Mubahalah – The Absolute Verdict

بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

وَيُرِيدُ اللَّهُ أَن يُحِقَّ الْحَقَّ بِكَلِمَاتِهِ وَيَقْطَعَ دَابِرَ الْكَافِرِينَ

'God willed that the truth be realised by His words; and to cut the root of the disbelievers.'

(Surat Al-Anfaal: 8)

This article was written by Ra'sul Hududil Mayameen Janab Syedi Aziz Bhaisaheb Qutbuddin in 2016.

Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA narrates in his Risalat Ashi’atul Fayzil Azali (1378H pp. 185-191) that the five Panjetan Paak are Ashaabul-mubahalah – the people whom Rasulullah SA took with him to challenge the delegation from Najraan. Syedna Taher Saifuddin RA defines mubahalat as an absolute verdict (hukman faslan) from the Greatest Judge (ahkamul hakimeen). For this reason, Syedna Taher Saifuddin adds, the people of Truth and Faith (ahl as-sidq wal-yaqeen) called for mubahalat upon the liars and oppressors who opposed them.

In summary, a delegation came to Rasulullah SA from Najraan and challenged his characterization of Eisa Nabi AS as Allah’s Prophet and servant (Abdullah). Rasulullah affirmed his position and the angel Jibra’il conveyed to Rasulullah Allah’s command to challenge the Najraan delegation to mubahalat. The next morning when Rasulullah arrived, the priest enquired about the people with him…Ali, Fatema, Hasan and Husain SA. As Rasulullah prepared for mubahalat, the priest and his delegation retracted their challenge. In fear of God’s malediction destroying them, they offered to make a truce with Rasulullah which he accepted.

Syedna Taher Saifuddin also relates that some of the martyrs of Karbala challenged some of the people of Yazid’s army to mubahalat. In the mubahalat, the enemy was destroyed.

Syedna Taher Saifuddin then recounts that the 47th Dai al-Mutlaq Syedna Abdul-Qadir Najmuddin RA called upon some of those who challenged his position as Dai al-Mutlaq to face him in mubahalat. None of those who opposed Syedna Najmuddin dared to face him in mubahalat to refute his rightful position. This was because Syedna was truthful (sadiq) and his opponent was a hypocrite (kazib munafiq).

Syedna Taher Saifuddin also recounts that his father the 49th Dai Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin RA called upon some of those who opposed his authority to face him in mubahalat. Though there were many hypocrites (munafiqeen) in his time, he defeated them. And though the hudud and true aalims and supporters in his age were few, by serving Dawat and Dai they garnered a great reward from Allah Ta’ala.

Syedna Taher Saifuddin lastly says that Syedna Abdullah Badruddin RA, the 50th Dai, challenged his detractors in some matter in a manner similar to mubahalat.

Syedna Khuzaima Qutbuddin RA, the 53rd Dai al-Mutlaq, followed the example of Syedna Najmuddin, Syedna Burhanuddin and Syedna Badruddin and called upon those who challenged his veracity and rightful position as Syedna Burahnuddin’s successor to face him in mubahalat. His detractors did not respond. Syedna Qutbuddin’s successor, Syedna Taher Fakhruddin TUS, the 54th Dai al-Mutlaq, with similar confidence in his righteousness, called upon those who challenged Syedna Qutbuddin’s truthfulness to face him in mubahalat. His detractors did not respond. What Syedna Taher Saifuddin said in reference to Syedna Najmuddin’s opponents holds true for the enemies of his successors the 53rd and 54th Dais: “None of those who opposed Syedna Najmuddin dared to face him in mubahalat to refute his rightful position.”

Syedna Qutbuddin then challenged his detractors in the Bombay High Court and, now, so has his successor Syedna Taher Fakhruddin. May Truth prevail and Falsehood be vanquished (li yuhiqqal haqqa wa yubtilal batil – Surat al-Anfaal: 8). May Allah Ta’ala spread the light of truth and expose the darkness of the enemy’s lies. May Allah Ta’ala safeguard His Da’i and His Dawat. May Allah Ta’ala protect Mumineen in all corners of the world.