Ash Sheikh M.I.M.Rizwe Mufti
The President,
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama,
Colombo.
21.12.2020
Respected sir!
AN OPEN LETTER TO ASH SHEIKH RIZWE MUFTI – THE PRESIDENT OF ALL CEYLON JAMIYYATHUL ULAMA
Assalamu alaikkum warahmathullahi wabarakaathuhu!
We have been activating under the guidance of Most Reverend Ash Sheikh Moulavee Al-Hajj A.Abdur Rauf (Misbahee-Bahjee) for four decades with the ambition to promote the spiritual progress among the Muslims by preaching Islamic Sufi theosophical philosophies and guiding them towards the peaceful path. One of our principal ambitions is to protect the Islamic traditional cultures and sublimes.
Recently, “Vidivelli” newspaper published news on 09.10.2020 about a statement that you have specified; “Except Qadianis, Abdur Rauf’s group in Kattankudy and Shias, the entire Muslims in Sri Lanka are of Sunnah wal Jama’ah Doctrine alone.”
Through this statement, you have said that Most Reverend Ash Sheikh Moulavee Al-Hajj A.Abdur Rauf (Misbahee-Bahjee) and his adherents Ulamas (Religious scholars), Murideen (Disciples) and Muhibbeens (those who love him) are contradictory to Sunnah wal Jama’ah tenet.
Further, you have tried to display us, the Sufi Muslims who live in Kattankudy and Island wide, belittled by mentioning, “Abdur Rauf’s Group in Kattankudy”.
Most Reverend Ash Sheikh Moulavee Al Hajj A.Abdur Rauf (Misbahee-Bahjee) and we – his adherents- the Sufi Muslim community, are the followers of traditional Sunnah wal Jama’ah tenet in the path of real Sufis. We have been preaching against Wahhabism and the extremism hidden in it for more than four decades. While it is a globally known fact what is the reason for you to have stated that we are contradictory to Sunnah wal Jama’ah tenet?
Have you stated on the basis of the ‘Fatwa’ (Religious judgment) which was given under the title of “Intrusion in monotheism” in 1979 by All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, in which you are presiding now, that we are contradictory to Islam?
If you have to say so, as it is said in that judgement, you should have identified us, the Sufi Muslims, as the ‘Murdhads’ (Apostates) and accordingly, we should be killed according to Islamic law. Apart from that, on which basis you have said that we are contradictory to Sunnah wal Jama’ah path?
Further, don’t you know the above mentioned religious judgment of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama given in 1979 was absolutely against the guidelines and ethics of Islamic Sharia Law, the constitutional law of our country and the fundamental human rights? Though you are well aware of this fact, did you say that we are contrarian to Sunnah wal Jama’ah tenet in order to not only protect yourself but also in the hope of hiding the religious judgment issued by All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama.
What kind of authority or power does All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama possess to adjudicate not only to the Most Reverend Sheikh Moulavee Al-Hajj A.Abdur Rauf (Misbahee-Bahjee) for philosophizing the Islamic Sufi theosophy but also to us, the Sufi community that accepted this tenet, as ‘Murdhads’ (Apostates) and the ‘Murdhads’ should be killed according to Islamic Law?
Do not forget that not only All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama does not possess any authority to pass such judgment but also the Ulamas of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama who delivered such judgment should be punished by court of law.
That is because, at the time of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama submitting a bill to the parliament in 1997 to incorporate it, they had requested to provide with the legal authority to deliver ‘Fatwa’ (Religious judgment).
However, when the motion to incorporate All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama was legalized in 2000 by the parliament, the authority to deliver ‘Fatwa’(Religious judgment) was not granted. So, it is a crystal clear truth that All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama has impediment to deliver ‘Fatwa’ (Religious judgment).
Further, though there is ban to All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama to announce ‘Fatwa’ legally, it is worthier to remind you whether the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama has given any just and honest ‘Fatwa’ following the proper procedure under the Islamic Sharia law?
Most Reverend Ash Sheikh Moulavee Al-Hajj A.Abdur Rauf (Misbahee-Bahjee) in a Milad festival held at Kattankudy market square in 1979, he expressed the theosophical truth concerning our Holy prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) about whom some have misunderstanding that he is an ordinary man like us. He said that “Haqeeqatal-Muhammadiyyah” (Reality of Muhammad (PBUH)) is that he “Mal’harul Atammu” videlicet; he is an absolute manifestation of Allah. As a basic philosophy to all of these, Ash Sheikh spoke the monotheism “Wahdatal-Wujud” (Oneness of being) called “All is He alone”.
