Among our senior Ulama of Deoband there were some who listened to the qiraa't of clean-shaven qaaris.

Answer

The errors of elders are never Shar'i daleel. The personal acts and attitudes of elders which conflict with the Shariah must be set aside. Such conflicts with the Shariah are not masaa-il on which to make amal. Allaamah Sha'raani (rahmatullah alayh) and numerous other Ulama said: "He who takes on to the rare/obscure views of the Ulama, verily he has made his exit from Islam."

We do not make taqleed of the errors of the Ulama of Deoband. The attitude of elevating the errors of seniors to the status of Shar'i masaa-il is the way of the Barelwi grave-worshippers. This is not our way. We are the Muqallideen of Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahmatullah alayh). Those who argue in favour of the fussaaq should present Shar'i dalaail, not stupidities and errors of seniors or the personal whims, fancies and idiosyncracies of seniors which conflict with the Shariah.