What Two Scholars from Madinah Witnessed at Bangladesh's Great Ijtema

The 1979 Dhaka Ijtema: An Eyewitness Report from the Islamic University of Madinah

By Shaykh Muhammad Amaan ibn Ali al-Jami and Shaykh Abdul-Kareem Murad

Islamic University of Madinah

Based on the Arabic report attributed to Shaykh Muhammad Amaan ibn Ali al-Jami, Dean of the Faculty of Hadith and Islamic Studies.

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In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Especially Merciful

The Tablighi Jamaat extended an invitation to the Islamic University of Madinah to attend a large Islamic gathering being held in Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh.

The University accepted the invitation and appointed us—Muhammad Amaan ibn Ali al-Jami from the Faculty of Hadith and Abdul-Kareem Murad from the Faculty of Shariah—to participate in the gathering.

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Departure from Madinah

We departed from Madinah Airport on Monday, 10 Safar 1399 AH, travelling through Jeddah on our way to Karachi.

We arrived at Jeddah Airport at approximately 6:30 a.m. and contacted Pakistan International Airlines immediately. Through the airline's management, our travel formalities were completed in less than ten minutes.

We then entered the departure lounge in preparation for the flight.

After approximately an hour, however, we were informed that the flight would be delayed indefinitely because, as we were told, the aircraft had developed a technical fault.

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The Delay at Jeddah Airport

We therefore remained waiting without being given a definite departure time.

When Dhuhr arrived, we prayed in the airport because leaving the airport premises was not permitted.

We were then invited to lunch, which indicated to us that the delay was likely to be prolonged.

We continued waiting until after Isha on Tuesday night.

Eventually, a departure time was announced for after 11:00 p.m., but in reality the aircraft did not depart until after midnight.

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Arrival in Karachi

We continued our journey to Karachi and, exhausted from the prolonged wait at Jeddah Airport, fell asleep.

We did not awaken until the announcement was made that we were approaching Karachi Airport.

We thanked Allah for allowing us to arrive safely.

We entered Karachi shortly before Fajr and prayed Fajr at our hotel.

After resting sufficiently, we discussed whether we should proceed to Lahore before travelling to Dhaka, as had originally been planned.

We decided to postpone the Lahore visit until after our return from Dhaka, fearing that any delay might cause us to miss the gathering, which was the primary purpose of our journey.

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Travelling from Karachi to Dhaka

We spent Wednesday, 12 Safar 1399 AH, at the reservation office attempting to arrange travel to Dhaka for Thursday.

We were informed, however, that there were only two flights from Karachi to Dhaka: a Pakistan International Airlines flight on Tuesday and a Bangladesh flight on Friday.

Since we had missed the Tuesday flight, we reserved seats for Friday.

We travelled on the Friday flight, by the permission of Allah, and arrived at Dhaka Airport late at night.

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Arrival in Dhaka

A reception committee was waiting at the airport to welcome us and the other visitors attending the gathering.

Among those present were some Pakistani and Sudanese brothers whom we already knew.

The committee completed the necessary airport formalities for us.

We were also informed that special arrangements had been made for those attending the gathering: their luggage would not be opened or searched in the usual manner, but would instead be marked externally, whereas other travellers were subjected to detailed inspection.

We were then taken to a mosque near the airport, from where the guests were distributed to the accommodations prepared for them near the site of the gathering.

We were settled before Fajr and managed to rest briefly before the adhan.

We then prayed Fajr in the nearby mosque.

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The Temporary Mosque

The mosque was an extraordinary temporary structure erected on an open area approximately one and a half kilometres by one kilometre.

It was capable of accommodating thousands of people.

A very large congregation—estimated by those present at close to one million people—would pray behind a single imam without the use of loudspeakers during the prayer.

Instead, numerous individuals were positioned at elevated locations throughout the gathering to relay the imam's voice so that those farther away could follow the prayer.

I wondered about the reason for not using loudspeakers during the prayer, especially since loudspeakers were used for lectures, instructions and other announcements.

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How the Ijtema Was Constructed

The manner in which the gathering was organized and prepared was remarkable.

The mosque and the accommodations for the guests had been constructed from lightweight materials that could subsequently be returned to their owners and sold or reused.

The principal materials consisted of:

• Corrugated metal sheets

• Bamboo poles

• Jute

• Ropes

Nails were not used, apparently so that the materials would not be damaged.

The materials had been donated or loaned by merchants and factory owners, who themselves participated in constructing and assembling the temporary structures.

Once the gathering concluded, the structures could easily be dismantled by undoing the ropes and taking apart the construction, just as easily as they had been assembled.

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The Religious Atmosphere

The atmosphere of the temporary mosque was remarkable.

After the prayers, people would divide into groups and engage in study and recitation of the Qur'an.

This reminded us of the mosques of the early generations, when mosques were places primarily devoted to prayer and worship rather than buildings constructed for display or ornamentation.

The various groups studied and recited portions of the Qur'an, generally limiting themselves to the shorter surahs that most of the participants had memorized.

After sunrise and breakfast, the lectures began.

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Shaykh Muhammad Umar's Arabic Lecture

On the morning of Saturday, 15 Safar 1399 AH, we attended an Arabic lecture delivered by the respected Shaykh Muhammad Umar.

It was a valuable and beneficial lecture in which he addressed a number of questions and objections concerning the activities of the Tablighi Jamaat, its method of calling people towards Allah, the purpose of going out in the path of Allah, and the reason for temporarily leaving one's normal environment.

In summary, he explained that the purpose is to change the environment of both those engaged in da'wah and those being invited.

Not everyone who goes out is necessarily a da'i in the technical sense.

Rather, many of those who go out are themselves people who are intended to benefit from reform: to strengthen their religious commitment, develop love for Islam, learn what they do not know of their religion, and improve their lives.

Experience has shown that such reform is often difficult to achieve while a person remains completely occupied with his ordinary worldly responsibilities.

Temporarily leaving one's usual environment and entering a righteous environment can assist greatly in this process.

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Our Participation in the Ijtema

After Shaykh Muhammad Umar's lecture, the Arab visitors were informed that there would be a general lecture following Dhuhr prayer.

We were asked to deliver the lecture, and we accepted.

I therefore delivered the lecture after Dhuhr.

It was translated immediately into several languages so that the wider gathering could benefit.

It was subsequently announced that on Sunday, 16 Safar 1399 AH, after Dhuhr, Shaykh Abdul-Kareem Murad would deliver a lecture.

We attended the various lectures throughout the gathering, including those translated from Urdu into Arabic for our benefit.

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Shaykh Abdul-Kareem Murad's Lecture

Shaykh Abdul-Kareem Murad delivered his lecture at the appointed time.

His subject was Tawhid al-'Ibadah — the Oneness of Allah in worship.

He warned against exaggeration concerning righteous people and cautioned against constructing buildings or structures over graves.

The lecture also contained general guidance and concluded with an emphasis on realizing the meaning and implications of the statement of Tawhid.

