In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu `alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Muhtaram,
Tabligh is an Arabic word literally meaning “to convey”.
Contextually it refers to conveying the message of Islam. The word Tableegh is commonly used to refer to the Tableegh Jamaat movement in which people spend 3 days or 40 days or 4 months or 1 year in Tableegh.
Alhamdulillah, the Tabligh effort has been proven to be beneficial in conscientising people about their religious duties and reforming the lives of many people.
I fully support the noble effort of Tableegh.
However, it is important to note that the specific form and way of the Tabligh effort is not specifically mentioned in the Shariah. It is recommended. The actual mission of Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was Da’wah with Ta’leem (educating) and Tazkiyah (purification of the soul). The present form of Tableegh is one form of Da’wah. It is not the only way of Da’wah. To confine the obligation of Da’wah to the Tableegh movement is erroneous.
There are innumerable ways of Da’wah and all forms of Da’wah practiced within the confines of Shariah should be supported and complimented. It is therefore incorrect for some ardent supporters of Tabligh to claim an absolute right of Da’wah through Tabligh. Such an attitude is a great injustice to the broader concept of Da’wah and is an extremist attitude.
It is even worse to claim that Tabligh is more important than Tazkiyah. Tazkiyah is Fardh. The specific form and way of Tabligh is not Fardh. It is merely recommended. How can a recommended form of Da’wah be preferred over a Fardh act?
To reform oneself and cleanse oneself from the evil instincts within ourselves is Fardh.
It is also very unfortunate that we hear of reports from some elders of Tabligh Jamaat referring to Tazkiyah as a secondary issue, not so important, e.t.c.
How can a Fardh act not be of any importance at all? Such statements are incorrect and misleading. It is expected of the Ulama engaged in Tabligh and Tazkiyah to encourage people to do both, Tazkiyah and Tabligh.
If one does not go out for 3 days, 40 days or 4 months in Jamaat, he is not sinful and will not be answerable in the court of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). However, if one does not reform himself from pride, jealousy, ostentation, e.t.c, he will be sinful and answerable to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala).
People actively engaged in Tabligh should realize this and adjust accordingly. One can never attain the Maqam (position) of Ihsaan by merely going out in Tabligh without reforming oneself. The singular approach of Tabligh whilst sidestepping the importance of Tazkiyah is an incorrect view and erroneous. It is misleading.
Tazkiyah is Fardh. The specific form of Tabligh is not Fardh. It is recommended. It is an effort we too support.
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Dar al- Mahmood
Source : http://tasawwuf.daralmahmood.org/muf…tabligh-jamaat
Assalamu aleykum,
actually the elders are not putting taskiyah in second place. Tabligh itself is a form of taskiyah and they emphasize that each and every one should go in this path with the niyyat of his on islah. What they do not like is when people become bayah to a sheikh and then leave the effort on the common people who are not praying etc., which is at this time most important and Fardh.
One of the sons of Hazrat Khawajah Khan Muhammad rahmatullahi aleihi stated: “A sheikh who is against tabligh is “jahil”, our own Khalifah is sitting in markaz of tabligh…”
Not to comment on Muhtaram Mufti Ibrahim sahab damat barakatuhu, but only to emphasize, that Maulana Yusuf rahmatullahi aleih said, that always make dua that Allah tala accept you for the Faraidh of Nabuwat: Dawat, Talim and Tazkiyah. And here Dawah is the first. Also it is stated from Maulana Abu Alhassan Ali Annadwi, that it is proofed, that in this time the most effective Dawah is that of “Tabligh Jamat”. Wallahu A’lam.
wa alaykum as salam wrwb
It must be clear that none of the Shuyukh, including Hazrat Mufti Desai sahib db are against Tabligh or Tablighi jamat.
It has to be acknowledged that there are various modes of tabligh and the activities of tablighi jamat are one of them.
Also, the work being done by ulema, mashaikh, madaris, religous book writers & speakers etc are also forms of tabligh.
Confining tabligh to the activities of the ‘Tablighi Jamat’ per se will make it a bidah activity.
