BENEFICIAL INFORMATION FOR THOSE ENGAGED IN TABLEEGH

TRANSLATED BY: MOULANA MOHAMMAD KADWA

Publication No: A 79
First Edition: Rajab 1415
December 1994

Published by:
MADRASAH ARABIA ISLAMIA
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CONTENTS

3. Foreword
4. The difference between “Amir bil Maroof wan-Nahy anil Munkar” and
“Dawat-o-Tableegh.”
6. The benefits of Dawah and the repulsion of a misunderstanding.
7. A sincere answer.
8. A philosophical answer.
9. The opinion of a member of the C.I.D. regarding the Tableegh .Jamaat.
10. View of a policeman in regards to the Tableegh Jamaat.
10. A hindu restaurateur’s view on the Tableegh Jamaat.
11. Why the disunity of the Ummah.
11. Why coming out in Jamaat is so difficult.
13. When will this Deen become “our” Deen?
13. Appeal to the older workers.
13. Presenting this mission to Arab leaders.
14. How should students go out in Jamaat?
15. A pressing need.
16. The value of leisure time.
16. The parable of common people.
17. Message to the Ulama.
17. The plight of the parents of secular-school students.
18. Tableegh within secular-school students.
18. Why does a person revert to his former condition upon returning from
Jamaat?
18. The most superior form of politics.
19. Why only six points?
22. The reward of setting out to implement Deen.
24. The importance of implementing Deen in the eyes of the Sahaabah
Radhiallahu Anhum.
26. The correct procedure of implementing this mission.
27. Power does not lie in numbers but in firm resolution.
FOREWORD

Many beneficial points regarding the Tableegh Jamaat and its

various activities are often heard about. Ascertaining the person
who mentioned these points or who heard them is a complex task
indeed.

Notwithstanding this, a vast majority of people unanimously agree

to the authenticity of these points. This is why we have compiled
this booklet starting each new point with the phrase : “we have
heard” or “A certain person said”. At selected places however, the
person from whom we have heard a particular point is also
mentioned. We considered these points indispensable and
beneficial as well. Hence the compilation before you. May Allah
Ta’aala render it beneficial for all and may he render it a stepping
stone for us towards righteousness.

Sallallahu Ta ‘aala Ala Khairi Khalqihi Muhammad Wa Alaa A‘lihee

wa Ashaabihee Ajmaeen.

Compiler
Dated: Friday 29 Safar 1392
The difference between “Amr bil Maroof wan-Nahy anil Munkar”
and “Dawat-o-Tableegh.”

People enquired of Hadhrat Maulana Ghulam Rasul Makki Sahib if there is any
difference between “Amr bil Maroof,” and “Nahy anil Munkar” and “Dawah.”
Which one of the three are the current activities of the Tableeghi Jamaat adhering to?
Is the Tableeghi Jamaal engaged in Tableegh or in Amr bil Maroof or in the activities
of Dawah?

In answer to this question Hadhrat replied:- “For Amr bit Maroof(enjoining good)
there is a need for Salaahiyyat (competence) and for “Nahy anil Munkar (forbidding
evil) there is a need within the Ummah for Istidaad (willingness and inclination).
Until and unless the attributes of Salaahiyyat and Istidaad are not developed, a great
multitude of this Ummah will mock and belittle the divine laws of shariah the
moment the mission of .4mr bit Maroof and Nahy anil Munkar is implemented and
the fatwas (religious verdicts) of “permissible” and “impermissible” are passed. And
naturally, if a person commits a sin whilst considering it to be a sin, it won’t be as
great an offence as it would be in the case of mocking and belittling the most
seemingly trivial law of shariah. The gravity of such an offence can be gauged from
the fact that ridiculing the most seemingly insignificant law of shariah renders one a
“Kafr.” Hence, if “Amr bit Maroof and Nahy anil Munkar” are enforced without the
salaahiyyat and Istidaad of the Ummah, there is a fear of the Ummah landing itself in
Kufr as a consequence to the mocking and belittling of the laws of shariah.

Similarly, “Tableegh” is the name awarded to the propagation of Deen. Today our
own condition is such that we lack the attributes of Salaah and Falaah (piety and
spiritual prosperity) without which Tableegh is not possible. When non-Muslims
witness the deeds and words of this Ummah, they find them to be in total conflict with
the teachings of Shariah. How can our shariat have an impact on others when the
ummah itself is devoid of the laws of shariah. Hence, prior to Tableegh (amongst
non-Muslims), the ummah is compelled to develop the attributes of Salaah and
Falaah to a degree of excellence.

The current efforts amongst the Ummah itself with the label of Tableegh are all being
implemented to promote activities of Dawah. And this activity in turn will lead the
way to the salaahiyyat (competence) of “Amr bit Maroof’
and the Istidaad (willingness and tendency) of “Nahy anil Munkar.” Owing to this
Dawah mission, an awareness and a spirit of Deen will be created in the Ummah and
this is the activity which in turn will bring about salaah (piety) and Falaah (spiritual
prosperity) in the Ummah. As a consequence to salaah and Falaah, Tableegh will
advance steadily whilst complying with the principles and rules of conduct.

So in brief, the medium of Dawah is employed today to engender the attributes of

salaahiyyat and Istidaad and to develop an awareness and quest together with salaah
and falaah without which the activities of Amr bil Maroof and Nahy anil Munkar
cannot be instituted nor can Tableegh be implemented. Hence, our current endeavour
is a Dawah.”

Thereafter Moulana went on to add: “Hadhrat Jee Rahmatullahi Alayhi used to

explain this with great clarity. Once Hadhrat Moulana Yusuf Sahib Rahmatullahi
Alayhi said :- “Moulana Saheb! I only require the number of Badr from this ummah.
If only three hundred and thirteen people like the Sahaabah Radhiallahu Anhum who
took part in the battle of Badr come over on to my side, I decisively guarantee that
Allah Ta’aala will turn all the worldly activities into Deeni activities.”