On this basis, the Ulamas of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama gathered in the ‘Gafoor Hall’ of Maradana Zahira College on 31.03.1979. Hearing only a few verses of oration of Most Reverend Ash Sheikh Moulavee Al-Hajj A.Abdur Rauf (Misbahee-Bahjee) via audio cassette, without asking for any explanation from the speaker or even not making any direct inquiry with him, the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama had given verdict after hearing only some sessions. And overnight the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama publicly announced to people in a hurry the next day 01.04.1979 that our Most Reverend Ash Sheikh Moulavee Al-Hajj A.Abdur Rauf (Misbahee-Bahjee) and those who accepted his thoughts are Murdhads (Apostates).
According to Islamic Sharia vogue, to declare the Muslims as Murdhads is very bad subject of reprimand. It is said in the tomes of the Shafi’i Madh’hab (a school of Islamic jurisprudence), if one’s speech seems to be between Kufr and non-Kufr (disbelieve and non-disbelieve), no judgement should be given as he is either ‘Murdhadhs’ (apostates) or Kafir (disbeliever) and kill him. He should be inquired about the purpose of his speech and then decision should be made. It is remarkable here that none of these procedures were followed.
It can be noted here that without taking any just or reasonable action in this religious judgement, only the injustice has been done; It can also be noted here that having already decided the judgment, the conference has been convened. This is a huge historic injustice made by the All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama. Is this a right practice to give such ‘Fatwa’ (religious judgment) according to the procedure of Islamic Sharia law?Even in the judgement that was given through the absolute wrong procedure without following any reasonable activity in 1979, have any correct source been put forth to disapprove the “Wahdatal-Wujud” (Oneness of being)? No. In addition, the sources which were mentioned forgiving judgement are also erroneous. On the contrary, the sources in contrast to the policy of ‘Al Hulool’ (Descending) and ‘Al Ittihaad’ (Amalgamation), have only been put forth in that verdict. In the meantime, how can you say that we are contradictory to the Sunnah wal Jama’ah tenet?
In addition, in the decision taken in “Manaqibus Sahaba” conference held by All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama in 2015, you had decided that the tenet ‘Wahdat al-Wujud’(Oneness of being) called “All is He alone” is absolutely contradictory tenet to Islamic thought and it makes ‘Kufr’ (disbelieving). If so, you should have called us as Kafirs (disbelievers), shouldn’t you? Still, why did you say that we are contradictory to Sunnah wal Jama’ah tenet?
All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama and You have been saying that you provide ‘Fatwa’ only for the ideas and not for persons. Then, why did you mention the Most Reverend Ash Sheikh Moulavee Al-Hajj A.Abdur Rauf’s (Misbahee, Bahjee) name in your comments including the book of Fatwa published in 1979? From this deed, do you accept that you and All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama are doers of contradictory deeds?
Allah has manifested as creatures with his ‘Dhaath’ (Existence), ‘Sifaat’ (Attributes), ‘Asmaau’ (Holy names). What seem to be creatures is He alone. There is nothing except Him. There is only He. His – ‘Dhaath’-existence without getting destroyed, without getting changed and without becoming ugly, He has revealed Himself- “Tajalli”. His revelations of universe and creatures have not been separated from Him or are no different to Him while the existence is one and it is He became Himself. On the basis of that the virtual is one, all is Him and that is Tawhid. This is what remarked by Sufis as “Ath-Tajalliyaathul Ilahiyyah” (Manifestations of God).
Can you clarify openly the concept of ‘Oneness of being’ via black and white to the people on the basis of the opinions of Sufi scholars and on the basis of Al Quran, Al Hadith, Al Ijma (Scholarly consensus) and Al Qiyas (Finding a law) and prove this is the Kufr (disbelieve) tenet?
You say that the thought ‘All is He alone’ is absolutely contradictory one making ‘Kufr’ (disbelieve) to Islamic thought. If so, what Fatwa (Religious judgement) are you going to say to Great Sufi Imam Ghazali Rahimahullah who says in his tome ‘Ihya Ulumuddin’ that أنه ا لكلّ“Surely, all is He alone”,وأن ليس فى الوجود غيره“There is nothing other than him in existence?”
What Fatwa (Religious judgement) are you going to say to Ash Sheikhal-Akbar Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi Rahimahullah who says in his tome ‘Futuhatal Makkiyah’ thatفما فى الوجود إلّا الله “There is nothing in existence except Allah?