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The Location of the Ijtema

The site of the gathering was approximately seven kilometres from the capital.

This location helped create a quieter environment and enabled the participants to remain at the mosque and maintain the congregational prayers throughout the gathering.

For people such as ourselves, who arrived relatively late, the location also meant that there was little opportunity to enter Dhaka either before or after the gathering.

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The Departure of the Jamaats

Following the conclusion of the gathering, the participants began forming groups to go out in the path of Allah for da'wah.

On the day of departure and guidance, the participants were given instructions and advice before being sent out.

It was a day marked by both happiness and tears.

The emotions displayed by the participants reflected the brotherhood and love they had developed for one another for the sake of Allah, as well as their dedication to calling people towards Him.

This, in our view, was one of the principal lessons we took from their lectures, conduct, discussions and apparent asceticism.

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A Significant Characteristic of the Jamaat

One noteworthy quality of this Jamaat is its patience with people whom it seeks to reform and guide.

They demonstrate considerable patience with those whom they take along for their religious improvement and exercise care in nurturing and guiding them.

Their concern for such people resembles, in some respects, the concern of a compassionate mother for her beloved child.

Allah has guided many people through their efforts, from different backgrounds and nationalities.

Among those particularly deserving of attention are young Muslims whom we send to Europe and America for education and then, in some cases, leave without adequate religious supervision or nurturing.

Allah has enabled many such young people to benefit through this Jamaat and to return towards religious commitment after being strongly influenced by the irreligious environments in which they studied.

I have witnessed a number of such examples, although relating them all would make this report excessively long.

I shall therefore mention only one.

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The Young Man from Riyadh

A young man from Riyadh attended the Dhaka gathering with a group of young Muslims who had been studying in America.

Allah had enabled him, through the efforts of this Jamaat, to emerge from the state of religious heedlessness in which he had become immersed.

He expressed his desire to perform Umrah, hoping that it would become a means of repentance and forgiveness for his previous sins.

I encouraged him and reminded him of the virtue of repentance and that sincere repentance wipes away what preceded it.

He then said, visibly embarrassed:

“O brother Muhammad, I want to perform Umrah, but I do not know how to perform it. 

I do not know what I should do when I reach Makkah. Before I went to America, I had studied these things, but I have forgotten everything.”

I was affected by his words and asked him to come somewhere away from the crowd so that I could explain the rites of Umrah to him.

He then asked whether I could record the explanation for him.

I told him that there was no objection if he had a tape recorder and cassette.

He brought the recorder, and I recorded a brief explanation of the rites of Umrah for him.

I also encouraged him to visit the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah and to visit the Islamic University so that he could obtain beneficial books and publications.

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The Results of the Da'wah

The purpose of mentioning this incident and the other examples is to illustrate some of the tangible benefits produced by the work of this Jamaat.

There are many other examples and successes, but listing them all would make the report lengthy.

The results of their efforts are observable and tangible, and their existence cannot simply be denied by someone who has witnessed them.

The underlying reason, as we see it, is that the Jamaat has made calling people towards Allah and seeking to reform them one of its principal concerns.

They do not appear to treat da'wah as a means of obtaining fame, status or worldly benefit.

Rather, they have devoted themselves to the work itself and have distanced themselves from seeking praise and recognition.

Their concern appears to be the work of da'wah and reform rather than personal reputation.

I shall suffice with this brief indication, since the matter is clear and the effects of their efforts can be observed through their work and its results.

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Observations

1. The Name “Tablighi Jamaat”

The Jamaat does not appear to have adopted “Tablighi Jamaat” as an official organizational name.

Rather, people came to refer to them by this name because of the nature of their work in da'wah, reminding people and calling them towards religious practice.

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2. Organization and Discipline

Their continual engagement in da'wah, organization and repeated gatherings has developed in them a high degree of organizational skill.

They are able to carry out their responsibilities with considerable order and without apparent exhaustion or unnecessary formality.

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3. Their Ability to Organize Large Gatherings

They possess the ability to organize very large gatherings in an orderly and efficient manner.

An organization attempting to arrange a gathering of this size by conventional means could require enormous expenditure and a long period of preparation.

The Tablighi Jamaat, however, appears to accomplish much of this with relatively little expenditure, apart from the costs associated with accommodating guests who travel from distant places.

Every participant considers himself responsible for contributing to the gathering.

Each person performs the task assigned to him, brings whatever he is able to contribute, and carries out his responsibility personally.

The prevailing attitude is that one should become a khadim — a servant of others — rather than a ruler over them.

Each person strives to benefit and serve his fellow Muslims, considering this an honorable and virtuous action.

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Recommendations

After considering the activities of the Jamaat and the tangible benefits that we observed, we believe the following recommendations are appropriate:

1. There should be sincere and practical cooperation with the Jamaat so that both sides may benefit from one another's experience and abilities.

2. The activities of this da'wah movement should also have a presence among the students of the Islamic University so that they may benefit from it and, in turn, contribute to its work. Our students are among those who have great need of beneficial religious activity and da'wah.

3. The Islamic University should increase its participation in the gatherings and conferences of the Jamaat, with representation from both the teaching staff and the students.

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Conclusion and Supplication

We ask Allah to make our deeds sincerely for His sake, to keep us far from showing off and seeking reputation, and to grant us sincerity in all that we do.

He is the Best One to whom supplication is made.

May Allah send blessings and peace upon His Messenger Muhammad, his family and his Companions.

_______________________________

Muhammad Amaan ibn Ali al-Jami

Dean, Faculty of Hadith and Islamic Studies

10 Safar 1399 AH

FATWA FROM RENOWNED SCHOLARS REGARDING JAMAH DAWAH AND TABLEEGH (AR-EN)

 

 

 “Jamaat-e-Tableegh in the Light of Fatwas of Leading Ulama: A Scholarly Review”

 

 

الخروج مع جماعة التبليغ

لفضيلة الشيخ عبد العزيز بن عبدالله بن باز (رح)

:ﺳﺌﻞ ﺍﻟﺸﻴﺦ ﺍﺑﻦ ﺑﺎﺯ ﺭﺣﻤﻪ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ

 

