introduction tablighi jamaat What is
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
Assalaamu `alaykum waRahmatullahi Wabarakatoh
A brief introduction to Tabligh Jama’at and their objectives
(TABLIGHI JAMAAT KA MUKHTASAR TAARUF)
Tabligh
literally means ‘to convey’. Contextually, it refers to conveying the
message of Islam. This is the sunnah of all the prophets. The most
important rule of tabligh is hikmah. Allah Ta’ala says in the Holy
Quran:
ادع إلى سبيل ربك بالحكمة والموعظة الحسنة
Invite (people) to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good counsel. (Verse: 16:125)
Whosoever does tabligh must adopt hikmah. It is only then, that people will understand and accept.
Tablighi Jamaat is not a jamaat/group Rather it is a movement that saw a gradual evolution starting from 1920-27.
Proof from Quran and Hadith For The Work of Tabligh
The
work of tabligh ‘has strong basis in Quran and sunnah’. There are
numerous verses of the Quran and the Ahadith of Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi
Wasallam) that support the practice of tabligh. Hereunder are a few of
them:
From the Holy Quran:
1.
ادع إلى سبيل ربك بالحكمة والموعظة الحسنة
Invite (people) to the way of your lord with wisdom and good counsel. (Verse: 16:125)
2.
ولتكن منكم أمة يدعون إلى الخير ويأمرون بالمعروف وينهون عن المنكر
And there has to be a group of people from among you who call towards good and prevent from evil. (Verse: 3:104)
3.
ومن أحسن قولا ممن دعا إلى الله وعمل صالحا وقال إنني من المسلمين
And
who is better in utterance than the one who called people towards
Allah, and acts righteously and says, “I am one of those who submit
themselves (to Allah Ta’ala). (Verse: 41:33)
From the Ahadith of Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam):
4.
فقال
أبو سعيد أما هذا فقد قضى ما عليه سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول
من رأى منكم منكرا فليغيره بيده فإن لم يستطع فبلسانه فإن لم يستطع فبقلبه
وذلك أضعف الإيمان
Hazrat
Abu Sa’eed (Radhiyallahu Anhu) narrates that he heard Nabi (Sallallahu
Alaihi Wasallam) saying, “Whosoever witnesses a forbidden act being
committed, he should prevent it by the use of his hands; if he is unable
to do so, then he should prevent it with his tongue; if he is unable to
do so, he should at least consider it a vice in his heart; and this is a
very low level of Iman”.
(Sahih Muslim Vol.2 Pg.211/2 - Darul Ma’rifah)
5.
عن
النعمان بن بشير رضي الله عنهما عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال مثل
القائم على حدود الله والواقع فيها كمثل قوم استهموا على سفينة فأصاب بعضهم
أعلاها وبعضهم أسفلها فكان الذين في أسفلها إذا استقوا من الماء مروا على
من فوقهم فقالوا لو أنا خرقنا في نصيبنا خرقا ولم نؤذ من فوقنا فإن يتركوهم
وما أرادوا هلكوا جميعا وإن أخذوا على أيديهم نجوا ونجوا جميعا
It
has been reported on the authority of Nu’man bin Bashir (Radhiyallahu
Anhu) that Nabi (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said, “There are people who
do not transgress the limits (laws) of Allah Ta’ala, and there are
others who do so. They are like two groups who boarded a ship; one of
them settled on the upper deck, and the other on the lower deck of the
ship. When the people of the lower deck needed water, they said, “Why
should we cause trouble to the people of the upper deck when we can have
plenty of water by making a hole in our deck”. Now, if the people of
the upper deck do not prevent this group from such foolishness, all of
them will perish; but if they stop them, they will be saved”.
(Sahih Al Bukhari Vol.3 Pg.152 - Darul fikr)
OBJECTIVE OF TABLIGHI JAMAAT
Their
objective is that each and every Muslim adopts the Islamic way in all
aspects of life. They do not advice anyone to leave all their daily
activities and join this work, but they encourage people to take out
some time from their daily engagements so that the rest of the time
could be spent in accordance to the teachings of Islam. Spending time in
the path of Allah is not the objective of the work, but rather it acts
as a motivation to practice on all other aspects of Deen.
