The Opinion of Molana ‘Abdul Sattar Tonsawi

All praise is due to the Rabb of the universe, peace and salutations upon the seal of Prophets and Rusul, as well as all of his Ahlul Bayt and Sahabah.

We are living in a chaotic era, where the fundamentals of Islam are mocked and belittled, and matters of din are daily rejected and disputed. This fortified din has become the target of both external and internal forces. There is a flood of trials and the plot and plans of the people of falsehood are scurrying down every hilltop. The intoxication of re-interpreting the Qur’an and rejecting the Sunnah is on the rise. The seeds of hatred for the noble Sahabah are being planted in the name of love for the Ahlul Bayt. In fact, in the name of Islam, kufr is being promoted. With the condition being such, a heart breaking offence is being committed by the obstinate ones, they have taken to criticising and disparaging those who were trained and nurtured by none other than Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam himself. The three illustrious Khalifas: Abu Bakr, ‘Umar, and ‘Uthman are reviled, and even labelled disbelievers. Undoubtedly, this burns the heart. It is as if the claimants of love are waiting to destroy Islam, from its roots. May Allah save us from that!

This painful tale was initiated by that sordid sect commonly known as the Shia, Rawafid, and Ithna ‘Ashariyyah. These beliefs were originally formed by the Jew ‘Abdullah ibn Saba’ and his companions, who attempted to halt the conquests of Jewish kingdoms by Islam. This ploy was adopted in order to shred to pieces the unity of the Muslims. Ibn Saba’ first concocted the concept of Imamah and propagated it. This was accompanied by labelling the first three Khalifas as kafir and using unethical words in cursing them and distancing oneself from them. This is a fact that is even admitted by the scholars of the Shia, such as Abu ‘Amr al Kashshi, al Mamaqani, and Baqir al Majlisi in their books. In fact the Shia scholars have written:

فمن ههنا قال من خالف الشيعة اصل التشيع و الرفض ماخوذ من اليهودية

It is due to this that those who oppose Shi’ism say that Tashayyu’ and Rafd (synonyms of the word Shi’ism) are derived from Judaism.^[1]

Furthermore, Mirza Ghulam Ahmed Qadiyani Dajjal also writes at one place in his book:

One of my teachers was a Shia saint. He would say that the only repellent of epidemics is tawalla and tabarra’, which means loving the Imams of the Ahlul Bayt to the extent that they are worshipped and reviling the Sahabah. There is no better cure than this.

It has become clear from this that Qadiyanism is a product of Shi’ism, which is in turn a product of Judaism.

Birds of a feather flock together

Nevertheless, we have learnt from the clear writings of the Shia scholars that Ibn Saba’ used the doctrine of Imamah and love for the Ahlul Bayt as a veil and cloak under which he hid his hypocrisy and laid the foundations of Shi’ism. This anti-Islam movement portrayed itself to be anti-Sahabah only. However, the ‘ulama’ were not beguiled by their trickery and realised that their hatred was in actual fact for Islam, the Qur’an, and the one upon who the Qur’an was revealed. The only reason why the Sahabah were selected as targets of abuse is because they are the only ones who were blessed with the opportunity of witnessing the Nubuwwah of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam and the Qur’an.

When the eye-witnesses are discredited, then no reliance can be placed on any aspect of the din. It is for this reason that Imam Abu Zur’ah said:

اذا رايت الرجل ينتقص احدا من اصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم فاعلم انه زنديق

If you see a man demeaning any of the companions of Rasulullah salla Llahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, then know that he is an irreligious person.^[2]

It is for this reason that we believe that the fitnah of Rafd is much more severe as compared to open and normal disbelief. The general masses have been duped by the decorated chants of love for the Ahlul Bayt, and have thus regarded the Shia to be another group from amongst the Muslims. This misunderstanding was also due to the fact that the books of the Shia were not available, and nobody had sufficient knowledge regarding them. Over and above that the thick black cloth of Taqiyyah (dissimilation) was wrapped over Shi’ism.

