Alhamdu’lillahi Rabil Alameen, Khaliqas’samawati wal ardeen. Was’salatu was’salamu ala say’yeedil mursaleen. Am’ma baad, fa’auzu’billahi ma’nishayta’nir’rajeem. Bismilla hir’rahma nir’raheem.Alhamdu’lillahi Rabil Alameen, Khaliqas’samawati wal ardeen. Was’salatu was’salamu ala say’yeedil mursaleen. Am’ma baad, fa’auzu’billahi ma’nishayta’nir’rajeem. Bismilla hir’rahma nir’raheem.
Special Terminology Used:
*<>* Attributive Title: - {A} Primarily A Title {B} The Title Refflects The Reality Of The Title-Holder.
E.G. Rehmatal Lil Alameen {Mercy Unto Alameen} – Its A Title Of RasoolAllah {SAW}, But This Title Also Refflects His Reality, He Indeed Is Mercy Unto Universe. The Phrase Is Unique In Honour Of Rasoolallah {SAW}, None Else Can Be Rightful Owner Of The Title; Rehmat Tal Lil Alameen.
*<>*Descriptive Attribute: – A Phrase Which Reflects The Reality Of A Being, But Its Not His Title. As An Example, The Word Jaan’war In Urdu Means: “{One} With Life”. This Word Is Used For Four Legged Animals. Though Human Too Is “{One} With Life” But It Would Disrespectful To Reffer To A Human As Jaan’war. Because The Word Is Associated With A Specific Group Of Living; Animals.
E.G. Rehmatal Lil Almaneed Is Descriptive Attribute Of Allah Subhana Wa Tallah – He Is Rehmat On The Entire Creation, But Despite That It Can Not Be Used As A Title For Allah Subhana Wa Tallah.
*<>* Atahi: – Technical word mean whom Allah as -: Conferred, Bestowed, Given, Something.
Important Note For Readers:
In this article the phrase ‘Alim Ul Ghayb’ as been used for Allah subhana wa tallah, translation of this phrase ‘Knower Of Ghayb’ as been used specially for RasoolAllah {SAW}. Its essential that readers differentiate between the original phrase and translation of the phrase. Alim Ul Ghayb is Title of Allah subhana wa tallah, it would be Haram to use this Title for RasoolAllah {SAW}, hence I used the translated form for RasoolAllah {SAW}. Its also essential that readers understand the ‘Knower Of Ghayb’ to mean that Prophet {SAW} knows ghayb which as been given to him by Allah Subhana Wa Tallah.
The Disputants & Their Dispute:
The title Alim Ul Ghayb {Knower Of UnSeen / Or Unknown} has been one of the major cause of controversy among Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammah and their opponents Deobandi’s & Wahabi’s in subcontinent {India, Pakistan, Bangladesh}. The aim of this short article will be to highlight the difference, and shedd light on the evidences of both sides in order to bring the truth to the unbias readers.
Deobandi’s & Wahabi’s Point Of View:
*<>* Allah Is Alim Ul Ghayb Alone {Attributive Title & Descriptive Attribute}
Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat {Brelwi} Point Of View:
*<>* Allah Is Alim Ul Ghayb {Attributive Title & Descriptive Attribute}
*<>* RasoolAllah {SAW} Is Alim Ul Ghayb {Descriptive Attribute}
There is aggreement among the three that Allah subhana wa tallah is Alim Ul Ghayb, therefore its not necessary to discuss this Aqeedah in detail. I will provide the Quranic verses in which Allah Subhana Wa tallah has established with explicit proves that He is Alim Ul Ghayb, but the focus of this article is Aqeedah on which there is disaggreement among the two parties. Its essential that readers familiarise them selves with verses of Quran in Arabic with translation, and their refference of each quoted verse. This will allow the readers to be able to discuss the subject with with other Muslims with ease.
