What Is The Evidence of Spending Time In The Path of Allah for 3 Days, 40 Days, 4 Months, etc.

Haters and despisers of the so-labelled 'Tablighi Jamat' ramble on and on about how much innovations this so-called group is spiralling themselves into. During my days of ignorance, I too was a person who hated and despised the so-labelled 'Tablighi Jamat'. But now not anymore, Alhamdulillahi Rabbil 'Aalameen.

I find it absolutely unbecoming that in this day and age, into the 21st century, people at large are still ignorant about the virtue and graceful acceptance of this noble work. First and foremost, those who are active, who are supporters and who are sympathisers of this group don't regard it as a 'Jamat' as per se. But it is a work, i.e. the work of Da'wah, the work of calling one another, and more importantly - one's ownself to bring the greatness of Allah SWT into one's heart. This work has been revived in the 1920s and it is the culmination of the work of Rasulullah SAW. Those who say that 'Tablighi Jamat' are people of innovation are infact saying that Rasulullah SAW did innovation, Na'udhubillah Min Zaleek.

This post hopes to clarify and politely destroy misconceptions and perceptions. I am fully aware that by writing and posting - it is not as powerful as spending time in the path of Allah in itself; for if a person were to benefit and see the beauty of this work, one should open-mindedly and open-heartedly go out and spent three days with the so-labelled 'Tablighi' brothers - only then will one appreciate, understand and embrace the work of Rasulullah SAW. It is through this work that Islam spread to all corners of the world. There were approximately 124,000 Companions of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, but only 10,000 died in Hijaz (Makkah / Madinah) - so where are the graves of the rest i.e. the majority of the Sahabah RA - scaterred all around the world. They made Da'wah, the purpose and mission of their lives.

So let's zoom in to the main question(s):

Why 3 Days, 40 Days or 4 Months? What is the Dalil? What is the evidence?

Hahahahahahah. Let me first laugh first to tickle my heart, as I remember how staunchly ignorant are opposers and haters of this blessed work.

Usually when people ask this question, I invite the questioner to ask themselves: why is primary school 6 years? why is secondary school 5 years? why is university 3 years? Why must you have four wheels on the axle of a car? Why must the steering wheel be a wheel? Why must the car be made of metal? and so forth.


Evidence from the Lives of the Sahabah RA - Companions of the Prophet Muhammad SAW

There was a total of 150 Jamaats that was sent from Madinah during the life of Rasulullah SAW in this blessed city.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW himself participated in 25 of these Jamaats. Some of these Jamaats consisted of 10,000 Sahabah RA, some consisted of 1,000 Sahabah RA, some 500 Sahabah RA, some only 15 Sahabah RA, some only 7 Sahabah RA, and more. These Jamaats went out in the path of Allah for the duration of 3 months, 2 months, 15 days, 3 days and so forth.

As for the remaining 125 Jamaats that went out in the Path of Allah, some consisted of 1000 Sahabah RA, some 600 Sahabah RA, 500 Sahabah RA and so forth. And the durations of these Jamaats varied - some for 6 months, some for 4 months, and so forth.

If we were to calculate in detail, the average time that each Sahabi RA spent in the Path of Allah, outside his house - then this average was 6 to 7 months per year.


The Sahabah RA Spending Time in the Path of Allah for 5 Years

In the year 627M a group of Sahabah RA of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, which was led by Wahab bin Abi Qabahah RA visited Riau, part of the Malay Archipelago. The group stayed in Riau for 5 years for the purpose of Da'wah and Tabligh before returning to Madinah. It was through the effort of this blessed Sahabah RA that the Malay Archipelago and Peninsular was graced and blessed with the religion of Islam.


The Sahabah RA Spending Time in the Path of Allah for 6 Months

Bara bin Malik RA (brother of Anas bin Malik RA) narrates that Rasulullah SAW had sent Khalid Al-Walid RA to the people of Yemen, to invite them to embrace Islam.

Bara RA said:

"I too was part of that Jamaat. We stayed there (in Yemen) for 6 months. Khalid RA frequently invited them to embrace Islam, but they rejected his invitation."

Next, Rasulullah SAW sent Saiyidina 'Ali ibn Abi Talib RA to Yemen, and instructed Khalid RA to return with his whole Jamaat except for only one person who wants to accompany Saiyidina 'Ali RA - so let him be with Saiyidina 'Ali RA.

Bara RA said:

"I was the one who accompanied 'Ali RA for the time we were there. When we were very close to the people of Yemen, hence they came out and faced us. Then Ali RA arranged their Saf (row) for Solah (prayer) and 'Ali RA was the Imam in our Solah. After Solah, 'Ali RA read the content of the letter from Rasulullah SAW to them. After listening to the content of the letter of Rasulullah SAW, then the whole of the Bani Hamadan (clan) embraced Islam.

Next, 'Ali RA wrote a letter to Rasulullah SAW of which its content was to inform the Prophet SAW of them embracing Islam. (Then the letter was sent to the Prophet SAW). After the letter was read to Rasulullah SAW, he (SAW) immediately performed Sujud Shukur (Prostration of Thanks) to Allah SWT. After lifting his head, he (SAW) made Du'a (supplication):

"(Ya Allah, grant) prosperity to Bani Hamadan. (Ya Allah, grant) prosperity to Bani Hamadan."
[Bukhari, Baihaqi, Bidayah-wan-Nihayah]


The Sahabah RA Spending Time in the Path of Allah for 4 Months

Ibn Juraij RA narrates:

"There was a person who narrated to me that on one night when Umar RA was rounding (in Jaulah) in the lanes of the city of Madinah, suddenly he heard a woman reciting a Sha'eer (poetry):

"Oh how long is this night and how dark is its surroundings. I cannot sleep because my beloved is not here whom I want to kiss. Should it be that I am not afraid of committing sin against Allah - the One and Only; I would have permitted this body be shakened by another (person)."

When Umar RA heard this Sha'eer, he asked the woman:

"What has happened to you?"

The woman answered:

"I miss my husband very much, who has left me for several months."

Umar RA asked:

"What do you mean by doing what is bad?"

The woman answered:

"I seek refuge from Allah."

Umar RA said:

"Control yourself! Now I will send someone to call back your husband."

After that, Umar RA asked his daughter (who was also the wife of Rasulullah SAW):

"I will ask you one thing which is disturbing me, with the hope that you can resolve it for me. How long is it that a woman can afford to withstand her husband being away from her?"

Upon hearing this, Hafsah RA turned her head down in shame.

Umar RA said:

"Indeed Allah is never ashamed in this things that are good."

Hafsah RA answered by signaling with the fingers of her hands - "between three to four months."

After that, Umar RA wrote letters to all of the Amirs (leaders) of Islamic Jamats informing that they should not hold members of their groups for more than 4 months.
[Abdur Razzaq - Al-Kanz]

Abdullah ibn Umar RA narrates that on one night when Umar RA was out (to see the well-being of the people), suddenly he heard a woman reading Sha'eer (poetry): Oh how long is this night and how dark is its surroundings. I cannot sleep because my beloved is not here whom I want to kiss. Next Umar RA asked Hafsah RA: "How long is it that a woman can withstand from being away from her husband?" Hafsah RA answered: "6 or 4 months." Hence Umar RA said: "From now on, I shall not hold the army for a time longer than that."
[Baihaqi]


The Sahabah RA Spending Time in the Path of Allah for 40 Days

A man came to Saiyidina Umar ibn Khattab RA, and then Saiyidina Umar RA asked:

"Where have you been?

