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Tablighi Jamaat Reality and Misconceptions Jamaa'ah at-Tableegh

Assalam o Alaikum, Below article is to be published in book form shortly Insha Allah. Please Point out any mistakes and give suggestion (spelling/grammer/content/any other ) JAZAKALLAH




[48:29] Muhammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is the messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are hard on the disbelievers, compassionate among themselves...:
[49:6] O you who believe, if a sinful person brings you a report, verify its correctness, lest you should harm a people out of ignorance, and then become remorseful on what you did.



TABLIGHI JAMAAT
Reality and Misconceptions






BY

Hazrat Maulana Manzoor Nomani (R.A.)

This Booklet  is translation of a long letter written by The Great Hadith Scholar and compiler of Maariful Hadith Hazrat Maulana Manzoor Nomani to an Islamic Scholar who has raised the issues of Mistakes of the workers of Tablighi Jamaat and some other issues.
(Maulana Nomani letter was published in AL FURQAN Zilhijja 1379 H). Original urdu letter is also part of this Urdu book available on this link 
http://ia700700.us.archive.org/22/items/Jamat-e-TableeghPerAiterazaatKayJawabatByShaykhMuhammadZakariyya/Jamat-e-TableeghPerAiterazaatKayJawabatByShaykhMuhammadZakariyyaKandhelvir.a.pdf
Maulana Manzur Nomani has detailed in this letter following points………
·       The Areas and domain of work of Tablighi Jamaat .

·       Confusion Created by name Tablighi Jamaat.

·       Discussions criticism and Allegations on Tablighi jamaat

·       Maulana Accepts  The individual Mistakes of the workers

·       He Quotes that Maulana Ilyas himself accepted the mistakes of workers in words  “IT IS LIKE A WASHERMAN PLATFORM ALL TYPE OF DIRTY CLOTH COME HERE”

·       Individual Mistakes of the workers should not be generalized to Whole Jamaat.

·       It is right and duty of specialized people like Ulema , Suleha and Scholars of Muslim Ummah to make correction if something wrong is going on.

·       The correction of Muslims and of Tablighi Jamaat is a collective Responsibility of all Ulemas and Scholars and general Muslims of Ummat.

·       It is not a blame game Whatever is good should be appreciated and bad should be corrected. 
·       The approach should be for correction and not for mere criticism.

·       What is the Proper Method of Conveying concern about the mistakes of common brothers or any issue about the Movement?

·        Maulana Suggest The best way for any correction or suggestion is to draw attention of Markaz Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin New Delhi I(ndia).
Manzur Nomani Rahimullah has even suggested to personally visit Nizamuddin for this great cause of Islah of such a large number of Muslims.

·       There is no competition between Madaris/Tazkiya/Tabligh Work. Rather they are complimentary to each other. There active cooperation is needed between them.

·       The Benefit of Tablighi jamaat on Muslim Society in general is like Rain that benefit in general without choosing a particular section.

·       Tablighi Jamaat ground work is benefitting Madrsas , Islamic Organisations  and Religious Institutions.






Translators Note
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praises to Allah the Sustainer of the worlds, and grace, honour and salutations on the Chief of Apostles and Seal of Prophets, Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, his family, companions and those who followed him in an excellent fashion and invited mankind towards Allah, till the Day of Resurrection.


مُّحَمَّدٌ۬ رَّسُولُ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ وَٱلَّذِينَ مَعَهُ ۥۤ أَشِدَّآءُ عَلَى ٱلۡكُفَّارِ رُحَمَآءُ بَيۡنَہُمۡ‌ۖ
[48:29] Muhammad (Sallallaho Alaihe Wassallam) is the messenger of Allah, and those who are with him are hard on the disbelievers, compassionate among themselves..
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَنْ تُصِيبُوا قَوْمًا بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا عَلَى مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَادِمِينَ (الحجرات:
[49:6] O you who believe, if a sinful person brings you a report, verify its correctness, lest you should harm a people out of ignorance, and then become remorseful on what you did..
It is basically translator’s note but any note on the writing of such a great scholar is not at all appropriate for a person of low capabilities like me.
So in the translator’s note instead of writing from my side I will put some portions of Advices of Maulana Ibraheem sb Dewla Damat Bakatuhum  of Markaz Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin New Delhi (India). He is also advising the workers and Requesting the Ulemas and Scholars on similar issues.This page is available on http://tablighijamaattruth.blogspot.in/2013/04/mistakes-wrong-practices-by-workers-of.html. Afterwards there is a portion of translation of Shaykh Yusuf Ibn Isa Al-Malahi Arabic book “Islah Wal-Insaaf, La-Hadam Wala-Ait’saaf







