The Evil Consequence of Showing Disrespect to the Ahlullah

Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) mentioned:

Ensure that you never show any type of disrespect to the Ahlullah (the pious servants who are the friends of Allah Ta’ala). Through showing disrespect to the Ahlullah, there is great fear of you falling into problems in regard to your deen. The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), the Awliyaa (i.e. the pious saints), the Mujtahideen (i.e. the Imaams of the mazhabs), and the Ulama-e-Haq are all counted among the Ahlullah. Hence, great respect should be shown to them at all times.

Showing respect to the Ahlullah does not mean that one has to follow each one of them. Following a person is a separate matter, and showing (respect or) disrespect to him is a separate matter. One should possess true love and respect for all these great personalities in one’s heart at all times.

Note: Showing respect to the Ahlullah does not mean that one has to follow each one of them. The example of this is that a Hanafi will show respect to all the imaams of Fiqh (viz. Imaam Maalik, Imaam Shaafi’ee and Imaam Ahmad (rahimahumullah)), though he will confine himself to following the mazhab of his imaam, Imaam Abu Hanifah (rahimahullah).

(Ma’aarif-e-Shaikh-ul-Hadith pg. 195-196)