TABLIGH‎ JAMA'AH THE PURPOSE AND THE MEANS

The main purpose of going in Jama'ah (Tabligh) is one’s own spiritual reformation, while also sharing the blessings of Deen with other Muslim brothers scattered across all corners of the world. It is, of course, Fardh for every Muslim to make the necessary effort to cultivate their Imaan and develop the principles of Deen within themselves, so that they may live a life in accordance with the law of Allah Ta'ala and the teachings of Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam).

Equally, it is necessary to make one's Muslim brothers aware of the importance of spiritual reformation in order to attain salvation—not only in this world but also in the Aakhirah.

There are several verses in the Qur'an-e-Karim that emphasis the importance and necessity of enjoining good and preventing evil. In verse 17 of Surah Luqman, Allah Ta'ala says:

"O my beloved son! Establish Salah, instruct good, forbid evil and patiently endure whatever afflicts you. Verily, this is from among the most resolute of matters."

And in verse 104 of Surah Aal 'Imran, Allah Ta'ala says:

"There should be a group from you who invite towards good, command what is right and forbid evil. These are indeed the successful ones."

And in a Hadith, Hadhrat Jareer Bin Abdullah (Radiyallahu anhu) said:

"I heard the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) say: 'When a sin is committed in front of an individual or a group of people and they do not prevent it, although they have the ability to do so, then Allah will inflict upon them a severe punishment before their death.'"

It is therefore evident that the importance and necessity of this work are firmly established by the Qur'an-e-Karim and the Hadith of Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam).

It is very unfortunate that some people, contrary to the commands of Allah Ta'ala and the teachings of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), dare to criticise the Muslims who engage in Tabligh, or, in other words, fulfil their obligation of self-reformation and spreading awareness among their Muslim brothers about the importance of Deen Islam. These people, perhaps without realising it, are playing the game of Shaytaan, the rejected.

Recently, a booklet was published containing the following statement:

"I have already stated in my talk that their Gush, their chilla of 3, 7, 15, 40 days, 1 month, 4 months, 6 months, and 1 year, and sleeping in the Masjid on purpose, is not the Sunnah of our Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). Sunnah is something that is found in Hadith."

It does not seem that this statement comes from a person who possesses a sound knowledge of Deen, because, as we have observed, when a person goes out in Jama'ah, their goal is to reform themselves and also to raise awareness among their Muslim brothers about the importance of engaging in such an endeavour. Is there a Muslim worthy of the name who would dare to claim that spiritual reformation is not important and that enjoining good and preventing evil is not the duty of every Muslim? Allah Ta'ala says in verse 110 of Surah Aal 'Imran:

"You are the best of all nations who have been raised for mankind. You command what is right, forbid from evil and believe in Allah."

In light of many verses of the Qur'an-e-Karim and several Ahaadith, we see that this work is extremely important. In fact, enjoining what is right and preventing what is wrong was the task of all the Ambiya (Alaihimus Salaam), including Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). Since there will now be no other Prophet, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) has entrusted this noble work to his Ummat.

The absurdity of the statement in question lies in the fact that it seeks to deny the importance of a task simply because the means used to carry it out do not exist in the Hadith.

The number of days one devotes to Tabligh is merely a means, not an objective. And the means, unlike the maqaasid (essential aspects of Deen), can change according to time and circumstances. For instance, the methods by which Deen was taught at the time of Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) differ from those adopted today. Let us note, among other things, that books, blackboards, chalk, etc., were not used in the past. Similarly, travelling to other countries for seven or eight years to learn Deen, and sleeping "on purpose" at the seat of the Daar-ul-'Ulum for an extended period, is not found in the Hadith.

Therefore, is it not ignorance to refuse to accept the importance of teaching Deen and acquiring knowledge of Deen simply because the use of books, blackboards, chalk, etc., or travelling to other places for years to acquire Islamic knowledge, is not mentioned in the Hadith?

Moreover, is it not equally ignorant for an individual to reject the obligation of performing Hajj simply because the aeroplane is not mentioned in the Hadith as a means of transportation?

In the same way, a person who refuses to accept the importance of the work of Tabligh because the specific number of days is not found in the Hadith reveals their ignorance. One must remember that the number of days is merely a means, while the goal is to reform oneself, spread good, and prevent evil, as ordered by Allah Ta'ala and taught by Nabi-e-Karim (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam).

Before concluding, let us examine the last part of the statement, where it is said:

"Sunnah is something that is found in Hadith."

This implies that the second Dua practised by some in Jama'ah after the Sunnahs and Nawaafil following the Fardh Salahs in some masjids is not Sunnah because it is something not mentioned in the Hadith! Those who make innovations in Deen are therefore advised.

There is much more to be said about the scope and implications of this baatil statement, but we have chosen to address only a few points that fall within the scope and level of understanding of the author of the booklet. In the future, if Allah wills, we will return to it in more detail.

May Allah Ta'ala grant us all understanding of Deen. Aameen.

HADITH
"Freedom from hypocrisy and Shirk will be written in favour of the one who is regular in the Fajr and 'Isha Salahs with Jama'ah for forty days."(Musnad Imam Abu Hanifah)

Note: Is not going out in Jama'ah for forty days a highly effective way to attain this gift? Is it not a tremendous success for a person? May Allah grant us all this gift. Aameen.

 [English version of "Tabligh‎ djamaa'ah Le but et les moyens" – Al Haadi – Vol. 2 No. 7]