Muslims are same as Mushrikeen of Arabia because some practices outwardly resemble actions of Mushrikeen. And ever since those who have walked on his Khariji path have been busy accusing the Muslims of same. Article I am responding to is another extension of recycled Kharijism redirected toward members of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah residing in and originating from Indian subcontinent (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Afghanistan) called Bareilwis. This refutation will expose Ibn Shaytan’s very obvious lies, reveal some of his beliefs are major Kufr, demonstrate his practice of applying verses revealed for disbelievers upon Muslims was and currently is methodology of Khawarij.

0.0 - No Difference Between Disbelievers Of Makkah And Today’s Barelwi’s:

“Even disbelievers of Makkah, polytheists, believed and affirmed the Tawheed A Rububiyyah, which is the ascription of all actions of Allah to none but Him alone, such as creation, providing sustenance, management or disposition of affairs, giving life, causing death, as Allah mentioned about them. If you ask them: “Who has created the heavens and the earth?” They will surely say: “Allah.” And: Say: “Who provides for you from the sky and the earth? Or who owns hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and brings out the dead from the living? And who disposes the affairs?” They will say: “Allah.” (Q10:31) The problem here is that disbelievers of Makkah affirmed Tawheed ar-Rububiyyah but they will still worshipped other than Allah. And if we asked them why you worship other than Allah? Even they won’t say we [do not] worship them. They will say: “We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah.” (Q39:3) It means that they did not worship them along with Allah because they can cause harm or brings about benefit or because they create, provide, or dispose the affairs. They only worshipped them to bring them closer to Allah and intercede with Him on their behalf, as they said in the Ayah (Qur’anic verse) quoted above from Surah (Qur’anic chapter) Yunus: “These are our intercessors with Allah.” (Q10:18) These Ayahs make it clear that the earlier Mushriks did not believe that their deities can bring about benefit or cause harm, give life or cause death, provide sustenance or withhold it. Rather, they worshipped them to act as intercessors on their behalf and bring them closer to Allah. The Mushriks in the past did not worship Al-Lat, Al-`Uzza, Manat (names of idols), `Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him), Maryam (Mary, may Allah be pleased with her) or deceased righteous because they have the power to bring about benefit or cause harm. Rather, they worshipped them because they wished for their intercession and because they thought they would bring them near to Allah. Nevertheless, Allah described them with Shirk and declared them as, Kafir. As Allah said: “Say: “Do you inform Allah of that which He knows not in the heavens and on the earth?” Glorified and Exalted is He above all that which they associate as partners (with Him)!” (Q10:18) He also said in the Ayah of Surah Al-Zumar: Verily, Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allah guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever.” (Q39:3) Allah (Exalted be He) declared them to be Kafirs (disbelievers) and liars when they claimed that they worshipped them only to bring them close to Him. Allah stated that they are liars in the claim that their deities brought them close to Him, and declared them to be Kafirs because they dedicated acts of worship, such as slaughtering animals, making vows, seeking help and the like, to them. The Prophet (peace be upon him) invited them for ten years, saying: O people to prosper say: “La ilaha illa Allah (There is no one Who Truly Deserve to be worshiped Except Allah).” Most of them turned away from him, except for a few. Now tell me what is difference between Berelwis and disbelievers of Makkah? May, Allah Give Hidayat (guidance) to Berelwiyyah. Ameen!” [Ref: In Aqeedah There is No Difference Between Kuffar e Makkah & Today Berelwis, here, corrected, improved version.]

1.0 - The Man Behind The Bareilwi Ascription And His Credentials:

Imam Ahmad Radha Khan Bareilwi (rahimullah) was a Hanafi jurist but also issued Fatawah in accordance with other three Madhabs. He followed school of Imam Abu Mansur al-Maturidi (rahimullah) and in Tasawwuf he was Qadri with Ijazah to initiate seekers into Naqshbandi, Qadri, Chishti, Suhrawardi and many other Silsilas. He was a Faqih, Mufassir, Muhaddith, and scholarship of Ahlus Sunnah in Arabia recognized him as Mujtahid, and Mujaddid. This is neither excess, nor an exaggeration. Great quantity of literature he has left behind is evidence of his learning and contains proof of his Ijtiha’daat (research) and Tajdi’daat (efforts to revive true Islam). He was a master poet and unrivalled master of writing Nasheed/Na’at in praise of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). He championed traditional Islam, the Islam of majority, of over-whelming majority, the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah. He taught nothing but which was attested be great scholars of Islam centuries before him. And he taught nothing which was opposed and rejected by of than Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah and of today. He was approved by Sunni scholars of Arab world, African continent and of Asia. Those who opposed him did so because they stood with Wahhabis, the enemies of Islam and Muslims. Or they were influenced by their teachings in certain aspects, like Deobandis. Or they belonged to other heretical sects such as Shia, and disbelievers of Qadiyanism. Or their opposition to Imam Ahmad Radha Khan al-Bareilwi (rahimullah) was result of Deobandi lies and misinformation about beliefs and teachings of Imam (rahimullah). His acceptance by orthodox scholarship of Indian subcontinent is so concrete that ascription Bareilwi has become a marker to distinguish between a Sunni and a heretic masquerading as Sunni.

1.1 - Detractors Of Ahlus Sunnah And Bareilwis Of Indian Sub-Continent:

Detractors of Imam (rahimullah) say that he started a new sect but he represented understanding belief of wider community of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah. He taught nothing but what was/is held by the Jamhoor (majority), the Sawad al-Azam (great majority) of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah of entire world. It is Deobandis and Ahle-Hadith of Indian subcontinent who hold to misguided notion that beliefs taught, defended by Imam (rahimullah) originated from Imam (rahimullah). And that is understandable because they have only lived/live in their own bubble, an alternative reality, far removed from the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah of subcontinent, Middle East, Far East, and Africa and West. Go ye idiots out of Deoband into world of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah and see the truth of it. Don’t have too high hopes, name, Deoband is a construct of two words, Deo + band = demon + group. In the prophetic language Deoband means Qarn ash-Shaytan (group of Satan). In short every true Bareilwi is part of wider community of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah but not every individual claiming Bareilwism, nor every person said to be Bareilwi by detractors is a true Bareilwi. Strictly Bareilwism is what Imam Ahmad Radha Khan (rahimullah) taught and Bareilwi is one who follows his methodology and teachings. Generally Bareilwi is another identifier of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah and therefore according to Bareilwi scholars you’re still Sunni/Bareilwi if you choose between valid differences of opinion and follow which goes against teaching of Imam (rahimullah). Issue of Abu Talib accepting Islam is one such issue. Imam (rahimullah) holds to view that Abu Talib died upon Kufr but some major scholars hold to view Abu Talib accepted Islam.

2.0 - Seven Articles Refuting Mushrikeen Believed In Tawheed al-Rububiyyah:

(i) Ibn Shaytan says: “Even disbelievers of Makkah, polytheists, believed and affirmed the Tawheed A Rububiyyah, which is the ascription of all actions of Allah to none but Him alone, such as creation, providing sustenance, management or disposition of affairs, giving life, causing death, as Allah mentioned about them. If you ask them: “Who has created the heavens and the earth?” They will surely say: “Allah.” And: Say: “Who provides for you from the sky and the earth? Or who owns hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and brings out the dead from the living? And who disposes the affairs?” They will say: “Allah.” (Q10:31) The problem here is that disbelievers of Makkah affirmed Tawheed ar-Rububiyyah but they will still worshiped other than Allah.” Ibn Shaytan’s saying Mushrikeen believed in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah is based on not knowing what Tawheed al-Rububiyyah is and what its fundamental requirements are. In order to refute and comprehensively respond this major deviation it is important to point out issues related to Tawheed/Shirk al-Rububiyyah and correctly define what Tawheed/Shirk Rububiyyah. (ii). In total seven articles have been written in refutation of Khariji belief that Mushrikeen believed in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah; here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

2.1 - Ibn Shaytan’s And Islam’s Tawheed al-Rububiyyah:

Ibn Shaytan’s said following was Tawheed al-Rububiyyah:  “… believed and affirmed the Tawheed A Rububiyyah, which is the ascription of all actions of Allah to none but Him alone, such as creation, providing sustenance, management or disposition of affairs, giving life, causing death …” He is wrong in saying this because Tawheed al-Rububiyyah is to believe: Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is our Rabb and beside Him, instead of Him there is no Rabb, nor an Ilah. And evidence of this are: “Say, He is Allah, (the) One.” [Ref: 112:1] “That is Allah, your lord; there is no deity except Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him. And He is Disposer of all things.” [Ref: 6:102] "Say, 'Do you argue with us about Allah while He is our Lord and your Lord? For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. And we are sincere to Him.'" [Ref: 2:139] Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is One Ilah beside Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) there is no Ilah. And this One Ilah is said to be the Rabb. Thus this is logically indicating that Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is One Ilah and the One Rabb. In the following Ayaat Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says establishes Tawheed al-Rububiyyah: "Say, 'Do you argue with us about Allah while He is our Lord and your Lord? For us are our deeds, and for you are your deeds. And we are sincere to Him.'" [Ref: 2:139] “Indeed, Allah is my lord and your lord, so worship Him. That is the straight path." [Ref: 3:51] Words ‘our Lord’, ‘my Lord’, ‘your Lord’ all are inclusive of Muslims and non-Muslims. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is our Rabb, your Rabb, and my Rabb. Meaning these two Ayaat are saying Rabb of Muslims and non-Muslims is Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). This is logically denoting meaning that there is no Rabb other than Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). And Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) being the only Lord beside Him not being any Lord is Tawheed al-Rububiyyah. In another Ayah Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) established His evidence by having everyone to admit Tawheed al-Rububiyyah: “And recall when your Lord brought forth descendants from the loins of the sons of Adam, and made them witnesses against their own selves, asking them: 'Am I not your Lord?' They said: 'Yes, we do testify.' We did so lest you claim on the Day of Resurrection: 'We were unaware of this.' Or say: 'Our forefathers before us who associated; we were merely their offspring who followed them. And would You destroy us for that which the unrighteous did?’” [Ref: 7:172/173] None from the gathered believed, or thought there is another Lord beside Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), they only knew One Lord and recognized Him as their [One and the Only] Lord. Thus this Ayah indirectly establishes Tawheed al-Rububiyyah.

2.2 - Tawheed/Shirk al-Rububiyyah Established On Tawheed/Shirk al-Ilahiyyah:

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has mentioned Rububiyyah as a characteristic of Ilahiyyah in following Ayah: “And those who recite the message. Indeed, your God is One. Lord of the heavens and the earth and that between them and Lord of the sunrises.” [Ref: 37:3/5] And Ayah says, your Ilah/God is the Lord of skies. This Ayah indicates Lordship/Rububiyyah is part of, in Ilahiyyah. Best way to explain it would be through another example, ‘Ali’s dad is the owner of house.’  In this sentence ownership is said to be part of Ali’s dad. And similar in meaning to it Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says: “Indeed, your God is One. Lord of the heavens and the earth and that between them and Lord of the sunrises.” [Ref: 37:3/5] This establishes Rububiyyah is dependent upon Ilahiyyah. Meaning Rububiyyah is contained in Ilahiyyah as the following verse also establishes: “That is Allah, your lord; there is no deity except Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him. And He is Disposer of all things.” [Ref: 6:102] Being dependent means to believe in Rububiyyah you must believe in Ilahiyyah. Rejection of Ilahiyyah is rejection of Rububiyyah by default. And this is one of the reasons why Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has said in many verses, your Ilah is One Ilah, but He has not said, your Rabb is One Rabb. This is important because it establishes Tawheed al-Rububiyyah is established on basis of believing Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is the One and the Only Ilah/God and Rabb/Lord. To disbelieve in Tawheed al-Ilahiyyah [is to believe there are other gods/deities as partners of Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala and this] is to disbelieve in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah: “And your Ilah (Deity) is one Ilah (Deity). There is no Ilah except Him, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.” [Ref: 2:163] “They have certainly disbelieved who say, "Allah is the third of three." And there is no Ilah except one Ilah. And if they do not desist from what they are saying ...”  [Ref: 5:73]  “That is Allah, your lord; there is no deity except Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him. And He is Disposer of all things.” [Ref: 6:102] “Indeed, this is the true narration. And there is no Ilah/Deity except Allah. And indeed, Allah is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” [Ref: 3:62]

2.3 - What Is Direct And Indirect Shirk In Rububiyyah:

Shirk al-Rububiyyah is of two types: (i) direct (ii) and indirect. Direct Shirk in Rububiyyah is to believe Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has a Rabb/lord partner. Or a creation of His is the Rabb/Lord instead of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Or there existed with Him Uncreated, Eternal, and Independent Lord like Him etc. Any such notion would establish direct Shirk in Rububiyyah. Trinitarian Christians and other Mushrikeen of Arabia were guilty of this of Shirk al-Rububiyyah. Indirect Shirk al-Rububiyyah is to believe in any creation as a god, or as the God. This establishes Shirk in Rububiyyah because Rububiyyah is a sub-component of Ilahiyyah, like Khaliqiyyah is sub-component of Rububiyyah. Mushrikeen of Arabia in their entirety and Trinitarian Christians all were guilty of indirect Shirk al-Rububiyyah because they believed creations to be gods and His partners.