The Shia reject many of the basics of Islam, to the extent that they even believe an alternate Qur’an exists (with their long awaited ‘Absent Imam’). The ‘ulama’ have continuously warned the Muslims about their ill-fortune and deviation. Examples of such ‘ulama’ are, ‘Allamah Abu Bakr ibn al ‘Arabi, ‘Allamah Ibn Taymiyyah, Shah ‘Abdul ‘Aziz Dehlawi etc., around half a century ago, ‘Allamah ‘Abdul Shakur Lucknowi issued a fatwa (verdict) that they are kafir on account of their beliefs such as tahrif (distortion) of the Qur’an, Bada’ (to believe that Allah only learns of events as they happen), Imamah, takfir of the Sahabah, and the accusation against Aisha radiya Llahu ‘anha. This verdict was signed by the scholars of Deoband as well, who included the likes of Molana Sayed Hussain Ahmed Madani, ‘Allamah Shabbir Ahmed ‘Uthmani, Molana Muhammad Ibrahim Balyawi, Molana I’zaz ‘Ali, and Mufti Muhammad Shafi’ amongst others.^[3]

This lowly one has also explained, in detail the beliefs of the Shia in my Arabic book Kashf al Wa’iz fi ‘Aqidat al Rawafid. Those who are interested may refer to it. However, I have felt the need, for quite some time for a comprehensive book regarding Sunni-Shia differences. My duties in the line of propagation, debating the deviated sects, and teaching as well as other commitments did not allow me to dedicate enough time in which I could have compiled a voluminous book.

Nevertheless, the famous ‘Alim and great researcher, Molana Muhammad Nafi’ compiled a separate book on each one of those subjects. I have seen most of his books, the likes of Ruhama’ Baynahum, Hadith al Thaqalayn, Banat Arba’ah, Sirat Sayyidina ‘Ali al Murtada, and Sirat Sayyidina Amir Muawiyah. I have also seen many sections of his latest book, Fawa’id Nafi’ah. Molana has done justice in presenting the viewpoint of the Ahlus Sunnah. All praise belongs to Allah, my long-awaited dream has become a reality.

Without exaggeration, I say that I would not have been able to write such comprehensive books, due to lack of time. Molana presented concrete evidence and provided accurate references. His unique research informs us of his ability to separate dust particles from gold. By presenting the true position of the Sahabah as well as the Ahlul Bayt, Molana clarified the viewpoint of the rightly guided and uprooted the doubts and objections of the Rawafid. Molana’s writings are a fatal blow to the concoctions of the Rawafid.

Under the section where he refutes the accusations against the Sahabah, he adopts a scholarly, reconciliatory research method, on which he presents his view. These books are undoubtedly a means of guidance for the level-headed men of understanding and complete proof against the deviated… “So that he who is destroyed is destroyed after clear proof and he who is to live will live after clear proof.”

This lowly one recommends to his circle of ‘ulama’ and students that they should definitely benefit from this book. May Allah accept this great science rendered by the author and make it fruitful and beneficial for the Muslims.

Amin Ya Rabb al ‘Alamin.

Muhammad ‘Abdul Sattar Tonsawi (may Allah overlook his shortcomings)

Amir of Tanzim Ahlus Sunnah – Pakistan

1st Jumad al Ula 1423 A.H

NEXT⇒ Foreword By Molana Khalid Mahmud Sialkoti

^[1] Firaq al Shia pg. 30, Rijal al Kashshi pg. 108, Tanqih al Maqal pg. 87, Bihar al Anwar pg. 287, Tafsir Mir’at al Anwar pg. 62

^[2] Abu Zur’ah al Razi pg. 199 pg. 231

^[3] Refer to the monthly Bayyinat of Karachi ‘The Agreed upon Decision by the ‘ulamaʼ Regarding Khomeini and the Ithna ‘Ashariyyah’ Pgs.93,94,170-175.