No doubt engaging in tablighi activity under the supervision of a qualified Shaikh (who has done his own tazkiya and has permission to do the same for others) will inshaAllah lead to tazkiya. Provided the individual involved him/herself has a intention of acquiring tazkiya. There are many Shuyukh in Tablighi Jamat: Shaikh Haji Shakeel Ahmad sahib from Mumbai is one of them.
We must remember the concerns, objections or criticism raised by respected ulemae and mashaikh are to keep the Tablighi jamat on its original track and save it from the derailment by the zealots. We must be thankful to them. And correct the short comings pointed out.
P.S.The part I have put in bold from your comment (most important and Fardh) is grossly incorrect.
JazakAllah.
Bismillah,
Assalam Walekum ,
Firstly thanks to Dr.Sahab for putting the most buring issue on the blog and exactly correct views of Hazrat Mufti sahab on the blog..It is the most needed issue to put this thing so as to make the Haq very crystal clear…
No doubt the effort of Tableegh is very noble and millions of this ummah (including myself) are benefited by it..But in recent years lot of Zealots and Jahils ,,who opened their eyes only in Tableegh..are thinking and openly speaking the words of Jahiliya…It would not have wondered me if a layman in tableegh speaks such things,,but most stunningly some of the top rank Ulema are also using the same tone and wordings, which cause pain in the heart..Disrespect to the Ulema not involved in Tableegh, disrespecting the Mashaikh and branch of jikr o tazkiya, Overstating about the status of those who involved in the Tableegh,,Stating that this is the only work of deen that is done by Rasulullah saw…
And so many such statements and bayanats are very common here in india….
The Mashaikh’s like Haji Shakeel db. , who were active tableegh participant in past are making dua like ,,”May Allah return the Tableegh of Moulana Ilyas”…This dua speaks a lot of what exactly happening around…If any brother has doubt that the higher rank ulema are not sayning such things then i have recordings..which i can send to him…I am not here to put negative about any Jamat…
The root cause as i think is that at most places the command of tableegh jamat at most places is in hands of Non-Ulema…who have inbuilt envy(bugs) with ulema and who lookdown to Ulema..
Hazrat Moulana Sajjad Nomani db. who is more authentic on this subject stated once that ….” When the British came to india..out of several change in the psychology of indian muslim one biggest thing was that the “Talab(inner desire)” to reform get corrupted….The time came when the Ulema and Ahalullah started realising that now sitting in khanqah and madarasa and waiting for the Talib to come is of no use….Now it is the time to take the deen to them..at their homes…at their workplaces…So Allah bestowed his blessings and opened a way where a common person could re-establish his connection with Allah and get reconnected with the Madarasa O khanqah..” He once added “Tabeegh ka Maqsad betalab bandome talab paida karke asbab e hidayat(madaras o khanqah) se jodna hai….Na ke Madaras o khanqah se Todna”….
The design of tableegh and its nisab is purely to develop the strong desire to reform in a common lay person (be-talab)…And Moulana ilyas kept it simple and free of things which cause the difference in opinion like fiqh..Masail..Tasawwuf , politics ect…Because if tableegh promoted hanafi ..then Shafai public will not go to it…Or if tableegh promoted Naqshbadi silsila then Chisti and others may turn away…So he kept these things to be choosen by individual and the effort to develop the desire to act on deen is kept simple …
I listened from one alim regarding one hadith in which Rasulullah saw. said in every age there will be Ulema who will tear away the Gulue(Overstatement) by jahilin and they will differentiate between right and wrong..I Heartily make dua for Mufti Ibrahim sahab db..Who has such courage and wisdom to put the things in such clarity…And thank Allah that such Ulema are present even in this age of Fitan…
I constantly make dua for Tableegh jamat that Allah may turn the minds of its workers towards self reformation ….
Some related Bayant are on my blog
http://www.islahi-bayanat.blogspot.com
Wasalam
Assalamu Aleykum,
I appologize, that I commented on that. I did not want to criticize Mufti Sahab damat barakatahuhu, but only wanted to emphasize the importance of Tablighi effort. Most Mureeds come to tazkiya due to this effort and then stop making this effort, which is sad.
Maulana Ilyas r.a. said more or less: “In this time of Ilhad and Fitna it is not enough to do separate infiradi efforts, all should come together and make umumi effort.” He was of the opinion, that tariqat is for Khawas and Ahl-e-Talab, but not for the common busy people. Most Mashaikh of Tabligh are Shaikh ut Tariqat themselves. Are they not able to do tarbiyyah? Of course, if people do not obey, then even a nabi will not become a means for their reformation.