Upon this Moulana asked Hadhrat Jee :- “What! don’t you have three hundred and
thirteen as yet? Today hundreds of thousands of people are actively involved in the
Tableeghi Jamaat.” Hadhrat Jee replied:- “Moulana Saheb! Let alone three hundred
and thirteen, a total of forty has not as yet been realized.” Moulana inquired: “When
will this total be realized?” Hadhrat Jee Rahmatullahi Alayhi replied:- “Until the
yaqeen of this ummah is not diverted away from their pockets to the treasures of the
Creator, we will not be able to attain this number. Nowadays, whenever the call is
given to make effort upon Deen, the first thing people look towards is their pockets
and then only do they come forward.

Nonetheless, the endeavour of Tableegh is an endeavour of Dawah and ljaabat

(invitation and compliance). Hadhrat Jee Rahmatullahi Alayhi used to explain this in
great detail.”
The benefits of Dawah and the repulsion of a misunderstanding
Words of Hadhrat Moulana Yusuf Saheb (Rahmatullahi Alayhi)

One misunderstanding that has sprouted up in the community is that many

consider the Dawah activity to be for the invited only and not for the inviter
himself, and since Dawah has reached everyone, there is practically no need
for Dawah at this moment in time. This is a gross misunderstanding. If the
invited is impressed by a single session of Dawah of the inviter and
relinquishing his past, he enters the fold of Islam, one can imagine the extent
to which his impact and yaqeen would develop if he (the inviter) consistently
engages in Dawah.

Abandoning the Dawah activities has not only led to a total termination of
Dawah amongst the Kuffaar but it has deprived the Muslims of the dynamism
of Yaqeen and excellence they once enjoyed due to their engagement in this
field. Not only are they deprived of excellence but owing to their endeavour
contrary to it, Yaqeen has slowly dissipated (from their hearts). Another
common fallacy is that the work of Dawah should be extended to non-Muslims
alone. Whereas just as non-Muslims are invited towards Islam, Muslims are
invited to Imaan and A‘maal. As Hadhrat Musa Alayhis-Salaam used to invite
Firaun to accept Islam whilst inviting the Bani-lsraeel towards Imaan, Salaah,
Tawakkul (trust in Allah), salvation from all calamities and towards attaining
success in both the worlds.

The intrinsic qualities of Dawah - i.e. the strengthening of Yaqeen - can be

achieved by extending Dawah to the non-Muslims, in the same way, it can he
attained by extending it to the Muslims as well.

As regards to the issue of Dawah amongst the non-Muslims, so until the non-
Muslims lands, riches and materialistic wealth - which they have in abundance
- does not leave our hearts and until the Yaqeen of success which is based
upon A‘maale Muhammadi (prophetic activities) is not firmly embedded into our
hearts, and until the yaqeen of them (the Kuffaar) being lamentable and in
need in spite of their excessive wealth does not come into our hearts, we will
not become independent of following them and if we do, then because of our
lack of Yaqeen and Ikhlaas, our independence will not be divinely assisted by
Allah Ta’aala.
A sincere answer
In other words: a brief answer to a lengthy objection.

A teacher of Madrasah Jamiah lslamiah Dhabel, district Surat, Moulana Abrar

Saheb Khalifah of Hadhrat Moulana Shah Wasiyyullah Saheb narrates:-

“Once Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Yusuf Saheb Rahmatullahi Alayhi came

to one of the Tableeghi Ijtimas taking place in Gujarat. It was a habit of Hadhrat
during his travels that if he learnt of an Alim residing in any place he would
most definitely go to meet the Alim and request for his Duaas. Conforming to
his habit, Hadhrat met numerous eminent Ulama on this journey as well.
Hadhrat also went to meet a certain Alim who was quite popular amongst the
people. The moment Hadhrat met him, he started firing objections against the
Tableegh Jamaat and he continued enumerating the flaws and deficiencies of
Tableegh and those who engaged in it. Hadhrat continued listening to his
exhortations and good counsel. As he terminated, Hadhrat raised his head
and cheerfully expressed his gratitude. Thereafter, in a grieved tone Hadhrat
said: “The object of my visit is to request you to beseech Allah Ta’aala to
retain all the goodness of this mission (of Tableegh) and weed out the evils
seeping into it. Make Duaas as our presence before you stems only from our
quest for your Duaas.”

Note: Answering the objections of others is not as beneficial as this sincere

answer of Hadhrat. One should set out to meet the pious with the aim of
requesting for their Duaas and deriving spiritual benefit from them whether
they are critical of the work or not is immaterial.
A philosophical answer

We have heard that a member of the C.I.D. once approached a senior

member of the Tableegh Jamaat and enquired:- “What is the name of your
Jamaat?”

Muhammad Jamaat,” replied the senior.

C.I.D. :- “Does your Jamaat follow a set of principles or a code of law?”

Senior :- “Yes of course! and that is the Holy Quran.” C.l.D. :- “Do you have a head-
quarters (a Markaz)?”

Senior :- “Yes! there is a city in Saudi Arabia namely Makkah Muazzamah wherein
stands Baitullah. That is our headquarters.”

C.1.D. :- “How many branches does this head-quarter command and in which
countries are they?”

Senior :- “All the Mosques of the world are the branches of this headquarters.”

C.I.D. :- “Who is the leader of this group?”

Senior :- “Our leader passed away more than thirteen centuries ago. His name is
Muhammad Sallallahu Alayhi wa sallam.’

C.I.D. :- “What is the total roll of your members and where are they stationed in the
world?”

Senior :- “All those who recite the Kalimah - Laa ilaha ilallahu ... are members of
this Jamaat.”

