Hadhrat Thanvi once defended the Barelvis and the Salafis.

Answer

On which issue did Hadhrat Thanvi defend the Barelwis? He has written copiously against the bid'aat of the Barelwis. Defending a Barelwi on any specific issue would have been on an issue which was not in conflict with the Shariah. Again, the Mashaaikh have their own different ways of tarbiyat. While their methods will be respected if not in conflict with the Shariah, there is no imperative need to adopt anyone's method. Thus, some of the methods of Islaah of Hadhrat Masihullah (Rahmatullah alayh) were in complete contrast to the methods of his Shaikh, Hadhrat Thanvi (Rahmatullah alayh). Methodology is largely formed in terms of personal disposition (tabiyat).