He answered:

"I wasat Ribat."

Saiyidina Umar RA asked some more:

"How long have you been in Ribat?"

He answered:

"Thirty days."

Hence Saiyidina Umar RA said:

"Why don't you just complete it to make it forty days?"
[Kanzul Ummal]


The Sahabah RA Spending Time in the Path of Allah for 3 Days

Abdullah ibn Umar RA narrates:

"Nabi SAW said had called Abdur Rahman bin 'Auf RA and said:
"Prepare yourself, for indeed I will be sending you with one Jama'ah (for after that he narrated some more Hadith and then said:) Hence Abdur Rahman went out and met his companions, and hence they walked until they arrived at their first stop called Daumatul Jandal, and hence as they entered the village, he invited the villagers into Islam for three days. And then on the third day, Asbagh bin Amru al-Kabir RA embraced Islam, who previously was Christian, and he was the leader of the village."
[Darul Qutni]


Further Explanation from the Noble Ulama of Haqq -

1. As-Shaykh Abu Bakr Al-Jayzari, Chief Hadith Teacher of Masjid Nabawi, and the Islamic University of Madinah

2. As-Shaykh Mufti Ebrahim Desai, Mudir of Madrasah Al-In'aamiyah, Camperdown, South Africa

3. As-Shaykh Abil Abad, 'Aalim of Darul Uloom Faisalabad, Pakistan

The term: "Tashkeel" which is frequently used in Da'wah and Tabligh work means - to encourage all Muslims to spend time, out in the Path of Allah for the purpose of Islah (self-rectification) as well as Da'wah and Tabligh work within a particular timeframe; for example 3 days, 10 days, 15 days, 40 days, 4 months, 7 months, 1 year and so forth.

The time period is not something compulsary, whatmore an integral element in Deen; but it is so, in order to establish a form of system, just like how First Aid courses are held; whereby participants are required to do one month worth of practical first aid exercise. And although the person who has attended this First Aid course doesn not become a specialist doctor, but at least he knows what to do during emergencies. Similarly, a person who spends time in the path of Allah for 3 days, or 40 days, or 4 months, and so forth - does not imply that he becomes an expert in Shari'ah. However, in the least - he is able to understand the basic requisites of what is wanted in the Shari'ah of Islam.

The more a person spends time in the Path of Allah, the more he will learn, and have the opportunity to become a better Muslim. The time spent out, is not a criteria mandated by Shari'ah.

Some people say - Ooo, these Tablighis are doing Bid'ah for spending time in the Path of Allah for 3 Days, 40 Days and 4 months. To clarify against this notion, we must understand that going out in the Path of Allah to rectify oneself is similar in its tertib to going out to obtain knowledge and guidance. Similar is going out to do Da'wah to invite other human beings to Allah and share with them beneficial things which are useful for the Hereafter as well as this world. All of this is spending time in the Path of Allah, as long as it is wrapped with the pure intention of obtaining the pleasure of Almighty Allah; and nothing else.

It is incorrect to believe that when the brothers who go with the so-labelled "Tablighi-Jamaat" - that they are going out to correct others, and rectify others.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW has said:

"One evening or one morning out in the path of Allah, is better than the whole world and whatever it contains."

The Prophet Muhammad SAW ias also said:

"Whomsoever comes to this Masjid, we the pure intention to obtain goodness from what he teaches or learns, is like a person in Jihad, in the Path of Allah."

There are plenty other authentic Hadith (Sahih / Hassan) that teach and encourage us to spend time in the Path of Allah. How strange is it that these nonsense makers say that the brothers in the so-labelled 'Tablighi Jamaat' are doing Bid'ah! What nonsense. Such spreaders of lies even go to the extent that the episode of Rasulullah SAW sending Mu'adh bin Jabal RA alone to Yemen alone is enough to indicate that going out in the Path of Allah with Jamaat is Bid'ah. May Allah give light to the ignorant and the arrogant. Ameen. They have forgotten that the Prophet Muhammad SAW did not send Mu'adh RA alone, but he was accompanied by Abu Musa Al-Ash'aari RA.

The Prophet Muhammad SAW said to the both of them:

"Make them happy and don't you both make them run away. Make it easy for them and don't give them hardship. Help one another and do not get into conflicts."

The Prophet Muhammad SAW also sent 'Ali bin Abi Talib RA and Khalid bin Sa'id bin Al-Ash RA. Together with them, the Prophet Muhammad SAW sent a large group for the purpose of Da'wah, Talim and making decisions between people (as mediators for rules and regulations related to Shari'ah).

Hence, the system and order of the so-labelled Tablighi Jamaat is similar in concept to the systems and orders in schools and universities - where they have divided time for classes, time for recess, etc. When in the Path of Allah, the brothers in Da'wah and Tabligh are also allocated time to prepare food and provisions, as well as fulfil necessities.

The work of Da'wah and Tabligh is the work of the Prophets; and this is the same work that has been passed by Allah to the whole Muslim Ummat. The purpose of this work is so that all human beings are able to practice complete Deen. Effort to revive Deen to pristine levels is not sufficient by just giving 3 days, 40 days, 4 months, etc. Instead, we should be prepared to give our whole life for Deen.

This is what Allah SWT has mentioned in the Qur'an:

"Lo! Allah hath bought from the believers their lives and their wealth because the Garden (Paradise) will be theirs: they shall fight in the way of Allah and shall slay and be slain. It is a promise which is binding on Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. Who fulfilleth His covenant better than Allah? Rejoice then in your bargain that ye have made, for that is the supreme triumph." [Surah At-Taubah: Ayat 111]

In the above verse of the Qur'an, Allah mention that He has purchased and demanded the lives of all Believers and their wealths so that they strive to establish the Deen of Allah. It is hence - not for 4 months or 40 days only. Unfortunately, the Muslim Ummat today could not even handle something so light and easy like the five-times-daily Solah. Whatmore spend his whole life in Allah's Path.

The Muslim Ummat of today is far from Deen. The abilities and spiritual stamina is also different from one person and another. Hence, by basing on the Qur'an and hadith, the Ulama have established certain standards that could be followed by each member of the Muslim Ummat. Indeed there is no Ayat of the Qur'an that instructs us to go out for Tabligh for 4 months, 40 days and 3 days - but these figures and numbers are plentiful in the Qur'an and Ahadith. Why are these figures described in the Qur'an and Ahadith? Obviously - there must be some form of Hikmah (wisdom) behind these durations.


The Wisdom of Going Out for 3 Days

Environment is something which greatly influences the individual. A person who sits in the environment of Imaan, Amaal and Akhlaaq within three days will definitely entice and spark sweetness in the heart to be a good Muslim. During the time of Rasulullah SAW, the disbelievers who were caught were tied to the pillars of the Masjid. The intention is so that they can see the Amaals of the Muslims in the Masjid.