C.I.D. :- “Do you have any funds? If so, where are the funds?”

Senior ‘The money in the pockets of those who profess the Kalimah of Laa ilaha
illalahu makes up our funds.”

Note : This is not a temporary solution but in fact our mission should be
molded eternally onto these lines and effort is made on this by coming out
in Jamaat.

This is an all-encompassing movement which was explained by Moulana Ilyaas

Saheb thus:

“The aim of our Jamaat is to disseminate amongst the Muslims the Deen brought to
us by Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam. This is our cardinal aim.”

The opinion of a member of the C.I.D. regarding the Tableegh

Jamaat.

Many members of the C.I.D. also participate in the various Tableegh gatherings
(Ijtimas) to air their eccentric and multifarious views on the Tableegh movement.
One of their opinions is presented below. One of the members of the C.I.D. had
written in his note-book “These people (the Tableegh Jamaat) either talk about things
above the sky
or about things beneath the earth. They don’t ever make mention about the things on
the surface of the earth. So, if I have to lay a charge against them, on what grounds
can I?”

Note: What he meant was that these people either discuss the omnipotence (Qudrat)
of Allah Ta’aala and the delicacies of Jannah, both of which deal with the
transcendental or they talk about Jahannam and the spectacle of the grave and so
forth, all of which deals with the subterranean.

They don’t ever talk about things on the surface of the earth. In other words, not a
word is mentioned about politics. Therefore, if I have to arrest them, on what grounds
can I do so? From this we deduce that the Jamaats can protect themselves against
Fitnah (turbulence) and peacefully develop the condition of their Imaan and progress
in the pursuit of Deen and spiritual awareness by adhering to the above.
View of a policeman in regards to the Tableegh Jamaat

In one of the Tableeghi ljtimas attended by a great multitude of people, a massive

police force was also deployed to monitor the affairs. On such occasions, in as much
as the Tableegh Jamaat discusses all other basic issues, it also makes Mashwarah
on issues relating to the maintenance of law and order. Usually a group is appointed to
stand on the road-sides where there are shops and crowds of people in a bid to coax
the masses away from mutual discord. As a result, the deployment of a police-force is
rendered obsolete. One of those appointed to patrol the streets asked one of the
policemen: “What are your duties here?” He replied: “We were deployed to protect
the masses but here things are the other way about; let alone protecting others, people
here are protecting us.’

Note: the mediums of obliterating evil character are all on the decline. The A‘amaal
of Deen will surely bring about good character. Our present- day Ijtimas are more
like models. If people instil these Deeni A‘maal in their day-to-day life-styles,
decadence will vanish without actually pursuing the mediums to eradicate it. This is
why people are invited out for a few days into the path of Allah Ta’aala after the
Ijtima as part of working and toiling on this “model” life of the Ijtima.

A Hindu restaurateur’s view on the Tableegh Jamaat

About seven to eight thousand people attended an Ijtima held in one of the major
cities of India. The brothers attending the Ijtima used to eat out in the restaurants of
the city. After having meals in one of the Hindu - owned restaurants, the owner of the
restaurant called one of the brothers and asked :- “Is there any difference between you
Muslims and the Muslims who attend the Urs (death anniversary of a saint etc.
celebrated annually by the heretics)?”

“What do you mean by this?” enquired the Tableeghi brother.

The restaurateur submitted : “The behaviour and character of you Muslims leaves me
quite astonished. People who attend the Urs don’t usually converse without using foul
language. They are ever ready to come to blows for every trivial issue. They eat three
rotis and claim to have eaten two instead. They are always fighting and speaking lies.
As for you people, you always carry a tasbeeh in your hands and you are always
engaged in the
 remembrance of the Almighty. If in error we charge for two rotis, you are swift in
admitting that you ate four. You don’t make any noise nor do you create a racket of
any sort. No doubt, I’ve seen eccentrically perfect Muslims only today.”

Note: Character has a great impact on people. This is what is toiled upon once a
person goes out with the Tableegh Jamaat and an all-out effort is made to develop
good character and sublime habits.

Why the disunity of the Ummah?

Relating a saying of Hadhrat Jee Rahmatullahi Alayhi, a person says :- ‘The Sahaabah
Radhiallahu Anhum had won over even strangers (Kafirs) whilst today we have
estranged our own people referring to them as strangers to such an extent that a
Muslim, in spite of hailing from our fraternity, has become a complete stranger and
enemy to us. On the other hand, the Sahaabah Radhiallahu Anhum used to refer even
to the disbelievers as their own people thereby rendering them as such whereas today
we refer to our own people as enemies and have consequently made them such. We
have to meet the people by going out in Jamaats and refer to them as “our” people.
Once we refer to them as our people,” they will automatically affiliate with us. This
in turn will pave the way to the unity of the Ummah.

Why coming out in Jamaat is so difficult.

A brother engaged in Jamaat work explains why we lack the yearning for going out in
Tableegh. He says: “The chief reason for our reluctance is that we will be compelled
to act against the Nafs once we set out onto the field of Tableegh. However, Tableegh
is not very difficult. Our temperaments are inclined towards executing all our worldly
activities simply because they are compatible and congenial to the Nafs. However,
following deep thought one realizes that if one engages in worldly activities, the Nafs
is satisfied, albeit once only but one is thereafter confronted with many difficulties.
On the contrary, the Nafs will no doubt find it a burden, albeit once only, if one
engages in a Deeni activity but the very same burden will prove to be a source of ease
and comfort in this world as well as the next.