‏( ﻧﺤﻦ ﺳﻜﺎﻥ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﺒﺎﺩﻳﺔ ﻣﻨﺎ ﻣﻦ ﻫﻮ ﻣﺴﺘﻘﺮ ﻓﻲ ﻫﺠﺮﺓ ﻭﻣﻨﺎ ﻣﻦ ﻫﻮ ﻳﺘﺒﻊ ﺣﻼﻟﻪ ، ﻭﻳﺄﺗﻴﻨﺎ ﺟﻤﺎﻋﺔ ﺍﻟﺪﻋﻮﺓ ﻟﻠﺘﺒﻠﻴﻎ ﻣﻨﻬﻢ ﻣﻦ ﻧﻌﺮﻓﻪ ﺷﺨﺼﻴﺎ ﻭﻧﺜﻖ ﺑﺼﺪﻕ ﻧﻴﺘﻪ ﺇﻻ ﺃﻧﻬﻢ ﻟﻴﺴﻮﺍ ﻋﻠﻤﺎﺀ ﻭﻣﻨﻬﻢ ﻋﻠﻤﺎﺀ ﻭﻳﺪﻋﻮﻧﻨﺎ ﻟﻠﺨﺮﻭﺝ ﻟﻠﻬﺠﺮ ﺍﻟﺘﻲ ﺣﻮﻟﻨﺎ ﻭﻳﺤﺪﺩﻭﻥ ﻟﺬﻟﻚ ﺃﻳﺎﻣﺎً ﻭﺃﺳﺎﺑﻴﻊ ﻭﺃﺷﻬﺮﺍً ﻣﻊ ﻣﻼﺣﻈﺘﻨﺎ ﺃﻥ ﺣﻠﻖ ﺍﻟﺬﻛﺮ ﺍﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﻌﻤﻞ ﻋﻨﺪﻧﺎ ﻟﻴﺲ ﻋﻠﻴﻬﺎ ﺃﻱ ﺍﺷﺘﺒﺎﻩ ﻫﻞ ﻳﺠﻮﺯ ﺍﻻﺳﺘﻤﺎﻉ ﻟﻬﻢ ﺃﻭ ﺍﻟﺨﺮﻭﺝ ﻣﻌﻬﻢ ﻟﻠﻬﺠﺮ ﺍﻟﻤﺠﺎﻭﺭﺓ ﺃﻭ ﺧﺎﺭﺝ ﺍﻟﻤﻤﻠﻜﺔ ؟

:ﻓﺄﺟﺎﺏ ﺭﺣﻤﻪ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ

‏( ﺇﺫﺍ ﻛﺎﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺬﻛﻮﺭﻭﻥ ﻣﻌﺮﻭﻓﻴﻦ ﺑﺎﻟﻌﻘﻴﺪﺓ ﺍﻟﻄﻴﺒﺔ ﻭﺍﻟﻌﻠﻢ ﻭﺍﻟﻔﻀﻞ ﻭﺣﺴﻦ ﺍﻟﺴﻴﺮﺓ ﻓﻼ ﺑﺄﺱ ﺑﺎﻟﺘﻌﺎﻭﻥ ﻣﻌﻬﻢ ﻓﻲ ﺍﻟﺪﻋﻮﺓ ﺇﻟﻰ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ ﺳﺒﺤﺎﻧﻪ ﻭﺍﻟﺘﻌﻠﻴﻢ ﻭﺍﻟﻨﺼﻴﺤﺔ ﻟﻘﻮﻝ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ ﻋﺰ ﻭﺟﻞ

‏( ﻭَﺗَﻌَﺎﻭَﻧُﻮﺍ ﻋَﻠَﻰ ﺍﻟْﺒِﺮِّ ﻭَﺍﻟﺘَّﻘْﻮَﻯ} ‏)}

ﻭﻗﻮﻝ ﺍﻟﻨﺒﻲ ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ : { ﻣﻦ ﺩﻝ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺧﻴﺮ ﻓﻠﻪ ﻣﺜﻞ ﺃﺟﺮ ﻓﺎﻋﻠﻪ} ﻭﻓﻖ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ ﺍﻟﺠﻤﻴﻊ

ﻣﺠﻤﻮﻉ ﻓﺘﺎﻭﻯ ﺍﻟﺸﻴﺦ 9/307

ﻭﺍﻟﻠﻪ ﺍﻋﻠﻢ

 

GOING OUT WITH THE TABLEEGH JAMAAH

 

BY

Shaykh Ibn Baaz (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked:

 

We are living in the desert. Some of us have settled here and some are working to earn a halaal income. A group from the Tableeghi Jama’at came to us, some of whom we know personally and are sure that their intentions are sincere, but they are not scholars; and some of them are scholars who call us to go out to the villages around us, and say that we should spend so many days or weeks or months doing that. We have not seen anything wrong with the dhikr circles that they hold. Is it permissible to listen to them or to go out with them to the neighbouring villages or outside the Kingdom (Saudi Arabia)?

 

He replied:

 

If the people mentioned are known to have sound ‘aqeedah and knowledge and to be virtuous and good people, then there is nothing wrong with cooperating with them in calling people to Allaah and teaching and advising them, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

 

“Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety)”

 

[Al-Maa'idah 5:2]

 

And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever guides others to do something good, he will have a reward like that of the one who does it.”

 

May Allaah guide us all.

 

Majmoo’ Fataawa al-Shaykh, 9/307

And Allaah knows best

 

 

 

ﺍﻟﻘﻮﻝ ﻓﻲ ﺟﻤﺎﻋﺔ ﺍﻟﺘﺒﻠﻴﻎ ﺑﻴﻦ ﺍﻹﻓﺮﺍﻁ ﻭﺍﻟﺘﻔﺮﻳﻂ

ﻟﻘﺎﺀ ﺍﻟﺒﺎﺏ ﺍﻟﻤﻔﺘﻮﺡ

 

ﻓﻀﻴﻠﺔ ﺍﻟﺸﻴﺦ ﻣﺤﻤﺪ ﺑﻦ ﺻﺎﻟﺢ ﺍﻟﻌﺜﻴﻤﻴﻦ

القول في جماعة التبليغ بين الإفراط والتفريط

 

https://sounds.binothaimeen.net/storage/uploads/ftawamp3/od_010_23.mp3

السؤال

 

جماعة الدعوة الذين يخرجون ثلاثة أيام، وهم جماعة التبليغ والدعوة، المهم -يا شيخ- أني بدأت الالتزام قريباً، ومضطرب في هذا الأمر، هناك بعض الشباب من الإخوان يقول: لا تتبع هذه الجماعة، وهناك بعض العلماء في المدينة نصحني بالخروج معها، فما رأي فضيلتكم؟

 

الجواب

 

الغالب أن كل المسائل يكون الناس فيها طرفين ووسطاً:فمن الناس من يثني على هؤلاء كثيراً، وينصح بالخروج معهم

ومنهم من يذمهم ذماً كبيراً، ويحذر منهم كما يحذر من الأسد

ومنهم متوسط، وأنا أرى أن الجماعة فيهم خير، وفيهم دعوة، ولهم تأثير لم ينله أحد من الدعاة، تأثيرهم واضح، كم من فاسق هداه الله! وكم من كافر آمن

 

ثم إنه من طبائعهم التواضع، والخلق، والإيثار، ولا يوجد في الكثيرين، ومن يقول: إنهم ليس عندهم علم حديث أو من علم السلف، أو ما أشبه ذلك؟ هم أهل خير ولا شك، لكني أرى أن الذين يوجدون في المملكة لا يذهبوا إلى باكستان وغيرها من البلاد الأخرى؛ لأننا لا ندري عن عقائد أولئك ولا ندري عن مناهجهم، لكن المنهج الذي عليه أصحابنا هنا في المملكة منهج لا غبار عليه، وليس فيه شيء