2.4 - Refutation Of Shirk In Rububiyyah:

(i) Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says: “And recall when your Lord brought forth descendants from the loins of the sons of Adam, and made them witnesses against their own selves, asking them: 'Am I not your Lord?' They said: 'Yes, we do testify.' We did so lest you claim on the Day of Resurrection: 'We were unaware of this.' Or say: 'Our forefathers before us who associated; we were merely their offspring who followed them. And would You destroy us for that which the unrighteous did?’” [Ref: 7:172/173] On judgment before the judgment day Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) assembled the souls of all the mankind. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) asked them do you all, do you testify that I Allah am your Lord, and we the children of Prophet Adam (alayhis salaam) to be affirmed testified and believed Him to be our Lord. Then we were sent to earth and some joined/associated Rabb partners with Him. (ii) Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says:  "(All) praise is (due) to Allah, who created the heavens and the earth and made the darkness and the light. Then those who disbelieve equate (others as partner lords) with their Lord. It is He (your Lord) who created you from clay and then decreed a term and a specified time (known) to Him; then (still) you are in dispute (about ascribing lord partners with your Lord)." [Ref: 6:1/2] The dispute is about Wahdaniyyah of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and about coming of judgment day. In this light last part of Ayah can be interpreted to mean: (a) Then still you are in dispute about coming of day of judgment. (b) Or it can mean: Then still you are in dispute about ascribing others as lord partners with your Lord. Over-all point in light of both interpretations is: (a) Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) created you and everything that exists then it is not difficult for Him to re-create you and bring you to accountability hence there is no reason to dispute. (b) Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is the Lord and He has created you to begin with then why would you believe in others beside Him as His Rabb/Ilah partners. Both interpretations are valid and have their explanations have their roots in other relevant Ayaat of  Quran ul-Azeem. In conclusion it needs to be said Mushrikeen were guilty of Shirk in Rububiyyah because they attributed lord partners to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). And Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) refuted their Shirk of Rububiyyah by indicating they have no reason to believe in others as lords beside Him because it was He who created them and the universe to begin with. Hence there is no reason to believe there are others who are Lords beside Him. (iii) Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says: " Say, "Indeed, my prayer, my rites of sacrifice, my living and my dying are for Allah, Lord of the worlds. No partner has He. And this I have been commanded, and I am the first (among you) of the Muslims. Say, 'Is it other than Allah I should desire as a lord while He is the lord of all things? And every soul earns not (blame) except against itself, and no bearer of burdens will bear the burden of another. Then to your lord is your return, and He will inform you concerning that over which you used to differ.'" [Ref: 6:162/164] The words, no partner has He, are general indicating a broad meaning. This phrase can mean, no Ilah/god partner has He. Or it can also means, no Rabb/lord partner has He. Once again both interpretations are equally valid. This interpretation of verse establishes Shirk in Rububiyyah is to ascribe to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) partner Rabb/lord. And in the verse there is hint that the Mushrikeen wanted Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) to accept their gods/Ilahs as lords/Arbab. And in response to which Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) instructed Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) to say: “Say, 'Is it other than Allah I should desire as a lord while He is the lord of all things? And every soul earns not (blame) except against itself …" [Ref: 6:164] And this Ayah also establishes beside Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) there is no Lord because He is the Lord of all things in the universe. (iv) In conclusion Tawheed al-Rububiyyah is to only take Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) as Rabb and Ilah. Shirk al-Rububiyyah direct is to ascribe to Him a Rabb partner and indirect Shirk al-Rububiyyah is to ascribe to Him an Ilah partner. Both are major Shirk and both invalidate Islam.

2.5 - Kufr In Saying, Mushrikeen Believed In Tawheed al-Rububiyyah:

(i) Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has mentioned Rububiyyah as a characteristic of Ilahiyyah in following Ayah: “And those who recite the message. Indeed, your God is One. Lord of the heavens and the earth and that between them and Lord of the sunrises.” [Ref: 37:3/5] And Ayah says, your Ilah/God is the Lord of skies. This Ayah indicates Lordship/Rububiyyah is part of, in Ilahiyyah. Best way to explain it would be through another example, ‘Ali’s dad is the owner of house.’  In this sentence ownership is said to be part of Ali’s dad. And similar in meaning to it Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says: “Indeed, your God is One. Lord of the heavens and the earth and that between them and Lord of the sunrises.” [Ref: 37:3/5] So Rububiyyah is part of Ilahiyyah according to this Ayah and following Ayah: “That is Allah, your lord; there is no deity except Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him. And He is Disposer of all things.” [Ref: 6:102] (ii) Quran is evidence that Mushrikeen believed in many gods beside Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and did not believe in Him to be the One, the Only Ilah/deity: “And they wonder that there has come to them a warner from among themselves. And the disbelievers say: ‘This is a magician and a liar. Has he made the gods (only) one God? Indeed, this is a curious thing.’" [Ref: 38:4/5] “And Allah has said, "Do not take for yourselves two deities. He is but one God, so fear only Me." [Ref: 16:51] “But they have taken besides Him gods which create nothing, while they are created, and possess not for themselves any harm or benefit and possess not (power to cause) death or life or resurrection.” [Ref: 25:3] “Say, 'Is it other than Allah I should desire as a lord while He is the lord of all things? And every soul earns not (blame) except against itself …" [Ref: 6:164] To say Mushrikeen of Makkah believed in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah after knowing they believed in many gods and they wanted Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) to believe their gods are [minor] lords is to tell a clear lie, and to profess a clear cut major Kufr. One who believes Mushrikeen of Arabia believed in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah even after knowing Mushrikeen of Arabia believed in many gods and believed them as minor lord partners of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is a Kafir.

2.6 - Khawarij Believe Mushrikeen Upon Tawheed al-Ilahiyyah In Calamity:

(i) Wahhabi Tawheed al-Uluhiyyah is: “The meaning of Tawhid-ul-Uluhiyyah (Oneness of Worship) is the dedication of all acts of the servants to none but Allah Alone, such as: Dua' (supplication), asking help, seeking refuge, fear, hope, reliance and all other forms of Ibadah (worship).” [Ref: Majmoo al-Fatawah Shaykh Ibn Baaz, Fatwa No. 11843, here.] “As for Tawhid-ul-Uluhiyyah, it is the sincerity/purity of devotional acts – e.g. Salah (prayer), Sawm (fasting), Zakah (obligatory charity), vows and sacrificial animals.” [Ref: Majmoo al-Fatawah Shaykh Ibn Baaz, Fatwa No. 9772, here.] According to them Tawheed Uluhiyyah is to only and sincerely/purely worship Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and Shirk is to worship Him and creations alongside Him, or instead of Him. In this light read the following statement of originator of Wahhabism: “The polytheists in our era are more severe in their (committing of) Shirk than the first polytheists (during the Prophet’s time). This was since the first polytheists used to ascribe partners to Allah at times of ease and worship Him sincerely during times of hardship. However, the polytheists in our era constantly commit Shirk in times of ease as well as in times of hardship.” [Ref: Qawa’id ul-Arba, Rule #4, by Ibn Abdul Wahhab] This establishes according to Shaykh al-Najd Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab the Mushrikeen were upon Tawheed al-Ilahiyyah during the time of hardship, suffering, and calamity. And Wahhabis follow all his teaching, including this one, assuming them to be in accordance with Quran and Sunnah.

2.7 - Kufr Of Shaykh al-Najd, And Khawarij Follow Him In Kufr:

(i) Tawheed al-Ilahiyyah is not established on basis of ONLY worshipping Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and none else. And Shirk is not established on worshiping creations beside Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), or instead of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Rather Tawheed al-Ilahiyyah, or in other words Tawheed al-Uluhiyyah is established on believing there is no Ilah/deity beside Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). And to believe in an Ilah/deity beside, or instead of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) while ONLY worshipping Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) does not make anyone a monotheist. And one who believes ONLY worshipping Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) while believing in gods/deities instead of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) establishes Tawheed al-Uluhiyyah such a person is a Kafir. (ii) Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says: “And Allah has said, "Do not take for yourselves two deities. He is but one God, so fear only Me." [Ref: 16:51] “Say: ‘I am only a man like you, to whom has been revealed that your god is one God. So whoever would hope for the meeting with his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate in the worship of his Lord anyone.” [Ref: 18:110] “And your Ilah (Deity) is one Ilah (Deity). There is no Ilah except Him, the Entirely Merciful, the Especially Merciful.” [Ref: 2:163] “Indeed, this is the true narration. And there is no Ilah/Deity except Allah. And indeed, Allah is the Exalted in Might, the Wise.” [Ref: 3:62] Tawheed al-Ilahiyyah, in other words Tawheed al-Uluhiyyah is established on basis of affirmed belief that there is no Ilah, no god, no deity beside Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and He is the One, and the Only Ilah. And Shirk al-Uluhiyyah is to believe there are two, or three, or many gods beside Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Wahhabi who believes Mushrikeen were upon Tawheed al-Uluhiyyah/Ilahiyyah during a calamity such an individual is a Kafir because such an individual by default has disbelieved in verses of Quran quoted above and many more like them.

2.8 - Quran Says Mushrikeen Believed In Rububiyyah Of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala😞

Mushrikeen of Arabia believed Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) to be a Rabb (Lord), Khaliq (Creator), Raziq (Sustainer) and affirmed other attributes for Him but they did not affirm Tawheed. To believe Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is engages in actions such as creation, providing sustenance, management or disposition of affairs, giving life, causing death does not establish belief in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah. In many verses of Quran attest to Mushrikeen affirming belief in attribute of Rububiyyah but not a single verse says they believed in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah. What Khawarij decided and defined as Tawheed al-Rububiyyah is in reality plain and simple Rububiyyah.