In Sahih Bukhari, an episode is narrated whereby a man by the name of Sumamah bin Ausal from the Banu Hanafiah tribe who was caught and then tied inside Masjid Nabawi. For three days he observed the practice of Muslims in the Masjid, who were busy with the Amaals of - Da'wah, Ta'lim-wa-Ta'lum (teaching and learning), Ibadah (worship) and Khidmat (service) between one another. On the first day he was persistent and did not want to embrace Islam. On the second day, his thoughts were similar. On the third day, the Prophet Muhammad SAW released him. After he was released, Sumamah felt somethin sweet in his heart. He took a bath and came back to Masjid Nabawi and met the Prophet Muhammad SAW, and immediately embraced Islam. How great was the effect of the environment of Masjid Nabawi to Sumamah - only through three days observation - it became the means of him embracing islam.

Other than that, we should also be well informed of the advice that the Prophet Muhammad SAW gave to the Jamaats that he sent for the purpose of Da'wah or Jihad - for which a certain set of order and guidance were given to these Jamaats on how to do Da'wah and how to perform Jihad.

Amongst them are:

1. Do not fight them before giving them Da'wah for 3 Days

2. Do not kill children, women and old people who are weak amongst them

3. Do not plunder and cause wreck and destruction to wealth, property, crops and livestock


Why did the Prophet Muhammad SAW give 3 Days for the purpose of Da'wah before any fighting took place?

This is the lesson we learn from the Prophet Muhammad SAW himself that in Islam - there is no war before Da'wah is given first. Through the three days of Da'wah - the non-Muslims will be able to see the mannerism and conduct of Muslims towards the non-Muslims. This would indeed affect their hearts and become a means of their own Hidayah.

The Prophet Zakariyya AS was old. When Allah SWT granted him a son, he asked:

"O Allah, what is the sign that you will give to my son since I am already old?"

Allah SWT answered the Prophet Zakariyya AS, in the manner - as described in the Qur'an:

"My Lord! Appoint a token for me. (The angel) said: The token unto thee (shall be) that thou shalt not speak unto mankind three days except by signs. Remember thy Lord much, and praise (Him) in the early hours of night and morning. [Surah Al-Imran: Ayat 41]

The Mufassirin (scholarly experts of Qur'anic interpretation) say that - the sign for which the Du'a of Nabi Zakariyya AS is accepted is if under the condition that he does not speak for three days except for by sign. At that time, Allah SWT commanded Nabi Zakariyya AS to make much Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and leave worldly talks, so that he becomes closer to Allah.

Hence, from the above verse, the Ulama have given explanation that - should a human being be able to take time away in solitude in the Path of Allah for three days, to purify himself, to be away from worldly talks and concerns, to be busy in Da'wah, in Ibadah, in teaching and learning of religious Knowledge - then indeed, it will give great effect to his heart, love for Deen will come, repentance will come, and inclination will present itself so that he become close to Allah SWT.


The Wisdom of Going Out for 40 Days

Many people ask about this. Where do these so-called Tablighi Jamaat people get their dalil for 40 days?

Actually - the duration of 40 days has been mentioned in the Qur'an, many times in Qur'an and Hadith. The spiritual benefit is already clearly seen when Allah SWT Himself ordered the Prophet Musa AS to increase the number of days he spends in remembrance of Almighty Allah; and this is recorded in the Qur'an:

"And when We did appoint for Musa thirty nights (of solitude), and added to them ten, and he completed the whole time appointed by his Lord of forty nights; and Musa said unto his brother, Harun: Take my place among the people. Do right, and follow not the way of mischief-makers." [Surah Al-A'raaf: Ayat 142]

Similar is the instruction in Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat 51:

"And when We did appoint for Musa forty nights (of solitude), and then ye chose the calf, when he had gone from you, and were wrong-doers." [Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayat 51]

In the Ahadith of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, much has been mentioned about the period of Forty Days. Amongst these, is the Hadith whereby Abdullah ibn Mas'ud RA reported that Rasulullah SAW said:

"Verily your creation is on this wise. The constituents of one of you are collected for forty days in his mother's womb in the form of blood, after which it becomes a clot of blood in another period of forty days. Then it becomes a lump of flesh and forty days later Allah sends His angel to it with instructions concerning four things, so the angel writes down his livelihood, his death, his deeds, his fortune and misfortune. By Him, besides Whom there is no god, that one amongst you acts like the people deserving Paradise until between him and Paradise there remains but the distance of a cubit, when suddenly the writing of destiny overcomes him and he begins to act like the denizens of Hell and thus enters Hell, and another one acts in the way of the denizens of Hell, until there remains between him and Hell a distance of a cubit that the writing of destiny overcomes him and then he begins to act like the people of Paradise and enters Paradise." [Muslim]

In another Hadith, as narrated by Saiyidina Anas RA, the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW said:

"The person who offers his Prayers continuously for 40 days without missing the first Takbir, is granted a two-fold immunity by Allah: immunity from Hell-fire and immunity from hypocrisy." [Tirmidhi]

In another Hadith it is narrated:

"Whomsoever is sincere to Allaah for forty days, fountains of wisdom will spring from his heart to his tongue." [Tirmidhi, Ahmad, Bukhari]

Indeed, there are many other Ahadith like this that shows the virtues and hence why priority is placed on the duration of 40 Days. Hence, it is clear and easy to understand that whomsoever spends time in the Path of Allah trains himself to be pious and follow the commands of Almighty Allah for 40 Days, then obviously, InshaAllah - he will carry this piety and obedience when he returns home.

It is thus for these various spiritual reasons that we see the Ulama and Mashaa'ikh in the effort of Da'wah and Tabligh encourage us to spend time for 40 days to make Islah of one's own self and learn the effort of the Prophet Muhammad SAW.

Da'wah & Tabligh - The Work of Acceptance

We must understand what Da'wah and Tabligh is. The Ulama of Haqq who carry this work as the mission of their lives have studied this work based on evidences from the Qur'an, the Ahadith and the lives of the Sahabah RA. In this day and age people carelessly say that there are so many ways or preferences. How is it such a high work has no standard? or tertib? or methodology? Yet it is not so sophisticated or complex to understand, or require rgeat ability and skill.

The thing is, this work is the work of Allah SWT. And in this work, it does not depend on how talented a person is. Rather, in this work, the most important thing is that how can a person be accepted by Allah SWT.

Acceptance is the criteria for this work, not the talents and not the abilities. And because we do not have this in our environment, so what we think is:

"...let's bring people i.e. the people who are talented to do this work."

But the reality is, this work is for those people who are accepted by Allah. It happens to that point, that a person who does not have any qualities or any abilities or any talents, so what? When he comes through the way of acceptance of Allah, he becomes so talented and Allah gives him so much that he exceeds those people who have talent. And if Allah wishes - those who have talent cannot even utilise or take benefit from their own talents. This is the way of acceptance of Allah; this is how Allah Ta'ala accepts a person. And it happens that when Allah Ta'ala desires to accept a person, this person has to go through different tests and trials. Different decisions and circumstances are put on this person. This person has to go through these circumstances and conditions. And while passing through these different tests, trials, and conditions, this person reaches a level that he becomes acceptable to Allah Ta'ala.

Because Allah Ta'ala chooses; He says:

"[...from the people he wants to do the work."

So when Allah Ta'ala chooses a person, that person has to go through various tests and trials, so that different benefits can enter the person. He goes through all that, so that through that, different qualities become embedded in the person. And because of these qualities, this person becomes accepted by Allah.