 

وأما تقييد الدعوة بثلاثة أيام، أو أربعة أيام، أو شهرين، أو أربعة أشهر، أو ستة، أو سنتين فهذه ما لها وجه، ولكنهم يرون أن هذا من باب التنظيم، وأنه إذا خرج ثلاثة أيام، وعرف أنه مقيد بهذه الثلاثة استقام وعزف عن الدنيا، فهذه مسألة تنظيمية ليست بشرع، ولا هي عبادة، فأرى -بارك الله فيك- إن كان اتجاهك لطلب العلم فطلب العلم أفضل لك؛ لأن طلب العلم فيه خير، والناس الآن محتاجون لعلماء أهل سنة راسخين في العلم، وإن كان ما عندك قدرة على تلقي طلب العلم، وخرجت معهم لأجل أن تصفي نفسك، فهذا لا بأس به، وهناك أناس كثيرون هداهم الله -عز وجل- على أيديهم

 

 

المصدر: سلسلة لقاءات الباب المفتوح > لقاء الباب المفتوح [10]

 

https://sounds.binothaimeen.net/storage/uploads/ftawamp3/od_010_23.mp3

 

 

Opinion on Tablighi Jamaat Between Excess and Negligence

 

 Question:

The da'wah group that goes out for three days, which is Jamaat al-Tabligh wa al-Da'wah - the important thing, O Sheikh, is that I recently started becoming committed [to religion], and I am confused about this matter. Some of the brothers say: "Do not follow this group," while some scholars in Madinah advised me to go out with them. What is your opinion?

 

## Answer:

 

Most likely, in all issues, people are divided into two extremes and a middle path:

 

Some people praise these individuals greatly and recommend going out with them.

 

Others criticize them severely and warn against them as one would warn against a lion.

 

And some take a middle position. I see that this group has goodness in them, they engage in da'wah, and they have an influence that no other preachers have achieved. Their influence is clear - how many sinners has Allah guided through them! How many disbelievers have come to believe!

 

Moreover, it is part of their character to be humble, to have good manners, and to practice selflessness, which is not found in many others. Who can say they don't have knowledge of hadith or the knowledge of the salaf, or similar claims? They are certainly people of goodness, without doubt.

 

However, I believe that those who are in Saudi Arabia should not go to Pakistan or other foreign countries, because we don't know about the beliefs of those people there nor do we know about their methodologies. But the methodology followed by our associates here in Saudi Arabia is a methodology without fault, and there is nothing [problematic] in it.

 

As for limiting da'wah to three days, or four days, or two months, or four months, or six, or two years - this has no basis [in Islam]. However, they see this as a matter of organization, and that if someone goes out for three days, knowing they are limited to these three days, they will become steadfast and abstain from worldly matters. This is an organizational issue, not religious law or worship.

 

I believe - may Allah bless you - if your inclination is to seek knowledge, then seeking knowledge is better for you; because seeking knowledge contains goodness, and people now need scholars who follow the Sunnah and are well-grounded in knowledge. If you don't have the ability to receive knowledge [formally], and you go out with them in order to purify yourself, then there is no problem with that. Many people have been guided by Allah - the Mighty and Sublime - through their hands.

 

Source: Series of Open Door Meetings > Open Door Meeting [10]

Audio link:

https://sounds.binothaimeen.net/storage/uploads/ftawamp3/od_010_23.mp3

 

Liqaah bab maftooh

 SHAYKH MUHAMMAD HASSAN'S VIEW ON JAMAH DAWAH AND TABLEEGH

 

ما قولكم في جماعة التبليغ والدعوة، وما

 معنى الخروج في سبيل الله

 

 

السؤال: ما قولكم في جماعة التبليغ والدعوة، وما معنى الخروج في سبيل الله، وما موقفكم منه 

 

الجواب: “أما جماعة التبليغ فهي جماعة على خير, لا تعدم خير كثيرا تقدمه الآن للأمة, والكمال لله جل وعلا, وهذا ما ذكرته من قبل, لا ينقص إخواني من جماعة التبليغ إلا أن يهتموا بطلب العلم الشرعي, وقد نصحت كثيرا من القائمين علي أمر الجماعة بأن يجتهد بعضهم في طلب العلم الشرعي, وبألا يقف من يقف للبيان في المساجد إلا من على علم, ليذكر بآية صحيحة من كتاب الله –أي في موضعها– وبحديث من رسول الله, وإن أرادوا أن يدربوا الأخ علي الكلام والتذكرة, فليكن ذلك فيما بين الإخوة من باب التدريب, لا من باب الإخبار والدعوة لعوام المسلمين في المساجد

 

وهذه الفتوى أفتي بها بمثل ما أفتى به الآن شيخنا العثيمين, فقال:”هي من أفضل الجماعات التي تعمل الآن علي الساحة, إلا أنه ينقصها العلم

 

وأنا أقول أنه لا ينبغي علي الإطلاق أن نحكم علي جماعة من خلال خطأ بعض الأفراد, فإنّ جماعة التبليغ في بعض الجماعات قد يزل بعض أفرادها في أخطاء عقدية, كما هو الحال في جنوب شرق آسيا, لكن لا ينبغي أن نعمم الحكم من خلال خطأ فردي أو حتى من خلال خطأ بعض الأفراد

فالإخوة على خير لا نزكيهم علي الله, والكمال لله, وأرجو ما أرجوه ألا يقال من خرج فقد أصاب السنة ومن لم يخرج فهو مبتدع, فهذا لا ينبغي أن يقال, وهذا لا أصل له

 

وإن سألني أخ هل يجوز لي أن أخرج معهم في بعض الأيام؟ أقول لا حرج ولا بأس على الإطلاق, لا بنية أن الخروج هو السنة, ولكن بنية أن تبتعد قليلاً عن الفتن التي نراها في الشوارع والطرقات, وبنية أن تظل في المسجد فترة لتتربى فيها على أخلاق النبي وهديه…….الخ, أما أن تنطلق فتشنع بالجماعة كلها وبالإخوة بلا استثناء– مش واضح – وليس هذا من العدل, ولا ينبغي أن يُفهم من كلامي هذا أنه جواب لكل أفراد التبليغ في غير مصر, فإني أتكلم عن واقع إخواننا –الذين هم في مصر–

 

وأسأل الله أن يؤلف بين قلوبنا جميعا………..الخ ”

 

المصدر : الفتوى قد صدرت صوتيا من سماحة الشيخ

  

 

SHAYKH MUHAMMAD HASSAN'S VIEW ON JAMAH DAWAH AND TABLEEGH 

 

**Question:** What is your opinion on the Tablighi Jamaat (Group of Preaching and Dawah), and what does "going out in the path of Allah" mean? What is your stance on it?

 

**Answer:**

 

"As for the Tablighi Jamaat, it is a group that does much good. It provides significant benefits to the Ummah today, though perfection belongs to Allah alone. As I have mentioned before, the only shortcoming among my brothers in the Tablighi Jamaat is their lack of focus on seeking Islamic knowledge.

