Aim of the Jama'ah-e-Tableegh

Q: A person accused the Jama'ah-e-Tableegh of being an organisation established by the Zionists and the capitalists, with the aim of keeping Muslims unaware of the problems surrounding them and also eradicating the spirit of Jihad within the Muslim community. What do you think about this?

A:During the glorious era of Nabi-e-Kareem (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), the Muslims dedicated themselves almost entirely to the work of Deen. It was only out of necessity that they were somewhat concerned with worldly affairs. Nowadays, however, the situation is quite the opposite.

Why have we reached this point? The answer is simple: we no longer care about Deen. We no longer attach importance to the message of Allah Ta'ala and the teachings of Nabi-e-Kareem (Sallallahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). Yet Allah Ta'ala has shown us in the Qur'an-e-Kareem that victory lies in having perfect Imaan:

"Do not be weak and do not grieve for you shall be elevated if you are Mu'mineen." (3:139)

We know well that it is not by remaining with our arms crossed that we will attain perfect Imaan. The only way out is by putting Deen into practice. It is therefore necessary to raise awareness among Muslims so that we give more importance to Islam and so that Deen becomes the priority of priorities, as it was during the time of Nabi-e-Kareem (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam) and the Sahabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu ‘Anhum). This is what the Jama'ah-e-Tableegh does.

Calling people to good and preventing evil is a fundamental principle of Islam. No Muslim can deny this, because in the Qur’an-e-Kareem, Allah Ta‘ala has described the work of Da’wah as the most beautiful word:

"Whose speech can be better than the one who calls towards Allah, who performs righteous deeds, and says: 'I am from the Muslims'." (41:33)

It is normal that by participating in the Jama'ah-e-Tableegh, one does not learn all the details concerning Deen, but one of the essential things that each Muslim has the opportunity to develop through this work is to live 24 hours a day in accordance with the will of Allah Ta‘ala and the teachings of Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam).

Experience has shown that the Jama'ah-e-Tableegh has achieved the goal of its mission 100%. Do we not see those who once harboured hatred in their hearts and thought only of killing, are today ready to give their lives to protect or save their Muslim brothers? Those who spent their time playing endless card games on street corners are now, in addition to being present for the obligatory Salahs in congregation, prostrating themselves before their Rabb until late at night and crying during Salah-ut-Tahajjud. Those who had never pronounced the name of Allah, who did not know Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam) and who professed another faith have found, Alhamdu lillah, the Straight Path traced by Nabi-e-Kareem (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam).

There are thousands of such examples. All this was not achieved in the blink of an eye. Alhamdu lillah, it is by the grace of Allah and through the work of the Jama'ah-e-Tableegh that this transformation took place.

It is not reasonable to single out a few isolated cases or the behaviour of some individuals to condemn and slander the Jama'ah-e-Tableegh. The Jama'ah-e-Tableegh cannot be held responsible for the actions or behaviour of certain individuals, just as the bad behaviour of Muslims does not mean that Islam, Nauzubillah, is not the true religion.

As for Jihad, any person with common sense knows that the Jama'ah-e-Tableegh, on the contrary, advocates Jihad. In the Nisaab-e-Tableegh, there are hundreds of Ahaadith, stories, and anecdotes concerning Jihad. What may lead to the false notion that Jama'ah-e-Tableegh is against Jihad is the mistaken belief that Jihad is limited to the use of weapons against the enemies of Islam. In fact, this is only one form of Jihad. It should be known that there are other forms of Jihad, and that the superior Jihad is the one undertaken against one’s own nafs (inner desires). Many people may be surprised to learn this, but it is an undeniable fact that Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam) described Jihad against one's desires and passions as “Jihad-e-Akbar”. In a Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam) says:

“A (true) Mujahid is the one who wages war (Jihad) against his nafs in obedience to Allah Ta‘ala.”

Praise be to Allah, the people of Jama'ah-e-Tableegh are fighting (doing Jihad) in the path of Allah Ta‘ala against their nafs, and this at the cost of their time, energy, wealth, and many other sacrifices, in order to practise Deen properly and to contact their brothers to convey to them the message of Allah Ta‘ala and the teachings of Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam).

Thus, they (the people of Jama'ah-e-Tableegh) are engaged in the greatest type of Jihad. History testifies that Muslims have triumphed and enjoyed continuous success as long as they practised Deen correctly. It is not the number of warriors, nor the quantity or quality of weapons, that made them victorious. Let us remember the Battle of Badr. The Muslims were disadvantaged at all levels except—yes, except spiritually—and that was the sole reason for their victory.

The enemies of Islam know well that it is difficult to defeat the Muslims. History bears witness to this. Moreover, they know that the only way to weaken us is to find methods that will cause us to neglect the practice of Deen. How then can we conceive that the Zionists or other enemies of Islam could help or promote the work of the Jama'ah-e-Tableegh, which consists of striving day and night to develop the concern for Deen in every Muslim—a concern which, as explained above, is the key to success at all levels?

If the efforts and sacrifices made in obeying Allah Ta‘ala and following the teachings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam) are considered as “Zionism” or “imperialism” by some, then without hesitation we say that we prefer this to an “Islam” that permits us to fight against those who are doing such noble work—work which Allah Ta‘ala, the One who chose Islam as our religion, has described as “the most beautiful word”.

It is only the Zionists themselves and their servants who can make such accusations against the Jama'ah-e-Tableegh, because the Jama'ah represents a major obstacle to their plans, which aim to divert Muslims from the Kitaabullah and the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu ‘Alaihi Wasallam).

The statement that the Jama'ah-e-Tableegh is a means of keeping Muslims away from the spirit of Jihad is not too different from Marx’s claim that “religion is the opium of the people”—a statement that is clearly false and baseless.

The success that the Jama'ah-e-Tableegh is enjoying, not only in Mauritius but throughout the world, is undeniable. In an attempt to set traps for Muslims, the enemies of Islam—sometimes with the voluntary or involuntary help of certain deviant sects—are busy slandering the Jama'ah-e-Tableegh. In the absence of valid arguments, they resort to untruths, lies, and fabrications in order to sow confusion and prevent people from joining the Jama'ah-e-Tableegh. Of course, they will fail in their vile mission, because Allah Ta‘ala says in the Qur’an-e-Kareem:

"They try to blow out the light of Allah with their mouths but Allah refuses except that His light be completed even though the disbelievers detest it." (9:32)

May Allah Ta‘ala grant us the Taufeeq and protect us from the enemies of Islam. Ameen.

[English version of "Le but du Djamaa'ah-é-Tablîgh" – Al Haadi – Vol. 2 No. 3]