Popular Sufi scholars Abdul Qadir Sufi Hazrath Kahiree-Qadiree Rahimahullah who has entered eternity in Colombo Kuppiyawatta cemetery has said in his tome ‘Kalvaththin rahasiyankal’ (Secret to be in meditation) as follows: “Know! There is nothing in existence except Allah and His deeds; all is He alone.’ What judgement are you going to issue against this Sufi Hazrath? What judgment are you going to say to Sufi scholars of Tariqas and Sufis who said these ideas?
Dear Ash Sheikh Rizwe Mufti!
According to your statement that all the Muslims in Sri Lanka belong to Sunnah wal Jama’ah Doctrine except Qadianis, Shias and AbdurRauf‘s group in Kattankudy, you have said all the Wahhabi movements such as Tablighi Jamaat,Tawhid Jama’ah, Jamaat-e-Islami belong to traditional Muslims and we, who are against Wahhabism, are contradictory ones to Sunnah wal Jama’ah tenet.
If so, who are they who say the following commentaries?‘Al Quran’and ‘Al Hadith’(Sayings, Actions and the silent approvals of Holy prophet) are the only original sources of Islam; reject the Islamic sources of the ‘Al Ijma’ (Scholarly consensus) and ‘Al Qiyas’(Finding a law); and say Allah is sitting on the chair called ‘Arsh’ or He is beyond the ‘Arsh’; it should be prayed only eight ‘rakat’ in Tarawih prayer; it is
‘shirk’ (polytheism), ‘Bidah’ and worship of graves to commemorate and hoist flags in the Nabi’s (Messengers of god) and Awliya’s (Friends of god) days of commemoration; to recite Khatm, Moulid and Talqeen, to hold Ratib, Waleefa, Milad functions; conduct Salawat, Manaqib Majlis, Kanthoori feast; also who are those who seek ‘Wasilah’ (way to Allah), pray and pilgrimage for worshipping Nabi’s and Awliya’s graves. Are they of Sunnah wal Jama’ah or of Wahhabism? Has the All Ceylon Jamiyyathu Ulama given any Fatwa against them?
Apart from all of them, who undertook attacks and massacred hundreds of innocent people on Easter Sunday? Are they of Sunnah wal Jama’ah? or of Wahhabism? There is no doubt at all that all the above activities were done by Wahhabis themselves.
The extremist Zahran Hashim began to propagate Wahhabi concepts against us – the Sufi Community only because of the Fatwa of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama given in 1979. In connection with hatred speeches, we have made 11 complaints against Zahran Hashim at Kattankudy Police Station since 2013. Later, Zahran Hashim and his companions publicly spoke anti-patriotic thoughts during the years of 2016 and 2017. We informed about this to the leaders and high level authorities in the country. We forwarded many projects to produce conciliation to abolish the present prejudice about Muslims and Islam among the other communities. How many complaints did you and your All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama make against the extremist Zahran Hashim? Whom did you inform about Zahran Hashim?
However, hearing the speech delivered by Most Reverend Ash Sheikh Moulavee Al-Hajj A.Abdur Rauf (Misbahee-Bahjee) at a Milad function in Kattankudy in 1979, you delivered Fatwa overnight. If All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama could give that Fatwa immediately at that time of period which had less technology of communication facility,why couldn’t you give Fatwa (Religious judgment) against Zahran Hashim in this period that has much modern communication facilities even after hearing his public hatred speeches against the nationalism and supporting the Wahhabism? Can you reveal its secret?
In this circumstance, we vehemently condemn your irresponsible statements and wrong information.
Dear Ash Seikh Rizwe Mufti!
We swear on Allah and forward the Holy Prophet (PBUH), ‘Awliyas’(Saints) and Great Sufi scholars, ‘Allah is one’. He is single. He is pure and has no companies. He is stated by Himself alone. No one created Him. He is the one who created everything. Everything depends on Him. All the creatures have been created from Him. He stands on His own. He has no alpha and omega. He is different from the creatures. There is nothing similar to Him. The seer and hearer is He. He is the holiest of all the place, image, time and direction. He is pure.