Their call is based on Quran and Ahadith and always guided by Pious Ulema and Muftiyan Karam
Their call is for complete deen and they say to people:
Our
success in this life and the life hereafter is in obeying the
commandments of Allah (SWT) and in following the noble ways (Sunnah) of
Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam)
There is ABUNDANT EVIDENT from the Qur’aan in their call as Allah (SWT) has said:
وَأَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ لَعَلَّڪُمۡ تُرۡحَمُونَ
[3:132]Obey Allah and the Messenger, so that you may be blessed.
قُلۡ أَطِيعُواْ ٱللَّهَ وَٱلرَّسُولَ*ۖ فَإِن تَوَلَّوۡاْ فَإِنَّ ٱللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ ٱلۡكَـٰفِرِينَ
[3:32] Say: .Obey Allah and the Messenger. Then, should they turn back, Allah does not love the disbelievers.
قَدۡ أَفۡلَحَ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنُونَ
[23:1]Success is really attained by the believers
وَعَدَ ٱللَّهُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ وَٱلۡمُؤۡمِنَـٰتِ جَنَّـٰتٍ۬ تَجۡرِى مِن تَحۡتِهَا ٱلۡأَنۡهَـٰرُ خَـٰلِدِينَ فِيہَا وَمَسَـٰكِنَ طَيِّبَةً۬ فِى جَنَّـٰتِ عَدۡنٍ۬*ۚ وَرِضۡوَٲنٌ۬ مِّنَ ٱللَّهِ أَڪۡبَرُ*ۚ ذَٲلِكَ هُوَ ٱلۡفَوۡزُ ٱلۡعَظِيمُ
[9:72]
Allah has promised to the believers, male and female, gardens beneath
which rivers flow, where they shall live forever, and good homes in
gardens of eternity. And Allah‘s pleasure is above all. That is the
supreme success.
Tabligh Remind people as
They remind our Muslim brothers and Sisters to change their life according to Qur’aan and Sunnah and we believe that our reminder also has evidence from the book of Allah (SWT):
وَذَكِّرۡ فَإِنَّ ٱلذِّكۡرَىٰ تَنفَعُ ٱلۡمُؤۡمِنِينَ
[51:55] And keep reminding, because reminding benefits the believers.
How to actually change their life? We refer
them to the Ulama (& people of knowledge) and we believe that we
evidence for that from the book of Allah (SWT) as well:
فَسۡـَٔلُوٓاْ أَهۡلَ ٱلذِّڪۡرِ إِن كُنتُمۡ لَا تَعۡلَمُونَ
[21:7]...So, ask the people (having the knowledge) of the Message, if you do not know...
SUMMARY OF Maulana Ilyas Idea of reformist Movement
Moulana
Ilyas Saheb (Rahimahullah) observed that people were too engrossed in
their worldly activities and had forgotten the objective for which they
had been sent to this world. He realized that they had to free some time
from their worldly engagements, to sit and ponder about Allah Ta’ala
and their purpose for being sent to this world. Therefore, he started
calling people to the masjid, and reminded them about Allah Ta’ala and
His greatness. Initially people rebuked him, they discouraged him and
used to say that they had no time for all of this; but as time went by,
they realized the truth behind it and the need for it, and started
joining him in calling others towards Allah Ta’ala. Thereafter, when
more people started joining this work, a few guidelines had to be set,
to make sure that the work was done in a proper manner. Different time
periods of 3 days, 40 days, etc. were set, so that people knew for how
long they had to be away, and could make the necessary arrangements for
that period.
THE IMMEDIATE FACTOR FOR start of Tablighi Jamaat
1. Around 1910 Malkana tribe (near Agra,uttar pardesh,india) who were muslim started turning to nonbeliever.
2.
Condition of the mewat tribe (At delhi-haryana border in ALWAR and
Gurgaon district, india) was nearly same and were on the verge of
becoming MURTAD and leaving Islam. According to gazette of Alwar and
gurgaon” MEW tribe are very loose and careless muslim. They share
most of the customs of other religion.There way is to celebrate
religious function of both community and not to do any religious duty of
any religion.They never go for Haj,but celebrate HOLI and Diwali.”
