Muntakhab Ahadith is a 700+ page book containing a selection of translated hadiths from the original Arabic text into Urdu. The selected hadith were all related to the Six Points of Da’wa and Tabligh. From Urdu, it has also been translated into more than 20 other languages. Supposedly written by Maulana Yusuf Khandhlawi (The second Amir of Tabligh), it has been revealed that this was never the case. The book was written in secret by a team of Ulama paid by Maulana Saad.
Here we list down three reasons why we should not use the book in Ijtimai Taleems (collective teaching and learning circles):
NOTE: Before reading further, please understand that our aim is to preserve the pure doctrine (Manhaj) and history of Tabligh, no matter how bitter it is. As generations come, this history may be forgotten. We do not promote hate, and certainly not backbiting. See our article ‘Backbiting vs Warning‘. No matter how bad a Muslim is, he is still our Muslim brother. We love and hate only for the sake of Allah.
We would also like to further iterate that as book of Hadith, without looking into the history, or the context of Tabligh, there is nothing wrong with the Muntakhab Ahadith as a book of Hadith.
#1 – Use of Muntakhab Ahadith was a violation of the 1999 agreement. It was never approved in Mashwara.
In 1999, the World Shura at that time (Haji Abdul Wahab, Maulana Saad, Maulana Zubair, Mufti Zainul Abideen & Bhai Afzal) signed an agreement as follows:
“For any changes to the Usool (Methodology) of the Work, the World Shura must unanimously agree before they are put to practice”
On 12th September 2006, Maulana Saad for the first time ever instructed people to read Muntakhab Ahadith in Ijtimai Taleems. This was a massive change to the Usool of the Work. He did not obtain approval from the World Shura for it. Many elders objected to this but Maulana Saad simply ignored them.
Source: Ahwal wa Atsar, Page 460
This departed from the agreed process, and no Khair (Goodness) is expected to come from it.
Maulana Zubair Kandhalwi, who was the most respected Shura of Nizamuddin at his time stated:
The issue of Muntakhab Ahadith is very serious. Many are worried about it. This book has been translated into various languages without Mashwara, and now an effort is made to encourage the use of Muntakhab Ahadith in Ijtimai Taleems and Jamaats replacing Fadhail Amaal. As many are confused, this has caused divisions and disunity between those that use it and those that do not want to use it. Even here (in Nizamuddin) no Mashwara was made to allow the use of Muntakhab Ahadith. Therefore, I firmly request the general public to only use Fadhail Amaal, as it has been for the past seventy years.
Maulana Zubayr, Nizamuddin Markaz, 2006
Source: Ahwal wa Atsar, Page 464, Maujudah Ahwal ki Wadhahat se Muta’alliq, Page 16
#2 – Reading translated Hadith without commentary opens up dangerous self-styled ijtihad
The effort of Tabligh has always been very careful not to allow the slightest deviation from Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah. This has been one of the key principles of Tablighi Jamaat since the day it was founded. Maulana Ibrahim mentions this point in his letter:
This Jamaat is bound by the Maslak of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama’ah with regards to the explanation and interpretation of the matters of Religion and Shariah. They are bound to the legendary Mufassirin in pronouncing the Tafseer of any verse of the Quran, legendary Muhaddisin in the explanation of any Hadith and the opinion of legendary Fuqaha in deriving and interpreting the lives of Rasulullah (saw) and the Sahabah
Almost everyone that reads Muntakhab Ahadith, reads the translated version of the original Arabic text with almost no commentary and explanations. The majority of Muslims do not have adequate religious knowledge and are simple-minded people. Because of this, Muntakhab Ahadith has opened the door for dangerous self-interpretation of hadiths and self-styled ijtihads. Combined with the fact that the book was never approved by Mashwara (Point #1), no Khair (goodness) will come from using this book.
This is why in Tabligh, strict Usools (Methodology/Rules) are put in place. For example:
- Only Ulema and Arab speakers are allowed to read Hayatus Sahaba in public. They must also read the original Arabic text. Ordinary people are not allowed to read translated Hayatus Sahaba in public.
- Talks must be within the 6 points and not touch any matters of Sharia rulings (Halal/Haram).
- Any translated hadiths quoted during talks must be mentioned with the word ‘To the nearest meaning…’. Even better, non-scholars are generally advised not to quote and explain Hadith or verses of the Quran in public lectures.
Some people question these Usools, but it is important to understand that this effort is global. The majority of the Ummah are simple-minded and have little knowledge of Deen.
What About Riyaadus Saaliheen?
Riyaadus Saaliheen was approved by Mashwara for Arab speakers who read the original Arabic text, not the translated hadiths like in Muntakhab Ahadith.
Darul Uloom Deoband Fatwa on Muntakhab Ahadith
Darul Uloom Deoband has issued a fatwa regarding the use of Muntakhab Hadith:
Question: What is the Sharia stand on reading Taleem of Muntakhab Hadith in the Masjid?
Answer: There is no tashrih (explanation) of the Hadiths mentioned in Muntakhab Ahaadith. Therefore, the general public may find it difficult to understand. It is better to read Fadhail Amaal during Taleem. Wallahu Taala A’lam
Source: Fatwa: 657-533/B=05/1440, Question #168171, Taklim of muntakhab hadith in the Masjid, https://darulifta-deoband.com/home/ur/hadith/168171
#3 – It is a book of Ikhtilaaf and will have a negative spiritual impact on the reader
The approved book for Tabligh is Fadhail Amaal written by Maulana Zakariya Kandahlawi, who was a mountain of piety. He was always Istiqamah in waking up an hour before Fajr and occupying himself in tahajjud and recitation of the Holy Quran. After Fajr, he would read his morning Duas and Zikrs until sunrise. He would then spend his time writing books until Zuhr. For every hadith, he would pray 2 Rakaats of Salat before writing it. He would then teach for 2 hours before Asr. After Isha, he would remain in solitude in Zikr and Salat. With all these daily Amaals, such a writer’s spiritual state would impact the reader.
