The Light of Truth

 Background to the Edict given by Jame Ashraf

 Jame Ashraf Fatwa (pdf) Urdu

 Jame Ashraf Fatwa English Edict

Ashrafi Scholars Condemnation of Jilani mia Urdu (pdf)

Ashrafi Scholars Condemnation - English Translation

Ashrafi Khandaan Letter with Signatures [urdu]

Ashrafi Khandaan Signatories

Clarification : Sayyad Anwar Ashraf
 

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BACKGROUND TO THE EDICT GIVEN BY JAME ASHRAF

Jilani Mia in his book the Declaration of Truth and on his Spiritual Foundation website has provided a list of those Muftis who he has fraudulently obtained edicts (fatwas) from which he has then used to claim that he has been declared innocent of all Sharia charges against him.

However, what Jilani Mia has not included is the edict given to him on his own questionnaire by the Chief Mufti and Shaykh al Hadith of Jame Ashraf in Kicchocha Shareef, Mufti Raza ul Haq Ashrafi which we have made available to our readers.

The background to Mufti Raza ul Haq Ashrafi’s answer is that when Jilani Miya sent his questionnaire to the Darul Ifta at Jame Ashraf, Mufti Raza ul Haq Ashrafi was also given material containing information on FUREC, its aims and objectives, its constitution and the Surat Spiritual Declaration.

As a result of these documents being available as well as independent research being carried out, when Mufti Raza ul Haq Ashrafi answered Jilani Mia’s question he did so in light of the actual truth and did not fall prey to the deception which Jilani Mia carried out on the other Muftis by concealing the truth. And therefore when Mufti Raza ul Haq Ashrafi gave his answer he did so with all the relevant knowledge which therefore meant that he declared Jilani Mia an infidel (Kafir).

Mufti Raza ul Haq Ashrafi in his commentary on his edict which will shortly be available on this site states that the reason he did not fall prey to the deception of Jilani Miya was because at the time he was asked for an edict by Jilani Mia, he was aware of the actual truth and when a Mufti becomes aware of all the truthful facts and the actual circumstances it becomes obligatory (wajib) on the Mufti to provide an answer on what he is aware of; and not only on the question that has been asked especially when the question is trying to conceal the truth. And that is why the edict of Jame Ashraf is based on the actual truth and is absolutely in accordance with Sharia.

Jilani Mia’s questionnaire to the Muftis is included and the answer from Mufti Raza ul Haq Ashrafi is included both in its original form and its translation.

What is worth noting is Jilani Mia’s statement in his questionnaire that it was decided:

‘From the very first day of its establishment it was clarified that the meaning of ‘unity of religions’ is not to merge religions with any other religion nor the acceptance of religions but it is the ‘unity of the followers of religions’ to work jointly in the issues of the country.’ (Declaration of truth page 23)

This is a blatant lie as the Surat Spiritual Declaration was signed in October 2003 and FUREC was formed in June 2004. For 9 months without any clarification Jilani Mia was a signed up supporter of the Surat Spiritual Declaration which contains numerous statements of infidelity.

In addition, Jilani Mia has stated that an amendment to the constitution had been made in October 2005 which is another lie as the constitution had not been amended in February 2006 which along with the other lies in his questionnaire to the Darul Iftas’ has been comprehensively dealt with by Gazi al Millat Sayyad Muhammad Hashmi Miya Ashrafi al Jilani in his book ‘Light of Truth.’

Carefully read the edict of Jame Ashraf and you will see why Jilani Mia has not included this with all the other edicts he has been so happy to publish and place on his website. Indeed Shaykh al Islam Hadrat Sayyad Muhammad Madani Ashrafi al Jilani in praise of Mufti Raza ul Haq Ashrafi’s edict writes that:

‘…with the exception of the Chief Mufti of Jame Ashraf all the other Muftis paid heed to the wishes of Jilani Mia and gave answers according to the questions put to them…but the Mufti of Jame Ashraf did not do this. Instead he conducted his own research and carried out enquiries into the constitution of FUREC and the Surat Spiritual Declaration. He fully understood the cleverness that had been displayed in the questionnaire and as a result he saw it as his responsibility in Sharia to leave the circumstances described in the questionnaire to one side and answer the question based on the actual circumstances and truth. And then displaying his knowledge, honesty and integrity and displaying his boldness in his faith he gave an edict of infidelity on Jilani Mia. After reading Jame Ashraf’s edict Jilani Mia grew extremely restless and became engaged in writing nonsense and did not include this edict with the other self preferring edicts in his pamphlet which he published and named ‘Declaration of Truth’.