2.9 - Mushrikeen Did Not Believe In Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) Except Their Own:

Technically Mushrikeen did not believe in Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Our Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is pro-Tawheed, anti-Shirk and their concept of Allah was pro-Shirk and anti-Tawheed. They believed their version of Allah allowed all Shirk they believed and practiced. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) does not instruct Shirk. How is it that you say they believed in Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala)! It was only lip service and an excuse to cover their Shirk like Khawarij adorned themselves with acts of worship but conceal their reality. About which Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) said they left religion of Islam like an arrow leaves the target with spec of sign of Islam. In another Hadith he said they will leave Islam and will not return to it: “'There will be people among my Ummah (nation) after me who will recite the Qur'an, but it will not go any deeper than their throats. They will pass through Islam like an arrow passing through its target, then they will never return to it. They are the most evil of mankind and of all creation.'”  [Ref: Ibn Majah, B1, H170, here.] In short the claim of believing in Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is false as Khariji claim that we are Muslims. Just as Khawarij said we follow the Messenger of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) but they acted against his teachings and disbelieved in his message. The Mushrikeen said we believe in Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and but rejected His teachings and acted against what He instructed. Just as Khawarij left Islam after claiming it the Mushrikeen left Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), due to Shirk, after claiming we believe in Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Version of Allah they believed in is one which allows and allowed all their Shirk and they do not believe in Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) we believe in is without consort or sons, or daughters. Allah which the Mushrikeen believed in had angels as daughters and sons. Did they believe in Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) you believe and will you believe in Allah they believed? Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says: “And most of them believe not in Allah except that they attribute partners unto Him.” [Ref: 12:106]

3.0 - Textual Criticism And Reconstructing What Ibn Iblees Is Actually Saying:

(i) Ibn Shaytan writes: “Even disbelievers of Makkah, polytheists, believed and affirmed the Tawheed A Rububiyyah …” Usage of word, even, in the beginning of sentence indicates there is an omitted statement which is making a connection between two parties. I will illustrate my point with an example: ‘Kharijis apply verses revealed for disbeliever upon believers as if the verses are describing beliefs and practices of Muslims. Even Salafis apply verses revealed for disbelievers upon Muslims.’ Hence in this light Ibn Iblees’s statement needs to be understood as: Barelwis believe in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah and that is nothing special. ”Even disbelievers of Makkah (i.e. polytheists) believed and affirmed Tawheed ar-Rububiyyah …” Ibn Shaytan has indirectly insinuated to believe in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah is not a big deal. On the contrary it is a big deal. One who believes in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah has believed in Tawheed al-Ilahiyyah before Rububiyyah. One who rejects Tawheed al-Ilahiyyah essentially rejects Tawheed al-Rububiyyah. Had Mushrikeen believed as Ibn Shaytan says than by default they would have believed in Tawheed al-Ilahiyyah but there is definitive evidence they did not believe in Tawheed al-Ilahiyyah. (ii) Mushrikeen committing Shirk in Rububiyyah according to mainstream Islamic definition has already been established with evidences of Quran. What needs to be established is that they committed Shirk in Rububiyyah according to Khariji definition. And we will do that in the following section but before we get to that stage I want the readers to know Mushrikeen did not believe in Rububiyyah as they should have. Instead they believed in Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) was a Rabb who did not see/hear everything taking place in the universe: “You believed that Allah does not know a lot of what you would do. This is your belief that you conceived of your Rabb that has ruined you.” [Ref:41:22/23] This evidence establishes Mushrikeen did not believe in Rububiyyah as they should have. How stupid is it to assume they believed in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah. (iii) Mushrikeen believed and said about their gods: “Is not Allah enough for his Servant? But they try to frighten thee with other besides Him! For such as Allah leaves to stray, there can be no guide.” [Ref: 39:36] "We say nothing but that (perhaps) some of our gods may have seized thee with imbecility. “He said: "I call Allah to witness, and do ye bear witness, that I am free from the sin of ascribing, to Him." [Ref: 11:54] Understand that Rububiyyah consists of management of major and minor affairs of creation and not just major. Mushrikeen believed their gods have ability of inflicting harm and they threatened, their gods will inflict punishment upon those who speak ill about them. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) lists ability to inflict punishment under power of Rububiyyah: “And (remember) when your lord proclaimed: "If you give thanks, I will give you more (of My blessings); but if you are thankless (i.e. disbelievers), verily My punishment is indeed severe." [Ref: 14:7] Thus establishing Mushrikeen committed Shirk al-Rububiyyah. Please bear in mind Shirk in major/minor aspect of Rububiyyah results Shirk in entirety of al-Rububiyyah. (iv) Conclusion: If the Mushrikeen believed in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah they would have affirmed Tawheed al-Ilahiyyah. And it has been established with concrete evidence that Mushrikeen not only rejected Tawheed al-Ilahiyyah they also disbelieved in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah.

3.0 – Foundation To Expose Khariji Methodology Of Ibn Shaytan And His Scholars:

(i) In context of article Ibn Shaytan is implying Bareilwis like the Mushrikeen believed in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah and if you ask them about these matters they will respond saying Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) enacts these things. And Bareilwis like Mushrikeen worship other than Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) by invoking them for intercession. When questioned the Mushrikeen and the Bareilwis say, we do not worship them except to get closer to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and we do not believe ones we worship actually benefit/harm. And Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) declared the Mushrikeen of Arabia as Kafirs for their worship of mentioned idols [despite their belief in Tawheed Rububiyyah]. And therefore Bareilwis are Kafirs like the Mushrikeen of Makkah because there is no difference between both parties in worship, seeking intercession, and in belief of Tawheed al-Rububiyyah. (ii) Ibn Shaytan insinuated that he believes there is no difference between belief of Muslims/Bareilwis and Mushrikeen of Arabia by asking: “Most of them turned away from him, except for a few. Now tell me what is difference between Berelwis and disbelievers of Makkah? May, Allah give Hidayat (guidance) to Berelwiyyah. Ameen!” He is not asking a question but insinuating that he knows no difference between Muslims and Mushrikeen of Arabia. (iii) Why did I need to present a condensed version of his belief? It was important because I needed to contextualize how content of his article was connected with Bareilwis and demonstrate how quoted verses of Quran were sneakily applied upon Bareilwis. Why did I need to do that?

3.1 - To Apply Verses Revealed For Kafirs Upon Muslims Is Way Of Khawarij:

Ibn Shaytan employed following verses to demonstrate beliefs and practices of Mushrikeen of Makkah: “… as Allah mentioned about them. If you ask them: “Who has created the heavens and the earth?” They will surely say: “Allah.” And: Say: “Who provides for you from the sky and the earth? Or who owns hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and brings out the dead from the living? And who disposes the affairs?” They will say: “Allah.” (Q10:31) The problem … will say: “We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah.” (Q39:3) It means …Yunus: “These are our intercessors with Allah.” (Q10:18) As Allah said: “Say: “Do you inform Allah of that which He knows not in the heavens and on the earth?” Glorified and Exalted is He above all that which they associate as partners (with Him)!” (Q10:18) He also said in the Ayah of Surah Al-Zumar: Verily, Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allah guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever.” (Q39:3) Allah (Exalted be He) …” These are following Ayaat in detail: “Who has created the heavens and the earth?” They will surely say: “Allah.” And: Say: “Who provides for you from the sky and the earth? Or who owns hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and brings out the dead from the living? And who disposes the affairs?” They will say: “Allah.” [Ref: 10:31] “And those who take protectors besides Him (say): “We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah.” [Ref: 39:3] “And they worship other than Allah that which neither harms them nor benefits them, and they say, “These are our intercessors with Allah.” [Ref: 10:18] “Say, “Do you inform Allah of something He does not know in the heavens or on the earth?” Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him.” [Ref: 10:18] “Verily, Allah will judge between them concerning that wherein they differ. Truly, Allah guides not him who is a liar, and a disbeliever.” [Ref: 39:3] He did not just apply them and interpreted them as if they are describing beliefs/practices of Mushrikeen of Makkah. He also applied them upon Muslims, the Bareilwis, just like his theological Khariji ancestor Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab al-Najdi applied these and many more verses upon Muslims of Arabia. What is the problem? The problem is that to apply verses revealed for disbelievers upon Muslims as if the Ayaat are reflecting beliefs/practices of Muslims is what the Khawarij/Harurriyah did: "And the statement of Allah: 'Allah will not mislead a people after He has guided them, until He makes clear to them what to avoid.' (9:115) And Ibn Umar used to consider them (the Khawarij and the Mulhidun) the worst of Allah's creatures and said: "These people took some verses that had been revealed concerning the disbelievers and interpreted them as describing the believers.” [Ref: Bukhari, Book 88, Book Apostates, Chapter 6: Killing al-Khawarij and Mulhideen, here, scribd here.]

3.2 - Chain Of Narrators, And Grading Of This Hadith, And Those Related To It:

“Abu Jafr al-Tabri in Kitab Tahzeeb ul-Athaar heard from; Yunus, Ibn Wahb, Amr Ibn al-Harith told me, Bakira (Ibn Abdullah bin A’shj) told me that he enquired/wondered what is opinion of Ibn Umar regarding Harurriyah (i.e. Khawarij). He said they are the worst of creatures in creation of Allah because they applied verses revealed for disbelievers upon righteous-believers.” [Ref: Taghleeq al-Ta’leeq Alas-Sahih ul-Bukhari, Vol5, Page259, here.] “’Ibn Umar considered the Khawarij and the heretics as the worst beings in creation, and he said: They went to verses which were revealed about the disbelievers and applied them to the Believers.’ Imam Tabri (rahimullah) has mentioned this Hadith in Musnad of Ali with the chain of Bakeer in Abdullah in Tahdhib al-Athaar. He asked Nafi what was the opinion of Abdullah Ibn Umar (radiallah ta’ala anhu) regarding Harurriyah (Khawarij). He (Nafi) replied: ‘He (Ibn Umar) used to consider them worst creations of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) because they applied Ayaat revealed for disbelievers on believers.’ He (Imam Ibn Hajr al Asqalani) said: This Hadith has SAHIH chain. It is also proven from the Sahih Marfu Hadith of Imam Muslim which he narrated from Abu Dhar (radiallah ta’ala anhu) in characteristics of Khawarij, the Hadith states: They are a creation of worst kind, and Imam Ahmed has also narrated a similar Hadith from Anas Bin Malik (rahimullah) with a strong chain. Imam Bazzar (rahimullah) has narrated the Hadith from Aisha (radiallah ta'ala anha) who narrates from Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) that he said: They will be the worst of my Ummah and they will be killed by the best of my Ummah, The chain of this Hadith is “Hassan.” [Ref: Fath ul-Bari, Sharh Sahih ul Bukhari, Vol 16, Pages168/1699, Published by Dar Taybah, Beirut, Lebanon, here.]

3.3 - Foundation Is Khariji Methodology, Therefore Salafis Are Khawarij:

Readers may assume author of article might have made mistake. He has not made a mistake. Instead this is the methodology he and originator of his sect Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab al-Najdi follows. Every single book of Shaykh Ibn Abdul Wahhab employs verses revealed for disbelievers which applied upon Muslims as if these verses are about beliefs/practices of Muslims. Abu Iblees even applied verses to Muslims in which the Mushrikeen are denying judgment day. Evidence of this will be presented in the following section. Ibn Shaytan actually copied first two principles of Qawa’id al-Arba which originally is authored by Shaykh Ibn Abdul Wahhab. Apart from additional commentary, which likely is taken from some Sharh of Qawa’id al-Arba, author of article has employed the same verses as Abu Iblees did and in the same order and for the very same objective. Point I am making is this is not a mistake, nope, rather this is a standard practice of minions of Iblees. Whom Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) described as Qarn ash-Shaytan (i.e. group of Satan), and whom the companions recognized and labeled as; Khawarij, Harurriyah, the worst creatures in creation. And what this establishes is that sect popularly known as Wahhabism/Salafism is actually a form of Kharijism. According to one Ibadhi (a Khariji sect) scholar Wahhabism is an off-shoot of Ibadhism and according to another, Abu Nabhan Ja‘id Ibn Khamis al-Kharuṣi, Wahhabism is a unique combination of Azraqi blend of Kharijism. My knowledge about Khariji sects and their beliefs isn’t great but I have understanding about core components of Kharijism. And according to that Wahhabism is an off-shoot of Kharijism.

