Question
One person is a Sayyid [a descendent of Rasulullah SalAllahu Alayhi Wasallam] but his actions and character [amal and akhlaaq] are sinful that may lead to his disrepute. Is it permissible to respect him in terms of his geneology [nasab] and dislike him in terms of his misdeeds? If there is another person unlike him [a non-Sayyid], a pious Shaykh or a pious Pathan or a Mughal; is it permissible to consider this person [a non-Sayyid] superior to the Sayyid in terms of the good actions? In the Sacred Law of Shari’ah, in this instance, is the action [amal] or the geneology [nasab] deemed to be superlative?
Answer
It is compulsory to respect a Sayyid belonging to the Sunni creed [madhab] irrespective of his actions. He should not be disliked based on his actions, rather one should dislike the action itself. Moreover, if his creed [madhab/maslak] has some minor differences that does not reach the realm of Kufr, such as the Tafdheeliya [a sect of Shiism that prefers Hadrat Ali over the first three Caliphs without disregarding the First three Caliphs]; his respect of being in the noble geneology [ta’zeem e siyaadat] does not become invalid. Yes, if his creed reaches the platform of Kufr, such as Raafidhi, Wahaabi, Qaadyaani, Neychiri [atheist/philosophers who believe in things contrary to the Holy Qur’an] and so forth, then to respect him is prohibited [Haraam] because the reason of respect [siyaadat] has been nullified.
Allah Ta’ala has stated: قال الله تعالى انه ليس من أهلك انه عمل غير صالح “O Nuh, he is not of your family; his deeds are most improper… ” [Surah Hud, Verse 46]
The Shari’ah has given piety [Taqwa] the preference: ان أكرمكم عند الله أتقاكم “Indeed the more honourable among you, in the sight of Allah, is one who is more pious among you…” [Surah Al-Hujuraat, Verse 13]
But this excellency [Fadhl of being pious] is based on an individual aspect, whereas the excellency of being in the noble geneology is based on the founder of the geneology. The ultimate excellence in the geneology of the Sa’adat [sayyids] is in Rasulullah SalAllahu Alayhi Wasallam. Therefore to respect and honour this excellence [of being connected to Rasulullah SalAllahu Alayhi Wasallam] is mandatory [Farz] upon every pious person [muttaqi] because this is, in ultimate reality, honouring Rasulullah SalAllahu Alayhi Wasallam. And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best!
[Fataawa Ridawiyya, Volume 22, pg 422, Markaz e Ahle Sunnat Barkaat e Raza, India]