 

I have advised many of those responsible for the group to strive in acquiring religious knowledge and to ensure that only those with proper knowledge address people in mosques—speaking with correct verses from the Book of Allah (in their proper context) and Authentic Hadiths of the Prophet (peace be upon him). If they wish to train brothers in speaking and giving reminders, it should be done among themselves for practice, not in public sermons for the general Muslim audience in mosques.

 

This fatwa (religious ruling) aligns with what our Shaykh Al-Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

 

*'They are among the best groups active today, but they lack knowledge.'*

 

I say that we should never judge an entire group based on the mistakes of some individuals. Some members of the Tablighi Jamaat in certain regions may fall into creedal errors, as seen in Southeast Asia, but we should not generalize the ruling based on individual mistakes. Our brothers are doing good — we do not declare them free of fault before Allah, as perfection belongs to Him alone.

 

I hope no one claims that those who go out (for dawah) are following the Sunnah while those who do not are innovators—this should not be said, as it has no basis. If a brother asks me, *'Is it permissible for me to go out with them for a few days?'* I say there is absolutely no harm in doing so—not with the intention that 'going out' is the Sunnah itself, but with the intention to distance oneself from the temptations we see in society, to stay in the mosque for a while, and to cultivate the morals and guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him), etc.

 

However, it is unjust to generalize and condemn the entire group and all its members without exception — this is not fair. It should not be understood from my words that this answer applies to all Tablighi members outside Egypt, as I am speaking about the reality of our brothers in Egypt.

 

I ask Allah to unite our hearts in harmony… etc."

 

The source: The fatwa was issued orally by His Eminence Sheikh.

 

 

رأي الشيخ محمد العريفي في جماعة التبليغ

 

Sheikh Muhammad Al Arifee view on Tablighi Jamaat

 

Below is the translation of his Arabic speech which was in response to a question

(Translation is also taken from the link)

 

“Our brother asked about Tablighi Jamaah

 

Actually Tablighi Jamaat is an Islamic association that encourages people to worship Allah Subhana hu wa taala and to guide people to the right path, They travel around the world in many countries, they have nerve and cheek to call people towards Islam and to guide them to the right path, sometime even in the disco they talk to people, guide them and give them advise even in debauchery and immoral places. People would sometimes listen to them and change their behavior, Sometimes they visit people in their own homes and speak to them. And guide them. They have a good activity so no problem to join them,

(He advises)

 

1. Its better for the one who join them and its better for the Tablighi Jamaah themselves to seek good knowledge of Aqeeda (Islamic Faith) and Islamic Laws.

 

2. Good knowledge To make sure to explain the good Islamic practices for those who make bidah (practice that is not in accordance with the Islamic teachings) ,for example those who make Tawaf (circumambulate) around tombs and build mosques on them, or to call upon other than Allah Subhanahu wa taala, or those who’s Aqeedah (Islamic knowledge) in incorrect,

 

Tablighi Jamaa should give these people good advise, also tablighi jamaah should make sure they speak in accordance to the Islamic laws and so on

 

AND

'' Inshallah Tablighi jamaah is on the right path….. ''

---

Disclaimer:

 

Tableeghi Jamaat neither have Masajid with graves inside nor instruct or build these Masajid. The work of the Tableeghi Jamaah is being carried out worldwide and they visit many Masajid for the sake of calling towards Allah (SWT) without prior knowledge of which sect / group the Mosque belongs to.

 

In India/Pakistan it is (unfortunately) common to have grave sites in and around Mosques this doesn’t imply that it has anything to do with Tableeghi Jamaat.

 

Our brothers and sisters (involved in these activities) need to be invited towards the noble Sunnah and this is what Tableeghi Jamaat does.

A Scholar inviting a group of Christians towards Allah (SWT) in a Church neither endorse Christianity nor the church!

 ----------------------------------------

 

الإسلام سؤال و الجواب

بإشراف الشيخ محمد صالح المنجد

The view of Shaykh Saalih Al Munajid

 

He is asking about Jamaa’at al-Tableegh

Q# 14037

 

I have started to become committed recently, praise be to Allaah. In our area there is the Jamaa’at al-Tableegh, who go out for thirty days or more. People say different things about them.

 

Some say, don’t go out with them, because their going out is an innovation (bid’ah) and they have some mistaken ideas. Others advised me to go out with them. What is the correct view concerning that? Should I go out with them or not ?.

 

Praise be to Allaah.

We have already discussed this group and some of their pros and cons. Please see question no. 47431.

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about that and he said:

 

Usually in every issue there are two extremes and a middle way. Some people praise this group a great deal and encourage going out with them; others condemn them a great deal and warn against them more than they would warn you about a lion. And some people tread a middle path between those two extremes.

 

I think that there is some good in this group; they call others to Islam and have a clear influence that no other daa’iyahs have had. How many kaafirs have become believers at their hands, and how many evildoers has Allaah guided through them?

 

Moreover they have an attitude of humility and selflessness that is not found in many others.

 

Some people say that they have no knowledge of hadeeth, and so on.They are undoubtedly good people, but I think that those of them.

 

who are in Saudi do not go to Pakistan or other countries, and we do not know anything about the ‘aqeedah of those people (in other countries) or their manhaj (methodology). But there is nothing wrong with the manhaj (system) followed by our companions here in Saudi.

 

With regard to limiting da’wah to three or four days, or to two or four or six months, or two years, there is no shar’i evidence for that. But they think that this has to do with organization. If a person goes out for three days, and knows that he is limited to these three days, he will focus his mind and forget about worldly matters. This is the matter of organization, and is not an act of worship or a matter of sharee’ah.

 

I think, may Allaah bless you, that if you have the opportunity to seek knowledge then it is better to do that, because seeking knowledge is good and the people nowadays have a great need for scholars who have knowledge of the Sunnah and who are well-versed in knowledge. If you are not able to seek knowledge, and you go out with them in order to purify yourself, there is nothing wrong with that. There are many people whom Allaah has guided at their hands.

 

Al-Baab -_al-Maftooh, no. 10, P. 304.

 

SHEIKH SAALIH AL MUNAJJID

ISLAMQA

 

 

دار الإفتاء المصرية من الشيخ العلامة علي جمعة حفظه الله

 

DAARUL IFTAA EGYPT Dr. Ali Goma Mohammed

 

Number : 1201

 

Subject : Jama‘at al-Tableegh wa al-Da‘wah

 

Date : 9/23/2007

 

Question:

 

We have reviewed request no. 1201 for the year 2005 which includes the following:

 

What is the ruling of the outings (Ar. khuruj) practiced by the Jama‘at al-Tableegh wa al-Da‘wahgroup ? Is it an innovation ?

 

Answer:

Dr. Ali Goma Mohammed

 

These outings are permissible for those who are qualified to call others to Allah, provided that they are pleasant with people; employ wisdom, fair admonishment, and kindness when calling them; that they are merciful with others; and that they are knowledgeable of what they enjoin and forbid.

