Deobandism and Barelvism

Question

Thanks to the disagreements of the ulama, two groups have nowadays arisen within the Hanafi madhhab, and both claim salvation: one group is the Barelvis and the other the Deobandis. Which of these two is fit to be followed? And if one is not fit to be followed, what are the reasons?

Answer

Owing to the divergence of narrations, the conflict of texts (nusus), the abrogation of rulings and the [differing] ordering of rulings, and the collision of proofs, disagreement arose among the ulama of truth — a disagreement whose blessings are not hidden from the people of knowledge, the verifying scholars and the followers of the madhhab.

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

Preview. The full text opens with JavaScript enabled.