An incident is reported to the effect that a princess was once strolling in a jungle when
she lost her way. As nightfall approached and darkness fell, she saw a light at a
distance and proceeded towards it. Upon reaching it,
she sees a hut occupied by a student of Deen busy studying a Kitab in the
light offered by a candle before him. She went up to him, apprised him of her
present situation and requested to pass the night at his place. He acceded to
her request. During the night, the student went on placing his finger into the
candle-flame whilst the princess secretly looked on until the morning. With the
arrival of dawn, he guided and accompanied her home. On finding his
daughter the King was extremely overjoyed. Being an intellectual, the
princess related the incidents of the past day not forgetting the student as
well. As the student was about to leave, she held him back and asked: “What
was the reason for repeatedly placing your finger in the flame of the candle
last night?” He replied : “Whenever the thought of committing evil with you
stirred up within my heart, I would place my finger into the flame and reflect
that in spite of this worldly fire being so much more milder than that of
Jahannam, I am unable to endure it. So how intense will the fire of Jahannam
be? Whenever I mulled over this fact, I restrained myself from any evil
thought.” Upon hearing this and upon realizing his piety, her housefolk
married her to this student.

Reflect over this incident. By restricting his Nafs once only, Allah Ta’aala
honoured him with a great treasure and granted him eternal peace and
comfort. If he indulged in that sin, he would have been executed.

So one has to go against his Nafs and go out in Tableegh. Thereafter Allah
Ta’aala will make everything congenial in this world and the hereafter.

No matter how packed the train is and regardless of the number of people on
board, if an acquaintance boards the train, place is somehow or the other
made for him. On the other hand, if the train is relatively empty and the entire
berth is empty, many passengers stretch their legs out and travel in comfort. If
a stranger approaches them to provide seating space, they refuse saying that
there is no place. So where there is no place, place is somehow provided for
an acquaintance but where place is available, it is not offered to a stranger.

Now if we regard the Deen of Islam as “our” Deen and we consider it to be

much more precious than our life and wealth, then in spite of us not having
the time and opportunity, we can make up time and accommodate Deen in
our lives. On the other hand, if we fail to hold this mission in high esteem, we
won’t set out onto its path in spite of having the time and resources to do so.
When will this Deen become “our” Deen?
Today man considers everything to belong solely to him. This is why when he
is asked whose property, shop or farm this is, he replies :- “It belongs to me.”
Now since he considers these things to belong to him, he toils at it ever ready
to sacrifice his life and wealth behind it. Similarly, when asked who Deen
belongs to, he answers “It belongs to me!” In spite of attributing it to himself,
he fails to exert himself behind Deen as he does in pursuit of the dunya. This
is why he does not spend his life nor wealth in it’s path nor does he sacrifice a
fraction of his time for Deen. What is the reason for this? After all, he
sacrifices everything for the dunya but nothing for Deen! The main reason is
that he does not consider Deen to belong to him as he considers the dunya to
belong to him. If he does consider Deen to be his own as he considers the
dunya, then the plight of the Muslims and the “plundering” of Deen and the
violation of the laws of Allah Ta’aala will on no account let him rest in peace.

Appeal to the older-workers

Following a discourse delivered by Hadhrat Jee Moulana Yusuf Saheb at a
certain Iftima, the entire gathering except a few submitted their names to to go
out in Jamaat. As the older workers met Hadhrat Jee after the Duaa, they
remarked : “Today you seniors would surely be overjoyed since everybody
had submitted their names.” when everyone remained silent, Hadhrat Jee
said ‘1 will answer to that. I fear a great danger lurking behind the eagerness
of these new workers. They are all set to work whereas the older workers
have all complacently put up their feet as they witness the new workers
coming into the field. Now who will guide these new workers?”

Presenting this mission to Arab leaders

In a bid to acquire indepth information about this mission, a delegation of
senior Arabs approached the Tableegh Jamaat. One of the members of the
Tableegh Jamaat seated them with honour, and recalling the past glory of their
forefathers, they extolled the Arabs. Thereafter he said : “Actually, you are
more eligible than us to carry out this mission. The parable of you Arabs is
that of a car in which the entire Ummat has travelled from the dunya towards
Deen but because it has been running for such a long time, the engine has
finally given in. Now the car needs to be pushed forward. (In other words, it
has to be kick-started). Once the engine starts
functioning, the car will come into motion. We are, in comparison to you like the
people pushing the car. Our only request is that once your car gets on the move,
please accommodate us as well. We earnestly beseech you to honour our humble
request.”

How should students go out in Jamaat?

Addressing a group of students, an Ameer of one of the Jamaats observed:

“Whenever the students are requested to go out in Jamaat, they decline on the pretext
of their parents not permitting them to go out. This is indeed correct. However, we
should ponder over the reason they don’t concede to their children’s request. The
main reason is that they are not familiar and acquainted with this mission. So how do
you expect them to permit their children?

Notwithstanding this, on many occasions it has been witnessed that parents won’t
permit their son to pursue Islamic studies, but because the student holds his studies in
high esteem, he accordingly moulds their minds and eventually gains their consent as
well.

If the student holds this mission in high esteem, he would definitely endeavour to
groom his family as well. However, instead of considering this Fikr (concern), he
makes lame excuses. His attitude displays that the grandeur and eminence of this
mission has failed to strike his heart as yet. This is why he employs their refusal as a
ruse for not participating in Jamaat.

A student is such that if he really wants others to comply, he will go to great lengths
to ensure that his aim is realized. If per chance, his pocket- money does not reach him
on time, he is very well aware of how he goes about requesting for it. He employs
every possible strategy to ensure that he acquires what he wants. Hence, we deduce
that a student is quite conversant with the art of gaining his parents consent provided
he holds his objective in high esteem.