 

A prerequisite [to it being permissible] is that they do not neglect their families and their dependents.

 

Limiting the khuruj to 4 days, 40, or some other number, is purely a matter of organization and logistics.

 

It has no connection to the issue of innovation, unless its followers believe otherwise.

Allah Mighty and Most High knows best.

 

 

الفتوى صادرة عن مركز الفتوى

 

بإشراف د. عبدالله الفقيه

 

Fatwa No : 88243

 

Condemning the fault of others

 

 

Fatwa Date : Jumaadaa Al-Oula 25, 1425 / 13-7-2004

Question:

 

I want to ask about the Jama’ah Tabligh. They are translating Qur’an and Hadith according to their own understanding in order to prove that their work is from Quran nd Hadith. Is this not a great sin for a Jama’ah that is known to be a religious Jama’ah ?

 

Answer:

 

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

 

The Tablighi group is a Dawah group that has an apparent impact on the field of Dawah- and like any other Islamic group, it has advantages and disadvantages. So, it is incumbent on the Muslim to follow a moderate approach when criticizing it as the knowledgeable people do whose ultimate aim is to reach the truth.

 

Hence, one should accept from them all that is supported by evidence from the Qur’an and the Sunnah and reject anything that is not backed by evidence.

 

But this rejection should be through advice and kindness.

 

 

Ibn Katheer narrated that Qatada said:

 

“No Muslim should meet his fellow Muslim except with the intention of advising him and never cheating him.”

 

As for explaining the Qur’an or the Hadith without the appropriate knowledge or guidance, no doubt that it is a great sin and it is telling lies about Allah. Allah says:

 

“And follow not (O man i.e., say not, or do not or witness not, etc.) that of which you have no knowledge (e.g. one’s saying: “I have seen,” while in fact he has not seen, or “I have heard,” while he has not heard). Verily! The hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those you will be questioned (by Allâh).

 

(Al-Isra 17:36)

 

The duty of the Muslim is to advise his fellow brother when he sees him fall in similar things that contradict Islam. But this is not peculiar to Tablighi group alone. All the modern Islamic groups have some shortcomings which should be clarified to them whenever possible.

 

Allah knows best.

 

http://www.islamweb.net/

 

 

Calling Jamaat Tableegh to true Islam

 

Fatwa No : 85666

 

Fatwa Date : Safar 2, 1424 / 5-4-2003

Question:

 

Give me some guidelines/tips for Dawah. I want to call people following Jamaat-e-tableegh (more than 95% of Muslims of India are following this Jamaat, but calling themselves as Hanafees) to true Islam i.e., to follow Sunnah of the Prophetbased on saheeh ahadeeth.

 

These people doesn’t know what saheeh hadeeth is. They say all ahadeeth are saheeh. They read and follow only one book “Fazail-e-A’mal”. If in some issue they do something wrong and even though we quote saheeh hadeeth before them they do not accept it.

 

They hate people of AHLUL HADEETH. Their dawah is to call people to tour 1day or 3days or 10 days or 4 days with them so that they can learn about Islam. But actually they have no knowledge about hadeeth.

 

Tell me how should I try my best in calling them to true Islam?

 

Answer:

 

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

 

“Al-Tableegh group” is one among the Muslim groups that work in the field of Da’wah. This group has demonstrated a good influence in guiding people to the truth and serving the teachings of Islam although there are some errors, as you mentioned in your question, in their way of Da’wah.

 

Thus, a Muslim is strongly advised to co-operate with this group in good and piety. Also, he is required to advise them individually to the truth in kindness and wisdom and to choose the appropriate time and person, who is bias-free. At the same time, there is no harm to invite some persons of them if possible. Then, show them that your goal is to follow the truth and guidance and that you are doing this for the sake of Allah and due to loving them as Muslim brothers. At first, you have to avoid discussing sensitive issues with them. You have to invite them step-by-step.

 

In the same vein, we advise you to seek advice from good scholars in your country and to avoid making decisions in a hurry since such things may harm Da’wah and its faithful followers.

In addition, we draw your attention to spread your Da’wah activities to the Muslim society in general and do not limit your activities to this group. Since enemies of Allah do their best to fight Islam and destroy creed and morals of Muslims.

Allah knows best.

http://www.islamweb.net/

 

BY: MUFTI TAQEE UTHMANI

 

Questions Regarding Jama’ah Tabligh

 

Q 1.) For an ordinary Muslim (a businessman, a laborer, a farmer, a professional, etc.) who is not associated with a religious organization, is it Fard, Wajib, or Mustahab to go out for three or forty days, etc. with Jama’ah Tabligh?

 

A 1.) Dawah (inviting people to Islam) and Tabligh (conveying the Message) is a collective responsibility of the whole Ummah and an act of great reward as it has been declared a distinguishing characteristic of this Ummah by the Qur’an.

 

[See Albaqarah 2:104, 110. Yusuf 12:108. Hamim Al Sajjdah 41:33]

 

Dawah falls in two categories:

 

1. Inviting Muslims to follow the religion. It has two levels:

Special or Individual. Every Muslim is required to inform his household and people under his care about religious instructions and to forbid them from performing the munkarat (evils). Quran and Hadith clearly declare it a mandatory duty of everyone .

 

"Everyone of you is a supervisor and everyone will be asked about those given in his supervision…."

 

[Hadith]

 

In addition, if a particular person alone is in a position to influence another person, and there is a major expectation of his effectiveness, the first person is required to try to correct the behavior of the other person, even though the other person may not be his family member or subordinate.

 

"If anyone of you witnesses an evil, he should correct it by his hand. If he is not in a position to do so, then by his tongue. If he is not in a position to do so then by his heart. And that is the lowest level of Imaan."

 

[Muslim]

 

This level of Dawah is Fard Ayn (mandatory individual duty).

 

 

General or Collective. This involves addressing the Muslims collectively to enjoin good and forbid evil. This is Fard Kifayah or collective responsibility which means that it is a responsibility of everyone who is capable of doing this kind of Dawah but if some people discharge this duty then the burden would be lifted from others. Otherwise, everyone would be in sin.

 

This collective responsibility requires an organized effort designed to perform it according to the teachings of Shariah. The jurists have explained that if the Muslim government fails to perform this function, it would be the responsibility of the common Muslims to establish a group to discharge this responsibility.

 

It does not mean that a formal association must be launched but it does mean that sufficient number of persons should come forward for this purpose whether or not they are part of a formal organization.

 

2. Inviting non-Muslims to Islam. Every Muslim in general and the particular group mentioned above, specially would be responsible for this Dawah.

 

It should be noted that Shariah has not prescribed a special format for the Dawah effort. Whether it is performed by going to homes as Jama’ah Tabligh does, or through writings or publications, or through any other means, the responsibility would be discharged.