3.4 - Proof Shaykh al-Najd Accused Muslims Of Denying Resurrection And Why:

I was under impression Shaykh Ibn Abdul Wahhab very overtly applied such verses on Muslims in Kitab at-Tawheed but I have been unable locate such reference. Anyhow we have proof from another source that Abu Iblees believed this: “It is known that the people of our land (Najd) and the land of the Hijaz, those who deny the resurrection are more than those who affirm it, and those who know the religion are less than those who do not know it, and those who waste prayers are more than those who preserve them, and those who withhold zakat are more than those who pay them, if you are right …” [Ref: al-Durar al-Saniyyah 10/43, here.] Why is he saying most Muslims of Hijaz, here, rejected resurrection day and judgment? Because Quran establishes Mushrikeen which Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) encountered disbelieved in resurrection and judgment. As evidenced by following verse: “And the eminent among his people who disbelieved and denied the meeting of the Hereafter while We had given them luxury in the worldly life said; This is not but a man like yourselves. He eats of that from which you eat and drinks of what you drink. And if you should obey a man like yourselves, indeed, you would then be losers. This is not but a man like yourselves. He eats of that from which you eat and drinks of what you drink. And if you should obey a man like yourselves, indeed, you would then be losers. Does he promise you that when you have died and become dust and bones that you will be brought forth (once more)? How far, how far, is that which you are promised. Life is not but our worldly life - we die and live, but we will not be resurrected.” [Ref:23:33/38] “Rather they say just like what the ancients said. They said, ‘What, when we are dead and become dust and bones, shall we be resurrected?’ Certainly we and our fathers were promised this before. (But) these are nothing but myths of the ancients.” [Ref: 23:80] He is insinuating he, meaning Ibn Abdul Wahhab, and Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) both struggled against those who worship others beside Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), deniers of day of judgment, and those who abandoned worship of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala).

4.0 - Why Explaining Verses Applied Upon Muslims By Khawarij Is Important:

You see, I made the claim, they applied verses revealed for disbelievers upon Muslims, but did I prove these verses were indeed revealed regarding the disbelievers, I haven’t so this far. You see when it is established these verses were indeed revealed for disbelievers and this will establish my claim. This will also establish that there is a methodology involved in interpreting Qur’anic verses which we cannot ignore which Abu Iblees and Ibn Shaytan and minions of Iblees ignore.

4.1 - Verse Explanation, Asking Mushrikeen Who Created This And They Will Say, and Allah:

Ibn Shaytan quoted the Ayah to argue Mushrikeen believed in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah: “Who has created the heavens and the earth?” They will surely say: “Allah.” And: Say: “Who provides for you from the sky and the earth? Or who owns hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and brings out the dead from the living? And who disposes the affairs?” They will say: “Allah.” [Ref: 10:31] In sections 5.4 and 5.5 of following article I have explained why Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) instructed to interrogate the Mushrikeen, here. And it was not to establish that Mushrikeen believed in Rububiyyah. Instead objective was to reason and respond to arguments of Mushrikeen who denied of judgment day. They said how is possible, we will be brought back to life after we become dust. The counter reasoning was, you believe He created you and everything, so why would it be difficult for him to re-create you. The objective of these verses was so they come to believe in judgment day. And another reason was to prove He Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) alone does everything in the creation and their gods/idols have no role whatsoever so why believe them to be gods. And this can be read in the same article in sections 5.2 and 5.3, here. And a similar explanation can be read in following article but written much more comprehensively, here. I would recommend reading parts, three A to three D, and four A to four D.

4.2 - Is There Anyone Who Said We Worship Awliyah-Allah To Get Near Allah:

(i) Ibn Shaytan quoted the Ayah as if the Bareilwi members of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah say: “And those who take protectors besides Him (say): “We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah.” [Ref: 39:3] O Ibn Shaytan who from us claims; we worship others besides Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) so they may bring us closer to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala)? Which scholar representing Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah of Indian sub-continent said in a speech, or in a written text; we worship others beside Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) so they bring to near to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala)? Suppose I write an article, Wahhabis are Kafir and worst idol worshippers then Mushrikeen which Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) encountered, and as evidence I post a picture Wahhabi Shaykh prostrating in front of Kabah, and apply: We worship them only that they bring us near to Allah. Would a Khariji not be justified in asking me: Do we believe that Kabah deserves to be worshipped? Did our scholars say we worship Kabah so it can bring us closer to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala)? We have every right to ask, who says that we engage in this act for this reason. And which scholar said we practice Tawassul/Wasilah as an act of worship of Awliyah to get closer to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Let it be known, anyone who believes there is another Ilah/Rabb beside Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has committed major Shirk according to Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah. One who believes a creation, whoever the creation maybe, deserves to be worshipped, and such a person is Kafir by Ijmah of Islamic scholarship. We have been created to only worship Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala😞 "I did not create Jinn and humans except to worship Me." [Ref: 51:56] And to believe there is no Ilah/Rabb instead of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala😞 “That is Allah, your lord; there is no deity/Ilah except Him, the Creator of all things, so worship Him. And He is Disposer of all things.” [Ref: 6:102] (ii) How are you able to muster courage and attribute such monstrous Kufr to those who say: There is no Ilah except Allah, Muhammad is Messenger of Allah. Ibn Shaytan you have no fear of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) except delusion of it, nor shame: “Abu Mas`ud reported the Messenger of Allah as saying: One of the things people have learnt from the words of the earliest prophecy is: If you have no shame, do what you like.” [Ref: Abu Dawud, B42, H4779, here.] Not to lie is part of Haya. Not to steal is part of Haya. Not to bear false witness against another is part of your Haya. Not to commit Zina is part of Haya. Not to give/accept bribes is part of Haya. And not to attribute to believers what he does not believe is part of Haya. Ibn Shaytan Haya is1/70th part of Iman and you have none, not Iman and not Haya. The lowest aspect of Iman is to say an evil is evil in the heart, but better is to speak out against that evil, and best is to stop it with force. Attributing to Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah beliefs we do not affirm was started by Shaykh Ibn Abdul Wahhab and rest of spawns of Iblees are acting on his evil Sunnah. You engaged in his evil Sunnah how can you claim you have Iman? Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) said: “The Messenger of Allah said: 'Whoever sets a good precedent in Islam, he will have the reward for that, and the reward of those who acted in accordance with it, without that detracting from their reward in the slightest. And whoever sets an evil precedent in Islam, he will have a burden of sin for that, and the burden of those who acted in accordance with it, without that detracting from their burden in the slightest."' [Ref: Nisa'ee, B23, H2555]

4.3 - Evidence Proving Ayah 3 Of Surah al-Zumr Is About Idols And Mushriks:

(i) Ibn Shaytan quoted, Ayah Q39:3 and I will shed light on the Ayah. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) said, Mushrikeen say: “Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion. And those who take protectors besides Him (say to Muslims) "We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allah in position." Indeed, Allah ...” [Ref: 39:3] Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) instructed us to say to Mushrikeen: “Say” ‘Indeed, I have been forbidden to worship those you invoke besides Allah." Say, "I will not follow your desires, for I would then have gone astray, and I would not be of the guided.’" [Ref: 6:56] They worshipped Ilah/deity beside Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala😞 “Indeed they (the Jinn), from (revelations) hearing is removed. So do not invoke with Allah another deity and (thus) be among the punished. And warn your closest kindred.” [Ref: 26:212/214] “And do not invoke with Allah another deity. There is no deity except Him. Everything will …” [Ref: 28:88] “And We made firm their hearts when they stood up and said, "Our Lord is the Lord of the heavens and the earth. Never will we invoke besides Him any deity. We would have certainly spoken, then, an excessive transgression.” [Ref: 18:14] “And whoever invokes besides Allah another deity for which he has no proof - then his account is only with his Lord. Indeed, the disbelievers will not succeed.” [Ref: 23:117] To worship a deity/Ilah instead of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), to invoke an Ilah/Rabb seeking that believing that this deity’s worship and his intermediation will get worshipper closer to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is major Kufr in account Ibadah and major Shirk on account of affirming Ilahiyyah/Rububiyyah for creation. Gods/Deities which the Mushrikeen worshipped are described in the Ayah having following qualities: “Yet they have taken besides Him other gods (i.e. Aalihah) who created nothing but are themselves created, and possess neither harm nor benefit for themselves, and possess no power (of causing) death, nor (of giving) life, nor of raising the dead.” [Ref: 25:3] Description of gods/deities/Aalihah mentioned in the Ayah is of idols because Bani Israel said to Prophet Musa (alayhis salaam) to create/make for them a god: “And We took the Children of Israel across the sea; then they came upon a people intent in devotion to idols of theirs. They said: "O Moses make for us an Ilah (i.e. god) just as they have Aalihatan (i.e. gods)." He said, "Indeed, you are a people behaving ignorantly.” [Ref: 7:138] In conclusion Mushrikeen invoked idols as an act of worship hoping worship of idols will grant them nearness to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) because these gods/Ilahs will intercede for them due to being worshipped by Mushrikeen. (ii) The commentators of Quran: “(We worship them only that they may bring us near to Allah.) Meaning what motivates them to worship them is the fact that they made their idols in the image of the angels. Or so they claim, and when they worship those images it is like worshipping the angels, so that they will intercede with Allah for them to help and give them provision and other worldly needs.” [Ref: Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Q39:3, here] “Surely to God belongs pure religion none other than Him being deserving of it. And those who take besides Him the idols as patrons and they are the disbelievers of Mecca — they say ‘We only worship them so that they may bring us near to God’ zulfā a verbal noun with the sense of taqrīban ‘for the sake of nearness’.” [Ref: Tafsir al-Jalalayn, Q39:3, here] “(Surely Pure religion is) sincerity in religion is enjoined upon people (for Allah only. And those who choose) and those who worship (protecting friends) deities: al-Lat, al-'Uzza and Manat (beside Him) beside Allah, i.e. the disbelievers of Mecca ((say): We worship them only that they may bring us near unto Allah) near to Allah in rank and intercession.” [Ref: Tafsir Ibn Abbas, Q39:3, here] It is established with the help of Tafasir that Mushrikeen worshipped idols and Ayah 3 of Surah al-Zumr is about idols which the Mushrikeen took as gods/deities/Ilahs as partners of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). And this Ayah has nothing to do with belief and practices of Muslims. For Abu Iblees and Ibn Shaytan to apply it upon Muslims professing, there is no deity except Allah, is proof Wahhabism is an off-shoot of Kharijism.