Maulana Ibraheem Dewla (HA)
(Elder of Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin R.A.New Delhi ,India)
(Translated pages from urdu book Dawat aur uske inaamaaT)
Advices Facts and Requests on……
“The blessed work of Dawat o Tabligh must remain in its  correct Path”
Maulana Words starts …….
“It is collective responsibity of all the Ulema of Muslim Ummah to preserve this great work of Dawat o Tabligh in its original and correct form in the light of Quran o Hadith as adopted by the Great Akabireen (Scholar) of Ummah.”
Maulana Mentions Following Point about great effort of Dawat o Tabligh to be preserved.
1.              The great effort of Dawat o Tabligh has always been done under direct supervision and control of the Pious and knowledgeable Ulema.
2.              The Blessed work of Dawat o Tabligh is always being done primarily with intention of own correction and Islah.
3.              The Basic ambit of the work of Dawat o Tabligh has been to inculcate in life the six chosen qualities of Sahaba Karam.
4.              In this Great Movement of Dawah o Tabligh always has been appreciation admiration and respect for all other  of Deen and all people of capabilities.
5.              This work of Dawat o Tabligh has been free from criticizing others, or competing or negating others.
6.              There is no high claims and Exaggeration (Dawe and Gulu) in the work rather middle and inclusive attitude has been.
7.              The work has been free from Groupism, Secterianism and Taassub.
8.              Through the work of Dawah always emphasis has been on establishment of Islamic Society.
9.              The Preservation of the Manhaj of Dawah has always been by the Taqwa piety of the workers (Daee’s).
10.       In the work of Dawah always the collective conscience of Ummah has been preferred over any individual Opinions.



Shaykh Yusuf Ibn Isa Al-Malahi writes….
 (Selected Translation from Shaykh Yusuf Ibn Isa Al-Malahi Arabic book “Islah Wal-Insaaf, La-Hadam Wala-Ait’saaf”  Full Arabic text is available on http://www.binatiih.com/go/news.php?action=view&id=34&b24e67674e605aa79c36126ac8720f80

“I would like to bring certain facts to the attention of esteemed readers from which many people are heedless. So understand! That to investigate and research news is a basic principle of Shariah and its injunction is plainly stated in the Qur'aan & Sunnah as Allah (SWT) states:
).
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنْ جَاءَكُمْ فَاسِقٌ بِنَبَإٍ فَتَبَيَّنُوا أَنْ تُصِيبُوا قَوْمًا بِجَهَالَةٍ فَتُصْبِحُوا عَلَى مَا فَعَلْتُمْ نَادِمِينَ (الحجرات:
[49:6] O you who believe, if a sinful person brings you a report, verify its correctness, lest you should harm a people out of ignorance, and then become remorseful on what you did.
And Allah (SWT) states:
[4:94] O you who believe, when you go out in the way of Allah, be careful...

Sayyidina Abu Hurairah (RA) narrated that Sayyidina Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) said, "It is enough falsehood for a person to transmit everything he hears." [Muslim]

It is so because many people merely accept everything they hear or read and don't endeavour to investigate (its truth) and establish its authenticity and forget to act upon this basic principle which Allah (SWT) has commanded since those from amongst the Jinn and humans who are influenced by Shaytaan are busy in spreading falsehood and thus abandoning this basic principle enables many from amongst the people to abandon the truth and adopt falsehood until they begin to establish the realities of their lives upon falsehood and this has resulted in hatred, enmity and ill feelings between sons of Adam. These naive people will continue to harbour ill feelings towards Musliheen (those who attempt to make peace and reconcile) and good feelings towards Mufsids (those who attempt to spread vice and corruption) if they continue on their path of accepting everything (as truth) they read or hear.
How much blood has been shed, how many idols have been worshiped as a consequence of accepting random speeches and writings as truth? Similarly, some placed their belief in those in the grave that they can benefit or harm besides Allah (SWT) so innovations and baseless customs became widespread amongst them until devotion, humility, prayers, asking for help and even acts of worship were directed deities (other than Allah (SWT)) even though there is none worthy of worship besides Allah (SWT), Alone & Al-Mighty.”

