How to Distinguish Between the Ulama of Bareilly and Deoband

Question

‘Umar says: the ulama of Bareilly and the ulama of Deoband are ulama of the religion on both sides, yet there is a conflict between the two groups; each group says, “We are upon the truth”; books have been written from each side, and in every book both sides present the noble Word of Allah, the translation of verses and noble hadiths, and references to authentic, reliable books; and whenever they deliver speeches, both sides likewise cite the names of books and expound from the noble hadith.

Answer

Having learned all this in detail, reflect for yourself, and the answer will present itself of its own accord. Namely: since you are asking the ulama of Deoband, and they consider their way to be the truth, they will naturally give this reply: “You too should adopt this same way.” How could they possibly reply, “Adopt what is not the truth”?

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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