Allah Ta'ala mentions about the Prophet Ibrahim AS that he underwent so many tests, and Ibrahim AS passed all those tests. And when he passed all those tests, Allah Ta'ala chose him as Imam, as Imam of the
Millat (belief), and Imam of the Deen. Allah Ta'ala chose him. This is what the acceptance of Allah Ta'ala is; that when a person goes through this process, then Allah chooses him and selects him. And this is the most important thing - i.e. how can a person get accepted by Allah Ta'ala?

First of all, every worker of Deen must assess his personal life. This is very essential and very important. Shaykha Muhammad Ilyas Khandalwi RahA used to say that Allah Ta'ala will protect this work with such people that have the qualities to carry out this work. The people with such qualities and such attributes that they will carryout this work, then through them, Allah will protect the effort.

As such, there are four things that must come in the life of a human being;

the first is 'Ibadah,

then Akhlaaq,

then Mu'amalat, and

then Mu'asharat.

Ibadah is between a person and Allah.

The rest - Akhlaaq, Mu'amalat and Mu'asharat- i.e. the character of a person, the dealings of a person, the social life of a person; this is between a person and other people. Between a person andAllah, there is just one aspect; between a person and other people, thereare three aspects.

That's why, Shaykh Muhammad Yusuf Khandalwi RahA, in Hayatus Sahabah, has written a chapter where he has written how through the Akhlaaq of the Sahabah RA, Allah SWT gave Hidayah to other people. Their Akhlaaq, their character, their dealings and their Mu'amalat became a means of Hidayah for other people. The first thing which a person is tested is in his patience.

One Jewish scholar once came to Rasulullah SAW, and he wanted to test Rasulullah SAW in his patience, to see if he was really a nabi, and to see the dealings of Rasulullah SAW. And he dealt with Rasulullah SAW very harshly, and very rudely. But as harshly as he dealt with Rasulullah SAW, Rasulullah SAW showed even more patience. Patience and forbearance are signs of prophethood. He showed more patience, because Ambiya AS are given this quality of patience. They had so much patience, that whatever conditions come upon them, they would make Sabr and have patience on those conditions, until the decision of Allah Ta'ala comes forth. They tolerated those conditions and had patience so that Allah Ta'ala can open the doors of Hidayah for them.

The temperament of a Da'iee is one of patience and tolerance, and thus these must be adopted in the lives of every worker of Da'wah and Tabligh. The life of Rasulullah SAW before Prophethood was such that he was considered "Sadiqul Ameen", that he was truthful, pure, and trustworthy. Rasulullah SAW had all these qualities, even before prophethood, because he was in a position where he frequently had to deal with people. That is why we are told again and again that we should read Hayatus Sahabah, and we should carry out this effort according to the temperament and the methodology that is shown through the lives of the Sahabah. If we carry it out in this manner, then our efforts will be accepted. But if we do not read it, or keep these examples in front of us, and the life of Rasulullah SAW is not in front of us, then we will deviate from that path.

So if we are not guided, then how will we carry out this work with what? With cheating with one another, lying with one another, betraying one another, hating one another. And we will carry out the work in this manner. And what will happen next is that the work will be destroyed. People leave the work because of the lack of example they see around them, and the worst thing happen - they don't get involved in the work. They only become Abids, in their own spiritual comfort zone, which is also wrong and sinful, because this work is the work of all - scholars or non-scholars.

That is why it is very necessary to recognise that the first quality that the Ambiya AS developed was the quality of patience, and we have to bring this quality inside ourselves. And the more a person has patience, the more Allah SWT will use him as a means of Hidayah. There is a chapter in Hayatus Sahabah which mentions those qualities of Rasulullah SAW which were linked to the Hidayah of other people; among those, the first quality mentioned was that of patience. So we must bring this quality inside us. If we spend three days with full tertib, InshaAllah we will gain guidance.

The Power of Tabligh

(From the treatise - Conversion of the Mongols by Shaykh Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi RA

Islam was about to be submerged in the whirlpool of the Mongol ardour of slaughter and destruction, as several Muslim writers had then expressed the fear, wiping it out of existence, but Islam suddenly began to capture the hearts of the savage Tartars. The preachers of Islam thus accomplished a task which the swordarm of the faith had failed to perform, by carrying the message of Islam to the barbaric hordes of heathen Mongols.

Conversion of the Mongols to Islam was indeed one of the few unpredictable events of history. The Tartaric wave of conquest which had swept away the entire Islamic east within a short period of one year was, in truth, not so astounding as the Mongol's acceptance of Islam during the zenith of their glory; for, the Muslims had by the beginning of the seventh century of Muslim era imbibed all those vices which are a natural outcome of the opulence, luxury and fast living. The Mongols were, on the other hand, a wild and ferocious, yet vigorous and sturdy race who could have hardly been expected to submit to the spiritual and cultural superiority of a people so completely subdued by them, and who were also looked down and despised by them. The author of the Preaching of Islam, T.W. Arnold, has also expressed his amazement over the achievement of this unbelieveable feat.

But Islam was to rise again from the ashes of its former grandeur and through its preachers win over these savage conquerors to the acceptance of the faith. This was a task for the missionary energies of Islam that was rendered more difficult from the fact that there were two powerful competitors in the field. The spectacle of Buddhism, Christianity and Islam emulously striving to win the allegiance of the fierce conquerors that had set their feet on the necks of adherents of these great missionary religions, is one that is without parallel in the history of the world.

For Islam to enter into competition with such powerful rivals as Buddhism and Christianity were at the outset of the period of Mongol rule, must have appeared a wellnigh hopeless undertaking. For the Muslims had suffered more from the storm of the Mongol invasions than the others. Those cities that had hitherto been the rallying points of spiritual organization and learning for Islam in Asia, had been for the most part laid in ashes: the theologians and pious doctors of the faith, either slain or carried away into captivity. Among the Mongol rulers — usually so tolerant towards all religions — there were some who exhibited varying degrees of hatred towards the Muslim faith. Genghis Khan ordered all those who killed animals in the Islamic fashion to be put to death, and this ordinance was revived by Qubilay, who by offering rewards to informers set on foot a sharp persecution that lasted for seven years, as many poor persons took advantage of this ready means of gaining wealth, and slaves accused their masters in order to gain their freedom. During the reign of Kuyuk (1246-1248) who left the conduct of affairs entirely to his two Christian ministers and whose court was filled with Christian monks, the Muslims were made to suffer great severities.

Arghun (1284-1291) the fourth Ilkhan persecuted the Muslims and took away from them all posts in the departments of justice and finance, and forbade them to appear at his court. In spite of all difficulties, however, the Mongols and the savage tribes that followed in their wake were at length brought to submit to the faith of those Muslim peoples whom they had crushed beneath their feet.

Unbelievable and of far-reaching significance, although the conversion of the Mongols to Islam had been, it is also not less surprising that extremely few and scanty records of this glorious achievement are to be found in the annals of the time. The names of only a few dedicated saviours of Islam who won proselytes from the savage hordes are known to the world, but their venture was no less daring nor their achievement less significant than the accomplishment of the warriors of the faith. Their memory shall always be enriched by the gratitude of Muslims for they had, in reality, performed a great service to the humanity in general and to the Muslims in particular, by diffusing the knowledge of faith among those barbarians, winning them over to the service of one God and making them the standard-bearers of the Apostle of Peace.

