A molvi says about Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahmatullah alayh): ―Although a traditional Hanafi scholar, Ashraf Ali Thanvi cautioned against

Answer

No, it is not correct. Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahmatullah alayh) said that fasting on the Day of Ashura (10th Muharram) is Mustahab, and that it is Makrooh to fast on only the 10th. He said that one day should be added (either 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th). This is what he said.

Hadhrat Thanvi did not link the Fasting of Ashura with the events which had transpired at Karbala. This Fast was commanded by Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam). There is absolutely no relationship between the Fasting of Ashura and Karbala. The Qabar Pujaaris (Graveworshippers) of Barelwi have frauded the Karbala link.

Mustahab is a category of the Sunnah. Observing the Sunnah is of utmost importance for the development of Imaan. Avoiding Mustahab or treating it with a lackadaisical attitude is termed Istikhfaaf which is tantamount to kufr. A lukewarm attitude towards Mustahab leads to abandonment of the Sunnah which has grave consequences for Imaan in the long term.

Observing the Sunnah does not lead to neglect of any of the Ahkaam of the Shariah. Only morons entertain such a convoluted idea. There is no such hallucinated neglect between the Fast of Ashura and the events of Karbala. These are two entirely separate issues. Just as Karbala may not be linked to Ramadhaan or to the Five Salaat, so too may it not be linked and fabricated as a basis for the Fast of Ashura.

The Qabar Pujaari has attributed a LIE to Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahmatullah alayh).

QUESTIONS OF A U.K. MADRASAH STUDENT