(Ref:Gazetter
of Alwar 1878,gazette of district Gurgao 1910) For detail refer book
Life and mission of maulana ilyas by Maulana abul hasan ali nadwi (ali
miyan) page 73-79.
3.
The family of Maulana Ilyas was having religious connection with the
people of mewat since his father and elder brother Maulana Muhammad .
4. Maulana Ilyas was very serious and in pain from the religious condition of Mew tribe.
5. He adopted different ways for reform/taleem of MEW people but situation was not under control.
The evolution of SYSTEM ADOPTED BY TJ
6. The initial Idea of GUSHT (MEETING
MUSLIM BROTHER FOR THE SAKE OF DEEN AT THEIR DOORSTEP and home and
doing one to one talk with hikmah and love and passion by MAKING A GROUP
OF 3 TO 10 PEOPLE) WAS
GIVEN by PEOPLE OF FIROZPUR NAMAK town of MEWAT.They were doing it in
informal way and reported this to Maulan Ilyas. Maulana Ilyas liked this
method for calling people who are not TALIB at all.
7.
Then it evolved to the doing gusht in nearby villages making
jamaat.There dawat was about KALMA and Namaz,but it was not in organized
or formal way but continued for few years.
First Jamaat from Firozpur Namak to work outsidein 1927
8.
In 1927-28 Maulana Ilyas called the people of FIROZPUR NAMAK to devout
some time for dawat e deen in other area of MEWAT by making jamaat
(group).
9.
Initially 6 people became ready for going nearly 10 days (three elderly
namely hafiz Muhammad Bin Nor Baksh, Nambardar Mehrab Khan,Choudhary
Namaz Khan,and three children of 12-13 years.)
മുസ്ലിംകളെ മൌലാന മുഹമ്മദ് ഇൽയാസ് കോൾ
ദവഹ് വർക്ക് ഓണ് ദി പട്റെര്ൻ ഓഫ് മുഹമ്മദ് സല്ലല്ലാഹു അലൈഹി വസല്ലം ആൻഡ് സഹാബ കരം
Work gained momentum after 1933
10.
Work remained at slow pace till 1933,In the winter of 1933 nearly 250
people became ready to offer some time and came to DELHI JAMA MASJID.
Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madni (Rahmatullah Alaihi)gave the departure
advice to jamaat and it was sent to PANIPAT,KARNAL (HARYANA),SAHARANPUR
&KANDHLA (UTTAR PARDESH).
Expansion of the work
With
the passage of time People realized the importance of Effort of deen to
strenthen our Iman and Amaal.They realized there duty as the ummat of
last prophet to convey this maasage to others also.So people started
joining them in large number and started sacrificing for the cause of
Islam.
Era from 1933 to 1939
Maulana
continued with his work, After return from his second Haj he came with
Istaqamat and Sharah sadr(Allah opened his heart to continue with the
work). But till 1939 it remained largely in the area around Mewat, Delhi
and few districts of western U.P. Largely Mewatis played an active
participation although some of the prominent ulemas and shyukh supported
it most notably Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madni,(R.A) and Abdur Raheem sb
Raipuri (R.A) largely due to the pious personality of Maulana Ilyas but
by and large it remain unattended from Circles of ulemas and scholar.
Attention of Ulemas and Islamic Scholars to the work around 1939
In
Dec, 1939, three big personalities of India Maulana Abul Hasan Ali
Nadvi(R.A), Maulana Manzoor Nomani(R.A) and Abdul Wahid Sb
M.A.(R.A),planned to observe the religious work going on by different
people/organization and to make a decision about themselves to join.
(They
visited Saharanpur, Raipur and in Raipur Abdurraheem Sb Raipuri advised
them to visit Maulana Ilyas (R.A.) at NIZAMUDDIN,Delhi and to see the
ongoing work of Dawah.
They
were aware with the name of maulaana Ilyas and had recently read an
article about his Dawah Movement in Mgazine Tarjumanul Quran of SHAABAN
1358 Hijri written by Maulana Abul Ala Maudoodi (R.A)(the Renowed
writer and founder of Jamaat e Islami) ,after visiting Maulana Ilyas at
Nizamuddin and visiting the areas of mewat. That article was in praise
of Tabligh work,The title of this article was “EK DEENI TAHRREK (A
religious movement). So with advice of Raipuri Rahmatullah Alaihi their
plan to visit Nizamuddin became final.