4.4 - Harmless And Benefit-less Worshipped Intercessors Are Idols:

(i) Ibn Shaytan also quoted Ayah, Q10:18, to insinuate that we the Muslims say, those whom we worship regarding them we hold belief that these are our intercessors. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says: “And they worship other than Allah that which neither harms them nor benefits them, and they say, “These are our intercessors with Allah.” [Ref: 10:18] What else did Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) say about these benefit-less and harmless intercessors? Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says: “He invokes instead of Allah that which neither harms him nor benefits him. That is the extreme error. He invokes one whose harm is closer than his benefit - how wretched the protector and how wretched the associate.” [Ref: 22:12/13] Who are these benefit-less, harmless, and whose harm is closer than benefit? Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) answers this question in the following Ayah: “Yet they have taken besides Him other gods (i.e. Aalihah) who created nothing but are themselves created, and possess neither harm nor benefit for themselves, and possess no power (of causing) death, nor (of giving) life, nor of raising the dead.” [Ref: 25:3] What are these gods? These are idols of Mushrikeen which are harmless, benefit-less, whose harm is closer than benefit, they have created nothing but are themselves created by those who worship them, they possess no power over death life, and they cannot raise the dead. How do we know for sure the Ayah refers to idols? For this we need to go to refer to story of Prophet Ibrahim (alayhis salaam). Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) narrates what Prophet Ibrahim (alayhis salaam) said to his father you take idol for gods. And then in another Ayah says why worship idol-god which does not benefits and doesn’t even hear, or see: "Lo! Ibrahim said to his father Azar: "Do you take idols for gods? For I see you and your people in clear error." [Ref: 6:74] “(Mention) when he said to his father: O my father, why do you worship (idol god) that which does not hear and does not see and will not benefit you at all?” [Ref: 19:41/46] “And recite to them the news of Abraham. When he said to his father and his people: ‘What do you worship?’ They said: ‘We worship idols and remain to them devoted.’ He said: ‘Do they hear you when you supplicate? Or do they benefit you, or do they harm?’ They said: ‘But we found our fathers doing as such.’" [Ref: 26:69/74] Why are they benefit-less and harmless is answered in the following Ayah: “Should I take other than Him (false) deities (while), if the Most Merciful intends for me some adversity, their intercession will not avail me at all, nor can they save me?” [Ref: 36:23] Meaning these idols-gods of Mushrikeen cannot benefit by removing adversity. And Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says about Mushrikeen have taken intercessors even though their alleged intercessors have no ability to reason, nor have power to do anything: "Or have they taken other than Allah as intercessors? Say, "Even though they do not possess (power over) anything, nor do they reason?" [Ref: 39:43] At minimum you would expect an intercessor to have ability to see, hear, reason/intellect. When he doesn’t even have intellect how will the alleged intercessor intercede on behalf of Mushrikeen? When the alleged intercessor can’t even hear one invoking him in worship asking his intercession then how will he intercede? When alleged intercessor doesn’t even see than how will the intercessors know who is asking for intercession and who to intercede for? Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says: “’Have they feet wherewith they walk? Or have they hands wherewith they hold? Or have they eyes wherewith they see? Or have they ears wherewith they hear?’ Say: ‘Call your (so-called) partners (of Allah) and then plot against me, and give me no respite! Verily, my Wali is Allah Who has revealed the Book, and He protects the righteous. And those whom you call upon besides Him cannot help you nor can they help themselves. And if you call them to guidance, they hear not and you will see them looking at you, yet they see not.’” [Ref: 7:195/198] Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) establishes in-abilities of idol-gods of Mushrikeen to prove them the notion their idol-god-intercessors intercede for them is senseless because ones they’re expecting to intercede have no way of knowing they are being invoked for intercession. This is why Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says: “And those they invoke besides Him do not possess (power of) intercession; but only those who testify to the truth (can benefit), and they know." [Ref: 43:86] (ii) Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) reveals what the Mushrikeen do and what they said: “And they worship other than Allah that which neither harms them nor benefits them, and they say, “These are our intercessors with Allah.” [Ref: 10:18] Mushrikeen worshipped other than Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) which do not benefit anyone nor can harm anyone. And these worshipped are idols: “They said: ‘We worship idols and remain to them devoted.’ He said: ‘Do they hear you when you supplicate? Or do they benefit you, or do they harm?’” [Ref: 26:71/72] Reason for worship of these idols is that the Mushrikeen believed they are intercessors of Mushrikeen and their worship would get them close to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala😞 “Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion. And those who take protectors besides Him (say to Muslims) "We only worship them that they may bring us nearer to Allah in position." Indeed, Allah ...” [Ref: 39:3] Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has informed the Mushrikeen:  “Verily ye (i.e. unbelievers), and the (false) gods that ye worship besides Allah, are fuel for Hell! to it will ye (surely) come!” [Ref: 21:98] “But if you do not (manage to produce Surah like of Quran), and you will never be able to, then fear the fire, whose fuel is men and stones (including idols of stones), prepared for the disbelievers.” [Ref: 2:24] Mushrikeen will enter fire of hell and the idol-gods they worshipped also will be in hell.

4.5 – Why Interpret Verses In Context Of Revealed To Prophet Ibrahim (alayhis salaam😞

Question maybe asked what does Ayah Q10:18 have to do with story of Prophet Ibrahim (alayhis salaam)? And why would you employ verses related to history to interpret, Q10:18? Ayaat of Quran maybe revealed in context of Arab Mushrikeen but the source of arguments employed against Mushrikeen of Arabia is historical events of Prophet Ibrahim (alayhis salaam). Take for example, benefit-less and harmless quality of idols, it is mentioned in verse Q10:18. Yet in Surah 26 verses 69 to 74 (quoted above) reveals that argument originated from what was revealed to Prophet Ibrahim (alayhis salaam) and Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has continued same theme in revelation sent to Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). In this context it is only correct to draw context and needed information from accounts of Prophet Ibrahim (alayhis salaam) narrated in Quran.

4.6 - Ibn Shaytan Says Quoted Ayaat Were Revealed In Relation To Idol Gods:

Please read what Ibn Shaytan wrote carefully: “These Ayahs make it clear that the earlier Mushriks did not believe that their deities can bring about benefit or cause harm, give life or cause death, provide sustenance or withhold it. Rather, they worshipped them [the deities] to act as intercessors on their behalf and bring them closer to Allah. The Mushriks in the past did not worship [the deities] Al-Lat, Al-`Uzza, Manat (names of idols), `Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him), Maryam (Mary, may Allah be pleased with her) or deceased righteous because they have the power to bring about benefit or cause harm. Rather, they worshipped them [the deities] because they wished for their intercession and because they thought they would bring them near to Allah.” Ibn Shaytan knows verses he is applying upon Muslims were actually revealed for disbelievers of Makkah and Arabia in general. And worship of their idol-gods besides Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala).

4.7 - Wahhabism Is One Of Two Main Khariji Sects To Emerge From Najd:

It has been demonstrated Ibn Shaytan and Abu Iblees applied verses revealed for disbelievers of Makkah and Arabia in general upon beliefs and practices of Muslims in order to convey Muslims worship others beside Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) as intercessors. And engaging this repugnant activity and this methodology being corner stone of Abu Iblees and Ibn Shaytan demonstrates they are Khawarij: "And the statement of Allah: 'Allah will not mislead a people after He has guided them, until He makes clear to them what to avoid.' (9:115) And Ibn Umar used to consider them (the Khawarij and the Mulhidun) the worst of Allah's creatures and said: "These people took some verses that had been revealed concerning the disbelievers and interpreted them as describing the believers.” [Ref: Bukhari, Book 88, Book Apostates, Chapter 6: Killing al-Khawarij and Mulhideen, here, scribd here.] And indeed they are because Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) had foretold Qarn al-Shaytan, group/horn of Satan would emerge from Najd: “Narrated Ibn 'Umar: (The Prophet) said, "O Allah! Bless our Sham and our Yemen." People said: "Our Najd as well." The Prophet again said: "O Allah! Bless our Sham and Yemen." They said again: "Our Najd as well." On that the Prophet said: "There will appear earthquakes and afflictions, and from there will come out the side of the group of Satan." [Ref: Bukhari, B17, H147] Readers are advised to read this article, here, and this one, here. This Hadith and articles detail how one group of Satan is Wahhabis and how this second group of Satan is connected with first group of Satan, aka Kharijism, in theology.

5.0 - Ibn Shaytan’s Major Kufr, Mushrikeen Believed Gods Are Harmless and Benefit-less:

Ibn Shaytan wrote: “These Ayahs make it clear that the earlier Mushriks did not believe that their deities can bring about benefit or cause harm, give life or cause death, provide sustenance or withhold it. Rather, they worshipped them [the deities] to act as intercessors on their behalf and bring them closer to Allah. The Mushriks in the past did not worship [the deities] Al-Lat, Al-`Uzza, Manat (names of idols), `Isa (Jesus, peace be upon him), Maryam (Mary, May Allah be pleased with her) or deceased righteous because they have the power to bring about benefit or cause harm. Rather, they worshipped them [the deities] because they wished for their intercession and because they thought they would bring them near to Allah.” This is major Kufr and clearly against emphatic verses of Quran.

5.1 - Why Ibn Shaytan Believes Mushriks Believed Gods Are Benefit And Harmless:

(i) Abu Iblees in Qawa’id al-Arba wrote Mushrikeen believed in Khariji version of Tawheed al-Rububiyyah: “You must know that the disbelievers whom the Messenger of Allah fought against agreed that Allah was the Creator and the Administrator. But this (belief) did not cause them to enter into the fold of Islam. The proof for this is Allah’s saying: “Say: ‘Who provides for you from the sky and the earth, or who owns the hearing and the sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and …” [Ref: Qawa’id al-Arba, 1^st Rule, by Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab al-Najdi] Ibn Shaytan says the same but with much more detail: “Even disbelievers of Makkah, polytheists, believed and affirmed the Tawheed A Rububiyyah, which is the ascription of all actions of Allah to none but Him alone, such as creation, providing sustenance, management or disposition of affairs, giving life, causing death, as Allah mentioned about them. If you ask them: “Who has created the heavens and the earth?” They will surely say: “Allah.” And: Say: “Who provides for you from the sky and the earth? Or who owns hearing and sight? And who brings out the living from the dead and …” The problem here is that disbelievers of Makkah affirmed Tawheed ar-Rububiyyah but …” Note Ibn Shaytan employed same verse as Abu Iblees. To believe in Khariji version of Tawheed al-Rububiyyah you must believe Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) manages all affairs of creation including all-benefitting and all-harming. When it is evident Abu Iblees and Ibn Shaytan are in agreement Mushrikeen believed in Khariji version Tawheed al-Rububiyyah then why would Ibn Shaytan believe Mushrikeen believed their gods can harm/benefit. To believe so would mean they have negated, Mushrikeen believed in Khariji Tawheed al-Rububiyyah. (ii) Notion that Mushrikeen believed in Islamic or even Khariji version of Tawheed al-Rububiyyah has been refuted in the beginning of this refutation. It was also established they committed Shirk in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah. This fact by default refutes all arguments advanced on basis of Tawheed in Rububiyyah. This means Khariji argument: Mushrikeen believed in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah so they believed their gods did NOT cause any benefit/harm; has already been refuted via Shirk of Mushrikeen in Rububiyyah. I want to take a rather clear and direct approach which isn’t dependent upon another aspect to be true to be valid. In other words I want to establish clear and emphatically that Mushrikeen believed their gods are not harmless and benefit-less but rather able to benefit and harm. And this would also support Islamic belief that Mushrikeen committed Shirk al-Rububiyyah.

