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Ahle Hadith was a reformist movement
in Sunni
Hanafi
school in Pakistan
but they have slowly moved
into Sunni
Hanbali
school represented by Wahabis
in Pakistan. They are now
considered to be integral
part of puritanical Salafi
group in Pakistan. Ahle
Hadith is extremely critical
of Sufis
and Barelvi
school due to their relaxed
observance of Sharia. The
Sufis are accused by Ahle
Hadith Ulamas of comprimising
Sharia and including many
non-Muslim traditions in
their practice of Islam.
Ahel Hadith are also very
critical of Barelvis
and deprecate them as the
shrine-worshipping, grave-worshiping
and ignorant Barelvis. The
Barelvis emphasis on saints,
graves of the saints and
holy relics is considered
as non-Muslim beliefs by
Ahle Hadith and Deobandis.
The Barelvis belief that
the Prophet Mohammad is
a human being made from
flesh and blood (Bashar)
and a Nur (light) at the
same time is considered
to be heretical by Hanbali
school and Deobandis.
Ahle Hadith accepts the Qur'an and Hadith
as basic texts. It also
accepts various commentaries
including Ibn Abd al-Wahhab's
Kitab al-Tawhid ("Book
of Monotheism"), and
the works of the earlier
scholar Ibn Taymiyya (1263–1328).
Ahle Hadith claim that they do not follow
any specific school of jurisprudence
(Maddhab or Mazhab), and
they claim to interpret
the words of the Prophet
Mohammad directly, using
the four Sunni
schools (Hanafi,
Hanbali,
Maliki
and Shafii)
for reference. However,
they are closely associated
with the Hanbali
maddhab. Ahle Hadith hold
that some Muslim groups
such as Sufis,
Barelvis
and Shia
follow many non-Muslim practices.
Ahle Hadith theology advocates a puritanical
and legalistic stance in
matters of faith and religious
practice. Ahle Hadith see
their role as a movement
to restore Islam from what
they perceive to be innovations,
superstitions, deviances,
heresies and idolatries.
There are many practices
that they believe are contrary
to Islam, such as:
-
The
invoking of any prophet,
saint or angel in prayer,
other than God alone
(Ahle Hadith believe
these practices are
polytheistic in nature)
-
Supplications at graves,
whether saints' graves,
or the prophet's grave
-
Celebrating annual feasts
for dead saints
-
Wearing of charms, and
believing in their healing
power
-
Practicing magic, or
going to sorcerers or
witches seeking healing
-
Innovation in matters
of religion (e.g. new
methods of worship)
Erecting elaborate monuments
over any grave
Ahle Hadith ban pictures, tobacco, photographs,
and celebrating Prophet
Muhammad's birthday (Milad-un-Nabi),
among many other things,
based on their interpretation
of the hadith.
Page last updated:
Saturday, February 04, 2006 19:09:12 -0500
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