The errors of certain individuals are not the error of the elders. We should always and only look to the leading elders to be guided.
I am also mureed of a shaikh but I found intolerance on both sides: Tablighis & Saliks. Why not follow the sunnah? That is to do our wazaifs in the night, after Fajr and maybe Asr. And in the rest of the remaining daytime we do dawah and talim.
Just a simple request: Please read Maulana Ilyas r. a. and his Dini Dawat and maybe you will understand me if Allah wills.
Was Salam wal Ikram,
Ibrahim
P.S. I am a reverted muslim, who got into the fold of Islam, who studied in madrasah and who got bayah with a Shaikh by means of the mubarak effort of tabligh!
The Fatwa has been updated see below:
Mufti Ebrahim Desai Saheb (Damat Barakatuhum) on Tabligh Jamaat
By admin on 6-10-2012 in Latest Q & A on Spiritual Reformation
REF: 038 DMHMD
ADMIN: 00238
DATE: 11/06/2012
Country:
Qatar
Question:
Assalamualaikum wa rahamatullahi wa barakatuh,
Respected Mufti Sahib,
There is a large confusion about tabligh and tassawuf.
Now the question is, about reaching maqam – e – ihsan (reaching the level of ihsan). What ways are there to reach this level? can doing work of tabligh make you reach this state?
I know tassawuf is a way to reach the level of Ihsan. Some people say that the priority of tassawuf is higher then tabligh, and some say tabligh is higher of tassawuf.
I am confused in this matter, can you please clear out how tassawuf and tabligh connects, and what are the ways to reach the level of ihsan?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu `alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Muhtaram,
Tabligh is an Arabic word literally meaning “to convey”.
Contextually it refers to conveying the message of Islam. The word Tableegh is commonly used to refer to the Tableegh Jamaat movement in which people spend 3 days or 40 days or 4 months or 1 year in Tableegh.
Alhamdulillah, the Tabligh effort has been proven to be beneficial in conscientising people about their religious duties and reforming the lives of many people.
I fully support the noble effort of Tableegh.
However, it is important to note that the specific form and way of the Tabligh effort is not specifically mentioned in the Shariah. It is recommended. The actual mission of Rasullullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) was Da’wah with Ta’leem (educating) and Tazkiyah (purification of the soul). The present form of Tableegh is one form of Da’wah. It is not the only way of Da’wah. To confine the obligation of Da’wah to the Tableegh movement is erroneous.
There are innumerable ways of Da’wah and all forms of Da’wah practiced within the confines of Shariah should be supported and complimented. It is therefore incorrect for some ardent supporters of Tabligh to claim an absolute right of Da’wah through Tabligh. Such an attitude is a great injustice to the broader concept of Da’wah and is an extremist attitude.
It is even worse to claim that Tabligh is more important than Tazkiyah. Tazkiyah is Fardh. The specific form and way of Tabligh is not Fardh. It is merely recommended. How can a recommended form of Da’wah be preferred over a Fardh act?
To reform oneself and cleanse oneself from the evil instincts within ourselves is Fardh.
It is also very unfortunate that we hear of reports from some elders of Tabligh Jamaat referring to Tazkiyah as a secondary issue, not so important, e.t.c.
How can a Fardh act not be of any importance at all? Such statements are incorrect and misleading. It is expected of the Ulama engaged in Tabligh and Tazkiyah to encourage people to do both, Tazkiyah and Tabligh.
If one does not go out for 3 days, 40 days or 4 months in Jamaat, he is not sinful and will not be answerable in the court of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala). However, if one does not reform himself from pride, jealousy, ostentation, e.t.c, he will be sinful and answerable to Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala).
People actively engaged in Tabligh should realize this and adjust accordingly. One can never attain the Maqam (position) of Ihsaan by merely going out in Tabligh without reforming oneself. The singular approach of Tabligh whilst sidestepping the importance of Tazkiyah is an incorrect view and erroneous. It is misleading.
