Question:
In Pakistan, there is an order known as the Barelvis (Bareilwi) or the order of Nawary, as named after its current leader Nuwary. I ask Your Eminence about the ruling of Shari’ah (Islamic law) on this order, its beliefs and the validity of offering Salah (Prayer) behind one of its members. May your answer relieve many confused hearts that are unaware of the truth! I again remind you of some of their common myths and beliefs, which are:
It is worth mentioning that I am a medical school student, living in Karachi near a Masjid subject to the supervision of the Barelvi order.
Answer:
It is impermissible to offer Salah behind an Imam who adopts such beliefs. If the Ma’mum knows that the Imam adopts these beliefs, then the Salah of the former will not be valid. Most of these beliefs entail Kufr (disbelief) and Bid’ah (rejected innovations in religion). They also contradict Tawhid (belief in the Oneness of Allah), which Allah revealed to His Messengers and in His Books, and are incongruous with the plain texts of the Qur’an. For example, Allah (Glorified be He) says: “Verily you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم) will die, and verily they (too) will die” [al-Zumar: 30]
Allah also says:”And the mosques are for Allâh (Alone): so invoke not anyone along with Allâh.” [al-Jinn: 18]
Hence, Muslims are required to reject their Bid’ah in a kind way. If they agree, then praise is due to Allah. If not, they should leave the company of those people and offer Salah in the Masjids of Ahl-ul-Sunnah (those adhering to the Sunnah). Khalil Al-Rahman (Prophet Ibrahim - peace be upon him) is a good example of such a case as is clear from the following Ayah: “And I shall turn away from you and from those whom you invoke besides Allâh. And I shall call upon my Lord and I hope that I shall not be unblest in my invocation to my Lord.” [Maryam: 48]
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, his family and Companions