Friends! why won’t your housefolk grant you permission? You should pursue the
mediums at your disposal in achieving this end. In fact you should not request for
expenses for coming out in Jamaat. Decrease your monthly expenditure and save a
little according to your capacity. In this way, once you utilise these savings to go out
in Jamaat and your housefolk
realise that you are not asking for extra money, they are bound to grant you
permission. Parents are not bewildered with anything new but once they become
conscious of the fact that the latest pursuits of their children entails an aggravated
strain on their budget, they tend to become disconcerted. Consequently, instead of
sending money to go out in .Jamaat, they send money to return home saying :- “You
have already qualified as a Aalim. Continue Tableegh from home. Once you start
earning on your own you may go out in Jamaat.” Such a person will be unable to
carry out this mission from home simply because of his lack of enthusiasm and
experience. Even if he does attempt to do something, his lack of experience and spirit
will not permit him to remain steadfast.

Remember! the Ummah will naturally adopt a degree of Deen in conformity to the
Mahaul (Deeni atmosphere) surrounding it. Hence, every student is compelled to try
and develop a Deeni atmosphere. He should endeavour to gain his parents approval
and sacrifice his valuable time for this great Deeni endeavour whilst making Duaa
that all the housefolk, neighbours, local residents and thereafter the entire Ummah
turn to religiousness and piety. Allah Ta’aala will be swift in opening out the
pathways of this mission in our favour.

A Pressing Need
In one of the major Ijtimas where we had witnessed, inter alia, general discourses,
special discourses, Jamaat activities, Jamaats going out to distant places and so forth,
we also witnessed something very strange. Local Jamaats (in an around India) and
Jamaats intending to set out to foreign lands totalled approximately one hundred and
fifty but most Jamaats lacked a reliable Ameer. Even the most penetrating search
failed to locate reliable Ameers to head the Jamaats. As a result, anyone who had
some know how of conducting Taleem was appointed the Ameer. Matters had reached
such a pitiful stage that members of the Jamaat who had basic capabilities were
requested to come forward and bid for the post of Ameer. Nowadays, such
occurrences are quite common.

Remember that this Ijtima was not held at an odd time. It was held in the month of
Sha’baan in which thousands of students from the various Islamic institutions of
every province are free during this holiday. If the junior students of the primary
classes also participate in this Deeni endeavour during the weekly holiday under the
supervision of the Madrasah Supervisor
and if they, taking pity on the Ummah, sacrifice a part of their time and go out in
Jamaat during the long Sha’baan and Ramadhaan holidays during which they visit
friends and relatives, the problem facing the Jamaats (i.e. leadership) can be solved.
Today, people harbour misgivings about the ulama particularly because they fail to
come across them at the time of need.

Allah Ta’aala has bestowed many people with a sound understanding. These people
spend their wealth and come out into the path of Allah Ta’aala but the fact that they
can’t find a suitable Ameer, leaves them in a pitiful plight. If our students take heed
of the present situation, they will be fulfilling a pressing need. Together with this, the
ordinary folk will also be safeguarded from scepticism. May Allah Ta’aala grant us all
Taufeeq (divine guidance).

The value of leisure time

Addressing a group of Madrasah students who were in the habit of coming out in
Jamaat during the weekly recess, the Ameer of the Jamaat said :- ‘Don’t ever
consider this short span of time to be futile. If only the entire ummah cherishes their
spare time which is virtually wasted away in unproductive and absurd pursuits and if
they utilise this time for Deeni endeavours instead, a revolutionary spiritual
transformation is bound to occur and a decisive resolution of disseminating Deen in
the dunya can be reached.

The parable of common-people

Addressing a Jamaat of students, one of the Ameers of a student’s Jamaat said :- “The
parable of the common folk is that of a ram. If you hold it by it’s ears, and drive it in
any direction, it will naturally proceed in that direction. Today, the dunya -
embellished with it’s grandeur and magnificence - is bent on drawing the masses
towards it. Despite this, if we fail to steer them towards Deen and consider ourselves
to be like wells and fountains - in a sense that a thirsty person has to come towards a
well or fountain - and we sit down at one spot (thinking the masses to come towards
us), they themselves will drift towards the dunya.

Nowadays, whenever the competent are called to endeavour in this field. they decline
on the pretext of the lack of time saying that they are never free from learning and
teaching (and other Madrasah activities). When this is the situation, how can the
masses ever develop a sincere inclination towards
Deen?

Remember that you are not like wells and fountains but you are like clouds. The
clouds themselves gather at places of need and quench the thirst of the thirsty. Hence
if we fail to cherish this golden opportunity and we don’t focus the attention of the
masses towards Deen, they will be drawn towards other nations subsequently posing a
threat to our own progeny in the future.

Message to the Ulama

In one of the major Ijtimas, Hadhrat Jee Moulana Muhammad Yusuf Saheb addressed
a special gathering of ulama thus:- “The objective of our mission was to develop a
quest and awareness of Deen within the masses. Once this spirit was developed with
in a great number of people, now they are all before you. Making physical and
monetary sacrifices, they have all presented themselves before you. Now if they
advance in the wrong direction either because of their ignorance and negligence or
because of the absence of your leadership, tomorrow I will not be held responsible
before Allah Ta’aala but you will be held responsible. I have fulfilled my obligation.
Now you go about doing your work making yourselves conscious of your great
responsibilities.”

The plight of the parents of secular-school students

Addressing a group of secular-school students, a brother said:- “Nowadays, whenever
the youngsters are encouraged to go out in Jamaat, they refuse saying that their
parents don’t permit them to engage in Tableegh. This is quite correct. The parents,
when requested by the children retort :- “Are you the only one left to carry out this
mission of Tableegh? Has the rest of the world died?” Whereas the parents are only
too glad to give them money to attend the cinema! They even encourage them to go
and if they refuse to go, they influence them in some way or the other and send them
to the movies. On the other hand, when it comes to Tableegh, they reproachfully say:
“You children should avoid going out in Tableegh. The mission of Tableegh is in no
need of your services.”
Tableegh within secular school students
Today our youth are taking flight from this mission but the same youth are prepared
to take a beating in the cinema queues even prepared to confront the police. The same
students can make the government bend if they have to. If they are decisive about
something, they ensure that it takes place even if they have to resort to calling up a
strike. Now if they are decisive on ensuring that Deen spreads throughout the dunya,
won’t Allah Ta’aala ensure that this ambition of theirs is fulfilled?

