Errors of the saliheen

Edited by Friends of Deoband

The saliheen (pious saints) also sometimes commit errors. However, their errors should not be cited as justification for corrupt views and for audacity to commit sins. Such an attitude is kufr (disbelief), hence, ‘Allamah ‘Abdul Wahhab al-Sha’rani (Allah have mercy on him) said: "Whoever takes to the obscurities [and errors] of the ‘ulama has made his exit from Islam."

Hadhrat Mawlana Ya’qub Nanautwi (Allah have mercy on him) was a teacher of Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him). He was among the first wrung of teachers of Dar al-'Ulum Deoband. He was an expert of many subjects. Once he desired to become an expert in music. Despite his acknowledged lofty spiritual state, he soon acquired expertise in the science of music. Music here refers to the art or theoretical rules and regulations of the science of music. It does not refer to music accompanied by musical instruments.

Once while he was engaged with music, a majzoob (one lost in divine meditation) who passed by exclaimed: "Molvi Saheb, this is not for you. You are meant for something else." This advice had a profound effect on Mawlana Ya’qub Nanautwi. He immediately abandoned music and repented. Even the person from whom he had learnt music, repented. Commenting on this episode, Hakim al-Ummah Mawlana Thanawi said: "Even the saliheen commit errors. However, when they are warned, they immediately abandon the error and repent." They never justify their errors.

Awake: To The Call of Islam (August 2011) p. 25-26