He is still remaining in the same stage as He was before creating the creatures. No atom can move without Him. Everything goes on according to His will. The previous one and the last one is He; He is the manifested one; the hidden one. He is very different from the thoughts on Him that arise in our mindsfor which we have had faith ‘Laa Ilaaha illa Allaah Muhammadur Rasoolullah’. We practice according to His prohibitions and permissions. We pray, fast, give Zakat (poor-due), do Hajj pilgrimage and we practice accepting Allah’s Holy Quran and the Sunnah of His Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
We honor the ‘Khulafa ar Rashidun’(Righteous caliphs) and obey them. We respect all the other ‘Sahabas’ (Companions of Holy prophet). We follow Imam Shafi’i Rahimahullah and the Shafi’i Madhhab (school of Islamic jurisprudence) and we follow Great Sufi Scholars Qutbal-Aqtab Muhyiddin Abdul Qadir Gilani and his Qadiriyya Tariqa (Spiritual path). We respect the other Tariqas (Sufi paths) and other Mashaikhs (Sufi Scholars). In addition, we follow Imam Abu al-Hasanal-Ash’ari Rahimahullah in Islamic ‘Aqidah’ (creed).
We follow the saints of theosophy for the Sufi practice. According to the teaching of ‘Hujjat al-Islam’ Imam Ghazali Rahimahullah and Ash Sheikh al-Akbar Muhyiddin Ibn Arabi Rahimahullah – the saints of theosophy – ‘Wahdatal-Wujud’ (Oneness of being), we believe that the existence is one and it is Allah. Allah is the one and His existence is the only one. The creatures have no self-existence. They all depend on Allah. In fact, there are no creatures. Only Allah is there. What seem to be creatures are not creatures. Allah’s existence itself seems to be creatures.
To believe that the creatures are real existence as Allah is parallelism. All is He alone. There is nothing except Him. Everything that seems to us is mirage. Believing this fact, we have been educating this to the people. We who have such faith are true Mumin (God’s Believers)
We do not speak out these teachings on our own wish. We preach on the basis of sayings stated by Sufis and Sheikhs who have written in their tomes researching the holy Qur’an and Al Hadiths.
We do very clearly deny the ‘Al Hulool’ tenet which emphasizes ‘Allah descends on creatures’ and ‘Al Ittihaad’ tenet which emphasizes ‘Allah has amalgamated within creatures’.
Further, we strongly deny the thoughts against the holy Qur’an, Al Hadith, Imam’s statements of four Madh’habs, Sufis’ and Sheikhs’ statements who established the Tariqas (Sufi paths). The almighty Allah is very well known our state and our thoughts deep in our mind.
We have many times published our state. Even after we have clarified our state as crystal clear, if any one gainsays us as ‘Kafir’ (disbeliever) or ‘Mushrik’ (the one who Associate or join a partner with Allah) and contradictory ones to Sunnah wal Jama’ah tenet, we hand over their end to the Allah.
Ash Sheikh Rizwe Mufti!
Since the injustice of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama was given in 1979, our Sufi Community has been undergoing many repressions and breaking of rights for the past forty-one years. The Sufi Muslims, who live in Kattankudy and out stations, have been struggling with religious, social, political and economic repressions. Their life underwent to threat, their houses and business institutions were burnt to the ground and they were made evacuees.
Under the basis of the Fatwa (Religious judgment) of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama given in 1979, one of our Sufi religious leaders Moulavee M.S.M.Farook Qadiri was shot dead by Wahhabis at his home on 29.05.1998. Further, under this same judgment itself, the extremist Zahran Hashim started his campaigns in Kattankudy and was conducting his continual campaigns island wide. We once again remind you that all those incidents took place due to the blind Fatwa (Religious judgment) itself.
Dear Ash Sheikh Rizwe Mufti!
You have accepted the Fatwa of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama that was given in 1979, which was injustice and contradictory to Islamic Sharia procedure and our country’s law. You visited Kattankudy on 22.11.2019 after the Easter attack. Then, you had publicly told that Fatwa (Religious judgment) given by All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama was not withdrawn yet.Not only that, without submitting any proof from Al Qur’an, Al Hadith, Al Ijma and Al Qiyas to disprove the ‘Wahdatal-Wujud’ tenet in your judgment book, you and All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama have been misguiding the innocent Sri Lankan Muslims by implementing the facile blind Fatwa given in 1979.
Therefore, once again we remind you in the name of Almighty Allah. Since you have been confident in the Fatwa of All Ceylon Jamiyyathul Ulama, you should prove that ‘Wahdatal-Wujud’ (Oneness of being), is the tenet of disbelieving and you should clarify the people in public in writing on the basis of Al Qur’an, Al Hadiths, Al Ijma (scholarly consensus) and Al Qiyas (finding law) and on the basis of the statements from Sufis.
May the almighty Allah guide us in the straight path!
Wassalam!
Moulavee. KRM. Sahlan Rabbaanee. BBA (Hons.)
Secretary
Alhaj Abdul Jawadh Alim Waliyyullah Trust
Kattankudy.