Why does a person revert to his former condition upon returning

from Jamaat?
A brother observes: “Many raise objections against the Tableegh Jamaal remarking
that a person degenerates to his former condition once he returns from the Jamaat.
Allow me to ask that if a person after acquiring a certain branch of the knowledge
remains aloof from it for a number of years, will he be in a position to answer
questions pertaining to this branch? Obviously not! Over the years, his knowledge
slips into oblivion. For example, if a B.A. Student is questioned about standard eight
work, he will be unable to solve it as swiftly and easily as that of a standard eight
pupil. He is in a position to solve the question in a more excellent manner. In acquired
secular sciences, one loses memory of the knowledge he had attained because of his
prolonged neglect. So the person who endeavours just once in Jamaat and he
thereafter relinquishes it for a lengthy period of time, won’t the effects of it wear
away with time? If he wishes to retain it’s effects, a close affinity with this mission is
imperative. In view of maintaining this affinity, the seniors of Deen recommend that
one should participate in the daily Taleem and bi-weekly ghusht programmes and
spend three days a month and forty days per year in this path. Then only will its
effects remain or else never. Alhamdulillah, hundreds of thousands of people have
successfully put this advice to test.

The most superior form of politics

Why doesn’t this sympathetic and philantrophic group - the Tableegh Jamaat
- take active part in politics? Whereas politics also forms a part of Deen.
In answer to this question, Moulana Imraan Saheb Bhopali says: “The
greatest form of politics nowadays lies in strengthening the I’tiqaadaat (tenets) and
Ibaadaat (acts of devotion) of the ummah. This is the most superior form of politics
in favour of this ummah. If this is lacking, traditional politics is totally futile.

Why only six points?

Why does the Tableegh Jamaat restrict it’s endeavour to the renowned “six points”
only? Why not seven points instead? In answer to this, he said:

1. The Tableegh Jamaat has selected only six points. They have toiled hard
behind their implementation and they are presently doing so whilst
encouraging others to do the same. If you do perceive any deficiency in these
points, you may increase them and strive accordingly. Other than this, all we
can say is that this is a recurrent question. If there were seven points you
would have objected that why aren’t there eight or nine points respectively?
Nevertheless, such recurrent questions are absurd and futile.

2. One of the reasons for selecting the traditional six points is that they act as
primary fundamentals in spiritual development. Practising upon them
simplifies implementing the remaining branches of Deen.
Experience bears evidence to the fact that whomsoever worked hard on these
six points was ultimately rewarded with religious enhancement in accordance
to the degree of his endeavour. You are quite aware of the fact that a Kafir,
immediately upon accepting Islam, is not advised to observe Salaah and saum
etc. but at the outset is invited towards the Kalimah. Only then is he instructed
to observe Salaah and saum. In the same way, a Muslim who, owing to his
prolonged neglect towards Islam, develops some deficiency in his I’tiqadaat
(tenets) and Ibaadaat (acts of devotion), at the very outset he is invited
towards these six points. Once he is firmly grounded in them he may return to
the other issues of Deen. Many incidents bear testimony to this fact. Following
the persistent efforts in this path, many people, amongst other
 things, finally gave up consuming wine, became regular with their salaat and
other devotions and they developed respect for the ulama and love for the
senior saints. But when did this come about? Only when they aptly toiled
behind these six points. Hence it would be correct to say that striving at these
principles sows within the heart seeds of the magnanimity and love for Deen
and the seeds of Imaan and Yaqeen. The correct nurturing of this seed
provides great hope for the tree of Islam blooming in the future.

3. Another point to note is that not a single Jamaat nor Islamic faction has any
objection against any of these six points. The first point is Kalimah
Tayyibah, the second is Salaah, the third is Jim and Zikr, the fourth is
Ikraame - Muslim (honouring Muslims), the fifth is Iklaase-Niyyat
(sincerity of intention) and the sixth is Tableegh (Propagation) Every single
Islamic group unanimously concedes to every one of these points. If all the
various groups are summoned to work on these points, they will all be
prepared to participate without any objections. They will all be prepared to
implement them. In other words, these points form the only platform on which
members of all the Islamic groups can be seen united without raising
objections against one another.

You must have witnessed that every movement in the world draws up certain
policies which they refer to as their manifesto. None of the participating
members object to these policies. Nobody asks why are they not ten instead of
nine articles? Or why was not so and so issue included in it? So if the six
points of Tableegh are singled out for criticism then the manifestos of every
single movement should also attract criticism. However, this is not the case.
From this we deduce that it is not necessary to include everything.
Nonetheless, the only question one may pose is that the policies you selected
as your objective, are they being fulfilled? Alhamdulillah, these points are
diligently worked upon and thereafter, step by step a person is promoted in
Deen depending on
 his capabilities.

In brief, these six points play a prominent role in uniting the various groups of
Deen and in developing the capability of implementing Deen.

Jihad

Following an analytical study of the principle of .Jihad, we realize that this grand
Ibaadat has also been primarily established for “Amr bil Maroof” and “Nahy Anil
Munkar (commanding righteousness and forbidding evil).’