After the death of Genghis Khan the great heritage of that Mongol conqueror was divided into four dominions headed by the offsprings of his sons. The message of Islam had begun to spread among all these four sections of the Mongols who were rapidly converted to the faith. In regard to the conversion of the ruling princes in the lineage of Batu, the son of Genghis Khan's first born Juji, who ruled the western portion as Khan of the Golden Horde, writes Arnold:

The first Mongol ruling prince who professed Islam was Baraka Khan, who was chief of the Golden Horde from 1256 to 1267. According to Abu'l-Ghazi he was converted after he had come to the throne. He is said one day to have fallen in with a caravan coming from Bukhara, and taking two of the merchants aside, to have questioned them on the doctrines of Islam, and they expounded to him their faith so persuasively that he became converted in all sincerity. He first revealed his change of faith to his youngest brother, whom he induced to follow his example, and then made open profession of his new belief.

Baraka Khan entered into a close alliance with the Mamluk Sultan of Egypt, Rukn al-Din Baybars. The initiative came from the latter, who had given a hospitable reception to a body of troops, two hundred in number, belonging to the Golden Horde; these men, observing the growing enmity between their Khan and Hulagu, the conqueror of Baghdad, in whose army they were serving, took flight into Syria, whence they were honourably conducted to Cairo to the court of Baybars, who persuaded them to embrace Islam. Baybars himself was at war with Hulagu, whom he had recently defeated and driven out of Syria. He sent two of the Mongol fugitives, with some other envoys, to bear a letter to Baraka Khan. On their return these envoys reported that each princess and amir at the court of Baraka Khan had an imam and a mu'addhin, and the children were taught the Qur'an in the schools. These friendly relations between Baybars and Baraka Khan brought many of the Mongols of the Golden Horde into Egypt, where they were prevailed upon to become Muslims.

The Origins Of The Effort of Tabligh, Its Purpose & Other Important Issues

A Brief History Of As-Shaikh Maulana Muhammad Ilyas RA – The Revivalist of Tabligh

Maulana Muhammad Ilyas RA was born in 1885. His childhood was spent in his maternal grandfather's home in Kandhla, and with his father at Nizamuddin. In India those days, the Kandhla family was the cradle of piety. The ladies used to recite the Qur'an themselves in the Sunnah Nafl prayers as well listen to its Tarawih and other Nafl prayers. standing behind the male relatives The month of Ramadhan, in particular, was the springtime for the Qur'an. It was read for long hours, almost in every home.

Like all other children in the family, Maulana Ilyas began his education in the maktab (basic religious school), and, according to the family tradition, learnt the Qur'an by heart. The learning of the Qur'an was so common in the family. that in the one-and-a-half row of worshippers in the family mosque, there was not a single non Hafiz except the Muazzin.

From his childhood, there was present in Maulana Muhammad Ilyas a touch of the religious passion and fervent feeling of the blessed Companions RA of Nabi Muhammad SAW. One of his teachers remarked, "when I see Muhammad Ilyas, I am reminded of the Holy Companions RA. Eagerness and enthusiasm for Faith were ingrained in his nature. Even in his early years, sometimes, he did things which were much above the common level of the children.

In 1908, Maulana Muhammad Ilyas went to Deoband where he studied Sahih Tirmidhi and Sahih Bukhari. Deoband is the main and most prestigious seat of learning for traditional Sunni Islam in India. In those days too, India, Pakistan and Bangladesh were all part of one country.

Ardor and eagerness were deeply rooted in him. Together with zikr, spiritual exercises and exertions, Nawafil and Ibadat, Maulana Muhammad Ilyas was, also, infused with the spirit of Jihad. Throughout his life, he was never without it. He concentrated wholly on his studies, and on Zikr, and other forms of worship.

In 1910, a large number of men, including most of the senior teachers of the Madrasah of Mazahirul Uluum, Saharanpur (another prestigious madrasah that produce pious scholars) - left for Hajj. It necessitated the recruitment of new teachers for the Madarasah, Maulana Muhammad Ilyas being one of them. He was given the secondary books to teach. On the return of the senior teachers from Hajj, all the new entrants were relieved of their duties, but the services of Maulana Muhammad Ilyas were retained.

Maulana Muhammad Ilyas once went to Delhi to look after his sick brother. It was there that his brother died and the burial took place at Nizamuddin, near Delhi. After the burial, people urged upon Maulana Ilyas to take up residence at Nizamuddin in order to fill the void caused by the death of his father and brother, as both of them were Ulama who used to teach people in the area.

The resources of the Madrasah were so meager that, some times, they had to starve, but. Maulana Ilyas bore it all with a cheerful heart. Occasionally, he would say plainly, that there was nothing to eat. Whoever wanted to stay' might stay and whoever wanted to go might go and make his arrangement elsewhere. The moral and spiritual training the students were receiving, however, was such that none of them. was willing to leave. Often, they would live on wild fruits. The scholars themselves brought wood from the forest to prepare bread.

Maulana Muhammad Ilyas, exclusively, kept himself occupied with prayers and other spiritual exertions. He offered the five daily prayers in congregation, and was very particular about Sunnah, even to its minutest details.

Maulana Ilyas would perform Wudhu and offered two Rakaats of solat before commencing the lesson of the Ahadith. He did not talk to anyone, while teaching Ahadith. Maulana Ilyas took keen interest in his pupils and personally taught all the subjects, elementary as well as advanced. Sometimes, he had as many as eighty students directly under his instruction.

A small mosque, a shed, a living apartment, a small settlement, and a few Mewati and non-Mewati students that as all that formed the world of the mosque and the Madrasah.

The area to the south of Delhi is called Mewat. Its people and race are called Mewatis. In history, Mewatis were very notorious during the early days of the Muslim Kingdom of Delhi. Aided by the long range of thick forests that extended up to Delhi, they used to raid it frequently and had become such a terror that the gates of the capital were shut at sunset.

Owing to the negligence of the Muslims religious teachers, the moral arid religious condition of the Mewatis had sunk so low that there was little to distinguish between their beliefs and practices and wholesale apostasy. Even non-Muslim historians have commented at length on their estrangement with Islam, as the following extract will show:

"All the Mewatis (Mewatis) are, now, Muslims, but only in name. Their village deities are the same as those of the Hindu landlords, and they celebrate several Hindu festivals. Holi is a season of special rejoicing among the Mewatis and they observe it like their own festivals, such as, Moharrum, 'Id and Shab-i-Barat. The same is the case with Janam Ashtami, Dussehra and Diwali, The Mewatis engage the services of the Brahmins to fix the dates of marriages. They have Hindu names, with the exception of the word 'Ram', and their last name, often, is 'Singh', though not as frequently as 'Khan'. Like Ahirs and Gujars, the Mewatis, too, observe Amawas as a holiday on which they abstain from work…."

"…..Mewatis are, largely, ignorant of their faith, i. e., Islam. Very few of them know the Kalimah,' and fewer still observe Solat regularly. About the hours and rules of Solat, their ignorance is complete. This is the state of the Mewatis of Alwar. In the British territory of Gurgaon, the position is a little better because of the Madrasahs. In some parts of Alwar, also, where the mosques have been built, the religious duties are observed to some extent. A few of them know the Kalimah and offer up Solat and an attachment for the Madrasahs, also, is found among them. As we have seen earlier, the initial ceremonies of marriage are performed by the Brahmins, but the real ceremony (of nikah) is performed by the Qazi. Men wear dhoti and loin-cloth. The pajamas (jubah / kurta) are not worn at all. Their dress, thus, is wholly Hinduised. Even ornaments of gold are worn by men."