(Ref.Autobiography of Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi “KARWANE ZINDAGI” vol 4)
Spread and Acceptance of work by Ulemas
Abul
Hasan Ali Nadvi R.A started taking formal and active participation
along with Maulana Manzoor Nomani R.A and it helped much for spreading
of work among Ulema and Madarsas.
With
there participation the work got an interface at a time when other
Ulemas were not much attentive to the work. Maulana Ilyas has always
acknowledged it and always praised Maulana Ali Miyan.
Ali
Miyan visited Peshawar and other parts of (Pakistan) undivided India
besides actively doing the effort in India.Apart from this other Ulemas
were also took part.
An
important Mashwara was called to discuss the ways of participation of
students of Madarsa which was attended by Qari Tayyab Sb (R.A) Rector of
Darul Uloom Deoband, Mufi Kifayatullah Sb Mufti e Azam Hind,Maulana
Mohammad Shafi Sb of Madarsa Abdurrab Delhi,Hafiz Abdullateef Sb of
Muzahirul uloom Saharanpur,Maulana Aizaz Ali ,teacher of Darul Uloom
Deoband,and Maulana zakariya and Maulana Abdul Qadir Sb Raipuri
(RAHMATULLAH ALAIHIM) (Ref :Biography of Ali Miyan:Sawane Mufakkirul Islam page no 197-205,Life and mission of maulana ilyas page no 159)
The effect of the work became all inclusive for all section of society
RIGHT
FROM THE BEGINNING VIEW OF MAULANA ILYAS WAS TO INCLUDE EACH SECTION OF
THE SOCIETY FOR THE EFFORT OF DEEN AND TO UTILISE THEIR CAPABLITIES FOR
THE PROPAGATION OD DEEN. He became quiet successful in its endevour and
work spreaded in colleges and university. Students and teachers of
Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University came closer to the
work. Dr Zkair Hussain (Former president of india was professor at Jamia
Millia Islamia that time) was close to Maulana Ilyas and used to come
Nizamuddin regularlyWork also spreaded among business clas and other
sections of the society. .(Ref Biography of Abul Hasan Ali NadviPage no 204,Life and mission of maulana Ilyas page no.219 )
Maulana Ilyas death
MaulanA Ilyas died on 13th
July 1944. During last days of his illness he named a list of 6 persons
to lead the effort after his death. Maulana Muhammad Yusuf son of
Maulana Ilyas was one of these 6 people. And later on he was selected to
lead the movement.
Maulana
Yusuf himself was a great scholar of Islam. His famous book in Arabic
HAYATUS SAHABA is like a masterpiece on the practical aspect of life of
Hazrat Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam and Sahaba Kara.It is a
encyclopedic book very popular in the Arab World.Its English and urdu
translations are similarly popular.
Transnational expansion of tabligh work after 1944
Maulana
Yusuf was himself a great scholar of Hadith and gave the work of dawat
the much needed scholary support. Apart from HAYATUS SAHABAH he also
wrote Muntakhab Ahadith collection of Ahadith related to six qualities
of Dawat and Tabligh. During his period work spreaded from the Indian
subcontinent to other parts of the world.A Jamaat went from India to
Arab which included Maulana Ali Miyan who was a prolific writer in
Arabic and was popular in Arab World and it rooted the work in Arab
Countries. With passage of time it became a transnational movement to
strengthen Imaan and Amaal e Saliha. Maulana Yusuf died in 1964 at
Lahore.
Muqami Kaam (effort of deen at home)
Tabligh work has two facets
1.Going in the path of Allah for some days.
2.Doing the Amaal and effort while being at home.
After
Maulana Yusuf, Maulana Inamul Hasan took the responsibility to lead the
effort. Maulana Inaamul Hasan Made a formal Tarteeb of Muqami Kam
(effort of deen while being at home) and it hlped the brothers to
strengthen the qualities and gain achieved in the path of Allah. And
established strong connection between Daee and the his neihbour and
surrounding.
