An objection is often presented, "Muslims continuously hold these gatherings of Meelad and call those who do not have Meelad Wahabies "," This is absolutely true. The Holy Prophetصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم at states in a Hadith, "According to Allahعزوجل the most beloved of all actions is the one which is performed persistently, even if it is little in amount.,,9.31 - Mishkaat, Baabul-Qasd fil-Amal

To complete every good deed continuously is Mustahab. Muslims wear good clothes every Eid, make Ghusal and apply it every Friday, close Madrassahs for the holidays during every Ramadaan and Friday, hold examinations every year, sleep every night, etc. - so do they believe doing so to be Waajib, or is continuance the sign of obligation (Wujoob)? With regards to calling those who do not stand "wahabies", the reason for this is that in our times, this is the sign of Wahabies in India [and in South Africa as we/l- Translator]. The recognition of Believers has been different in every era and, according to the shifting times, it is necessary to adopt the recognitions of Imaan to save ourselves from the signs of the KufIaar. In the initial stages of Islam, it was said, "He who says "La ilaaha illallaah ... “is a Jannati (one who will enter Jannat)." - Mishkaat, Kitaabul­ Imoon

This was because, at that time, reciting the Kalima was the recognition of people of lmaan. Then, when Hypocrites emerged amongst those who professed the Kalima, the Holy Quran proclaimed, "(O My Beloved صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم!) Hyproerites (Munaafiqs) approach you and say. "We testify that you are the Messenger of Allahعزوجل.

Allahعزوجل.a also knows that you are His Messenger. but He is a witness that these Hyprocrites are liars." See, what they were saying was the truth. but they were still liars. A Hadith states. "There will emerge a nation who will perform ibaadat very intensely but will leave the deen just as how an arrow leaves the hunter's bow." And in another Hadith, 'The recognition of Khaarijees is that they will have shaved heads." - Both Ahadith from Misbkaat, Kitaabul-Qisaas, Baabu Qatli Ahlir-Rudaa

These three signs are in relation to three eras of time. Hadrat Mulla Ali Qaari رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ states that a person asked Imam Abu Hanifa رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ "What is the recognition of a Sunni?" He answered. "Having love for the two son- in-laws (Hadrat Uthman رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ, and Hadrat Ali رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ). expressing the excellence to Hadrat Abu Bakr رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ and Hadrat Umar رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ (the Shaikhain) over all and wiping (masah) the leather socks." 932_ Sharah Fiqhe-Alcbar

Under the ayat, “و ان ھذا صراطی مستقیما “9.33 Tafseeraate-Ahmadiya states that Hadrat Abdullah ibn Abbas once said, "He who has the following characteristics and habits is a Sunnl, “تفضیل الشخین، توقیر الخنتین، تعظیم القبلتین، الصلوۃ، علی الجنازتین، الصلوۃ خلف الامامین، ترک الخروج علی الامامین، المسح علی الخفین، و القول “یالتقدیرین، و الامساک عن الشھادتین، و اداء الفریضتین”.

.Mirqaat states,) “سئل انس ابن مالک عن علامۃ اھل السنۃ و الجماعۃ فقال ان تحب الشخین ولا تطعن الخنتین تسمع علی الخفین” - Baabul-Masah alal-Khufain

Durre-Mukhtaar states, "Making Wudbu with water from a fountain is better.

This is to spite the Mu'tazilites (a deviant sect)." - Baabul-Miyaah

Allama Shaami writes under this, "Mu'tazilites say that making Wudhu with water from a fountain is impennissibJe, so we will make Wudhu with this type of water to anger them." 9.3' - Raddul-Muhtaar

Making Wudhu with water from fountains, wiping the leather socks, etc. are not from the compulsory acts (Waajibaats) but, due to refuters of these things emerging in those times, they were classified as a sign of Sunnis. Standing (Salaami), Meela, Fatiha, etc. are also not from the eompulsory acts but amongst the signs ofSunnis in our time due to their refuters emerging in this age.