The questionnaire that was sent to Jame Ashraf and its answer were both included in a file sent to me by Jilani Mia himself. It was at that time I became aware of the existence of this edict. The Mufti of Jame Ashraf has followed the actions of the most learned Scholars of Islam and it is for this reason that I congratulate from the depths of my heart the Chief Mufti of Jame Ashraf, its founder Hadrat Shaykh e Azam and its heart and soul Qaid e Millat [Hadrat Sayyad Mehmud Ashraf Ashrafi al Jilani]’ (Page 102 Sahifa-e-Hidayah)

It is for the reasons highlighted above that this edict carries more weight than any other edict Jilani Mia has before him and it is for this reason we have included it on this website.

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Jame Ashraf Fatwa in URDU


---> Download Original Jame Ashraf Fatwa in Urdu in pdf format <---

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Original Question : 

What Muftiyaan-e-Shariah (Islamic Jurists) opine about the following propositions?

A conclave of multi-faith leaders was held at the behest of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, President of India at Surat in Gujarat, INDIA in October 2003 under the tense condition arising out of communal violence in Gujarat. Faqeer Ashrafi was also invited as an adviser in the deliberation. Surat Spiritual Declaration was declared in the same meeting. Besides this it was pondered over to establish a foundation consisting of followers of religions who could jointly work and find solutions of the burning issues arising in the country.

Consequently, in June 2004 an organisation was launched in New Delhi called: ‘Foundation for Unity of Religions and Enlightened Citizenship’ which in short called (FUREC).

From the very first day of its establishment it was clarified that the meaning of ‘unity of religions’ is not to merge religion with any other religion nor to acceptance of religions rather it is the ‘unity of the followers of religions’ to work jointly in the issues of the country. Thus, if any of my word or writing mentioned in the booklet of Furec in the context of unity, respect or acceptance then the above mentioned meaning should be elucidated. Despite this, I have received written clarification from Furec foundation. And to make my stand more strong and effective, I also sent a proposal of amendment (Memorandum of Association in the aims and objects) to Furec foundation.
 

EDICT OF JAME ASHRAF

ANSWER : In Islamic Sharia accepting the sacred days of non Muslims’ as sacred and important, and from a practical viewpoint showing any reverence for these days is not permitted and FUREC’s aims and objectives state the application and implementation of the Surat Spiritual Declaration.

The Surat Spiritual Declaration’s project number 1 states:

‘Every month in all parts of India there can be a multi-religious gathering to convey the core message attempted in the prayer of peace and about the basic truths contained in various religions. Such a prayer should be preceded by prayers from all religions practised in that part of the country by respective religious and spiritual leaders in the presence of the people. Each month the day selected could be a holy day from one religion: Islam, Hindu, Christianity, Sikh, Parsi, Jain, Buddhist etc. Regular conduct of such meetings by all religious leaders and people from different religions respecting holy days of other religions will send a powerful message. If possible such gatherings can take place at the religious places where all persons from other religions also can gather on that day. People should also exchange pleasantries and sweets during these meetings, as is the practice in some parts of the country where unity of minds prevails.’

This project is also described in the Memorandum of Association at part (d) as:

‘To organize multi religious functions to popularise joint celebration of religious festivals. Common community Kitchens and multi religious prayers.’

When Muslims participate with non Muslims in the celebration of their sacred festivals and days and pray together, popularise their religious message and celebrate their festivals in a joint and unified way, it is obvious that from a practical point of view they will be accepting of non Muslim festivals and sacred days in a respectful manner whereas the display of respect and acceptance of non Muslim religious days and festivals is from a Sharia viewpoint infidelity (kufr).

Meeting with non Muslims to celebrate their sacred days is proof of the belief that they are being regarded as good and stating or believing non Muslim sacred days to be good is from a Sharia viewpoint infidelity.

If for the protection of human rights, upholding peace and harmony for all, ending national and international terrorism and prevention of intoxicants and smuggling; all religions get together on one platform this is not infidelity, neither is it a sin – But in this unity there is no scope or capacity for a Muslim to respect or accept any other religions’ belief.

But in the Surat Spiritual Declaration’s project number 2 it is stated:

‘These efforts will elevate religions in the minds of the people and the nation will benefit.’

It can be concluded from this that your organisation’s aim is to strive to increase the respect and reverence of other religions in people’s hearts. From this it can be seen that ‘respect of religions’ means reverence of religions and therefore ‘unity of religions’ means exactly that and ‘acceptance of religions’ means recognition and acceptance.

