Shaykh Ul Islam Imam Muhammad Anwaarullah Farooqui (May Allah sanctify his secret) - Life and teachings

The number of the lawless factions was increasing day by day.  The supporters of these libertine factions were not from any other religion but from the Muslims.  Hadhrat Shaykh Ul Islam writes about the infirm nature of the Ahle Sunnah people and instructs them to be steadfast:

Translation:  Just have a look at this: The people of India and Deccan were all Ahle Sunnah and in the space of only 40, 50 years, how many libertine factions have sprung up.  All the factions among these, who are called by different names, are all born out of Ahle Sunnah; because neither Hindus joined these factions, neither Christians or Jews, nor the Shia.  This shows that the number of men in these factions is the number of people who have exited the Ahle Sunnah.  Day by day, their number is increasing and the number of Sunnis is decreasing.  If our community of such large numbers had paid attention, do you think these minute factions would have dared to snatch away our friends and relatives?” Maqaasid ul Islam, Vol 4, Pg No. 14

If Iman Had Been Bought After Paying Something, Then There Would Have Been Some Sorrow On Losing It

Steadfastness upon the true faith till the last breath of life is the only basis for deliverance.  Even a hair-breadth’s swerving from Iman brings destruction and loss.  Hadhrat Shaykh ul Islam emphasizes that we should not be unmindful about Iman and gives heartfelt advice to the Ahle Sunnah, thus:

Translation:  What is to be considered is that whoever dissents, it affects our Sunnis only.  Qadiani, Nechri, etc. gave an open invitation to irreligiousness and were propagating it, but neither any European accepted their invitation, neither any Hindu, nor any other Islamic faction.  May Allah protect our group, that they are very generous and fulfill everybody’s hopes.  From time to time, they join them and create a new faction.  If they are bereft of intellect, then let it be; they are so nondiscriminatory and so just that they will listen to anybody’s talk with utmost attention and if they cannot answer it with their ignorance and foolishness, they will name that itself as justice so that everybody believes it.  On the other hand, those people have hit upon tricks to prey upon the ignorant.  They spread such nets that willy-nilly people get stuck in them.  If they had knowledge, they would have answered to their tricks, but still they are proud of their brains that they can understand everything.  If they had bought Iman after paying something, they would have had some sorrow on losing it.  It was the earning of their forefathers; they spent it extravagantly like inheritance without any problem.  If somebody cheats them out of even a rupee, then it is remembered for the whole life, but they are not worried if somebody rifles their Iman.  Now tell me what relation do they have with Iman?  What is the benefit of such people in Islam?  Separation of such people is itself reasonable: the world is freed of dirt.  However, this is really grievious that a faithful person has turned into an unfaithful one.  It should not come as a surprise if the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has gestured towards this in this Hadith that the trials that will arise in the last era of the world.  Nonetheless, we should pray that May Almighty Allah grant steadfastness to the Muslims so that they stay safe from the trials in the last era of the world.  (Maqaasid ul Islam, Vol 4, Pg No. 68, 69)

Shaykh Ul Islam comments upon the Hadith, which talks about the misguided sect, the Khawarij

Translation: This Hadith shows that that person was a great worshipper (A’abid).  His forehead had the marks of Salaat, so after considering these Hadith any person can understand that the reason that person and his supporters, who were declared as liable to be killed and as the worst creatures, in spite of their great worship, is not other than their inherent disrespect.