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Hakim al-Umma Shaikh Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi (Allah have mercy on him) said,

‘I am thankful to Allah that I never developed an ill opinion in my heart about any of the pious individuals just because of the differences in the peripheral issues (faru’i ikhtelafat). This is so provided that the signs of piety overwhelmingly manifested in them.

I keep a good opinion of those who are engaged in remembrances of Allah. This is in spite of their involvement in few mistakes. It is not necessary to prove all their statements and actions to be in compliance with Shariah. I make an excuse for the pious who are in overwhelming spiritual state that they are excused because of their over powering condition. Moreover, in issues that are ijtehadi (open to genuine interpretation) the possibility of genuine difference of opinion holds me from having a bad opinion of them.’

Ashraf us Sawanih, volume, 1, pg 183