Maulana Ilyas view was of Taking care of whole world
As
Hazrat Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam was last prophet and this
ummat has responsibility for whole world. So the system of Tabligh has
been designed to cater all these. To start from oneself to whole world.
Muhammad sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam simultaneously did effort on all
front
eg
Even if his family member and people of makkah not accepted he went to
Taif, even whole Arab not accepted he reached to Roman and Persian
empire and did not waited to be accepted by all people of his area to
start work in other areas. So in tabligh work a system was made to cater
from onself, to family, to muhallah,to nearby town,to country,to whole
world.
E.g
FOR INDIVIDUAL :In faradi Amaal, tasbeeh,tilawat e quran Taleem ,gusht
and effort in the pth of allah for person himself, FOR FAMILY: Daily
Taleem and Muzakra with quran Halqa, . FOR MUHALLA: Daily Taleem in
mosque, Daily meeting with brothers, Daily Mashura, Weekly Gusht, FOR
NEIGHBORING LOCALITY:Second Gusht,and 3 day in a month,FOR COUNTRY:40
days FOR WORLD RESPONSIBILITY:4 Months. Women will also go in the path
of Allah obviously under the ambit of Shariah Ruling and with many
restriction always with her Husband/Sharai Mahram.
Regarding Dawah among Non Believers
Maulana
Ilyas was in principle very serious about the important work of Muslim
of calling nonbelievers towards Allah and the way of Salvation.
When
Maulana Muhammad Ali Jauhar was going to London for Round Table
Conference Maulana Ilyas wrote him a letter drawing his attention to
give the massage of Allah to british officials including the british
prime ministr churchil.That mean he was very much aware of the
importance of this aspect.
But
he was of the view that qualities are needed in muslims ummah to convey
the massage of Islam to all mankind in a effective way. To put the
house of muslim in order was of priority importance for him. And it has
prove from Quran and Hadith that taking care of muslims is an important
aspect of deen.
In
Verse ABASA WATAWALLAH………….it has been stressed in the chaptor that
those who are already in the fold should also get importance while about
others it is not certain that they will come into the fold.
It is necessary to adopt qualities for effective Dawah
It
is also necessary,that one should adorn oneself with the qualities of a
true Believer. He should apply the commands of Deen upon himself.
This includes being punctual upon Salaah with Jama'ah(congregation).
One should refrain from all sins and transgression. One should refrain
from disobedience, adultery, drinking, stealing, transacting in
interest, lying, backbiting, deceiving, not paying people their dues -
even if they be non-Muslims.
He should deal with compassion and kindness. Likewise he should fulfil his promises. These
are the qualities of a Believer. When one will adorn oneself with these
qualities, he will be loved by the people. Hence this will attract them
to Islam and they will eventually accept it.
EXAMPLES OF SPREAD OF ISLAM BY STEADFASTNESS ON DEEN
Many of the countries such as Malaysia,
Indonesia, Philippines, etc. were not conquered by Mujahideen. Islam
spread in the these countries by means of traders who were steadfast on
Deen. Hence the people loved them and enquired from them about their religion. Thus they entered into the fold of Islam.
Therefore it is necessary for the Daa'ie to adopt these qualities. We thank Allah Ta'ala that he granted the Tabligh Jama'ah the tawfeeq to
adopt this noble method. They approach people with love and kindness.
Hence we find that, due to their efforts, great benefit has been
achieved throughout the world. We pray Allah Ta'ala to grant them the
ability to continue with this good work and may He make all their
actions solely for Himself. May they remain steadfast on this noble
Da'wah in which there is great benefit for Islam and the Believers. Insha Allah.
JAZAKALLAH O KHAIR
(Historical
fact refrenced from Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi (rahmatullah) book LIFE AND
MISSION OF MAULANA ILYAS and Miyan Ji MUSA book Tabligh ka muqami Kam
and Tabligh tahreek ki Ibtida in Urdu and hindi respectively. Miyan Ji
Musa was among the first few people from mewat and was present
throughout the evolution of tabligh work..)
(Taken with thanks from http://tablighijamaattruth.blogspot.in/p/introduction-tablighi-jamat.html)
