​Barelvi clerics to approach intellectuals to seek opinion on Deoband literature

Bareilly: In the controversy related to meeting of Sunni Barelvi cleric with Deobandi leaders, Tahreek-e-Tahaffuz Sunniat (TTS), a wing of Dargah Aala Hazrat, has launched a campaign against four books of Deobandi leaders which allegedly contain “objectionable” content against Prophet Mohammed.
The members of TTS have decided to send the books, along with translations in Hindi, English, Gujarati and Bangla, to “intellectuals” across the country to make them aware about the basis of dispute between Barelvis and Deobandis.
TTS said that they want to end the dispute between Barelvis and Deobandis and hence, want a final decision in the matter now with the help of citizens of the country.
“Over the years, a misconception among people has been created that the reason behind dispute among Barelvis and Deobandis is that Deobandis do not believe in visiting holy shrines, offering flowers and Niyaz Fatiya (religious ceremony performed after death of a person). However, these are minor religious differences and it has nothing to do with the dispute of two sects,” said Mufti Mohammed Saleem Noori, general secretary, TTS.
“As the main reason behind the dispute is the objectionable content penned by four Deoband leaders in their books against Prophet Mohammed, we have decided to make public aware about it. In the first phase, we will send 21,000 photocopies along with translations to intellectuals, including lawyers, teachers, doctors and scientists, of all religion by registered post across the country on Wednesday. Besides, our branches of TTS will distribute hand bills and posters on it among masses. We will take inputs from people and ask all of them to participate in open debate on this,” said Noori.
He added, “Over the years, a huge amount has been spent in conducting programmes and court cases by accusing the other sects. We want the matter to close now and hence, decided to run campaign.”
Even Imam Ahmed Raza, the founder of Barelvi movement, had issued a fatwa in 1906 on the basis of these books. The fatwa said that as four Deobandi leaders have written “objectionable matter against Prophet Mohammad”, it decreed a complete boycott of Deobandis if they failed to ban the writings and apologise for them.
The controversy began when renowned Barelvi cleric Maulana Tauqeer Raza Khan met with the Deobandis last week and Barelvi clerics, including Tauqeer’s brothers, expressed strong disapproval. Hazrat Subhan Raza Khan, Tauqeer’s elder brother and chairperson of Dargah Aala Hazrat, said in a statement that Tauqeer would face boycott if he did not apologise publicly. Tauqeer’s younger brother, Maulana Tasleem Raza Khan, echoed the view. However, Tauqeer said that he will apologise only when a mufti issues a fatwa condemning his visit to Deoband seminary.