Tazkiyah is Fardh. The specific form of Tabligh is not Fardh. It is recommended. It is an effort we fully support. Our Fataawa on askimam.org bear ample testimony to this fact.
The book “Priceless Advices” by Hazrath Moulana Saad Saheb (Damat Barakatuhum) expressing the above sentiments is useful. It is transcribed into English by Muhtaram Moulana Zeyaad Dhanka Saheb and available at: http://www.scribd.com/doc/67424324/Priceless-Advices-Ml-Saad . I have also contributed to the introduction of the book. Hereunder is my introduction:
FOREWORD
BY: HAZRAT MUFTI EBRAHIM DESAI SAHIB (DAMAT BARAKATUH)
Mufti and Sheikhul Hadith – Madrasah Ina’miyyah, Camperdown
In this time and era when objective criticism is also viewed with
skepticism and discharged as prejudice, the criticism of a son by
his father motivated by his desire for excellence for his son is
generally beyond reproach.
Hazrat Maulana Sa’d Sahib is regarded as one of the seniors and a
fatherly figure in the effort of Da’wat and Tabligh. This discourse
in your hands is a critical analysis of the conduct of people
engaged in serving the various branches of Deen. It is only when
one conducts a critical analysis (muhaasabah) of his field of
passion can he reform (Islaah) and make progress. To be
emotional and defend ones shortcomings is counterproductive,
such an attitude exemplifies itself negatively and has an
amputating effect.
The mission of Rasulullah was Ta’leem (to educate), Tazkiyah
(spiritual upliftment) and Tabligh. The ideal is to actually
participate in all three branches of Deen. However, for purposes
of efficiency, some are dedicated more to either Ta’leem, or
Tabligh, or Tazkiyah. This should never be construed as them
being opposed to the other two branches. I, myself, am a product
of the noble effort of Da’wat and Tabligh through the active
participation of my marhum father, Chota Mota Desai, through
the barkat of Hajee Bhai Padia Sahib ˛, but, I am more
engaged in Ta’leem and Ifta. Alhamdulillah, The ‘askimam.org’
site is filled with support and defense of the noble work of
Da’wat and Tabligh especially our academic responses against the
allegations levelled at Fazaile A’maal of Hazrat Sheikh Maulana
Muhammad Zakariyya ˛.
Likewise, there are Ulama who are in the field of Tazkiyah, and
support the work of Da’wat from their abode. Likewise, the
elders (Akabireen) of Da’wat and Tabligh support Ta’leem and
Tazkiyah from the very abode of Tabligh without necessarily
actively participating in Ta’leem and Tazkiyah. This type of
attitude accelerates harmony in all branches of Deen and propels
the service and success of Deen to a level of excellence.
You are urged to read this discourse with an open mind and
consider the advices contained herein like the advices of a father
to his son. It is only then that the advices will be beneficial to you.
May Allah reward Muhtaram Maulana Zeyad Danka (Sallamahu
Ta’ala) for his efforts and sacrifices in transcribing the talk,
compiling it and even publishing it, Aameen. Such efforts and
sacrifices are motivated by Ikhlaas and concern for the upliftment
of the noble works of Deen.
Ebrahim Desai
Camperdown
April 12, 2010
And Allah knows best.
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Dar al- Mahmood
(PS. I have relocated to Sherwood, Durban and I am no more in Camperdown)
Maulânâ Shâh Abrâr-ul-Haqq Sahib rahimahullâh delivered a talk in a Tablîghî ijtimâ‘ in which there was a crowd of about 350 000 to 400 000 people. Since Maulânâ In‘âmulHasan Sahib rahimahullâh had studied with him, he was immediately given this opportunity to deliver this talk. Hazratrahimahullâh said that the tablîghî jamâ‘at is certainly beneficial, but it is not sufficient. When will it be sufficient? When there is a strong connection with the ‘ulamâ’ and the Ahlullâh. Since the six points cannot cover the entire Islam, there was always a need for ‘ulamâ’, and there will always be a need for ‘ulamâ’.
Maulânâ Abrâr-ul-HaqqSahib rahimahullâh said: “Do not say this is the only [Islamic] work. Instead, say that this is also an [Islamic] work.” Do not say that you must keep on going for “forty days” and that there is no need for ‘ulamâ’ and mashâ’ikh.