The chief object of Jihad is to obliterate the evils of Zulm (oppression) and to relieve
the weak and oppressed from the Zulm of the tyrants. As Allah Ta’aala commands:
“And fight them on until there is no more persecution and Deen becomes Allah’s in
it’s entirety.” (Surah Anfaal Verse 39)

A triumphant victory and control of subdued lands does not mean that the wealth and
power of the subdued nation is the sole objective. Similarly, the object is not to live in
total comfort and ease and enjoy the delicacies of the world. On the contrary, Islam
utilised victory and control of the lands, as a pathway towards urging people to
observe Ibaadaat, Taqwa. Tahaarut and to assist and attend to the needs of the poor
and weak and to enjoin righteousness and forbid evil.

The object of Jihad is not to usurp a country from one nation or many nations and
consign the reins of government to another nation or race but Jihad is established to
universally disseminate the “programme of man’s success” i.e. the true Deen of the
Muslims and to ensure that Islam and it’s Dawah illuminates every nook and corner of
the world. For this purpose, Islam employs all the various powers which may assist in
this great endeavour. And the use of these powers is given a comprehensive name of
Jihad

Hence, changing the views of the people and developing a “psychological revolution”
with the force of the tongue and pen is also Jihad. Spending in this path and setting
out to other countries to implement the efforts of Amr Bil Ma‘roof and Nahy anil
Munkar (enjoining righteousness and forbidding
evil) is also termed Jihad. And to transform the tyrannical and barbaric system of a
satanic way of life into the divinely inspired virtuous system of life with the might of
the sword is also Jihad.

It has undoubtedly been established from the Ahadith that the cardinal aim of one of
the most significant Ibaadats of Islam (Jihad) is to do away with every act of sin and
injustice replacing it with the divine laws of Allah Ta’aala. In other words, in order to
implement Islam, one sacrifices his life, honour, wives, children, wealth and
everything else he possesses only to please Allah Ta’aala.

This is why we can categorically say without any shadow of doubt that in Islam, after
the five main pillars, no other devotion is awarded even a tenth of the importance
awarded to Amr bil Maroof and Nahy anil Munkar. And the virtues related in the
Quran and Ahadith of implementing the Deen of Allah Ta’aala are so immense that
other A‘maal are not even fractionally proportionate to it.

The reward of setting out to implement Deen

1. Hadhrat ibne Abbaas Radhiallahu Anhuma narrates that once Rasulullah

Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam despatched Hadhrat Abdullah bin Rawaahah
Radhiallahu Anhu with a Jamaat. Coincidentally it was a Friday. Abdullah bin
Rawaaha’s (Radhiallahu anhu) companions departed the very same morning
but he did not accompany them thinking that he will join them somewhere
along the road after he performs Jumah salaah with Rasulullah Sallallahu
Alayhi wa sallam. After the Jumah salaah, Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa
sallam saw Abdullah bin Rawaahah Radhiallahu Anhu whereupon he
enquired: “0 Abdullah! Why didn’t you depart this morning with your friends?
Abdullah replied : “O Rasullullah I thought it a good idea to perform Jumah
salaah behind you and meet them somewhere along the road.” Upon this
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa sallam said : “If you spend all the wealth of
the earth (in the path of Allah Ta’aala) you will be unable to gain the Thawaab
of those who set forth this morning.” (Mishkaat page 340).
2. Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah Radhiallahu Anhu relates : “A Sahaabi of Rasulullah
Sallallahu Alayhi wa sallam once passed by a mountain pass in which a spring
of sweet water was flowing. The Sahaabi Radhiallahu Anhu was extremely
pleased with this scenery and he said : “How wonderful it would be to
abandon everything else and stay in this beautiful environment.” Somehow
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa sallam learnt of his statement whereupon he
told the Sahaabi Radhiallahu Anhu :- “Don’t ever do this because setting out
from home in order to elevate the Deen of Allah Ta’aala entails greater
Thawaab than performing seventy years of Salaah at home
(Tirmizi).

3. Hadhrat Uthmaan Radhiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasullulah Sallallahu Alayhi

wa sallam said :- “Patrolling for a single day in Allah’s path is more superior
than a thousand days of lbaadat at home.” (Tirmizi and Nasai)

4. Hadhrat Jabir Radhiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa

sallam said : “The one who sends forth an amount of money whilst he himself
stays at home, will receive in lieu of each Dirham, the Thawaab of seven
hundred Dirhams. And the one who personally sets out in the path of Allah
and spends in His path to earn his pleasure, he will receive in lieu of each
Dirham the Thawaab of seven hundred thousand Dirhams.” Thereafter
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa sallam recited the following verse: “And
Allah multiplies manifold for whomsoever he wishes.” (lbne Majah).
In other words, he who spends to uplift the word of Haq and to disseminate
Islam will receive a reward multiplied by seven hundred for each rand he
spends. And as for he who personally sets out to achieve this end whilst
spending in the path of Allah Ta’aala, he will receive in lieu of each rand he
spends, a reward equivalent to seven hundred thousand Rands.
5. Hadhrat Salmaan Farsi Radhiallahu Anhu narrates that he heard Rasulullah
Sallallahu Alayhi wa sallam saying :- ‘A little while in the morning or evening
spent in the path of Allah is more superior than the whole world and whatever
it contains.” (Bukhari and Muslim).

6. Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbaas Radhiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah

Sallallahu Alayhi wa sallam said: “The dust that gathers onto the feet of a
Muslim who sets out in the path of Allah, the fire of Jahannam will not even
touch such feet.” In other words, the fire of Jahannam is Haraam on the one
who sets out in the path of Allah Ta’aala. (Bukhari).

The importance of implementing Deen in the eyes of the Sahaabah

Radhiallahu Anhum

1. Hadhrat Abu Ayyub Ansari Radhiallahu Anhu let no opportunity go without

taking part in Jihad from the very first battle of Badr right upto the zenith of
Islam. However, due to a valid excuse he could not take part in just one of
those battles. He finally died the death of a martyr on the battle-field of
Constantinople.

