Dear readers! What is transgression (Zulm)? What is called transgression? What is the sign of transgression? The sign of transgression is, Wad'ush-Shaie'i Fee Ghaieri Mahal-lihi, that is putting a thing at a wrong place. Put in simple words, it means punishing "B" for the theft committed by "A"; blaming somebody else for doing a bad act; calling right as wrong and wrong as right; making alterations in Al-Laah's Words and Commands; changing meanings at one's own whims; to make additions or subtractions in it; to apply an Aayat to somebody else instead of him for whom it is intended; all this is called transgression, and anybody doing so is a transgressor.

There is a blessed Hadeethcontained in BukhaariShareef.Saiyyidina Abdul-Laah (Radiyal Laahu 'Anhu), son of Hazrat Saiyyidina 'Umar Faarooq (Radiyal Laahu 'Anhu) says: "The worst among the creations of Al-Laah are those who apply to Musalmaans Aayaat meant for the infidels and the apostates

This was the practice of the Khaarijeesand the hypocrites during the days of the companions. Today also this is the practice of hundreds of Mul-laas. They apply Aayaatmeant for the idols and the apostates to the Prophets, the friends of Al-Laah, and the faithful. Listeners and readers do not know the occasion when and for whom an Aayat descended. They hear such Aayatfrom those calling themselves Maulveesand are misled because of their own ignorance. But they are to be really pitied who call themselves Maulveesand consider themselves authorities on religion although they have committed such serious mistakes and have misled the people.

Hazrat 'Abdul-Laah (Radiyal Laahu 'Anhu) has counted such people among the Khawaarij.According to him, people indulging in such acts and those who follow the Khawaarijand the hypocrites are the worst of the creations.

I appeal to those youths of the Muslim Um-mah who are distancing themselves from spirituality and the spirit of Islaam because of nonsensical utterances by such Mul-laas. Al-Laah has blessed them with robust commonsense and they should think and reflect for themselves.

They are, perhaps, under the impression that the whole controversy is about the division of loaves and fishes. This is absolutely wrong. The rule should be kept in view that a thing is known by its opposite

Tu'raful Ashyaa'u Bi Azdaadiha. For example, night makes us realise the splendour of day, foul smell tells of the reality of fragrance, and the Deen-selling Mul-laasmake us aware of the vitalising presence of 'Ulamaa-i-Haq(right-guided scholars). Would you say that truth is like falsehood? Never. So, they should believe that this is the real controversy.

They will, surely, want to know what is true and what is false, who is in the right and who is in the wrong, who are the right-guided 'Ulama and who are those who are upon falsehood. In all honesty, with fear of Al-Laah and full responsibility, this servant of Deenand mil-latsubmits before you the following. Please pay attention.

Ameerul Mu Mu'mineen Saiyyidina 'Umar Faarooq (Radiyal Laahu 'Anhu) has said: "The holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) has informed us about everything, from the beginning of the creation to the entering into Paradise of the people of Paradise and the entering into Hell of the people of Hell."— (Bukhaari Shareef).

This blessed Hadeeth tells us that the holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) had, with the grace of Al-Laah, knowledge of all' things, from the beginning to the end. Consequently, the holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) has said: "My Um-mat will be divided into 73 factions, one of which will go to Heaven and 72 will go to Hell." On being asked by his companions (Ridwaanul Laahi 'Alaihim Ajma'een) as to which would be the group which would go to Heaven, the holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: "It would be the Naajiyah (the group which has attained to redemption) which would be largest group and it would follow my way and the way of my companions." (Tirmizee, Abu Daawood, Ibne Maajah).

It is also mentioned in Ibne Maajah,one of the six famous authentic books of Ahaadeeth,that Hazrat Anas bin Maalik (Radiyal Laahu 'Anhu) related that he heard the holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) say: "My Um-matwould never unite on a deviation.' when you see differences (in the Um-mat), youshould hold fast to the largest group."

These Ahaadeethmake it clear to us that one of the groups into which Um-mat-e-Muhammadi ('Alaa Saahibhas-Salaatu Was-Salaam) would be divided would be the largest group and we have been ordered to totally adhere to this group, for the simple reason that it alone would be deserving of Heaven and all the rest would be deserving of Hell.

The holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) has done us a great favour, by informing us of the signs of the group which would be redeemed (Naajiyah).Otherwise every faction would have claimed itself to be Naajiyah.It is thus clear that Naajiyahgroup is not a separate faction and adhering to its beliefs and disseminating them can in no case be dubbed as indulging in factionalism.

Readers may, perhaps, say that despite this clear saying of the holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) every faction calls itself Naajiyah.In reply, let me say that no claimant can be truthful about his claim unless he produces valid arguments in support of his claim and unless he proves the truth of his claim through the Qur'aan and the Sunnat.

The holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) has clarified that the Naajiyahgroup would be the largest and the noblest group and has urged us to associate with it and has also told us about its signs: it would be following his way and the way of his companions (Radiyal Laahu 'Anhum)

On the basis of these very sayings of the holy Prophet ('Alaa Saahibahas Salaatu Was-Salaam), the Naajiyah group is called 'Ahle Sunnat Wa Jamna’at', or, in one word, "Sun-pee"(that is the- group whose beliefs and acts conform to the way of the holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) and of his companions (Radiyal Laahu 'Anhum).

After having been introduced to the Naajiyahgroup, they should get all doubts removed from their minds, doubts which may arise about

1. The Hadeeth telling us that there would be 73 factions whereas in fact there are many more factions in the Um-mat;

2. Many from amongst the present-day factions claim to belong to the Ahle Sunnat although the "Ahle Sunnat"will be only one group;

3. The Hadeethmentions "when you see differences", but the question is what differences are meant since every faction came into existence because of some differences and it is also a fact that there are differences within every faction.

