Shaykh Abdul Bari Fathullah Madani (May Allah preserve him) said:
“Wa ‘alaykum al-salām wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh.
Such expressions of [excessive] zeal and severity are inadvisable. How can a denier of God (Munkir-e-Khudā) and a denier of attributes (Munkir-e-Ṣifāt) be equated? The one who denies [specific] attributes falls within the seventy-three sects [of the Ummah], whereas the denier of God is an absolute disbeliever (Kāfir-e-Muṭlaq). How can there be equivalence between the two? It is unclear why people articulate such views.
They assert that ta’wīl (allegorical interpretation) constitutes inkār (denial). However, it is established in the texts of Uṣūl al-Fiqh (Principles of Jurisprudence) that: ‘al-ta’wīl far‘ al-qubūl’ (Interpretation is a derivative of acceptance). For if an individual did not accept [the text], why would they engage in interpretation? One interprets precisely because one accepts the validity of the text; otherwise, one would simply reject it. For instance, if you were to state to a non-Muslim that God is upon the Throne, they would retort, ‘Why?’—implying, ‘We do not acknowledge your Qur’ān.’
Conversely, the others [Muslims of different schools] interpret it. Therefore, engaging in such vociferous and harsh rhetoric is inappropriate. It is evident that in India, the Hanafis deny many attributes… or rather, they are mu’awwilīn (interpreters); they are not deniers, but interpreters. Thus, you cannot equate them with, or place them in the same category as, Hindu disbelievers.
Furthermore, regarding Hindus who believe in a God—whether they refer to Him as Ishwar or by any other designation—you cannot classify them within the fold of Islam unless they formally embrace the faith.
Consequently, there is no utility in such harsh posts. One should desist from this, as it does not lead to the reformation (iṣlāḥ) of the Ummah.
The citation of ‘so-and-so said this’ holds little weight; the ultimate authority lies in what Allah and His Messenger have stated.
The Prophet ﷺ declared that his Ummah would divide into seventy-three sects. It follows logically that if you represent the seventy-third group, the remaining seventy-two are still [technically] Muslims.
It is a separate matter that they are threatened with the Fire (nārī). However, being designated for the Fire does not necessitate eternal damnation. No; unless Allah wills otherwise, they will undergo their [decreed] punishment and eventually exit Hell, proceeding towards Paradise.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa raḥmatullāhi wa barakātuh.”
(Translated by Mohammed bin Thajammul Hussain Manna from the Shaykh’s Urdu audio, that was posted on Facebook (Fawz Amoodi’s account).)
Saheehus-Seerah 