Now compare that to Muntakhab Ahadith, a book written in such secrecy whose authorship is a lie (see the testimony of Maulana Bilal below). As testified by Chaudry Amanatullah, a Mewati Nizamuddin Insider, who was also the Shura of Nizamuddin Darul Uloom:
Maulana Saad’s reason for compiling Muntakhab Ahaadith in 2002 was to gain fame and status.
Chaudry Amanatullah, Shura of Nizamuddin Darul Uloom
Maulana Saad was 37 years old at that time, and he was less known amongst the Jamaat Workers. Publishing such a book would propel him to be at the same level as Maulana Zakariyya.
By replacing Fadhail Amaal with Muntakhab Ahadith, the spiritual benefit of reading Fadhail Amaal is lost. It is also feared that the evil intention of the publisher to seek name and fame (by means of lying), is transferred to the reader as well.
It is feared that the evil intention of the publisher to seek name and fame will have a spiritual effect on the reader as well.
READ: 3 Reasons Why Tablighi Jamaat Split and How it was Reunited
Mufti Nizamuddin Bengalore recently gave a viral talk clarifying this controversy:
If a person could lie on the matters of Hadith, do you not think he could lie on other matters as well?
“Muntakhab Hadith was written by 6 Ulema from Karachi. These 6 Ulema are still alive. These 6 wrote Muntakhab Ahadith and were paid to write the book. When the book was completed, he (Maulana Saad) wrote his own name claiming HE was the one who translated the Hadiths.
Ask him to swear in front of Allah and sit on the Mihrab: Is it true that you translated these hadiths yourself? Ask him to hold the Quran and swear: Did he perform the translations himself?
This is nothing short of a massive lie! The reason is only so that the book Fadhail A’mal is removed and “My book” is used.
My Tabligh! My Organization! I am the Amir! My birthright! I am the Leader! Me alone!
Me! me! me! me! me!
Because of “Me”, this effort can die!
Because of “Me”, the Ummah can split into two!
Because of “Me” confrontations can occur.
Because of “Me” our elders can be driven out of the Markaz.
Because of “Me” people can become gangsters.
Because of “Me” Jamaats are thrown out of the Masjid.
Because of “Me” the sanctity of Da’wa can be destroyed.
Such a person should be ashamed of himself!“
Ultimately, Muntakhab Ahadith is a book of Ikhtilaf.
History of Muntakhab Ahadith: A Dishonest/Lie
Maulana Muhammad Bilal was one of the 6 Ulema who wrote Muntakhab Ahadith. He regretted his actions and made a statement as follows:
Source: Ahwal Wa Atsar, Page 465-466
The truth behind “Muntakhab Ahadith”
I would like to bring to your attention an important point for all the workers of Tabligh Worldwide. Despite my affiliation with Maulana Muhammad Saad Haroon Kandhlawi, I regretted being part of the team of Ulema who compiled and organized Muntakhab Ahadith.
In the year 2000, Maulana Saad came straight to Karachi from Delhi without going to Raiwind Markaz. Haji Abdul Wahab was very angry when he knew about this. He should have come to Raiwind Markaz first and worked according to Mashwara (Council). At that time, I failed to see this and failed to understand why Haji Sahab was so angry.
When Muntakhab Ahadith was complete, an issue came about as to who the author of the book should be. From an academic and honest point of view, the book must be attributed to the Team of Ulama who completed it. However, we were surprised when Maulana Saad got angry at this. Maulana Saad insisted that the authorship of the book should be himself only. This was dishonest and downright fraudulent.
Maulana Saad insisted that the authorship of the book should be himself only. This was dishonest and downright fraudulent.
Maulana Muhammad Bilal, Author of Muntakhab Ahadith
The Ahadith which were selected by Maulana Yusuf RA concerning 6 points were very few. Most of the Hadith were selected and compiled by our team. To attribute this to Maulana Yusuf RA was an open lie.
Most of the ahadith were selected and compiled by our team. To attribute this to Maulana Yusuf RA was an open lie.
Maulana Muhammad Bilal, Author of Muntakhab Ahadith
Unfortunately, at that time, we underestimated how big of a Fitna we were about to unleash on the Ummah. We only realized this when Haji Abdul Wahab didn’t agree with the book and said that it will not be part of Ijtimai Taleems (collective reading). Haji Sahab had such foresight that saved the Ummah from this great Fitna.
Maulana Saad, a person from such a prestigious family, showed such dishonesty when he put his name as the writer of the book. توبه توبه استغفر االله. It was pure greed for name and fame.
People should ask this fraud Molvi Saad, if Muntakhab Ahadith was compiled in Pakistan, why do you attribute the book to yourself? Why was it first published in Pakistan? Is this book aimed to be a replacement for Fadhail-e-Amaal? It seems like you have become a traitor and a person who does not want to follow orders (Mashwara). Do you think Tabligh is your inherited property?
Currently, Muntakhab Ahadith is a means of Fitna and Ikhtilaf (disunity) in the whole world. We regret following this liar and fraud in compiling this book. May Allah forgive us for our mistakes.