Contact with the Mewatis was established during the lifetime of Maulana Ilyas's father. It was not a chance occurrence, but an act of destiny that Maulana Muhammad Ismail came to live in Nizamuddin which was the gateway of Mewat, and much before the arrival of Maulana Muhammad Ilyas, seeds of loyalty and devotion of his. family had been sown on its soil.

Maulana Muhammad Ilyas felt that the only Way to the religious reform and correction of the Mewatis was promotion of religious knowledge and familiarization with the rules and principles of the Shari'ah.

His late father, and his brother, had adopted the same method. They used to keep the Mewati children with them and educate them in their Madrasah, and, then, send them back to Mewat to carry on the work of reform and guidance, and what little religious awareness was found there was owing to the efforts of these pioneers.

Maulana Muhammad Ilyas went a step ahead and decided to establish Maktabs and Madrasahs in Mewat itself so that the influence of Faith could spread to a wider area and the pace of change was accelerated.

Maulana Ilyas knew what was, commonly, meant by inviting a spiritual mentor or his successor to their place by his disciples and admirers, and he was not willing to go to Mewat only to fulfill the formalities of attending the dinner given in his honour, delivering a few sermons and giving good counsel. He wanted to make sure before undertaking the trip, that some real advance would be made, as a result of his visit, towards bringing the Mewatis closer to Islam and improving their moral condition, low, during those days- the setting up of Maktabs and Madrasahs in Mewat appeared to him to be the most effective step in that direction. He had, thus, made it clear that he would accept the invitation only on the condition that they promised to establish Maktabs in their territory.

For the Mewatis, however, this was difficult. They considered the establishment of Maktabs was next to impossible for the simple reason that none of them would be sending his children to him because they will be depriving themselves of their children's contribution to the family income as daily wage-earners.

Maulana Muhammad Ilyas, accordingly, demanded the fulfillment of the promise. After great persuasion, the beginning was made and the first Maktab was established.

Maulana Ilyas used to tell the Mawatis:

"Give me the pupils, I will provide the money."

The Mewatis who were, mainly, farmers, could not easily reconcile themselves to the position that their children applied themselves to reading and writing and stopped working in the fields or looking after the cattles. It took a lot of tact and perseverance to bring them round to it.

Ten Maktabs were opened during that visit. Once the ice was broken, the progress was easy. Sometimes, several Maktabs were opened in a day till, within a few years, hundreds of such schools were functioning in Mewat.

Maulana Ilyas had not undertaken the service of Faith as a "national cause", the burden of providing the funds for which fell wholly upon the nation or the community, but as a personal affair and felt no hesitation in spending all he had on it. He believed that a person should perform a religious task as his own and expend his time and money freely in its way.

Once a person presented a purse to him with the request that he used it, exclusively, for his own needs.

Maulana Ilyas replied:

"If we do not regard Allah's work our own, how can we claim to be His bondmen ?"

With a sigh, he added:

"Alas! We are not true appreciators of the Noble Prophet (SAW). We do not know his (SAW) true worth."

This was Maulana Ilyas's rule of life. First of all, he spent from his own pocket on the religious endeavour he had launched in Mewat, and, then, alone, would accept help from others.

Due to Maulana Muhammad Ilyas RA's sincerity and hard work the work of Tabligh began to spread and Jamaats started to visit all parts of the sub-continent within his life time.

As-Shaikh Maulana Syed Suleiman Nadwi RA remarks:

"Maulana Muhammad Ilyas RA with his simplicity and dedication to the correct principles of Da'wah (invitation) quietly turned the Mewatis into sincere and pious Muslims over a twenty five years and made them the envy of even the Muslims belonging to traditional religious families."

His hard work bore fruit in his life and he raised thousands of dedicated Muslims who continued on the path of Da'wah even after his passing away. Finally the humble, physically weak and thin Maulana passed away in 1324 Hijrah leaving behind not one or two but thousands to take up his cause and continue on the path of reformation.


The Purpose of the Effort of Tabligh - Its Aims & Objectives

The vision of Sheikh Muhammad Ilyas RA is to revive the pure Deen of Allah Ta'ala. For this, he had laid down certain principles (Usuls) which are based on the Qur'an and Ahadith. In order to achieve this, he constantly reminded the people about the responsibility of Amar bil Ma'ruf and Nahi Anil Munkar.

The actual problem today is that many of us today have misinterpreted the real meaning of Nahi Anil Munkar. Nahi Anil Munkar does not refer to being hard, rough, power, strength, weapons and the likes thereof. A simple example will show us exactly what is Nahi Anil Munkar. A villager during the time of Nabi SAW entered Masjid Nabawi and began urinating in one corner of the masjid. Sahabahs RA immediately wanted to take hard action but were prevented by Nabi SAW. Nabi SAW let the villager relieve himself comfortably and thereafter called him aside and with love, compassion and kindness made him understand that this is the house of Allah which is clean and pure, etc.

So here – Look at the level of the evil that this villager had caused. Urinating in front of Nabi SAW inside Masjid Nabawi. Yet, look at how Nabi SAW carried out the duty of Nahi Anil Munkar.

This is exactly what was the desire of Maulana Ilyas RA. In doing Amar Bil Ma'ruf as done by the brothers involved in the Effort of Tabligh, they encourage us to spend time in the path of Allah Ta'ala, so that once we are in a pure environment, the Masjid, we will automatically realise the importance of making an effort for Deen and understand the harms of leading a life full of disobedience.

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

Nabi SAW 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." (Mishkat)

Saiyidina Nu'man bin Bashir RA says that Rasulullah SAW 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.

With regards to the above - Rasulullah SAW 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 travelling will drown." (Mishkat: Volume 2: Page 436)

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

Abu Hurairah RA states that Rasulullah SAW said:

"Command good and prohibit evil or else Allah will send such a punishment that will destroy everyone." (Ibid)

The above quotations of the Qur'an and Ahadith of Rasulullah SAW are clear that commanding good and prohibiting evil is an emphasised injunction of Allah and His Rasul (SAW). Every person must carry out this injunction. All the Prophets AS followed the footsteps of their respective Prophets and after the demise of their Prophet, they carried out the same mission. The Sahabahs of Rasulullah RA spent their entire lives in commanding good and prohibiting evil. Since there is no Prophet to come, every Ummati of Rasulullah SAW is the deputy of the Prophet and he has to carry on the mission of the Prophet. The people involved in the Effort of Tabligh for example - 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 AS - commanding good and prohibiting evil.

As far as the Tabligh Jamaat is concerned, the Ulama are in view that they are acting upon this injunction of Allah Ta'ala and are fulfilling this obligation of Shari'ah. the Jamaat advocates strict adherence to the Sunnah and confines itself within the ambit of the Shari'ah. 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.

It is imperative to learn Deen and pass on whatever one knows. Also, it is the responsibility of every believer to enjoin good and forbid evil. Taking part in the activities of the Tabligh Jamaat is an excellent way towards achieving this and has proven beneficial around the world. Although it is not necessary to go out for 3,10 40 days etc. if one is committed, it is never detrimental to do so. One may still involve oneself in the community based and local activities of the Jamaat.

The emphasis in Da'wah and Tabligh is to revive Deen in a person's life. To remind a person of his purpose of life, to be obedient to Allah and conscientise him of death, life after death and accountability in the court of Allah. This is what is meant by basic Shari'ah.