5.2 – Mushriks Believed Gods Harm, And Worshipped For Benefit Of Intercession:

(i) Ibn Shaytan says Mushrikeen did not believe their gods can benefit and harm. Ibn Shaytan is acting on evil Sunnah of his theological ancestor Abu Iblees while writing this lie. There is NO evidence in Quran and Sunnah which proves this alleged belief of Mushrikeen. To believe Mushriks believed their idol-gods cannot benefit/harm is an evident Kufr because this belief goes against verses of Quran which indicate they did believe in benefit/harm. Let me start with something very simple so the delinquent Ibn Shaytan can understand it: “Is not Allah enough for his Servant? But they try to frighten thee with other besides Him! For such as Allah leaves to stray, there can be no guide.” [Ref: 39:36] "We say nothing but that (perhaps) some of our gods may have seized thee with imbecility. “He said: "I call Allah to witness, and do ye bear witness, that I am free from the sin of ascribing, to Him." [Ref: 11:54] Why would the Mushrikeen try to scare Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) if other (gods) beside Him were actually harmless in belief of Mushrikeen? What did they say, we the Mushrikeen say nothing but our gods likely have made you an imbecile. Ibn Shaytan the delinquent I am asking you: Did they say that because they believed their idol-gods were harmless? Even with your pea size brain you will say: They believed their gods can harm. (ii) You can never understand Quran because Najdis are Khawarij and therefore you can recite then Quran but never understand it as we Muslims do because it will not reach the heart: “Yusair Bin Amr reported that he inquired of Sahl Bin Hunaif: Did you hear the Messenger of Allah making a mention of the Khawarij? He said: I heard him say, and he pointed with his hand towards the east that, these would be a people who would recite the Qur'an with their tongues and it would not go beyond their collar bones. They would pass clean through their religion just as the arrow passes through the prey.” [Ref: Muslim, B5, H2336, here.] In addition to this, you’re third-class intellect and hence you’re challenged in this department. And there is no doubt you’re academically underprivileged because you demonstrated you haven’t read the Quran. Bro MuhammedAli why say this about a fellow believer? He is that is the reason. You have had proof of Ibn Shaytan being academically underprivileged. (iii) Now behold evidence which proves Ibn Shaytan is intellectually challenged but also behold Mushrikeen believed their gods benefit. Ibn Shaytan wrote: “These Ayahs make it clear that the earlier Mushriks did not believe that their deities can bring about benefit or cause harm, give life or cause death, provide sustenance or withhold it. Rather, they worshipped them [the deities] to act as intercessors on their behalf and bring them closer to Allah. […] Rather, they worshipped them [the deities] because they wished for their intercession and because they thought they would bring them near to Allah.” Ibn Shaytan wrote this because Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) narrates same: “And they worship other than Allah that which neither harms them nor benefits them, and they say: “These are our intercessors with Allah.” [Ref: 10:18] This Ayah has established Mushrikeen believed gods they worshipped alongside/instead of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) benefit them in return of their worship by interceding for them as intercessors to get the Mushrikeen closer to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Mushrikeen believing their gods are intercessors in court of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) itself is proof they believed their gods benefit. How can intercession of an intercessor not be a benefit and how come intercessor is not a benefactor? Intercessor is benefactor and his intercession is a benefit. And Mushrikeen believed in an intercessor and intercession of this intercessor therefore establishing Mushrikeen believed their gods provide benefit.

5.3 - Possible Why Ibn Shaytan Said, Mushrikeen Believed Gods Harmless/Benefit-less:

(i) Ibn Shaytan cannot differentiate and does not differentiate between, what Mushrikeen believed/acted, and what Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) said about their gods. In the following Ayah action of Mushrikeen is said to be worship and belief is said to be: These are our intercessors with the God: “And they worship other than Allah that which neither harms them nor benefits them, and they say: “These are our intercessors with Allah.” [Ref: 10:18] In other words this part of the Ayah is about belief and practice of Mushrikeen: “And they worship other than Allah … and they say: “These are our intercessors with Allah.” [Ref: 10:18] And following part of verse is not about belief of Mushrikeen: “… that which neither harms them nor benefits the …” In this part of Ayah Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has told Muslims and Mushrikeen alike that gods they worship in reality do not benefit and harm. And this third class intellect understood addition has if Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) was informing us about belief of Mushrikeen in here: “… that which neither harms them nor benefits the …” This is a possible reason why Ibn Shaytan holds to notion, Mushrikeen believed their gods are benefit-less/harmless, but I am not convinced it is THE reason. (ii) To correct this error we need to understand why Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) structured the verse as He has done. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says: “And they worship other than Allah…” Why do they worship gods instead of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala)? Mushrikeen believed their gods are able to benefit if they do and harm if they don’t worship them. In refutation this erroneous notion Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says they worship: “… that which neither harms them nor benefits them …” And despite of their lack of benefit and harm of idol-gods the Mushrikeen say to the Muslims: “... and they say: “These are our intercessors with Allah.” [Ref: 10:18]

6.0 - Liar And Kafir Saying, What Kafirs And Liars Said:

Ibn Shaytan wrote Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) declared them as disbelievers for these things including seeking help: “Allah (Exalted be He) declared them to be Kafirs (disbelievers) and liars when they claimed that they worshipped them only to bring them close to Him. Allah stated that they are liars in the claim that their deities brought them close to Him, and declared them to be Kafirs because they dedicated acts of worship, such as slaughtering animals, making vows, seeking help and the like, to them.” This is an evident lie. NO where in Quran Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) has declared that Mushrikeen are disbelievers for seeking help in general, or for seeking help through intercession. Prophet Sulayman (alayhis salaam) sought help in general terms: “(Prophet Sulayman) said: ‘O assembly which of you will bring me her throne before they come to me in submission?’" [Ref: 27:38] A delinquent may argue saying, but he didn’t use word help so this Ayah doesn’t count. I would say so can you give me hand isn’t asking for help until help is used in the request? And equally stupid person may say but that isn’t an example of intercession. Intercession is act of asking for help and if asking for help isn’t Kufr in one context than it isn’t Kufr in any context. I give you an example. Worship of gods instead of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is Kufr in all conditions. It is Kufr to praise Krishna as an act of worship: O Krishna you’re amazing god. And it is Kufr to seek intercession of Krishna as act of worship such as saying: O Krishna I ask you to intercede for me to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) because you’re our intercessors with Him. Fundamental is that worship of creation is Kufr irrespective who is involved and how worship is performed. Similarly if seeking help was Kufr outside of intercession it would be so inside intercession. And because seeking intercession is seeking help and interceding for someone is help of that someone therefore believing there is an intercessor isn’t Kufr, nor seeking intercession is Kufr, nor interceding for anyone is Kufr. Ahadith record: “Abu Hurairah said: O Allah, Thou art its Lord. Thou didst create it, Thou didst guide it to Islam, Thou hast taken its spirit, and Thou knowest best its inner nature and outer aspect. We have come as intercessors, so forgive him.” [Ref: Abu Dawud, B20, H3194, here.] “Ibn Abbas then said to them: Bring him (the dead body) out for I have heard Allah's Messenger as saying: If any Muslim dies and forty men who associate nothing with Allah stand over his prayer (they offer prayer over him), Allah will accept them as intercessors for him.” [Ref: Muslim, B4, H2072, here.] Khariji will say, but that is intercession (seeking of help) of living but intercession of dead is Kufr/Shirk. To respond to this I need to widen the scope of this article but general principle remains the same that seeking help via intercession is not Shirk/Kufr in one context than it is not Shirk/Kufr in any context including intercession of deceased. Following three sections will shed light on three different types of practices of intercessions.

6.1 - Intercession Of Prophet Muhammad As A Intercessor To Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala😞

Uthman Ibn Hunaif was taught by Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) to practice Tawassul via Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam😞 “It was narrated from Uthman bin Hunaif that a blind man came to the Prophet and said: “Pray to Allah to heal me.” He said: “If you wish to store your reward for the Hereafter, that is better, or if you wish, I will supplicate for you.” He said: “Supplicate.” So he told him to perform ablution and do it well, and to pray two Rak’ah, and to say this supplication: O Allah, I ask of You and I turn my face towards You by virtue of the intercession of Muhammad the Prophet of mercy. O Muhammad, I have turned to my Lord by virtue of your intercession concerning this need of mine so that it may be met. O Allah, accept his intercession concerning me).” [Ref: Ibn Majah, B5, H1385, here.] Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) passed from this earthly life and it was era of Caliphate of Uthman Ibn Affan (radiallah ta’ala anhu). Uthman Ibn Hanif (radiallah ta’ala anhu) taught the same method to another companion: “Uthman bin Hunaif narrated that a blind man came to the Prophet and said: “Supplicate to Allah to heal me.” He said: “If you wish I will supplicate for you, and if you wish, you can be patient, for that is better for you.” He said: “Then supplicate to Him.” He said: “So he ordered him to perform Wudu’ and to make his Wudu’ complete, and to supplicate with this supplication: ‘O Allah, I ask You and turn towards You by Your Prophet Muhammad, the Prophet of Mercy. Indeed, I have turned to my Lord, by means of You, concerning this need of mine, so that it can be resolved, so O Allah so accept his intercession for me.” [Ref: Tirmadhi, B46, H3578, here.] “A man had an issue with Uthman Ibn Affan regarding a need but Uthman paid no attention to it.  He went to Uthman bin Hunaif (radiallah ta’ala anhu) and complained to him about the issue so Uthman bin Hunaif said: “Go to the place of Wudu, then come to the Masjid, perform two Rak'ats and then say: “O Allah! I ask you and turn to you through our Prophet Muhammad, the Prophet of Mercy. O Muhammad! I turn through you to my lord, that He fulfill my need” and mention your need. Then come so that I can go with you so the man left and did as he had been told, then went to the door of Uthman Ibn Affan (May Allah be pleased with him), and the doorman came, took him by the hand, brought him to Uthman Ibn Affan, and seated him next to him on a cushion. 'Uthman asked, "What do you need?" The man mentioned what he wanted, and Uthman accomplished it for him.” [Ref: al-Mu’jam al-Sagheer li’Tabaranim, Vol1, Hadith 508, Page 306/307, here.] In the supplication Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is offered as a intercessor to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). Indicating he will intercede for one seeking his intercession. Companion performed two Rakat Nawafil supplicated as he was instructed. And Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) interceded Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) accepted his intercession. And then Uthman Ibn Hanif and companion both visited Uthman Ibn Affan (radiallah ta’ala anhu) and his need was fulfilled by Caliph.

6.2 - Intercession Through Name Of Prophet Before Birth, A State Of Death:

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says regarding Jews: “And when there comes to them a Book from Allah, confirming what is with them, although from of old they had prayed for victory against those without Faith, when there comes to them that which they (should) have recognized, they refuse to believe in it but the curse of Allah is on those without Faith.” [Ref: 2:89] This was prayer of intercession through Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) by Jews of Khyber according to commentators: (“…though before that they were asking for a signal triumph over those who disbelieved…”) (2:89). Said Ibn 'Abbas: “The Jews of Khyber were at war with Ghatafan, and whenever the two parties used to meet, Khyber ended up in defeat. For this reason they devised the following supplication: 'O Allah! We beseech You by the truth of the unlettered Prophet whom You promised to send forth to us at the end of time to give us victory over them'. And so whenever they said this supplication, Ghatafan was defeated. But when the Prophet, Allah bless him and give him peace, was sent forth, they disbelieved in him. It is due to this that Allah, exalted is He, revealed ...” [Ref: Tafsir Asbab al-Nuzul, 2:89, here.] “When there came to them a Book from God, confirming what was with them, in the Torah, that is the Qur’an  and they formerly, before it came, prayed for victory, for assistance, over the disbelievers, saying: ‘God, give us assistance against them through the Prophet that shall be sent at the end of time’; but when there came to them what they recognized, as the truth, that is, the mission of the Prophet, they disbelieved in it, out of envy and for fear of losing leadership (the response to the first lammā particle is indicated by the response to the second one); and the curse of God is on the disbelievers.” [Ref: Tafsir al-Jalalayn, 2:89, here.] “(“And when there cometh unto them a Scripture from Allah, confirming that in their possession”) which accords with that which is in their possession (“though before that”) before Muhammad (“they were asking for a signal triumph”) through Muhammad and the Qur'an (“over those who disbelieved”) of their enemies: the tribes of Asad, Ghatafan, Muzaynah, and Juhaynah (“and when there cometh unto them that which they knew”) of his traits and description in their Book (they disbelieved therein) they denied it was him. (“The curse of Allah”) His wrath and torment (“is on disbelievers”) the Jews.” [Ref: Tafsir Ibn Abbas, 2:89, here.] In conclusion the Jews were invoking Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) through intercession of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) to gain nearness of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and to gain victory over Mushrikeen of Najd. And this intercession was before birth of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) and period before birth is death, therefore intercession was of one who had deceased. Death is permanent separation of soul from body and in period before birth soul is not in body like it is in the case of after death. And this is according to following Ayah: “How can you disbelieve in Allah seeing that you were dead and He gave you life. Then He will give you death, then again will bring you to life and then unto Him you will return.'' [Ref: 2:28]

6.3 - Directly Asking Prophet For His Intercession According To Quran And Hadith:

Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) instructs the believers to seek mean/Wasilah of nearness to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala😞 “O you who have believed, fear Allah and seek the means (of nearness) to Him and strive in His cause that you may succeed.” [Ref: 5:35] In another Ayah Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) said instructed us in a form of Wasilah (seeking means to Allah), Tawassul (seeking nearness to Allah), Shafa’at (seeking intercession to Allah). Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says: “We sent not the Messenger, but to be obeyed, in accordance with the will of Allah. If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves, come to the Messenger and asked Allah's forgiveness, and the Messenger had (also) asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah indeed Oft-returning, Most Merciful.” [Ref: 4:64] Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) did not instruct us to seek his intercession ONLY until Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) was alive in earthly sense and nor did He say you must be close to Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). There is nothing in this verse or anywhere else in Quran which prevents us from seeking his intercession during his life, after his passing, from distance, or from near. And there is no evidence in this verse or in any verse which establishes that granted permission was abrogated and as consequence permission stands even today. And a Hadith establishes a companion sought intercession of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) after he had departed from this earthly life using very same verse as justification: “Abu Harb Hilali (radiallah ta’ala anhu) narrates that one Aarabi performed Hajj and then came to the door of Prophet’s mosque. He tied his camel there and enter the mosque till he reached the grave of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam). He stood at the feet of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) and said: Peace be upon you O Prophet, then he offered greetings to Abu Bakr and Umar (May Allah be pleased with them), he then turned towards the  Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) again and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, may my parents be taken ransom for you, I have come in your court because I am filled with sins and mistakes, so that I can make you a intercessor so that you can intercede for me, because Allah has said in his Book: ‘And We have not sent any  Messenger but that he must be obeyed by the Command of Allah. And if they, having wronged their souls, had come to you imploring the forgiveness of Allah and the Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) had also asked forgiveness for them, then (owing to this mediation and intercession) they would certainly have found Allah Most Relenting, Ever-Merciful.’ (Quran 4:64) Then he turned to people (Abu Bakr and Umar) while saying: O best of those who are buried in deep” And from whose fragrance the depth and the height have become sweet” “May I be the ransom for a grave which thou inhabit” “And in which are found purity, bounty and munificence!” [Ref: Shuayb ul-Iman, Vol6, H3880, here.]

6.4 - Seeking Help, And Seeking Help Via Intercession Not Kufr At All:

(i) I quote again what Ibn Shaytan said: “Allah (Exalted be He) declared them to be Kafirs (disbelievers) and liars when they claimed that they worshipped them only to bring them close to Him. Allah stated that they are liars in the claim that their deities brought them close to Him, and declared them to be Kafirs because they dedicated acts of worship, such as slaughtering animals, making vows, seeking help and the like, to them.” There is no doubt worship of a deity/god/Ilah/Rabb instead of, or as well as Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is evident major Kufr. Be it with belief that worship will get worshipper closer to, or further from Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), or it will bring benefit and prevent harm. All worship of creation, including sacrificing animals or taking vows to please a creation, and for any/every reason is Kufr. There is no exception to this rule and no justification to make Takhsees (distinction) in worship. And it is also absolutely clear that seeking help is not Kufr by its very nature. Act of seeking help does not invalidate ones belief in Islam nor determines one is a Kafir/disbeliever. Rather belief associated and intention that makes action of seeking help. Belief, Krishna is my deity. Intention, I will call him in worship and he will grant me what I want, or will ask Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) to grant me my need. Action, O Krishna thou art an amazing god, intercessor of intercessor, I ask you to grant me what I want. Believing Krishna is an intercessor strictly in legal sense an evil innovation and a Kufr because Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) said there are no intercessor gods. Belief was of major Shirk, intention was of major Kufr, and action was of clear, evident major Kufr. It is Haram. (ii) Finally we come directly to practice of seeking help via intercession. Ibn Shaytan’s saying due to seeking help [via intercession] Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) declared Mushrikeen Kafir is by itself a major Kufr. It is major Kufr because Ibn Shaytan’s position declares a practice taught in Quran is major Kufr. Therefore anyone sharing the view as Ibn Shaytan is Kafir like him. Therefore seeking intercession of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) to gain nearness of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is established with evidences of Quran/Hadith and recommended by Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) as following Ayaat prove: “O you who have believed, fear Allah and seek the means (of nearness) to Him and strive in His cause that you may succeed.” [Ref: 5:35] “We sent not the Messenger, but to be obeyed, in accordance with the will of Allah. If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves, come to the Messenger and asked Allah's forgiveness, and the Messenger had (also) asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah indeed Oft-returning, Most Merciful.” [Ref: 4:64] Only Kafirs disbelieve in intercession and all praise is due to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), we are Muslims.

7.0 - Ibn Shaytan Enquires What Is Difference Between Mushrikeen And Bareilwi’s:

Ibn Shaytan wrote at the end: “The Prophet (peace be upon him) invited them for ten years, saying: O people to prosper say: “La ilaha illa Allah (There is no one Who Truly Deserve to be worshiped Except Allah).” Most of them turned away from him, except for a few. Now tell me what is difference between Berelwis and disbelievers of Makkah? May, Allah Give Hidayat (guidance) to Berelwiyyah. Ameen!”  There are two ways to understand the last part. This question can be interpreted in two ways: (i) As it appears in the article as: “Now tell me what is the difference between Berelwis and disbelievers of Makkah?” On the apparent text Ibn Shaytan is asking if there is any difference between Bareilwis and Mushrikeen of Arabia then to let him know. And implying there is absolutely no difference between Bareilwis and Mushrikeen of Arabia. (ii) Or we can interpret it in context of Tawassul/intermediation: “Now tell me [in context of intercession i.e. seeking means to get close to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala] what is difference between Berelwis and disbelievers of Makkah?” In context of intercession Ibn Shaytan is asking if there is any difference between practice/belief of intercession practiced by Bareilwis and Mushrikeen of Arabia. And he is implying there is no difference between belief and practice of intercession of Bareilwis and Mushrikeen of Arabia.
 

7.1 - Telling Ibn Shaytan Some Differences Between Barelwis And Polytheists Of Makkah:

Ibn Shaytan said and we go by apparent meaning of what he wrote: “Now tell me what is the difference between Berelwis and disbelievers of Makkah?” (i) Shortest answer is difference between Mushrikeen of Arabia and Bareilwis holding to beliefs and practices of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah is of Quran and Sunnah. All that Quran and Sunnah enjoin we Bareilwis enjoin and believe and what they declare Kufr, or Shirk, or Haram we abstain. Mushrikeen of Arabia completely opposed Quran/Sunnah. The Mushrikeen on other had opposed Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and His Messenger (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) and what they left in Quran/Sunnah. This is a clear difference and obvious distinction between us Muslims and Mushrikeen. (ii) We Bareilwis and the Muslims and followers of true and only accepted Islam of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah believe; Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is one Ilah/Rabb and beside Him, instead of Him there is no Ilah/Rabb, and He Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) alone deserves every act of worship. Mushrikeen believed in many gods and according to Hadith 360 idols as gods and they believed all of them deserve worship: “Narrated Abdullah: When the Prophet entered Mecca on the day of the Conquest, there were 360 idols around the Ka`ba. The Prophet started striking them with a stick he had in his hand and was saying, "Truth has come and Falsehood will neither start nor will it reappear.” [Ref: Bukhari, B59, H583, here.] And this is an obvious difference between us and Mushrikeen and it enough evidence the liars. (iii) As stated earlier we worship Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and Mushrikeen said we worship idols and they did not worship Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) as following verses are evidence: "Say, 'O disbelievers. I do not worship what you worship. Nor are you worshippers of what I worship. Nor will I be a worshipper of what you worship. Nor will you be worshippers of what I worship. For you is your religion, and for me is my religion." [Ref: 109:1/106] Only a transgressor beyond would not recognize and contest this. Our worship of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and Mushrikeen worshipping idols is a clear difference between us and them. (iv) He was and is without a mother and father hence not born. Allah is without a consort, sons and daughters. He is not a male that he begets with a female. Nor a female that begets with male. Mushrikeen on other hand had entire genealogies of their gods:  “Abu Al-Aliyah narrated from Ubayy bin Ka’b: ‘The idolaters were saying to the Messenger of Allah: ‘Name the lineage of your Lord for us.’ So Allah, Most High, revealed: Say: ‘He is Allah, the One. Allah As-Samad.’ So As-Samad is the One who does not beget, nor is He begotten,’ because there is nothing born except it will die, and there is nothing that dies except that it will be inherited from, and verily. Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, doesn’t die, nor is He inherited from. ‘And there is none comparable to Him.’ He said: ‘There is nothing similar to Him, nor equal to Him, nor is there anything like Him.’” [Ref: Tirmadhi, B44, H3364, here.] And this is another difference between us and the Mushrikeen. (v) We the Bareilwis perform Hajj as prescribed in Quran/Sunnah and recite Talbiyah in which we affirm Tawheed: “'I respond to Your call O Allah! I respond to Your call. You have no partner. I respond to Your call. All praise, thanks and blessings are for You. All sovereignty is for You. And You have no partners with You.'" [Ref: Tirmadhi, B4, H825, here.] Mushrikeen of Arabia recited following Talbiyah during their naked Tawaf of Kabah where they affirm beliefs of major Shirk: “Ibn 'Abbas reported that the polytheists also pronounced (Talbiya) as: ‘Here I am at Thy service, there is no associate with Thee.’ The Messenger of Allah said: Woe be upon them, as they also said: ‘But one associate with Thee, you possess mastery over him, but he does not possess mastery (over you).’ They used to say this and circumambulate the Ka'ba.” [Ref: Muslim, B7, H2671] This is another clear distinction between the Muslims and Mushriks. (vi) We the Muslims believe in day of resurrection/judgment and the Mushrikeen disbelieved that resurrection and judgment day would be established: “And they swear by Allah their strongest oaths (that) Allah will not resurrect one who dies. But yes (it is) a true promise (binding) upon Him, but most of the people do not know.” [Ref: 16:39] “Rather they say just like what the ancients said. They said, ‘What, when we are dead and become dust and bones, shall we be resurrected?’ Certainly we and our fathers were promised this before. (But) these are nothing but myths of the ancients.” [Ref: 23:80] And this is another clear difference between us and the Mushrikeen of Arabia. (vii) We declare that we believe in Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala), in the books He sent, in His angels, the Messengers he sent, on the day of judgment, and believe good and evil all are from Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). We believe, preach, and teach that our belief is in Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) with all His names and attributes. And we accept and believe in all of His instructions sent through revelation, with our heart and we confirm it with our tongue. Yet the Kafir disbelieves what is evident and delves into ambiguous to nullify our Islam and Iman. And this is a clear difference between us Mushrikeen and it is enough proof of our Islam.