Considering his old age and weakness, people used to implore him to take a
rest. They would very often say to him: “Your age does not permit you to go
around country to country like this.” In reply he would say : “O People! Allah
Ta’aala has commanded : “Set out lightly (unarmed) or heavily (armed), I
have only a dual option. Either I am laden (with weapons) or I am unladen.”
(Tafseer lbne Katheer Vol II page 359).

2. Hadhrat Abu Raashid Harrani narrates that he saw a Sahaabi of Rasullullah

Sallallahu Alayhi wa sallam, namely Miqdaad bin Aswad Radhiallahu Anhu
in a city called Hims. Due to a bone dislocation, he was unable to walk. In
spite of the odds against him, I saw him mounted on the carrier of a camel
proceeding towards Jihad. Witnessing his pitiful condition, I said: “Hadhrat!
shariah
 absolves you of going into Jihad in these circumstances.” He remarked: “My
friend! The verse of Surah Bara’at “Set out lightly (unarmed) or heavily
(armed)” does not permit us to stay at home.” (lbne Katheer Vol. II).

3. Hadhrat Hibbaan bin Zayd Radhiallahu Anhu narrates: “I once set out for
Jihad with the governor of Hims, Sufyaan bin Umar Radhiallahu Anhu
towards Habre-Himbah, when I saw an extremely old man mounted on a
camel accompanied by other warriors of the vanguard. He was so old that the
skin of his eyebrows was drooping over his eye-lids. I went over to him and
said: “Uncle! you are excused by Allah. Then why are you putting yourself
into such difficulty?” After listening to what I had to say, he lifted the skin of
his eye-brows from over his eyes and said :- “Son! listen attentively. Allah
Ta’aala has commanded us to set out in his path either lightly (unarmed) or
heavily (armed).

Listen! The one who is loved by Allah is put to test. If he remains steadfast in the
course of this test, Allah’s mercy descends upon him. Remember that success in this
test of Allah Ta’aala lies in expressing gratitude for his bounties, in exercising
patience upon the difficulties He inflicts, in remembering Him at all times and in
refraining from obeying others other than Him. Thereafter, Allah Ta’aala has
encouraged us to spend in His path thereby seeking His and His Rasul’s (Sallallahu
alayhi wa sallam) pleasure and He had declared that the goodness of this world and
the hereafter lies in this.”

In brief, the main reason for citing the aforementioned Quranic verses, Ahadith and
incidents is that a Muslim - whether he is young or old, rich or poor, busy or idle,
content or disheartened or remorseful, armed or unarmed, poverty-stricken or well-
off, rich or a member of the working class, tradesman or shopkeeper or farmer, in ease
or in difficulty, strong or weak, villager or city-dweller, a formal aalim or not..,
whatever his condition, he should without any excuse and reluctance stand up to
elevate the word of Allah Ta’aala. In order to implement the word of Allah Ta’aala,
these people should be ever ready like a reserve force. When the time comes, a
person’s profession, shop, work, ?arm, poverty, difficulties, remorse, grief and
weakness etc, should not prevent him from going out in the path of Allah Ta’aala.
This does not behove a Muslim.
The correct procedure of implementing this mission.

A letter of Moulana Yusuf Saheb

The following letter is a reply to a Gujarati Moulana closely affiliated to the

Tableegh Jamaat. In his letter to Moulana Yusuf Saheb, he wrote about the
Tableegh work taking place in his locality. The reply below was sent to us
by the addressee himself for which we are greatly indebted to him.

Dear ... (May Allah Ta’aala grant you and all of us the divine guidance in favour of
what He loves and that which pleases Him.)

Assalamualaykum WaRahmatullahi wa Barakatu

I was greatly overjoyed to read of your position and conditions. May Allah Ta’aala
accept your endeavour.

Brother’ This is an extremely sublime and profound mission. This Tableeghi

endeavour has thousands of principles and laws attached to it. It has a unique modus
operandi and a peculiar temperament. If these principles are adopted, there is high
hope of immense goodness or else the danger of evil and strife looms ahead.
Therefore, it is imperative for people like you to gather Jamaats of your environs,
come out here and live with the so-called ‘veterans” of this field to learn the
appropriate approach and technique of implementing this mission. In this way, this
mission will progress and flourish in your area with the correct principles and the
participating brothers will be safe from any peril. Together with this, humility will
develop and one will appreciate the good of others and become vigilant of his own
shortcomings. This in turn will pave the way towards mutual love and unity.
Presently, if you are unable to come here personally, keep us well informed of your
conditions.

Salaams to all friends. May Allah Ta’aala spiritually improve all the Deeni Teachers
and Madrasahs.

Wassalaam.

Humble servant Muhammad Yusuf

Power does not lie in numbers but in firm resolution.

“In spite of working under the auspices of Hadhrat Shaikhul-Hind Rahmatullahi

Alayhi in India prior to my exile, our spirits were always bleak because not even a
quarter of the Muslims for whom we were prepared to do everything were with us.
Due to certain reasons most of India’s Muslim population were either against us or
were compelled to oppose us. As a result, we were always dejected and disheartened.
We continued waiting in vain hope for all the Muslims or at least most of them to join
us. However, once I was exiled and settled down in Europe and I had the opportunity
of studying the various revolutionary movements of the past, I was deeply moved by
our past error. During the course of my studies, I concluded that every one of the
various revolutionary movements started with a few strong-willed and resolute
members and their consistent and diligent efforts either overthrew their governments
or at least brought about substantial reforms.

Thereafter, I realized that even the Quran and the perfect example of Rasulullah
Sallallahu Alayhi wasallam also apprises us that an undaunted and sincere party is all
that is required to achieve anything. Even though the initial members may be very
small in number, every member should prove himself to be a mountain of
determination and steadfastness.”

Moulana Ubaidullah Sindhi

(Al-Furqaan January 1942)