If the above mentioned aspects are in a Muslim's life, that will create an urge in him to learn Deen, to be a Hafiz or an Aalim. His faith will be strong enough for him to sacrifice a few years to go to an educational institute to study Deen in depth and work towards implementing that in one's community and environment.

Of course – It is not expected of a person spending a few months in Tabligh to be discussing the Laws of Shari'ah. That is the work of Ulama. The Tablighi brothers bridge between Ulama and common people. Alhamdulillah, in many parts of the world, there are many Ulama who are the products of the effort of Da'wah and Tabligh. They or their parents have been conscientised on Deen and that led them to go abroad and spent 8/10 years away from home. Now they are leading Ulama in their communities doing invaluable work of establishing and spreading the Deen of Allah.


Traditional Methods vs. Modern Methods e.g. Media etc

In principle, there is no harm in using the media for Da'wah purposes provided the rules of the Shari'ah are not contravened. The current modus operandi of the Tablighi Jamaat is in fact closer to the Sunnah and experience has shown it to be more effective.


Does Tabligh Oppose Jihad ?

The Ulama have admonished people who say that Tablighi brothers are not keen on Jihad. Why are the Tablighi brothers singled out for not engaging in Jihad? Is every one else engaged in Jihad? Or just talking about Jihad?

The people in Tabligh are engaged in a noble work. That is appreciated by those who have benefited from the efforts and sacrifices in the Tablighi Jamaat. Thousands of Muslims around the globe have realised their purpose of being created in the world. They have understood what is obedience to Allah and reformed their lives. They began performing their five daily Solat. That impacted in all spheres of their life. Their personal and family life became a paradise in this world. When Allah consciousness enters into a life of a person, that person's focus moves away from this temporary abode to success in the hereafter.

If Muslims change their way of life and adhere to the Shari'ah, and the Sunnah of SAW, the non-Muslims and their governments will be impressed. We have become targets because we do not practice true Islam. The people around the Sahabahs RA and the Pious Predecessors observed the way of life their lives and were impressed. That attracted people to Islam.

Before discussing the issue of Jihad, it is important to focus on strengthening one's faith, Imaan and practice. That is being well achieved through the noble work of Da'wah and Tabligh. Get involved and see the spirituality in that effort. It is the easiest and most effective recipe to peace and happiness. This is the advice of Ulama.


What Is The Difference Between Tablighi Jamaat and Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah?

Tabligh means to convey. Jemaah means a group. Collectively, it means a group of people who convey. Contextually, it refers to people who conveys the message of Islam to non-Muslims and also remind Muslims of their duties. This was the effort of all the Prophet of Allah AS, including Rasulullah SAW and his Sahabahs RA who are referred to as Ahlus Sunnah (those that adhere to the Sunnah of Rasulullah SAW) Wal Jamaah (and those who adhere to the group of the Prophet i.e. the Sahabahs - RA).

Those that engage in Tabligh are all adherents of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah.

It is indeed fascinating and educational to see how all adherent respective muqalids of the Hanafi school, Maliki school, Shafi'i school and Hanbali school can all pray in one Saff, in one congregation – and then sit together to discuss and then take action on how the spiritual condition of the Ummat can be revived.


How About Spreading Islam to Non-Muslims? Isn't That More Important?

Tabligh work is a high and noble work. This word is handed by responsible Ulama. The people in the work of Tabligh are emphasised to remain within their guidance and advice.

It is even the experience of the Ulama, that those who remain within the confines of their advices are saved from so many evils and unfortunate situation. Most certainly, there might be a wisdom in not giving Da'wah to new Muslims.

Of course – The Qur'an is a guide for all mankind, Muslims as well as non-Muslims. The message of Islam should be preached to all.

That was also the Sunnah of Rasulullah SAW, the efforts of the Tablighi Jamaat is not confined to Muslims. There are innumerable Muslim reverts who were influenced into Islam through the efforts of the Tablighi Jamaat.

A Japanese friend of mine named Tomaki Saito embraced Islam circa year 2000 and changed his name to Abdul Haq Saito. He spent time with the Ulama and the Tablighi Jamaat. Though I started as being slightly more advanced than him with regards to religious knowledge, he is now perhaps millions of light years ahead of me. He is now the Shura of Muslims in Japan. With many grand Ulama supporting his cause for Islam.

As Muslims, we are responsible for making Da'wah to both, Muslims and Non-Muslims. If we look at the history of our Prophet SAW, he called unto both, Muslims as well as non-Muslims. But obviously preference will be given to those persons who are more interested in Deen, as is also indicated in the Qur'an in Surah 80 Verse 1.

More deeply the incident as mentioned in the books of Tafsir is, once Nabi SAW was busy with the chieftains giving invitation towards Deen and answering their queries, then suddenly a blind Sahabat, Abdullah bin Makhtum RA approached and queried something from Rasulullah SAW. Due to his absorption with the chieftains, Nabi SAW expressed dislike for which Allah Ta'ala revealed the above referred verse.

Also, in Fathul Qadir, it is mentioned that Saiyidina Umar RA sent Abdullah bin Ma'sud to Kufah with a Jamaat (which was a Muslim stronghold) and sent, Mu'qal bin Yassaar, Abdullah bin Maghaffal and Imraan bin Haseen to Basrah, and Ubaadah bin Saamit and Abu Darda to Syria. And all these were sent to Muslims as stated in Izaalatul Khifaa.


Which Jama'ah Is Correct? This Jamaat Is Doing It This Way... That Jamaat Is Doing It That Way... Which One Is Correct? Shouldn't We All Be Doing Things Alike?

Shari'ah had not mandated a particular format for Da'wah 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 traditional religious institutes of preparing future Ulama offer instruction for ten months a year, six days a week, 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 Nabi SAW and one cannot find any evidence supporting it in the books of Hadith.

However, since this arrangement is not considered mandated by the Shari'ah, but it is only an administrative matter, therefore, it cannot be considered a Bid'ah. The format adopted by the Tablighi Jamaat is also of this nature and does not need evidence in its favour as long as it is not considered as mandated by the Shari'ah. Sama juga – wearing long khaki-type pants is not Bid'ah just because the Prophet SAW used something else to cover lower aurat. However, for our understanding, it is sufficient to note that all Prophets AS, including Nabi SAW, had gone out to invite the people to the greatness of Allah. In this day and age, to protect ourselves, we need close monitorance from the Ulama so that we do not digress and loose the plot, in our aims and ambitions to revive Islam. The Jemaah Tabligh for example, are led by Ulama.


Is Tabligh Compulsory?

There are two aspects of Tabligh. One is to convey the Deen of Allah. That is the responsibility of every Muslim. He has to convey the Deen of Allah to the best of his ability, to his family, friends, Muslim and non-Muslims.

The second aspect of Tabligh is going out in a group of people for a specific number of days, three days, forty days, four months, etc. According to Shari'ah, there is no instruction or prohibition either to do Tabligh in this way. Such a procedure of Tabligh is Mubah (permissible) if one does not regard it as compulsory and does not do anything un-Islamic in this procedure.

It must be pointed out that this method is tried and tested. It is effective and became a means of guidance for many people from all around the world. The procedure should be viewed in light of any other procedural aspects which have been tried, tested and proven effective. It gains the attention and support of people.


