Deobandi Fatwa Allowing Shirk: Calling upon Abdul Qadir Jilani for Assistance

Ashraf Ali Thanwi (1863-1943), the so called “Hakim-ul-Ummat” of the Deobandi sect, was asked the following question:

کلمہ یا شیخ عبد القادر جیلانی شیئًا للہ کے متعلق جناب کی رائے مبارک کیا ہے، قرآن کریم کی صدہا آیات ظاہری طور پر تو اس کے مخالف نظر آتی ہیں

Translation: What is your blessed opinion regarding the words “O Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, give me something for the sake of Allah”? It seems that such words literally contravene the plain verses of the Qur'an.

In reply, to this question regarding making an utterance of undeniable Shirk, Mr. Ashraf Thanwi gave the following Fatwa:

الجواب۔ ایسے امور ومعاملات میں تفصیل یہ ہے کہ صحیح العقیدہ سلیم الفہم کے لئے جواز کی گنجائش ہوسکتی ہے

The Answer: “The detail of this affair is that there is a possibility of permission (to say these words) for the one who has a correct belief and a sound understanding.

Reference: Imdad-ul-Fatawa; v.5 p.357