Since the Deobandi views have are more developed about this subject then their counterpart Wahabi’s. Therefore mainly the views of Deobandis will be entertained in this article. Every effort will be made to represent the views opponents of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat as accurately as possiable. Another point to keep in mind is that I as author of this article will make absolutely every effort to present this article to you in a un-bias manner, but would like to state this emphatically that its wholly impossiable for any writer to remain unbiased.
Allah Is ‘Alim Ul Ghayb’. Deobandi & Wahabi aqeedah regarding Ilm e Ghayb e RasoolAllah {SAW} is that Prophet {SAW} does not have ‘ILM AL GHAYB’. They cite certain verses to substantiate for this aqeedah. Which will be discussed in a seperate article, INSHALLAH! And their denial of Ilm Al Ghayb for RasoolAllah {SAW} leads to them to the next logical step denial of the Descriptive Title ‘Knower Of Ghayb’ for RasoolAllah {SAW}. The aim of this article is to disscuss the dispute which surrounds the usage of phrase ‘Alim Ul Ghayb’ therefore I will not deviate from the subject and deal with what I have started.= <> =
Surah As Sajdah {32} Verse 6: “Such is He, the all Alim Ul Ghayb {Knower Of Ghayb} and Shahid {Evident}, the Exalted the Merciful;-”
Surah Al Hashr {59} Verse 22: “He is Allah, besides whom there is no other god;- Who is all Alim Ul Ghayb {Knower Of Ghayb} and Shahid {Apparent}; He, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.”
Surah Az Zumar {39} Verse 46: “Say: “O Allah. Creator of the heavens and the earth! All Alim Ul Ghayb { Knower Of Ghayb} and Shahid {Evident}! It is Thou that wilt judge between Thy Servants in those matters about which they have differed.”
Surah At Taghabun {64}: {17} If ye loan to Allah, a beautiful loan, He will double it to your (credit), and He will grant you Forgiveness: for Allah is most Ready to appreciate (service), Most Forbearing,- {18} Alim Ul Ghayb {Knower Of Ghayb}and Shahid {Open}, Exalted in Might, Full of Wisdom.
Surah Jinn {72} Verse: {25} “Say: “I know not whether the (Punishment) which ye are promised is near, or whether my Lord will appoint for it a distant term. {26} “{Allah} Alim Ul Ghayb {Knower Of Ghayb} does not apoint anyone on His Ghayb.”
RasoolAllah {SAW} Is Knower Of Ghayb. Before I venture further into this topic, its important that I mention the differences of opinion among Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat on the usage of ‘Alim Ul Ghayb’ as title for RasoolAllah {SAW}. As far as my knowledge goes, Imam e Ahle Sunnat Hazrat Maulana Shah Ahmad Raza Khan Brelwi rahimullah alayhi tallah has stated that its IMPROPER to use the word ‘Alim Ul Ghayb’ as TITLE for RasoolAllah {SAW}. And after analysing the verses of the Quran I have arrived to this same conclution that the title ‘ALIM UL GHAYB’ should not be given to RasoolAllah {SAW}, it causes uneasi-ness in the heart of beleiver, for a title which is unqiuely reserved to Allah subhana wa tallah should not be shared with any of His creation. And the same applies to the titles of RasoolAllah {SAW} that they should be used in connection with anyone else other then him. On other hand another group of scholars have maitained that as long as the Muslim uses this phrase Alim Ul Ghayb with correct understanding of Aqeedah Of Ilm Al Ghayb e RasoolAllah {SAW} there is no danger to the IMAN of beleiver. Which ofcourse is a correct assessment on the part of those Ulamah. Out of the two positions held by the Ulamah of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jammah, according to my feeble understanding the position on which Imam Ahmad Raza Khan rahimullah alayhi tallah as maintained is strongest.