Now, here are answers to these questions. Basically, there are only 73 factions in the Um-mat, 72 of them Hell-bound, and one Paradise bound. Every faction in the Hell-bound faction as well as in the Paradise-bound group is called by a different name and thus people get the impression that the total number is much more. This should be better understood by reference to the root of a tree and its many branches and many other small branches that keep sprouting from the branches, yet the large number of branches do not necessarily mean that there are many roots also. Like there are many families within one tribe and every family has many individuals, so also if out of the roots of 72 irreligious and strayed factions grow thousands of small and big branches and if the 72 Hell-bound tribes produce many families and hundreds of individuals, then this would not mean that the roots and the tribes are also vast in numbers.

By the 72 Hell-bound factions are meant those factions whose foundations contain irreligiousness, apostasy, infidelity and impiety. It is also known to all that branches exist because of the roots, that is to say that no branch can exist after being cut off from its root. The 72 roots which are themselves rotten cannot produce good branches, and all the factions that are the branches of these rotten roots, whatever be their number' would still be the original 72.

We should now try to understand the state of affairs with the Naajiyah group. Placed into its root is the spirit of Islaam and faith and guidance and mercy, and, so, all the branches sprouting from this one root have the same effect as the root itself. Let me explain it further. All four of the creeds (mazaahib)of Sharee'at Hanafee, Shaafi'ee, Maalikee and Hanmbalee—and the four orders of Tareeqat(spiritual orders of Islaam) Naqshbandee, Qaudiree, Chishteeand Suhrwardeeand, among the further branches of Sharee 'at, Ash 'aree, and Maatureedee,and, among those of Tareeqat, Saabiree, Nizaamee, Ashrafee, Shaazlee, Rifaa'ee, Mujad-dideeetc. All of these belong to the Ahle Sunnat Wa Jamna’at and the Naajiyahgroup. All of these have only one root and one foundation and there is no fundamental difference among them based on infidelity and faith and guidance and deviation from the right path.

This characteristic is exclusive to people of this very Ahle Sunnat Wa Jama'at. Except for them, pronounced and persistent differences on principles exist among all other factions

As regards the phenomenon of many factions asserting that they are the Ahle Sunnat, it is submitted that such assertions cannot be justified unless people making such claims are proved to be having the same beliefs and doing the same acts as those of the Ahle Sunnat.

There is no faction other than the true Ahle Sunnat Wa Jamaat which can prove its truthfulness through the Qur'aan and the Sunnat and whose beliefs and acts are exactly in accordance with those of the holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) and his companions (Radiyal Laahu 'Anhu).

Even after the lapse of 1400 years, continuation of beliefs and acts of the Ahle Sunnat Wa Jamna’at in complete accord with the Qur'aan and the Sunnat is proved, while all other factions are newly created and all their beliefs and acts are, in essence, not derived from the Qur'aan and the Sunnat. These factions have contributed to their own deviation and ruination by distorting the real meaning of the Qur'aan and the Sunnat.

It is not these people's lot to have guidance and mercy; their lot is to earn loss in this world and in the Hereafter. But the largest group of the Ahle-Sunnat and the Naajiyahgroup have been given the good news of the mercy and blessing of Al-Laah being upon them on account of their being slaves to the holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) and his companions (Radiyal Laahu 'Anhum). It is these who have been guided in the right path, and it is incumbent upon us to remain wholly associated with them.

The "difference" mentioned in the blessed Hadeethdoes not at all mean a superficial difference but one which is based on principle, a difference which relates to infidelity and faith and guidance and deviation from the right path.

Before explaining the "difference" which is mentioned in Hadeeth Shareef it is best to know that there are two types of differences.

1. (Usoolee)based on principles, and

2. (Furoo'ee)based on non-essentials.

Shar'eecommands and orders have been laid down. The difference based on principles or on non-essentials in which there is clear difference of kufr(infidelity) and leemaan(faith), and guidance and deviation makes a person liable to go to Hell.

It should also be noted that there are two kinds of persons in the Um-mat of the holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam), i.e.

1. (Um-mat-i-Ijaabat),the Um-mat of acceptance and

2. (Um-mat-i-Daiwat),the Um-mat of invitation.

The Um-mat of acceptance is that which comprises persons who are steadfast on the faith. But those groups, which follow deviation and falsehood, come in the category of the Um-mat of invitation.

But some of such factions have not been declared absolute kuf-faar(infidels), since although their beliefs and ideologies are different no clear distinction of kufr(infidelity) and Ieemaan(faith) is found in them.

All the same, it is settled that he in whom there is a distinction of kufr and Ieemaan should be counted in the factions who will go to Hell.

The Deobandi-Wahaabi-Tableeghi faction is also among those rearing their heads in the Um-mat who not only wish to be called Ahle Sunnat (Sun-pee) but isalso engaged in getting all the other factions declared as apostate and innovative and false.

Our dispute with the Deobandi-Wahaabi-Tableeghi faction is not at all superficial and just for the sake of stirring up a dispute. It is based on principles, on basic things. You surely would like to know the things on which we differ. So just read on, and tell me, with Almighty Al-Laah and His beloved Prophet (Sallal Laahu 'Alaihi Wa Sallam) as witness, if you can accept these things. Can people with such beliefs be called Muslims or Ahle Sunnat?

Beliefs of the Deobandi-Wahaabi-Tableeghi group: *