How to Tell an Innovator Scholar from One Who Follows the Sunna

Question

Zayd says: both the ulama of Deoband and the Barelvis have written their books in the light of the Qur’an and Hadith, and both sides claim, “We are upon the truth”; in speeches too, words from the Book of Allah and the Sunna of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ come forth from both sides. What, then, are the common people to do? Whose word should they act upon?

Answer

Having learnt all these details, reflect for yourself — the answer will present itself. It is this: since you regard the ulama of Deoband as being upon the truth, they will give exactly this answer: “Adopt this way.” How could they give the answer, “Adopt what is not the truth”?

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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