7.2 - Telling Him Ibn Shaytan About Creed Of Mushrikeen Regarding Intercessors:

Ibn Shaytan says, contextually could have intended following: “Now tell me [in context of intercession i.e. seeking means to get close to Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala] what is difference between Berelwis and disbelievers of Makkah?” (i) Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says: “Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion. And those who take protectors (Awliyah) besides Him (say to Muslims) "We only worship them (our protectors) that they may bring us nearer to Allah in position." Indeed, Allah ...” [Ref: 39:3] “And they worship other than Allah that which neither harms them nor benefits them, and they say, “These are our intercessors with Allah.” [Ref: 10:18] Object of their worship are idols and they said: “They said: ‘We worship idols and remain to them devoted.’ He said: ‘Do they hear you when you supplicate? Or do they benefit you, or do they harm?’” [Ref: 26:71/72] This establishes Mushrikeen believed their idols to be intercessors and protectors in court of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and worshipped them to gain their intercession. (ii) In chapter 39 verse 3 Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says Mushrikeen take Awliyah/protectors beside Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala😞 “Unquestionably, for Allah is the pure religion. And those who take protectors (Awliyah) besides Him (say to Muslims) "We only worship them (our protectors) that they may bring us nearer to Allah in position." Indeed, Allah ...” [Ref: 39:3] About these alleged protectors Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) says: “Say, "Who is Lord of the heavens and earth?" Say, "Allah." Say, "Have you then taken besides Him protectors (Awliyah) not possessing (even) for themselves any benefit or any harm?" [Ref: 13:16] And in another Ayah He reveals identity of these Awliyah when He says their Awliyah do not benefit, or have ability to harm: “But they have taken besides Him gods which create nothing, while they are created, and possess not for themselves any harm or benefit and possess not (power to cause) death or life or resurrection.” [Ref: 25:3] And these gods are gods which Bani Israil encountered and asked Prophet Musa (alayhis salam) to make them a god like their idol-gods: “And We took the Children of Israel across the sea; then they came upon a people intent in devotion to idols of theirs. They said: "O Moses make for us an Ilah (i.e. god) just as they have Aalihatan (i.e. gods)." He said, "Indeed, you are a people behaving ignorantly.” [Ref: 7:138] This establishes Mushrikeen took their protectors as gods and gods like idols. And they worshipped these idol-gods to gain their intercession and to use them as intercessors in court of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) to gain His favor. (iii) Mushrikeen took idols as their intercessors and protectors, and partner gods/Ilahs beside Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and they worshipped them so they can please idol-gods and so they can intercede for them to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala).

7.3 - Telling Ibn Shaytan Difference Between Belief /Practice Of Bareilwi’s And Mushrikeen:

(i) Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah the Bareilwis believe intermediary is a righteous servant of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and a creation. And we do not worship him but ask Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) to invoke Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) on our behalf nor we have intention to worship him. We do not believe intermediary is an Ilah/deity, nor a lord to be believe so would be major Kufr and Shirk. An action performed without belief of Ilahiyyah and intention of worship is not worship. To worship anyone beside Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) including Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is Kufr. And to affirm Ilahiyyah for him is major Shirk and to ask him to intercede with belief Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) is an Ilah/Rabb with intention of worship is Shirk due to belief and Kufr due to worship. And we believe to make an idol is Haram and making a living it is also Haram so we do not make an idol representing a Wali, or a Nabi. (ii) In stark contrast to Bareilwis the Mushrikeen not only carved idols from various materials. They also believed their idols are gods/lords and worshipped them seeking to please them so they intercede on behalf of Mushrikeen. And therefore believed their idol-gods are intercessors in court of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and protectors of their interests. They believed worship of creation was allowed and worshipped idols therefore. (iii) The difference between the Bareilwis and the Mushrikeen of Makkah is that we believe intermediary is an ordinary but righteous creation of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and Mushrikeen believed their persons were gods/lords partners of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). The Mushrikeen worshipped their intercessors/protectors in hope of their intercession/protection and we believe worship is only due to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). We believe it is Haram to create an idol of anyone/everyone, Kufr to worship it, Shirk to attribute Ilahiyyah to it, and Mushrikeen created, worshipped and attributed Ilahiyyah to idols, angels, and Jinns. We have clear and established difference in creed and practice with Mushrikeen. There is clear and evident distinction between us and Mushrikeen. We maintain Tawheed in creed and in practice. Even during practicing Tawassul, Wasilah, Istighathah and the Mushrikeen committed evident Shirk.

7.4 - Telling Ibn Shaytan What Is Islam, Iman And How It Is Established:

We believe there is no Ilah except Allah, and Muhammad is Messenger of Allah. We give Zakat, perform Hajj as prescribed, fast during month of Ramadhan and worship Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) as our Rabb/Ilah and we face direction of Qibla. And Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) said about one who upholds these five: “Narrated Ibn Umar: That the Messenger of Allah said: ‘Islam is based upon five: the testimony of la ilaha il-allah, and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah, the establishment of the Salat, giving the Zakat, fasting (the month of) Ramadan, and performing Hajj to the House.’" [Ref: Tirmadhi, B38, H2609, here.] We eat the slaughter of Muslims and we slaughter only in the name of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and eat nothing slaughtered without it. We only fight Mushrikeen until they are upon Shirk and stop upon la ilaha il-Allah: “It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that: The Prophet said: "I have been commanded to fight the idolaters until they bear witness to La ilaha il-allah (there is none worthy of worship except Allah) and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. If they bear witness to La ilaha il-allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger, and they pray as we pray and face our Qibla, and eat our slaughtered animals, then their blood and wealth becomes forbidden to us except for a right that is due." [Ref: Nisa’ee, B37, H3971, here.] And there is no justified fight against us due to la ilaha il-Allah Muhammad His servant and Messenger, praying toward Qibla, eating slaughter of Muslims and this makes blood and property Haram for anyone claiming to follow the last Prophet and the Messenger. Khawarij are liars in their claim and we are Muslims. Nothing in our belief and in our practices invalidates our Islam. Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is enough as a Witness and His Messenger is witness over us.

8.0 - Final Argument Against Ibn Shaytan, And Last Demonstration Of His Error:

Ibn Shaytan titled his plagiarized content of Qawa’id al-Arba as: “In Aqeedah there is no difference between Kuffar e Makkah and today’s Barelwis.” And readers would be aware how great/serious the difference is between creed and practice of Bareilwis and Mushrikeen of Makkah is. Yet despite this the Kafir says there is no difference. Despite the great difference between belief, intention and practice of Muslims and Mushriks of Arabia Ibn Shaytan has homed on one commonality and that is use of intermediary/intercessor. That’s like homing on Tawaf performed by Muslims and one performed by Mushrikeen of Arabia. And then completely ignoring differences between beliefs, intention, and practice of both parties and saying there is no difference between practice of Tawaf performed by Mushriks of Arabia and Muslims. Or that’s like homing on Muslims believing in Prophet Isa (alayhis salaam) and Christian believing in Prophet Isa (alayhis salam). And a donkey completely ignores the beliefs affirmed about him by Muslims and Christians and says regarding Prophet Isa (alayhis salaam) in creed there is no difference between Christian polytheists and Muslims. And the Kafir donkey says, Christians believe in Prophet Isa (alayhis salaam) was born without male sexual touch and Muslims believe same therefore Muslims are Kafir like them. Any sane person would plead and educate that donkey saying Ibn Shaytan Kufr isn’t due to what is common between Quran/Bible but Kufr is judged on basis of what is in contradiction with Quran. Christians believed Prophet Isa (alayhis salaam) to be Ibn Allah (i.e. son of Allah) and that is Kufr in one sense and Shirk in another. Ibn Shaytan Kufr and Shirk is warranted on beliefs and practices which are against teaching of Quran al-Mubeen. And not when certain are in agreement with it. Employing intermediary to gain favor with Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is not only allowed but instruction of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) in Quran al-Mubeen. Mushrikeen also practiced the same but they polluted their practice of seeking help of intermediary with belief of Shirk and Kufri practice of worship. Mushrikeen polluted the Tawaf with Talbiyah of Shirk and affirmed Shirki beliefs while performing it but that does not mean Tawaf itself is Shirk. When the elements of Shirk/Kufr were removed Tawaf became worship. Ibn Shaytan Mushrikeen polluted seeking of intercession via an intermediary with belief of Shirk and practice of Kufr. Remove the belief of Shirk and Kufr from intercession and seeking intercessors to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) is no longer Shirk, nor Kufr. And Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) removed it and told us to seek intercession of Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) to have our sins forgiven. Without believing intercessor/intermediary is an Ilah/Rabb, or His partner, and without intention of worship, asking Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) to intercede is not Shirk and not Kufr.

Consequences Of Saying Muslims Are Kafirs And Takfir Of Ibn Shaytan:

Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi was’sallam) said: “Narrated Abu Huraira Allah's Messenger said, "If a man says to his brother, O Kafir (disbeliever)!' Then surely one of them is such (i.e., a Kafir)." [Ref: Bukhari, B73, H125, here.] “It is reported on the authority of Ibn Umar that the Apostle (peace and blessings be upon him) observed: When a man calls his brother an unbeliever, it returns (at least) to one of them.” [Ref: Muslim, B1, H116, here.] Meaning if one declaring an individual a Kafir is justified in doing so then declared is Kafir but if one declaring Kafir has no justification in saying to his Muslim brother you’re Kafir then he himself is Kafir: “Narrated Abu Dhar: That he heard the Prophet saying, "If somebody accuses another of Fusuq (by calling him Fasiq i.e. a wicked person) or accuses him of Kufr, such an accusation will revert to him (i.e. the accuser) if his companion (the accused) is innocent.” [Ref: Bukhari, B73, H71, here.] This shows how serious Takfir is and why we should avoid it. One who makes Takfir his Iman and Islam is on edge of very sharp sword but some time it is requirement to walk on this razor sharp edge to protect Islam and warn others about Kufr. Ibn Shaytan made Takfir (i.e. act of declaring Kafir) by saying Mushrikeen of Arabia and Bareilwis have no difference in creed. And it was established his statement has zero justification and therefore his Takfir returns to him. This is a justification that he is a Kafir and his other mentioned major Kufrs solidify and establish beyond shadow of a doubt that Ibn Shaytan is a Kafir. And it is not impossible for one who meets all requirement of Islam yet be out of Islam due committing Kufr in other areas of belief. Khawarij originated from East of Madinah in region of Najd and are said to be group of Kufr: “Narrated Abu Huraira: Allah's Messenger said, "The main source of disbelief is in the east. Pride and arrogance are characteristics of the owners of horses and camels, and those bedouins who are busy with their camels and pay no attention to Religion; while modesty and gentleness are the characteristics of the owners of sheep." [Ref: Bukhari, B54, H520, here.]

Conclusion:

Mushrikeen of Arabia took their idol-gods are protectors and intercessors. And believed worship of these would please the gods who then would intercede for worshippers and get them closer to Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). And Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) prohibited taking idol-gods as intercessors, protectors and His partners. In obvious contradiction Muslims believe there is no Ilah/deity except Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and worship is only due to Him. And Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) instructed the Muslims to employ intermediary to gain His mercy, needs and forgiveness. There is huge difference and a clear distinction between Bareilwis/Muslims and Mushrikeen of Arabia and to say there is no difference between us Muslims and Mushrikeen is to lie like Khariji Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab. Without shame, self-respect, academic integrity, fear of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and hell. Ibn Umar (radiallah ta’ala anhu) made an interesting observation about Khawarij and revealed sign of Khawarij is to apply verses upon Muslims which were revealed for Mushrikeen as if the verses are describing beliefs and practices of Muslims. It was demonstrated verses employed by Ibn Shaytan and applied upon Muslims were in reality revealed about Mushrikeen of Arabia and described their beliefs and practices. Thus establishing Ibn Shaytan is upon methodology of Khawarij and therefore Khariji like rest of his Wahhabi brethren. Khawarij are described as dogs of hell-fire, people standing at the gates of hell-fire and inviting others to join them, and worst creatures in creation of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala). And it was habit of these Khawarij like Wahhabis to equate beliefs and practices of Muslims with Mushrikeen and declare them Kafir/Mushrik after applying verses revealed for Mushriks upon Muslims. Ibn Shaytan like his Khariji Wahhabi kind holds belief such as, Mushrikeen believed in Tawheed al-Rububiyyah, and this is major Kufr which invalidates Islam. Ibn Shaytan is unique [in the sense that other Wahhabis do not believe] in his belief that Mushrikeen believed their Ilahs/deities were benefit-less, harmless and this too is major Kufr. And to compound the Ibn Shaytan’s Kufr he made sneaky but unjustified Takfir, declared Muslims are Kafirs like Kafirs of Arabia, which returns back to him as per prophetic statement. All due praises are right of Allah (subhanahu wa ta’ala) and due to His mercy we are Muslims.

Wama alayna il-lal balagh ul-mubeen.
Muhammed Ali Razavi.