What Are The Views Of The Tablighi Jamaat Of Other Efforts & Vice Versa?

To understand the stance of the Tablighi Jamaat, one has to understand that if a person or group concentrates on one field of activity, it does not mean that they are opposed to all other fields. While this may be a straightforward principle of life, only mischief-makers would like to overlook this fact to propagate their malevolent precepts.

The Tablighi Jamaat has focused its efforts on reviving the conviction on Imaan, and bringing the basic A'maal (deeds) into one's life. Other activities are left to other Ulama to carry out. Jihad, Social Welfare, Ta' lim (education), politics, Da'wah (inviting non-Muslims to Islam) etc. are being undertaken by other Ulama. The Tablighi Jamaat does not oppose such efforts, but concentrates it's energies in its sphere of activity. Can such non-involvement be construed to mean opposition?

The Tablighi Jamaat is no secret organisation. It has no offices or office bearers. All its activities are wide open for the entire world to analyse. The test of the pudding is in the eating. The Majlis of Ulama challenge any person who has been poisoned by this notion to spend just three days with any Tablighi Jamaat group to ascertain for himself if the Tablighi Jamaat is something dodgy. It will then be clear that all mischief makers have a hidden agenda.

The Ulama have provided a simple acid test to appraise the worth of speculations; and are confident that this will expose anyone misled or intentionally wishes to mislead others. This is sufficient for the seeker of truth. And may peace be on those striving to acquire guidance.


Why Are There So Many Efforts To Revive Deen?

Allah Ta'ala created every person with different temperaments and capabilities. Some are inclined towards learning and teaching while others are inclined to helping the poor and orphans. The different faculties of Deen may be likened to many different rivers leading to the same sea. The sea that all the different faculties of Deen lead to is Almighty Allah Ta'ala.

Therefore, all the different faculties of Deen, be it Tabligh, learning or teaching, legit Sufism, etc. All have one goal and object. That is to gain the Ridhuan (pleasure) of Allah. Whatever capabilities Allah has placed within us, for whichever field of Deen, we should give our fullest in that field of Deen.

The important thing is to get our initial bearings and principles correct. To have connection and alliance with pious Ulama of the Ahlus Sunnah. If we do not have consistent connections with Ulama, we will drift away. Na'udzubillah.

Imagine a small boat being tugged by a large ship. If the rope pulling the boat breaks free, how can we expect the boat to carry its passengers to their required destinations.

Nevertheless also – effort has to be made to protect the pristine quality of Islam from its inside. That is why we cannot ignore fraudulent movements and efforts "within" Islam. As this will destroy Islam. To gauge how much effort, or width, or depth on how we should operate – we need help from the Ulama. Traditional Ulama of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah. To simply put a blanket over all differences and say unite is an over-simplification of solution. That blanket will make it easier for destructive movements to find its prey under the blanket. We must understand this.


Isn't It Obligatory to Establish the Khilafah?

Indeed, all the four glorious Imams of the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jama'ah, as well as other Classical Ulama say that it is Fardh to make effort to re-establish the Islamic Caliphate; and yes, in the time of Nabi SAW and the Sahabah RA, when Islam was in its initial stages in Makkah, Nabi SAW propagated Islam to the people. Thereafter, the stage was to teach the people about Islam and have them fully aware about Islam.

Today, we are at such a stage where the people are unaware of Islam. We have many different schools of thought. Hence, there is a greater need to educate the people and forward ourselves to establish a Khilafah. If the people are not educated, our traditional Ulama will have great opposition to the Khilafah. We want to bring the people to Islam and not have people fighting in Islam.

Islam is not against politics but it forms an integral part of Islam. The Ulama are not against politics. It is just that they don't wish to meddle in today's 'dirty' politics. They are employing a more positive approach in spreading the Deen of Allah. Sure, we need to work towards the establishment of a proper Islamic state but we do also need proper leaders and proper followers i.e. good Muslims.

At the outset, the Ulama of Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah wish to advise that establishing a Khilafah will not solve any problem, rather increase the differences. Nevertheless, establishment of Khilafah in present day context is difficult. Due to the political set up globally and the Muslims getting pushed from pillar to post, the Khilafah will not solve the problem of easing the differences.

The problems of the Muslims shall only be solved if we adopt the method that was adopted of Nabi SAW and the Sahabahs RA. That is the method of Imaan and good actions (Amal-Salih).

Imam Malik RA said:

"The latter part of this Ummat shall not attain success till it adopts the way of the first part of this Ummah, i.e. Nabi SAW and Sahabahs RA."


Allah Ta'ala says:

"Allah has promised those who bring faith and do righteous deeds that he will make them Khalifahs on earth and He will strengthen them their religion which Allah chose for them."

The prescription for Khilafah is abundantly clear in this verse. Strength in Imaan and good deeds. Muslims throughout the world should strengthen their faith in Allah and perform righteous deeds that will be a means of attracting people to Islam. Muslims have lost great empires due to weakness in faith and laxity in righteous deeds.

Any effort to establish running an Islamic country without the above two referred fundamentals is baseless and an exercise in futility. That is also evident from the position of the many so-called "Islamic" countries who have hopelessly failed in their responsibilities of promoting Islam from their positions of strength.


Principles in Handling Criticism – Of Those Involved In Da'wah & Tabligh

The Ulama have advised to continue the noble work of Da'wah and Tabligh with persistency and patience. That was the salient feature of the Prophets AS. They too experienced difficulties and derogative remarks but were patient and continued with the work for the pleasure of Allah Ta'ala. It is useful to engage our time in something constructive that will yield benefit rather than being concerned of the criticism and responding to that. This is why we see much of the brothers involved in Tabligh are not conflictive in nature. Only when things require crucial correcting will they intervene. Otherwise – there is a lot of work to be done.


If I Want To Spend Time In Tabligh, How Do I Arrange Things With My Family Who Are Against This Noble Effort?

Whilst understanding the importance of the commands of Allah Ta'ala, it is also of equal importance to make our family understand the same. The problems that many of us are facing is only due to one reason - i.e. the importance of Deen is not in the hearts of those in our family.

In making effort in our family, we must first of all understand that respect of our parents and elders in the family is of utmost importance.

One simple solution which will, InshaAllah, remove all the problems that we face include - to establish Ta'lim at home i.e. reading from the book of Hadith which encourages the performance of good deeds. This will need a bit of courage of course, especially when there is lack of Deeni environment at home.

Thus, everyday, at some suitable time maybe for ten to fifteen minutes, we may sit with the Kitab e.g. 'Riyadhus Salihin', ''Fadhaail-e-Aamaal' etc, read it in a medium tone, not too loud, but read to ourself. Do not ask or command anyone to participate. Continue to do so until the hearts of our family members will soon soften and they will, InshaAllah, one day participate which will in turn make them Deeni conscious. Together with this, be kind to them, greet them and gradually win them over. Du'a is the key to everything. After every Solat, all the time we should make Du'a for them.


A Final Note

Let us all be reminded – there are two important things:

The first is – Deen.

To learn, practice and preach true Deen, we must associate ourselves and sit with pious scholars of the Alus Sunnah Wal Jamaah

The second is – the Effort of Deen.

That is the effort to revive the spiritual state of all Muslims in the Ummah.

To learn, practice and preach Deen, we must associate ourselves and get involved in an effort which are both approved and steered by the Ulama.