Ulamah of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat {Brelwi} have unanimously have ruled that Prophet {SAW} is not ‘Alim Ul Ghayb’ in ‘Atributive Title’ sense, but he is Alim Ul Ghayb’ in Descriptive Attribute’ sense. In other words Ulamah have affirmed Ilm Al Ghayb Atahi {Bestowed} by Allah on RasoolAllah {SAW}, but have negated the use of phrase ‘Alim Ul Ghayb’ as ‘Attributive Title’ for RasoolAllah {SAW}. Ala Hazrat Hakeem Ul Barqat Maulana Shah Ahmad Raza Khan Brelwi rahimullah alayhi tallah, has translated Surah Jin verse 26 in these words: “Ghayb ka jan’nay wala toh apnay Ghayb per kissi ko musal’lat nahin kerta.”
Literally the word “Musal’lat” means “Impose” but impose in English meanings has negative conotations therefore I have opted for “Apoint”.
Surah Jinn {72} Verse: {25} “Say: “I know not whether the (Punishment) which ye are promised is near, or whether my Lord will appoint for it a distant term. {26} “{Allah} Alim Ul Ghayb {Knower Of Ghayb} does not apoint anyone on His Ghayb.” {27} “Except a chosen Rasool; and then He makes a band of watchers march infront of him and behind him.”
Tafsir Of Surah Jinn Verses 26 – 27:
{26} “Alim Ul Ghayb {Allah} does not apoint anyone on {station of} Alim Ul Ghayb.” {27} “Except a chosen Rasool; and then He makes a band of watchers march infront of him and behind him.”
The words “… His Ghayb…” imply are pointing toward the words “Alim Ul Ghayb …” therefore removed the words and replaced them with the words which they imply. In order to express the point in the Quranic verse in a clear and precise manner.
The two meanings of the verse are evident:
*<>* Allah subhana wa tallah’s titls is Alim Ul Ghayb and He …
*<>* Confered the Station of Alim Ul Ghayb to Prophet {SAW}.
The Atahi Station Of Alim Ul Ghayb is not Attributive Title but only a Descriptive Attribute. Hence it means that he {SAW}is knower Of Ghayb, but he {SAW} is not Alim ul Ghayb.
Finale Word: In The respect of RasoolAllah {SAW} titles were given to him by Allah Subhana Wa Tallah, i.e. Shahid. Mubashr, Nazeer, Siraj, Muneer, Noor, Burhan, Ya Sin, Ta Ha, Rehmatal Lil Alameen, and we should not inferre Titles for RasoolAllah {SAW} with logical or rational reasoning. And no where the phrase Alim Ul Ghayb has been given to Prophet {SAW} as a Title. Therefore after considering the position of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat I have arrived at the conclusion that its Haram to use the phrase Alim Ul Ghayb for Rasoolallah {SAW}. The above deduction based on Surah Al Jinn Verses 26 – 27, is sufficent to prove that Prophet {SAW} does have knowledge of Ghayb, meaning that he indeed is KNOWER OF GHAYB, but in the sense of Attributive Title, he {SAW} isnt Alim Ul Ghayb.Conclusion:
There is lack of understanding on Deobandi and among Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat. Deobandi’s dispute over the subject of Alim Ul Ghayb for two reasons:
*<A>* TITLE Of Alim Ul Ghayb Is For Allah Alone,
*<B>* Allah Alone Is Knower Of Ghayb, meaning no creation of Allah knows Ghayb.
“No one knows Ilm Al Ghayb … Whats revealed is no longer Ghayb … “ with this understanding of Deobandi aqeedah in mind Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat {Brelwi} take the Deobandi denial of Alim Ul Ghayb for Prophet {SAW} to be denial of Ilm Al Ghayb of RasoolAllah {SAW}, and rightly so.
Deobandi’s use the word Alim Ul Ghayb as Attributive Title, where as Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat ALSO understand the same word as Descriptive Attribute. In the context of the differing terminologies its essential to understand the differences in the light of each side by their own terminologies, if one imposes their understanding on the other side the out come will be none-sensical.