 

This explains that it is not Fard Ayn for every Muslim to participate in the work of Tablighi Jamat because

 

A) Dawah at the general level is not Fard Ayn and

 

B) the particular style of work adopted by the Tablighi Jama’ah is not mandated by the Shariah.

 

However, since the work of Tablighi Jama’ah, with the blessings of Allah, has been greatly beneficial and it has proven to be an effective means of countering the work of anti-religious forces, therefore cooperating with this Jama’ah and participating in its work to the maximum extent possible is an act of great reward.

 

Doing it with balance and within the limits prescribed by the jurists is a very effective means of protecting ourselves and the Ummah.

 

There may be a situation in which participating in the work of this Jama’ah may become Fard Ayn for an individual. Consider the case of a person who has no religious training and who is ignorant of the basic religious teachings concerning his life. For him it is mandatory to seek the minimally necessary religious education and training.

 

If such a person finds no other means of getting this basic instruction other than going out with the Tablighi Jama’ah, then for him it would be required to join this Jama’ah. If this person does have access to other means like sitting in the company of scholars, or joining a religious school, etc.

 

Then it would not be mandatory for him to join the Jama’ah. The participation would still be desirable because of the benefits that we have seen through experience.

 

Q 2.) A person is working with a religious school or Masjid or is involved in a religious work individually, but he does not go out with the Jama’ah Tablighi.

 

He also does not go door to door in his own neighborhood for the purpose of Tabligh, nor does he participate in Jihad (in Kashmir or elsewhere).

 

At the same time, he does not reject Dawah or Jihad. Is such a person a sinner for abandoning the responsibilities of Dawah and Jihad?

 

A 2.) The person of Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, was the focal point of all good. He, single handedly, established the standards of excellence in all areas of life. Subsequently we see a division of work in the Ummah. Some scholars concentrated on Jihad or Dawah, others on Islamic schools, etc.

 

If everyone is required to work only in one area, other areas will obviously suffer, while all are important for the mission of Prophethood. So the kind of person mentioned in this question cannot be declared a sinner for leaving the responsibilities of Dawah or Jihad.

 

It should also be noted that different approaches appeal to different people. Some people are influenced by listening to a sermon, others through reading. For some, simple facts have a great appeal, others require in-depth academic discussion. So all approaches should continue for the benefit of their intended audiences.

 

 

Q 3.) Is the particular style of Dawah work started by Moulana Ilyas (and used by Jama’ah Tabligh) established by evidence from the earlier Islamic period?

 

A 3.) As was explained in the answer to question #1 above, Shariah has not mandated a particular format for Dawah work. Religious education, Tabligh, Jihad, etc. are different ways of discharging this collective responsibility and they are all important in their own right. The popular format chosen for a given function is an administrative matter.

 

For example, today our religious schools offer instruction for ten months a year, for six days a week, for six hours a day. They also have exams at predetermined intervals.

 

This arrangement has been found useful through experience but it was not used at the time of Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, and one cannot find any evidence requiring it in the books of Hadith. However, since this arrangement is not considered mandated by Shariah, but it is only an administrative matter, therefore it cannot be considered a bid’ah (innovation).

 

The format adopted by Tablighi Jama’ah is also an administrative matter, and therefore, is permissible and it does not need any evidence in its favor as long as it is not considered mandated by Shariah.

 

However, for our understanding, it is sufficient to note that all Prophets and Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, himself had gone to the people to invite them to Islam.

 

And Allah knows best.

 

Written by Aleem Ahsan Aziz, Darul Ifta, Darul Uloom, Karachi.

 

Comments by Justice Mufti Taqi Usmani

 

( I ) concur with the above Fatwa. The discussion of Fard Ayn and Fard Kifayah included here is in accordance with the juristic evidence.

 

However, it does not diminish the importance of the work of Tabligh and it should not be used as a basis for reluctance in this matter.

 

In our times when the forces of evil are very active, the work of Tabligh and Dawah has assumed special importance and Masha-Allah Jama’ah Tabligh is, overall, discharging this responsibility very well.

 

Therefore, Muslims should cooperate with it. At the same time, efforts should be continued to correct the overstatements(ghuloo) made by some of its members.

 

And Allah knows best.

 

(Abridged and Translated into English by Khalid Baig. The responsibility for any error in translation does not rest with the Darul-Uloom.)

 

http://albalagh.net/qa/tablighqa.shtml

 

 

AUTHENTICITY OF TABLIGH JAMAAH

 

Darul ifta south Africa

 

Mufti Ebraheim Desai

 

Question :

 

I have been and are quite regular in tabligh and some people question the authenticity of tabligh. The question that i get asked the most is what proof do you have regarding spending months. 3 DAYS 40 DAYS and 4 MONTHS.

 

They ask me to point and give reference to Bukari etc. Now, I know how the work came in existence through the worry and concern of Maulana Ilyas RA.

 

And the proliferated through Moulana Yusuf RA and they introduced the whole tabligh infrastructure through Quran and Hadith. I was wondering If you could point me in the right direction and better yet explain to me and provide evidence related to this ?

 

Answer:

 

Allah Taãla says in the Noble Qurãn:

 

{{‘You are the best of nations sent to man. You command good and forbid evil and you believe in Allah}}

 

(A'ali Imraan).

 

Allah Taãla states that one reason for this Ummah being titled as the best of Ummah, is the practice of commanding good and preventing evil’.

 

Nabi (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) states:

 

‘Whosoever from among you witnesses evil, he should change it with his hands. And if he is unable to do so then he should change it with his tongue. And if he is unable to do so with his tongue, then he should at least consider it to be wrong. And this is the weakest stage of Imaan.

 

(Muslim)

 

Hadhrat Nuúmaan bin Basheer (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) says that:

 

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) gave an example of people sailing on a boat having an upper deck and a lower deck. The people from the lower deck require water and request water from the people of the upper deck.

 

The people from the upper deck refuse water so the people from the lower deck decide to make a hole on the floor of the ship and get water from the sea. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, ‘If the people from the upper deck don’t stop the people at the bottom from making a hole, the ship will sink and all the people traveling will drown.

 

(Mishkãt vol. 2 p. 436)

 

Similarly, if people do not prohibit evil and sin in the society, the entire society – innocent and evil – will equally suffer.

 

Hadhrat Abu Hurayra (Radhiallaahu Ánhu) states that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said:

 

“Command good and prohibit evil or else Allah will send such a punishment that will destroy everyone''.

 

(Ibid).

 

The above quotations of the Qurãn and Ahaadith of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) are clear that commanding good and prohibiting evil is an emphasized injunction of Allah and His Rasool (saws).

 

Every person must carry out this injunction. All the Prophets (Álayhimus salaam) followed the footsteps of their respective Prophets and after the demise of their Prophet, they carried out the same mission. The Sahaaba of Rasulullah (Radhiallaahu Ánhum) spent their entire lives in commanding good and prohibiting evil.

 

Since there is no Prophet to come, every Ummati (follower) of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) is the deputy of the Prophet and he has to carry on the mission of the Prophet.

