Question:
What is the view of Sunni scholars regarding Al-Isma’iliyyah and Agha Khani sects who live in many places and most of them live in the north of Pakistan. Following are some of their views that explain their doctrine.
In the Name of Allah, the Great, we ask you to answer our request for Fatwa to dispel the doubts in many Muslims’ minds. In the past, the followers of this sect used to hide their false ‘Aqidah (creed), therefore the early Muslim shaykhs called them Al-Batiniyyah (those who hide their real faith). Nowadays, they overtly call people to their false ‘Aqidah (creed) to lead Muslims astray in matters related to ‘Aqidah (creed) and for some other purposes we do not yet know.
Answer:
First: The belief that Allah is incarnated in ‘Ali or in any other being is sheer disbelief that excludes a person from Islam. Likewise, the belief that any being other than Allah (Glorified be He) can control the heavens and earth, is disbelief as well. Allah (Exalted be He) says: “Indeed your Lord is Allâh, Who created the heavens and the earth in Six Days, and then He rose over (Istawâ) the Throne (really in a manner that suits His Majesty). He brings the night as a cover over the day, seeking it rapidly, and (He created) the sun, the moon, the stars subjected to His Command. Surely, His is the Creation and Commandment. Blessed is Allâh, the Lord of the ‘Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists)!” [al-A’raf: 54]
Second: Whoever believes that there is anything to be followed other than the Shari’ah revealed to Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is a disbeliever and excluded from Islam. The Shari’ah of Islam is the Qur’an revealed by Allah to Muhammad as Allah (Exalted be He) says: “And (it is) a Qur’ân which We have divided (into parts), in order that you might recite it to men at intervals. And We have revealed it by stages (in 23 years).” [al-Isra’: 106]
The Shari’ah includes the Sunnah which explains the Qur’an as Allah (Exalted be He) says: “And We have not sent down the Book (the Qur’an) to you (O Muhammad صلى الله عليه و سلم), except that you may explain clearly unto them those things in which they differ, and (as) a guidance and a mercy for a folk who believe.” [an-Nahl: 64]
Third: Whoever denies any of the Pillars of Islam or any of the well-established religious matters, is a Kafir (a disbeliever) and a renegade.
Fourth: If the followers of this sect are as you mentioned in the question, it is not permissible for Muslims to pray for their dead or bury them in Muslims’ graves. Also, it is not permissible to intermarry with them, eat from their sacrificed animals, or even treat them like Muslims.
May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet, his family and Companions