Hazrat Maulânâ Ilyâs Sâhib rahimahullâh writes that when you go to any locality in which there are Ahlullâh or ‘ulamâ’, then do not even go to invite them. Rather, go and request for their du‘âs. He used to say: When I return from tablîgh, I go to the khânqâh so that my heart may be ‘tuned’.” After driving a car for some time, it is taken to a garage so that all the muck and grime that attaches itself to the car may be washed off. He used to say that the grime which attaches to the body due to intermingling with people has to be washed off at the khânqâhs.
The Greatness of Knowledge and Ulama
By: Shaikh ul Arab wal Ajam Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (db)
(the above three paragraphs in the above post were not together in the book i.e it is taken from three different places)
Whether it is tablîgh, the madâris, the makâtib or the khânqâhs – they are all departments of Islam. Each one should consider the other to be its associate and not its antagonist. Whether it is the people who are active in tablîgh, the ‘ulamâ’ or the people of the khânqâh, they should all say that they are mutual associates, they are departmental people. For example, in the railway department you get one person selling the tickets, another giving signals, another is a guard, another is a station master, and another is a ticket checker. What do these people say to each other? They say that we are departmental people, we are associates. How come there is such unity in this “dead” world yet so much of disunity and differences in our religious life? This is indeed a sad state of affairs. The tablîghî jamâ‘at, the madâris and the khânqâhs are all departments of Islam. They are all working for Islam. We are therefore mutual associates. That person is most immature who criticises in order to cause division by saying that the ‘ulamâ’ are doing nothing, or that the tablîgh people are wrong.
The Greatness of Knowledge and Ulama
By: Shaikh ul Arab wal Ajam Hazrat Maulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Saheb (db)
I, myself, have often stated that each group of Haq (truth), whether engaged in Madrasahs, Darul Ulooms, Khanqahs, Jihad, Tabligh, or welfare, should consider the other as supplementary and complementary, and as assistance to one another. No group should consider the other as an opposition; just as all parts of the aeroplane engine are required to fly the plane. The Defence Force of a country requires military, air force, navy, foot soldiers, commanders, transport operators, computer attendants, pilots, etc. to fortify and defend the country’s borders. For the defence and propagation of Islam, people are required to man different departments. We should therefore not insist that everyone does only one type of Deeni work. What is necessary is that all Deeni workers, in all departments, should work with sincerity and in accordance with the teaching of Allah Ta’ala, our beloved Rasool and the noble example of the Sahabah , who were the companions of Rasulullah
Foreword in Priceless Advices
by Hazrat Maulana Yunus Patel Sahib Rahmatullahi Alaihi
The system of Allah has been that the inner qualities referred to as Islaahe-nafs/tazkiya (spiritual reformation and purification), were also acquired through a Sheikh (spiritual guide). People would become bay’at to him for the sole purpose of Islaah and developing the true Ma’rifat (recognition) of Allah. Once doing so, this person would now live his life full of fikr (concern for the Urnmah] zikr and begging Allah Ta’ala for the reality of the same. Therefore, it is imperative that together with spending time in Da’wat and Tabllgh, one should also select a Sheikh and adopt his company. By paying particular attention to this, the results of all works of Deen will indeed be much more prosperous and successful!
Foreword in Priceless Advices
Hazrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Ishaq Sahib (Principal of Darul ‘Uloom, Azaadville)
Shaykh Muhammad Saleem Dhorat (hafizahullah) uses the example of a car to explain how we should respect each one of the various fields of Deeni work.
The car is made up of various parts like the steering wheel, tyres, brakes, etc. Now when a driver starts driving the car and the steering wheel thinks, what need is there for the four dirty wheels when it is I who am in the hands of the driver? In reality the car will not even move without the wheels and actually each part compliments the other and necessary for the car to run smoothly.
Similar is the case where the various forms of deeni work compliment each other. Some are busy with Tableegh and Da’wah work while others are busy with teaching. Some are responsible for masaajid while others are working in other fields, each one complementing the other.
No one knows who is accepted in the court of Allah subhaanhu wata’ala. One should not look down on anyone who is not working in the same line of Deeni work. One should continue his own work with sincerity and have the utmost respect for all the different groups of people working for the Deen.
.