To sit alone in a gathering of Meelad is the sign of a Deobandi, The Hadith states, "He who imitates or resembles a nation is from amongst them." Thus, we should abstain from resembling them. The extract from Shaami also proves that if people stop any permissible or preferable action unnecessarily, it should definitely be completed. Today in India. the Hindus stop the slaughtering of cows. This is not Waajib for Muslims but we still do it in opposition to the Hindus. The same applies to gatherings of Meelad, Fatiha, Standing, etc. Conversely, according to the Islamic Jurists, it must be remembered that keeping theclloti (a long lock of barr) of the Hindus, placing the Quran in impurity, etc. is infidelity (kufr) because these are the traits of the Kuffaar and their religious recognition.

Important note - This objection is raised by the majority of Deobandis. They rule Fatiha, Urs, Meelad, etc. to be Haraam because of this and say, "You (the Ahlc-Sunnah) have invented the recognitions and signs of being a Swmi by yourselves. The Quran and Hadith do not speak of these things." The answer to this will be given and, Insha-Allah, silence lhem.

OBJECTION 3: To stand up in the respect of someone is prohibited. A Hadith states, "When the Sahaaba used to see the Holy Prophetصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم, they would never stand because they knew that this was disliked by bim."936 ­MishkQQI, Baabul-Qiyaam

Rasoolullah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم has said, "He who likes people to stand before bim should fmd bis place in Jabannam."- Ibid

"Do Dot stand like bow the non-Arabs (Ajamis) stand."9.8 - Ibid

These Ahadith confirm that if a celebrated person approaches, we should stand up in his respect. Rasoolullah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم doesn't even come to a Meelad Shrif, so bow can Standing in Respect (Qiyaame- Tazimi) be permissible?

Answer - These Ahadith do not prohibit standing unconditionally. Otherwise, Ibcy will be contrary to those Ahadith and rulings of the Jurists (Fuqahaa) which we have presented in Chapter One. So, we have to conclude that prohibition is towards certain conditions and situations {i.e. wanting people to stand for you, or baving people standing around you with folded hands while you, as a leader, sit in front of them). We have already written that of both these types of standing are impermissible. Annotating on the first Hadith, Ashiatul-Lam'aat states, 'The summary of this is that the practice of performing or not performing the Standing of Respect (Qiyaame-Tazimi) changes in relation to time, condition and personalities. Accordingly, the Sahaaba sometimes stood for the Holy Prophetصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم! Sometimes didn't."

This proves that the Sahaaba used to sometimes stand when Rasoolullah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم approached them and sometimes did not. Not standing has been mentioned here and proof of standing has already been given. The dislike of the Holy Prophetصلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. towards standing for him was based on humility and humbleness. Here, to remain standing is what is being negated, not standing unconditionally. Shaikh Abdul-Haqq رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ writes in the commentary of the second and third Hadith, "Standing itself is not disliked (Makrooh). Rather, wanting people to stand is. If the person does not wish standing for himself, it is not Makrooh to stand up for him. Imam Qaadhi Ayaadh رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ has said, "Standing in the manner that the perscs sits while those around him stand is prohibited. Standing in Respect (Qtyaame­ Tazimi) for worldly people is Makrooh and many warnings have been given about doing so." - Ashiatut-Lam 'aat

Similarly, the marginal notes of Mishkaat state under the Hadith 'Qoomu ila ­Sayyidikurn' (Stand for your leader), "Imam Nawawi رضی اللہ تعالٰی عنہ writes, "This proves the practice of showing respect to pious elders; meeting and standing for them. The majority of Ulama have used this to substantiate that this standing is not from amongst the prohibited types. It is only prohibited when people stand around a person who is sitting and remain standing while he sits." 9.41 - Kitaabul-JiJuul, Baobu Hukmil-Usraa

These extracts prove that these two Ahadith prohibit specific situations of standing, and the standing performed during the Meelad is not from amongst them. Also, if the Standing of Respect was prohibited, why do people immediately stand-up when Deobandi Ulama approach them, with the latter Dot stopping them? How is this allowed?