The real significant disagreement is DEOBANDI DENIAL OF ILM E GHAYB FOR RASOOLALLAH {saw}. According to their Aqeedah sumarised by Sadiq Kohati during a debate with Maulana Abdul Tawab Ucharvi he stated: “He {SAW} didnt have Ilm e Ghayb then in past, doesnt have it now at present, and will not have it in future.” And without doubt those who deny Ilm al Ghayb for RasoolAllah {SAW} are Heretics at best, and DENIERS OF QURAN AT WORST.
Result: All three parties are in aggreement that usage of phrase Alim Ul Ghayb as Attributive Title for RasoolAllah {SAW} is incorrect. But Wahabi’s & Deobandi’s dispute on the usage of phrase Alim Ul Ghayb as Descriptibe Attribute, because of their beleife that Prophet {SAW} does not posses ‘Knowledge Of Ghayb’. Their denial of Descriptive Attribute is linked to another Aqeedah on Ilm Al Ghayb Of RasoolAllah {SAW}. Hence they use the verses in which Allah commands Prophet {SAW} to negate station of Alim Ul Ghayb for himself to advance their Aqeedah that Prophet {SAW} does not possess Ilm Al Ghayb.
A point to note that Prophet’s {SAW} self negation of station of Alim Ul Ghayb in verses of Quran does not mean that he actually negated his knowledge of Ghayb. Secondly in the light of the above clarification i.e. Alim Ul Ghayb being Attributive Title the correct understanding of the verses comes to light. That negation of being Alim Ul Ghayb itself is negation of being Allah Subhana Wa Tallah. Suppose I am commanded to say; “I fallow no other Prophet, but the finale Prophet of Islam.” You will aggree that Prophet of Islam would be refference to Prophet Muhammed {SAW}, so in reality I am claiming to be fallowing Prophet Muhammed {SAW}. The words ‘Finale Prophet Of Islam’ have revealed the identity of who I am fallowing. In the very same manner the words Alim Ul Ghayb have revealed the identity of Allah Subhana Wa Tallah. Hence Prophet’s negation of being Alim Ul Ghayb is in reality negation of being Allah Subhana Wa Tallah.
The reason why Prophet {SAW} is commanded to negate his this status is that Allah wishes to teach Prophet {SAW} humility in the face of adversity. When the kuffaar were subjecting Prophet {SAW} to by making demands … if you are Prophet of Allah then do this … tell us that … make the moutain of gold … tell us when the day of judgement will come … they were asking questions, mocking Prophet {SAW}, it had become their hobby horse to demand miracles … so Allah is instructing Prophet {SAW} to be humble about his knowledge in the face of such situations.
Allah himself affirms Knowledge of Ghayb of Prophet {SAW} in the Quran … while instructs Prophet {SAW} to negate his own knowledge of Ghayb … Allah affirmed the knowledge of Ghayb, and Allahs affirming is the reality, while Prophet negated it, proving that Prophet {SAW} was being humble. Allah doesnt lie nor does Rasoolallah {SAW}, nor does Allah instruct lieing, hence when a professor, a Aalim says I am illiterate … it would mean he is being humble, Prophets knowledge of proven from Ahadith and Quran … therefore he was being humble.
A comprehensive artilce will be written with regards to the phrase Alim Ul Ghayb in which those the verses of Quran will be discussed.
Deobandis and their Wahabi counter-parts make Takfir of those who use the phrase Alim Ul Ghayb as Descriptive Attribute declaring them to be Mushrik {i.e. Kaffir}. Where as Ahle Sunnat Wal Jammat hold to the position that IT WILL NOT BE SHIRK UNTIL ONE BELEIVES IN RASOOLALLAH {saw} TO BE ALIM UL GHAYB IN THE SAME SENSE AS ALLAH SUBHANA WA TALLAH. Please read the article titled: << Ilm Of Ghayb: Afirming Tawhid & Negating Shirk. >> in this community to understand how far a person as to transgress the boundary to be labelled Mushrik.
Wama alayna il’lal Balaghul Mubeen
Muhammed Ali
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