             As for translation I fully accept my shortcoming and limitations in Translation of the Article. Urdu is a very rich language with words of Arabic and Persian. And many a times finding exact word in English becomes difficult. For the sake of keeping language simple and easily understandable some addition or deletion of words and sentences and Subheadings has been made.
Whatever is good from Allah and whatever is bad and shortcoming is from My side. Requesting for Dua for all those who helped in this Endeavour in different capacity. Requesting for Pointing for any mistakes that could be corrected in next edition on ittehadummat@gmail.com
JAZAKALLAH O KHAIR
A Slave of Allah and
Ummati of Prophet Muhammad  .
(Allah ka ek Zaeef Banda Nabi Ka Ummati)



TRANSLATION OF MAULANA MANZOOR NOMANI RAHIMULLAH BOOK STARTS FROM HERE
Respected ……………..Honorable………………..Assalam O Alikum
I am seeking forgiveness for being late in reply of your letter because of my busy schedule. This letter is also being written in train while I am in travelling.
You have written some doubts about Tablighi Jamaat and its programme. You have written some complaints also.
You have addressed me as the caretaker or post holder of Tablighi Jamaat but without any humility (inkasar) I will tell that this is not my position. I consider this work as very blessed (Mubarak o Maqbool). I have highest degree of respect for this work but because of my special interest (Her was a prolific writer, actively involved in administration of big Mdarsas and editor of Al furqan Urdu magazine) and busy schedule I normally not able to take part actively. And this work of Tablighi Jamaat is totally by action (Amali) and there is no Post or position in it. That’s why I am not a right person for taking your complaints and advices.
Whatever issues you have you should write to (Bangle Wali Masjid) Markaz Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin Aulia Rahmatullah Alaihi (A locality in Indian capital New Delhi India. Rather the best is to meet the Elders at Markaz Nizamuddin Personally and put your suggestions and issues.(He has mentioned the name of Maulana Yusuf Rahimullah here who has died but Alhamdulillah other elders are there.
But as I am very close to those who are active and leading the effort and know their ideas and conditions so I am replying these points.
I realized from your letter that most probably you do not know the reality of this work at all. You have made your mindset and stand is based on the popular name of it that’s TABLEEGH . And accordingly you have advised. Many of your opinion does not touch the movement at all. The detail discussion of yours on DAKHILI TABLEEGH (Inner invitation) and KHARJI TABLEEGH (Outer invitation) is the product of your misconception.
I have always been of opinion that this name TABLEEGH and those who are working in it as TABLIGHI JAMAAT is creating many confusion for many people. It cause many misconceptions. From the word TABLEEGH people think that it is a work of Preaching (Nassehat o Waaz) and TABLIGHI JAMAAT is a tem or Party of these Preachers.
That’s why they expect that they should have an upper level of knowledge required for Preaching /WAAZ/Naseehat. And practically in action (AMALI) they also expect that they should not have a visiblt shortcoming.1.In this background when they see someone in Tablighi Jamaat not even knowing Wazu Properly or their  appearance is not according to shariah they become extremely critical.2. They further become surprised after seeing them that they are insisting on others to spare some time from their busy schedule and to go in the path of Allah for near and far as they think that
If preaching Waaz and Naseehat has to be done then why not in our locality instead of going far away.
Bhar Hall
All these confusion comes from basic wrong concept of considering Preaching/Waaz Naseehat as the work of Tablighi Jamaat.
Actually here the name  TABLEEGHI JAMAAT means
“Here  TABLEEGHI JAMAAT means a system of developing a deeni and Dawat Environment  in with a person will be with certain Usools will do the Aamal of Dawat Taleem o Taallum (teaching and learning) Ibadat and Khidmat (Service) .
With this environment it is expected to have an increase in 1. attachment to Islam, 2.increase in Emaan,(Belive in Allah and Rasool command and words), 3. reformation of Action 4.seeking of knowledge and 5.Islah e Nafs and the 6.development of Jazba of  sacrifice for Islam.
That’s why all muslims with whatever lag in his knowledge or action (Ilm o Amal ki Kmee) is not only invited rather sometimes pulled and no minimum condition is put as eligibility for going in TABLIGHI JAMAAT.it is expected that with this Environment he will take good effect and Allah the actual caller and the master of our heart will bless him with hidayat.
And that’s why in TABLIGHI JAMAAT all kind of and all strata of people are there.
However as you have written it is correct that sometimes in small public gatherings some people starts addressing who are actually not eligible at all for address. And they even don’t know the work of Tablighi Jamaat. They donot remain in the boundary of their knowledge in talk.
But as you are considering it as bad the Zimmedar brothers (Responsible Brothers)also consider it as bad and wants to correct it. They give instruction to Jamaat before its departure about the talk and if all the guidance is followed these mistakes will not happen. But the thing is these mistakes are not rare and this matter is really important for the Responsible Brother. My personal opinion is that apart from Advice if some written instruction is also given these things may be corrected to a greater extant.
Now I am turning to most important part of your letter.
You have written that Tablighi people are against the Madarsas and people of Madarsa and those who engage in it has no connection with Madarsas.
This is a very grave point and the level of research required to tell or write these conclusion (accusation )in my humble view you have not done that homework and you have written it without required homework.
If you point out a particular person associated with Tablighi Jamaat has this feeling then it is not very surprising . The all types and kind of Muslims that are found in our society all you can find in tablighi jamaat also. People of all temperament and background are present in our society and same you can find in Tablighi Jamaat also.
