101 Deobandi ulema reject alliance with Jamaat, warn Muslims

A deepening rift has surfaced within Bangladesh’s Islamist circles as 101 Deobandi ulema, led by Hefazat-e-Islam chief Muhibbullah Babunagari, on Thursday condemned factions of their own school of thought for forming electoral alliances with Jamaat-e-Islami, accusing them of compromising core faith and creed.

Without naming any party, the ulema issued a statement clearly opposing the stance of Khelafat Majlis factions and Islami Andolan Bangladesh, which claim to follow the Deobandi school but are forging an alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami.

The statement circulated to the media by Mahdi Hasan, Publicity Secretary of Dawatul Ihsan Bangladesh, the ulema said any political alliance that compromises on fundamental Islamic beliefs cannot be considered genuinely Islamic. 

They urged the Muslim public to refrain from treating such alliances as Islamic and warned that labeling them so “deceives the country and the nation.”

The statement criticised alliances with parties that, according to the ulema, reject the infallibility of prophets or fail to regard the Prophet’s companions as exemplars of truth, calling such alliances a clear violation of Islamic thought and consciousness.

Key points of the statement included:

Simply adding the term “Islam” or “Islamic” to a political alliance does not make it Islamic in the Sharia sense. A true Islamic alliance must uphold the pure creed of Ahle Sunnah wal Jama’at, follow the Quran and Sunnah, adhere to the methods of the Salaf, and avoid any compromise on religion.

Deobandi parties cannot unite with groups whose ideology contradicts the creed of Ahle Sunnah wal Jama’at, as such alliances confuse ordinary Muslims and weaken the religion’s fundamental position.

Islamic politics should protect faith, uphold Sharia, confront false ideas, and safeguard the Ummah’s creed – not serve as a tool for mere power gains.

The ulema concluded by calling on scholars, religious organisations, and the conscious Muslim public to act responsibly, discern the truth, and avoid alliances that compromise on faith.

“May Allah grant us the ability to understand the truth, stand firm upon it, and stay away from falsehood,” the statement read.

Alongside Hefazat chief Muhibbullah Babunagari, the statement was signed by several prominent Islamic scholars and leaders, including Khalil Ahmad Qureshi, Director General of Darul Ulum Muinul Islam (Hathazari Madrassa); Mufti Abdul Malek, Khatib of Baitul Mukarram National Mosque; Abdul Awal; Shaykh Ziauddin; Shaykh Mizanur Rahman Chowdhury; Mufti Rashidur Rahman Faruk; Maulana Abdul Hamid, Pir of Madhupur; Maulana Nurul Islam Olipuri; Maulana Abu Taher Nadvi, Director General of Al Jamia Al Islamia Patiya; and Maulana Bahauddin Zakaria, Muhtamim of Arzabad Madrasa.