Unity, respect and acceptance of religions are words which are clear and obvious and do not need the support of other words to elucidate their meanings. And to therefore conclude that unity of religion means unity of the followers of religion in common issues, acceptance of religion means the acceptance of the followers of religion to exist, respect of religions means the respect of the followers of religion is not allowed in Islamic Law because an explanation of obvious and plain words is not acceptable.

Also ‘unity of religions’, unity of faith or unification/togetherness of religions from the viewpoint of Sharia and the subject of infidelity are words which are relevant and clear; therefore whenever they are spoken and used in relation to an un-Islamic view, then the pre-determined meaning will be used as the definition and giving these words any another meaning you approve of will not be correct.

For example, if a Muslim, Allah forbid states that ‘I accept both infidelity and Islam’, then under Sharia he will be declared an infidel and his explanation that by this what I mean is that ‘I accept the right of existence of both Muslims and Non-Muslims’ will not be accepted in Sharia, even if his explanation is that by infidelity I meant those who are infidels and by Islam I meant those who are Muslims such as Hadrat Muhaddis e Azam in his poetry said:

Kufr se Kufre bagal geer nazar aata he

(We view infidels standing shoulder to shoulder with infidels)

Unity of religions is a term of infidelity and therefore making this statement from the Sharia’s viewpoint brings a charge of infidelity on you even if you state that your intention is the unity of followers of religion in shared or common issues of concern. Because uttering a plainly obvious word of infidelity will lead to one being declared an infidel – no change is allowed to the obvious meaning and neither will the belief in the heart will be taken into account.

Sharia deals with actions that are seen and observed.

For example, if a Muslim, Allah forbid prostrates before an idol, Sharia will look at his actions and declare him a polytheist and an infidel even if he were to state that he believes that worshipping an idol is polytheism and that he was not worshipping the idol but beyond the idol he was worshipping God. Sharia will not accept this explanation from him. Consequently in Fatawa Tatar Khair it states:

It is with huge regret that I am having to write that I have read with great care and attention the Memorandum of FUREC, the SSD and all the documents that you provided and I have tried very hard to find a Sharia angle where the Islamic verdict of infidelity does not fall upon you because it is very important for a Mufti that as far as possible he refrains from declaring an edict of infidelity on a Muslim and restrains himself to the end limit. However, it is with regret, a hundred times with regret that I have to say that I have found no way out in Sharia for you.

In fact in your organisation’s aims and objectives I found the establishment of multi religious gatherings to celebrate festivals, multi religious prayers on various religious sacred days, creating multi-religious harmony, spreading universal spiritual values, using media and technology to publicise the unity of religions message, creating and sending educational material for the teaching and understanding of universal spiritual values to educational establishments, creating universal brotherhood among religions, jointly celebrating other religions festivals and sacred days and exchanging gifts and presents, accepting all religions as beautiful gardens, declaring all religions as places of harmony, calling religions flower gardens [flower beds], accepting the universal truth of all religions, striving to develop respect in people’s hearts for all religions, sending and enrolling our children to other religions’ education centres for education and training in order to develop the thinking in their minds that every religion has equality, honesty and truth.

It is blatantly obvious that the above is not designed to deal with common concerns and issues of a nation but is linked only to religions and religious practice and values. Therefore your comment that by unity of religions you mean the unity of followers of religions in common concerns and issues of a nation, by respect of religions you mean having regard for the rights of followers of religions and by acceptance of religions you mean the right of other religions’ followers to exist is against the obvious meanings which cannot be accepted.

The conclusion therefore is; that stating the obvious and outright words of infidelity and endorsing the non Islamic values and actions means the charge of infidelity devolves upon you.

I am a humble servant of the family of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be Upon Him) and an ordinary servant of the Prophet’s religion. However, the relationship of faith supercedes all other relationships. The Prophet Muhammad’s (Peace be Upon Him) call is ‘ad-din un –nasiha’ – Islam wholly wishes well.

Therefore my well wished advice to you is that as you are under a charge of infidelity in Sharia, you should repent and declare your renewal of faith and sacrifice all your worldly gains and possessions for the command of Mustafa’s (Peace be Upon Him) Sharia and preciously save your faith. It is in this course of action that there is success in this world and in the hereafter.