But telling that People associated with Tablighi Jamaat are against Madaris is a grave oppression (Zyadti ki baat).
You must have thought that many of those who are associated with work are themselves running Madarsa or teaching in Madarsas.
 Even the person leading the movement Maulana Yusuf Rahimullah is teaching in a Madarsa named KASHIFUL ULOOM. He give regular Dars in that Madarsa. The same condition is of his colleagues Maulana  Inamul hasan Sb and Maulana Ubaidullah Sb and others. You also consider me as associated with the work and you are well aware of my connection with the world of Madarsa. i.e I am  member of Majlis e Shura and Excutive  body of Darul Uloom Deoband. And I also have same position at Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulema also.And for quiet sometimes I have also taken some teaching work.
You also must be knowing many persons who are associated with work and has responsibility of a Madarsa also. ………
In this situation telling Tableeghi people are against Madarsa is so wrong and absured statement.
In my perception (Two things are there)
1. Many Muslims in society who for one reason other  has something against the Madarsas /Madarsa System or people attached with Madarsas, These people at times may join Tabligh work with this background and they may utter something wrong about Madarsas
2.The second reason could be that at times it happens that a person who was having no attachment with deen at all and was spending a life with irreligious and non practicing  Muslim Life and finally he goes into Jamaat and turns towards Islam.
Then he considers this work as the only Religious work (As this work has brought me towards Islam). And still further he sees that many of the Scholars and people of Madarsas actually having more responsibility of service of deen are not involved in this effort. So because of his ignorance and less knowledge he starts uttering criticism on them.
But based on my personal experience knowledge and testimony (Mallomat o tajurbon ki bina par Wasooq se) I can tell and telling with full conviction that as the connection with the work increases these peoples get corrected. And his felling and perception is get rectified.
Although like others many issues for the correction of this problem debate and argument is not utilized in TABLEEGH. Rather with their methodology it is tried to get it changed, this method by the grace of Allah remain successful most of the times.
I personally know many people who were a bet noir and critical of Madarsas and people of Madarsas (Skaht Bezar o Bebak Mutaarriz) but as they started attached and closer with the work their mindset got changed.
I myself has seen Maulana Ilyas Rahimullah that he used to be very careful that those who are involved in this work should have utmost respect for Ulema and Madaris. And Maulana Yusuf Rahimullah is also always caring for this.
You don’t know But let me tell that every month hundreds of people and Jamaats from different areas and section come to him and it is his regular practice upto his capacity to send them to Deoband and Saharanpur to visit the Ulemas and to see the Islamic seat of learning there.And by this way hundreds of people get acknowledged from Islamic seats of learning.
Even personally Maulana Yusuf Sb keeps his attachment with elders of Madaris of Deoband and Sharanpur and his approach in this regard, Then how a person attached to himm (Maulana Yusuf) has a counter view against Madaris.
Apart from this a marked and visible general deeni condition is being build up and every one should Realise and perceive it. I am surprised how people like you are not being able to see this.
It is as like I am seeing from my own eyes that Madaris are getting help from Tablighi Jamaat in the same way as farming gets benefit from favorable weather condition and Rain. I can name you hundreds of people Rather areas and places those were having no connection with Madaris or elders of Madaris The movement of Tablighi Jamaat created among them the religious zeal and they get acknowledged with the work of Ulemas and then students from these areas started coming to Madarsa and started doing service of deen.
In this connection it is important to be mentioned that in my observation the largest sum of help to our Madaris comes from Calcutta (Kolkata) and Bombay (Mumbai) and not as an estimation rather with firm information I can say that the money after the work of Tabligh is many times higher than before it.And many of the elders of Madaris also know that in this Service of Madaris people attached with Tabligh are play an important role
In this connection it is important to note for me and you that in this era only those Muslims who have no means to teach their children in Schools and colleges are finally coming to Madarsa.
Not only this rather people like us who has got education in madarsa are also sending their children in Colleges instead of religious education
in expectation of good livelihood .
In this terrible period many people who were full of resources to give good education in colleges.But with the Barkat of this Tabligh effort they are sending their wards to our Madarsas.
After considering all these Letus think that your complaint against Tabligh is ridiculous to what extent.
I am not telling by any means that Tabligh people are angels or wrongdoings are not happening in Tabligh work. Undoubtly in this work there happens many mistakes. And among those who have some connection with this work there are many bad people also.
The structure of this this movement is like, In the words of Maulana Ilyas “ This (Effort) is a washer man Platform All types of dirty, foul and filthy clothes come here.”
But the kind of complain and the way you have done is not correct at all. For many mistakes I myself point out to those who are associated with effort.
But there are certain things in which that a person who has not gone in Jamaat /actively participating will think of urgent change. But those who are actively involved will consider unavoidable. On these matter after giving youropinion you should rely on the Knowledge and ijtahad of the elders of Tabligh.
As I have said in the beginning any thing in this connection should be brought to the notice of Markaz Nizamuddin and not to me. And consider me as feeble.
Wssalam
Muhammad Manzur Nomani
Afallahu Anhu
(May Allah forgive me)
 

