According to Sheikh Zubair Ali Zai (may Allah have mercy on him), forming groups or organizations is against the methodology of the righteous predecessors (Salaf) and resembles the practices of innovators. He writes: “All the groups and organizations among Ahl-e-Hadith are merely for preaching, personal efforts, or publicity. Joining them is not a matter of faith or disbelief. Membership or pledging allegiance to these groups is not much different from the practices of Sufism. The best and most excellent approach is to stay away from all such groups and partisanship, focus on spreading the message of the Quran and Sunnah, and serve the Ahl-e-Hadith methodology impartially. There is no evidence that the righteous predecessors (Salaf) were part of such paper-based groups or parties.” (Al-Hadith Monthly, Issue 19, Footnote, Page 43)
Evidence Against Forming Groups and Organizations Sheikh Zubair Ali Zai provides evidence for the prohibition of forming groups, stating: “Muslims dividing into various groups is a form of disunity, and this kind of division is against Islamic principles. Allah says: ‘And hold firmly to the rope of Allah all together and do not become divided’ (Surah Aal-e-Imran: 103). This means one should stay away from all political and religious groups and not take membership in any of them.” (Al-Hadith Monthly, Issue 22, Page 48)
The Greatest Harm of Groups and Organizations Sheikh Zubair Ali Zai highlights the biggest harm caused by such groups: “The greatest harm of these groups is that they fuel prejudice and hatred.” (Al-Hadith Monthly, Issue 22, Page 48)
The Need to Stay Away from Groups and Organizations He emphasizes the necessity of staying separate from such groups: “In the present time, it is essential to stay away from all paper-based groups and organizations.” (Muwatta Imam Malik, Page 465)
Response to a Question Someone asked Sheikh Zubair Ali Zai: “There are various groups within Ahl-e-Hadith. In your opinion, which group is the best to join, or should one avoid joining any?” He replied: “Stay separate from all groups, follow the Ahl-e-Hadith methodology, and spread its message worldwide.” (Fatawa Ilmiyya, also known as Taudeeh al-Ahkam, Volume 2, Page 48)
Addressing the Excuse of Necessity Some people justify forming groups by claiming it is a need of the time. Sheikh Zubair Ali Zai responds: “In my view, there is no need for such leaderships or groups. Scholars can fulfill the duty of preaching and spreading the message without these organizations.” (Al-Hadith Monthly, Issue 22, Page 48)
Refuting Misuse of Hadith on Leadership in Travel Some people use the hadith about appointing a leader during travel to justify their organizations. Sheikh Zubair Ali Zai refutes this, saying: “Using the permissibility of appointing a leader during travel as an analogy to form paper-based organizations, appointing oneself as a leader, and then claiming that whoever does not pledge allegiance to our leader will die a death of ignorance is a great deception and fraud. May Allah protect all Muslims from such paper-based organizations, parties, and self-proclaimed leaders who misapply the narrations and proofs about the Caliphate or major leadership to themselves.” (Taudeeh al-Ahkam, Volume 1, Page 652)
Testimony of a Student Hafiz Nadeem Zaheer, a student of Sheikh Zubair Ali Zai, writes: “He was so firm in his views and reasoning that he never compromised even slightly. Instead of joining any paper-based group or seeking worldly status, he worked alone like an entire organization and spent day and night serving the pure religion.” (Ashaat-ul-Hadith Monthly, Issue 112, Page 13)
