Is 'Salaat al - Tasbih' proved through authentic narrations? Javed Ahmed Ghamidi.
[Hassan Ilyas] A debate that is often under consideration
among the Ulema (Scholars) is the reality of Salaat al -Tasbih.
An argument that is advanced is, though the Narrations where
this Salah is proved are 'Zayeef' (Weak) in terms of their Chain of Narration,
however, if we look from the lens the general temperament of Deen,
the outward form and spirit of Ibadah, then those Narrations may be accepted.
If in your view, is Salah al-Tasbih a Salah,
having some specific form as an act for the remembrance of Allah,
is it proven or can a Narration be accepted
on the basis of its textual criticism or spirit?
[Javed Ahmed Ghamidi] The Narration should, first of all,
be accepted or rejected on the basis formed for their acceptance or rejection.
The reason for it is that any point or saying
cannot simply be associated with the Prophet (pbuh).
Especially of such a point about which we do not have any other evidence.
Then it cannot be accepted under any circumstances.
According to my view, if some point is quoted
with attribution to the Prophet (pbuh) and has been mentioned as 'Akhbar-e Ahaad'.
and it is a part of 'Sahih' Narrations.
What is implied by 'Sahih'?
i.e. as per the terminology used by Muhaddeseen,
they match up with the standards laid out for the authentication process.
Only after then, the association is to be accepted.
i.e. now we have the right to say that
this point may be narrated in association with the Prophet (pbuh).
Only post this the process of 'Daraayat' starts.
i.e. if some Narration matches up with the benchmark
then going on to see its text we find it in total contradiction with the Quran,
it appears to be against the established Sunnah.
It looks as though it is contrary to the basic principles of intellect and wisdom.
Then, that too cannot be accepted.
The first point related to the association with the Prophet (pbuh),
since we have been warned, as the Prophet has stated,
'that no lie should be attributed to me'.
If you have to do something based upon 'Ijtehad'
then it should have an intellectual reason to justify it.
However, in the case of Ibadah, there can't be any reasoning based on intellect.
In here, Deen would only be that which has some affiliation with the Prophet.
So there isn't any reality behind these Narrations.
i.e. if you look from the point of view of Muhaddeseen (Experts of Hadees),
then they can't even be mentioned by any scholar (Aalim),
And to consider an act related to Deen that
this has such and such advantage,
such and such people have adopted it, is a completely wrong argument.
'Is it verified as Sahih' is the first question which should be raised.
We can't form a philosophy and present it in our Deen.
How does the verification of the Quran take place?
It is through the means of 'Ijma' and 'Tawatur'.
How does the verification of Sunnah takes place?
It is through the means of 'Ijma' and 'Tawatur'.
In 'Akhbar-e Ahaad' (individual reports)
it is necessary to debate on its Chain of Narrations,
firstly it should be ascertained and stated that
there isn't any objection on them as per the Chain.
i.e. there isn't any objection
on the character and person of the narrator.
There isn't any objection raised on their chronological order.
There isn't any objection to their memory and retentive power.
Then the text is observed.
It shouldn't be against the Quran and the Sunnah.
It shouldn't be against the axioms of intellect and knowledge.
After testing it on all these parameters
we get the right to narrate it in association with the Prophet (pbuh).
So, for this reason, I cannot accept it in the least degree.
In my opinion, in matters of Deen, we should have a solid justification
for saying anything. We can't say anything other than it.
This was as far as Narration is concerned. Now as for its textual criticism,
the Salah and its procedure that has been taught to us.
The rituals taught to us for Hajj,
nowhere has the procedure been adopted that
a certain act is to be repeated ten times each, and then so on and so forth.
There has been an ingress of narrations of a mystical nature among us.
I consider them totally baseless.
[Hassan] So Ghamidi Sahab, we may conclude that
'Salah ul Tasbih' is a 'Bidat' (Innovation in Deen).
[Ghamidi] You see when a person is making a certain Narration
as the basis of his/her argument, then we have to pinpoint
the mistakes of his/her points of argument.
Something is termed a Bidat when a person
without giving a reason, simply proclaims an act as being virtuous
and presents it as such.