SOME WORDS OF REMINDER AND INTROSPECTION (By Translator)
1.I t is for kind reminder for all of us that Markaz Nizamuddin knows only one word that is MUSLIM UMMAH. In their dictionary no one is TABLEEGHI/TABLEEGHI JAMAAT. 
All are Muslims only and all MADARSAS/KHANQAH/IDFFERENT MUSLIM ORGANISATION/ Islamic Scholars are on the one side of table. 
So no one is victim and no one is offender.If someone is offending any one that means he is offending all. e.g If someone is offending Madarsa he is also offending Tabligh and Vice Versa.

2. Markaz people pardon and have their heart clear from all Muslims , They do dua for all Muslims.


3. They want to reach with love to even those who do propaganda and rumours with baseless and absured allegations i.e. Calling them as grave worshiper ,Bigoted Hanafi , Gustakh e Rasool, Wahabi etc...........


Rather one Jamaat went to a country and wrote a letter with a sentence in it 

Yahan.......................(Group name) Ka zor Hai"(Here ...............group is strong).

Nizamuddin Markaz ordered the jamaat to retun back telling" Apne ummat ko Baant diya Ab App ummat mein kaam nahi Kar sakte. Aap wapas chale Aiye."  

You have divided the Ummat and now you cant work in ummat
As explained above and from the words of Maulana Ibraheem sb Dewla in Urdu Our elders of Nizamuddin also point out these mistakes of ours Maulana Zubair sb speech almost revolve around these only but they do in a different way as Maulana Manzoor Nomani Rahimullah has explained in this letter.

What to do if an Aalim raise these issues on Public Forum

1. Still if any Aalim/Mufti raise these matter in Public Forum it is his ijtahad and no general Muslim should tell anything to that Aalim/ by any means should not disrespect him. 

2. You can send him your request personally in this regard.You can clarify if you are anyway related to the issue. Afterwards there is no need of insistence on your advice. Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi Rahimullah has given the guidelines on the same issue. 

(Refer his book on Tablighi Jamaat)

3.  No one should take it as that Aalim is against the work of Tableegh. He is advising for your benefit.Rather he is your well wisher. He wants to correct you for your Falah of Dunia and Akhirah. The only point is that he has done in public forum that is his ijtahad. 


4. In some other instances Even if someone Aalim/General Muslim apparently looks  against the work of Tabligh because of some misunderstanding it does not give us license/ permission to disrespect any scholar or even general Muslim. 

We have been taught lesson of Ikram e Muslim from our beloved Rasulullah  in which Respect of Aalim is at top. 
May Allah guide us.
Your action should convince him.Maulana Ilyas successfully utilized this formula for many.
Misunderstanding can be in any .............Even Maulana Yusuf Rahimullah was not convinced initially 
But when Maulana understood the effort ............Dunia bhar mein Inqalab Barpa Kar diya ....
(Maulana Ali Miyan Rahimullah ne iski tafseel likhi hai Yhan padhein 

...Till Maulana Ilyas the work was very little outside the boundary of Mewat ........It was Maulana Yusuf who carried it to continents of the world. And added new horizons in the work keeping its Manhaj maintained. He was great Scholar of Hadith and good orator.


And as it ia Allah work so when people started thinking that work is going on because of the personality of Maulana Yusuf . By Allah decision he died prematurely at age of 50 years.

Maulana Inaamul Hasana Rahimullah was not a good orator but the work still spread ed at more Pace even more than Maulana Yusuf time.

So Allah is the only Doer  and it is his work. We should do a lot of supplication and Shukar and should seek forgiveness from Allah, that from our action there should not be a bad name for the blessed work of Dawah and Tabligh