Raza ul Haq Ashrafi Raj Mahalli

Shaykh ul Hadith & Chief Mufti Jame Ashraf
Dargah Kichoccha Sharif
District Ambedkar Nagar
UP

20 Muharram ul Haram – 19 February 2006

I am satisfied with the above answer
Muhammad Shahbuddin Ashrafi

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PDF Document

Download original Urdu Document with signatures

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English translation from original  Urdu Document

From the Scholars and Shaykhs of the Ashrafi family

To Sayed Muhammad Jilani

In response to your letter dated 21-02-06 from Lucknow

We condemn the direct insults and abuse hurled by you at Shaykh ul Islam Sayyad Muhammad Madani Ashrafi Jilani, successor to Hazrat Mohaddis e Azam (blessings be upon Him) and the indirect insults, abuse and insinuations aimed at Shaykh e Azam Hazrat Allama Sayyad Muhammad Izhar Ashraf, successor at the Senior Hasaniya Household and other scholars of the family as well as the baseless accusations you have made, the impudence you have shown, your attempt at smearing their characters, your delirious ranting and raving, your madness, insanity and fury is condemned by all of us. Your dishonourable behaviour is an attempt to divert people from the un-Islamic aims and objectives of FUREC.

The unity of false religions, respect of false religions, acceptance of false religions, participating and assisting in polytheists’ religious practices, propagating the knowledge of false religions, respecting the values of false religions, believing false religions to be beautiful gardens, assembly singing, believing false religions polytheists days as sacred, respecting false religions sacred days, respecting false religions, trying to imbue the views and thoughts of false religions into the minds of Muslim students, nurturing false religious practices, keeping in tact the diverse practices and habits, views and beliefs of false religions and through combining various skills and knowledge trying to form ‘unity of minds, etc etc are all in your and your sadhus’ Organisations’ aims and objectives.

In order to avoid the aims and objectives of FUREC being seen by the scholars and Muftis of Islam, you are trying in a dirty and unclean manner to personalise what is a religious and Sharia matter to the extent that in your questions to Muftis you have not sought the views on the Sharia’s ruling on the aims and objectives of FUREC but you have lied to the Muftis and said that under Article 30 of the Memorandum of Association there has been an amendment to the aims and objectives. God is witness that under Article 30 there has been no such amendment. The claim of the amendment on 27 October is a blatant lie.

And you are such a big and confirmed liar that to deceive people you state unity, respect and acceptance of religions to be against Sharia, Islam, faith and belief in your questions to Muftis – and yet in the original memorandum of FUREC you have endorsed and signed up to the unity, respect and acceptance of religions.

Exactly like Murtaza Hasan Darbinghi who stated that the comparison of the knowledge of the unseen with animals and lunatics was infidelity yet endorsed the book Hifzul Iman which contained this comparison.

You too have adopted this inferior and unsavoury method. You state that the unity of religions with Islam is false but in FUREC you have endorsed this.

The subject matter is FUREC which is about the foundation for the unity of religions. There is no dispute with Spiritual Foundation, Kashful Qulub or any worldly, family or personal dispute.

The dispute is with the un-Islamic rules, aims and objectives of FUREC.

If you have even an iota of care, thought or consideration for Sharia then put before the Muftis FUREC’s aims and objectives and then seek the view of Sharia. The original rules are in English and that is what was agreed and what is important. You should not translate this. The Muftis will have the correct and accurate translation done themselves. The day you do this is the day your fraud, deception, trickery and dishonesty will be blatantly and totally exposed.

Your deception and attempt to personalise a religious topic is deceitfulness and slyness and an attempt to hide the un-Islamic objectives of FUREC and we condemn in the strongest possible terms your insulting and dishonourable use of language towards the esteemed personalities of the pure and clean Sharia.

And Allah willing that day is not far when every Sunni edict providing body will give an edict against the false beliefs of FUREC. Wait for the day when you will be disgraced and humiliated.

The state of affairs described in your questions is one thing; the actual and truthful state of affairs is something else. And soon all the Muftis will Allah willing become aware of the actual and truthful situation.

There is still time. Repent in Sharia from the organisation of the Sadhus and re-enter completely into the fold of Islam. If not, remember that the trappings of power and wealth in yesteryear did not bring success to Nimrod, nor today will lead to success for someone rejected by God and without hope of salvation.

Sayed Muhammad Hashmi 
Sayed Alamgir Ashraf
Sayed Ahmad Ashraf
Sayed Shah Ayub Ashraf
Sayed Ehsan Ashraf
Sayed Ahmed Hussain Qausar
Sayed Muhammad Qasim
Sayed Muhammad Noorani
Sayed Muhammad Arabi
Sayed Muhammad Ashraf (son of Sayed Izhar Ashraf)
Sayed Jahangir Ashraf
Sayed Muhammad Subhani
Faqir Sayed Shah Niyaz Ashraf
Sayed Hasan Askari
Sayed Muhammad Ghous Ashraf

We condemn the stated beliefs of FUREC
If Shaykh ul Islam is insulted, then we condemn that : Shamsudduha & Abul Hasan Sayed

Read what Anjuman e Garib Nawaz have said regarding the above letter and signatories

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