 

The people of Tabligh Jamaat sacrifice their time, wealth and comforts to undergo difficulty and hardships to go in the path of Allah – to carry out this Sunnah of the Prophets – commanding good and prohibiting evil.

 

As far as the Tabligh Jamaat is concerned, it is our humble view that they are acting upon this injunction of Allah Taãla and are fulfilling this obligation of Shariáh. The Jamaat advocates strict adherence to the Sunnah and confirms itself within the ambit of the Shariáh.

 

The purpose of any individual taking part in the Noble work of Tabligh is firstly to reform oneself and dutifully save mankind from the fire of hell. The overwhelming success of the Jamaat is mainly because of the manifestation of the six points which involves the purification of the Naffs and the entity of Tawheed.

 

The word, ‘Tashkeel’, literally means to form. In the terminology of Tabligh, it means to urge the people to give time, to come out in the path of Allah for self reformation and propagating good for a number of days 3, 7, 40, 4months,1 year, etc.

 

The number of days is also not compulsory, it is only recommended just as it is recommended that a person studying first aid, for example, serves one month as practicals. While he will not be an expert in medicine, he will know the basic things to do during an emergency.

 

Similarly, a person going out for 3 days, 40 days, 4 months, etc. does not become an expert on Shariáh, but he will learn the basic requirements of Shariáh.

 

The more time he gives, the more he will learn and perfect himself. The time frame is not a criteria according to Shariáh. It is not regarded as compulsory in the Shari’ah.

 

The time is merely recommended like the time frame for any course in college and university. There is no prohibition in Shari’ah to set time frames for learning and training.

 

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

 

Mufti Ebrahim Desai

 

 

The Jama’ah of Tabligh and Da’wa.

 

Darul Ifta UK

 

Mufti Muhammad ibn Adam

 

The grand mufti of Saudi Arabia has clearly stated his dislike of the tableegh and Jam’at.

 

What my question is that, WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS WORK …… even imams of the haramain have clearly stated their dislike.

 

Please give your pearls of advice regarding this topic.

 

Question # : 23350053

 

Date Posted: 04/02/2004

  

In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,

 

Enjoining the good and forbidding the evil is a collective responsibility of the Muslims (Fardh al-Kifaya).

 

Allah Most High says:

 

“You are the best of Nations, involved for mankind, enjoining what is right and forbidding what is evil.”

 

(Surah Ali Imran, V: 110).

 

This collective responsibility of the Muslims requires an organized effort, and this is exactly what the Jama’ah of Tabligh is doing. How can someone be condemned for carrying out the responsibility which Allah Almighty has ordained upon him?

 

It should be noted that although the method which the Jama’ah of Tabligh use for their Da’wah was not prevalent in its full context during the time of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace), yet it will not be considered to be an innovation (bid’ah).

 

Shariah has not prescribed a special method for the Da’wah work. The responsibility of Da’wah will be discharged by using any method, whether this is by teaching religious knowledge to thirsty students, writing books, inviting people to Islam, going to peoples homes and calling them to the Masjid’s (As the Jama’ah Tabligh does) or any other means.

 

Those from Saudi Arabia who criticize this group usually are unaware of the reality of the Jama’ah Tabligh.

 

It should be said to them : if this work is wrong, then you should close down the Islamic universities in Makkah and Madinah and all the other types of Da’wah work, as the methods of many were not prevalent in the time of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace).

 

In conclusion, there is nothing wrong with the work of Jama’ah Tabligh in general. People should be encouraged to join and participate in this auspicious work.

 

The forces of evil are very active and the work of this Jama’ah has assumed special importance and Al-Hamdulillah this Jama’ah is (overall) discharging the responsibility of Da’wah very well.

 

If there are any mistakes made by people involved in this work (as indeed some do), it should be corrected by the scholars with wisdom, insight, gentleness and politeness.

 

And Allah knows best

Muhammad ibn Adam

 

Darul Iftaa Leicester ,UK

 

Tabligh Jamaat

 

Darul Ifta Trinidad & Tobago

 

Q.: Concerning a lot of discussions on Dawat e Tabligh or Tableegh Jamaat, a lot of scholars and others such as Dr. Zakir Naik and other ulema criticizing and saying it is bidah to participate in Dawat e Tableegh, where are these people getting these views from? They say it is not in Quran and Sunnah about Tableegh. What is your opinion on this matter?

 

A. The effort of the Tabligh Jamaat is a very noble one which has been very successful and has gained wide acceptance by thousands of great Ulamah throught the world, from the time it has started until today.

 

This work is simply about reminding Muslims of their faith and instilling in them, the seriousness of practicing Islam. The Tabligh work does not preach any thing against the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah, and it propagates the true message of Islam.

 

The work brings across the message of how a Muslim can gain success in this world and the next, and exhorts the Muslims to hold firmly to the Sunnah of the Prophet (SA). The talks, speeches and advises given, are based on Imaan and striving in the path of Allah, so that the message of Islam can reach the homes of every Muslim.

 

If a survey is taken today, it will be seen that the Tabligh Jamaat is doing an effort just like what the Prophet (SA) and the Sahabah had done. The brothers involved in the effort spend their ‘hard-earned’ monies to travel to distant places in order to spread the message of Islam. They do not ask anyone for anything. Their time is spent fully in the masjid, and they look after their necessities and needs.

 

Those who speak ill of this noble work, do so on account of their ignorance of what goes on in the Tabligh work, or they are misinformed, or it is possible that some may naturally dislike it for no reason at all.

 

Alhamdulillah, through the blessings which Allah Has given to this effort tens of thousands of Muslims have reformed themselves, and have changed the course of their lives to the right direction. Thousands (of those Muslims) who never performed Salaah have started to perform it, and also do the other duties as Muslims. On account of this work, a great awakening has come about, and Muslims are now becoming more conscious of their religion.

 

We see daily, that while there are many Muslims living around a Masjid, only a very few come for Salaah in congregation. The majority stay at home, while many may not even perform Salaah at all. It is on account of this state, we find that today, many Masjids remain empty, locked, dirty, deplorable and unattended. Many Muslims seem to have lost the zeal to attend the house of Allah.

 

We rarely see members of the locality visiting those Muslims who are not attending the masjid or are weak in their religion. To add to this, we find that at times, Christian missionaries come to different localities and pitch their tents, inviting the Muslims to their Crusades. On a weekly basis, we find that Christian missionaries visit the homes of everyone, including the Muslims’ homes, in order to propagate their religion. While all these take place, we find that not much is done, (in fact, in many places, nothing is done) to bring the Muslims to the Masjids, and to attend to them in an effort to strengthen their Imaan and Islam.

 

In this ‘wanting’ situation, we find that most of the time, it is the Tabligh Jamaat who comes around to different localities to revive the spirit of Islam among the Muslims.

 

So, the gist of this explanation, is that the Tabligh work is a very important and noble effort which is based on the teachings of the Holy Quran and the Sunnah of the Prophet (SA).

 

And Allah knows best.

 

Mufti Waseem Khan