Tableeghi Jamaat: On the scale of Qur'aan & Sunnah!

At the outset, it must be clarified that we are neither part of Tableeghi Jamaat nor have completed their recommendation of going out for 4 months in the path of Allah (SWT). Our only intention is to present the issue of “Tableeghi Jamaat” and their methodology in a manner which is understandable to people because in the Western world there are too many Muslims who have neither gone forth in the path of Allah (SWT) nor have ever bothered to seek clarifications firsthand about their principles and practice, rather their perception is based on googling or watching certain youtube videos about this group. During the process of research for this article, we read a number of sites which “claim” to have performed rigorous research but to be frank it was evident within reading a few paragraphs that they have neither studied the subject nor have ever consulted the Scholars and the experienced members of this movement.

First and foremost there is no such thing as “Tableeghi Jamaat” since there is no registered office, no site, no manual, no text claiming to be such. Since this movement prides itself in giving Dawah the public has ascribed the words “Tableeghi Jamaat” or “Jammatud-Dawah Wal-Tableegh” in the Arab world.

Secondly, there is no sect called “Tableeghi Jamaat” because those who go out in the path of Allah (SWT) vary in their adherence to Schools of Aqeedah (Asha’ari, Maturidi or Athari) and Schools of Fiqh (Hanafi, Maliki, Shaf’ae or Hanbali) and many around the world don’t even adhere to a School of Fiqh. There is no instruction, rule or principle that a particular Aqeedah or Madhab needs to be followed. However there is no participation or encouragement from Rawafidh (Shia). The Usool (principle) is for those go out in the path of Allah (SWT) to seek knowledge and Fatawa from ther local Scholars and as a result you see Jamaats (groups which go out) vary from being Ashari/Maturidi (Hanafi) to being Salafi and all shades in between and the those who are in charge of Shura (administration) in a particularly geographical area also vary depending on the Ulamah whom they consult. For those who like to condemn “Tableeghi Jamaat” as adhering to a specific school of Aqeedah of Madhab, we would like to request them to bring forth their clear and unambiguous proof rather than clippings of certain Scholars because as already stated that those who go out in Jamaat can vary.

Thirdly, “Tableeghi Jamaat” is a movement of Dawah for the revival of Islam as there are many other movements to return the Muslim (Ummah) as a whole to the life of Sunnah of our beloved Rasul-ullah (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) and Allah (SWT) knows best on the individual rankings and merits of these movements. All Muslims are requested to serve the Deen of Allah (SWT) according to the best of their ability and capacity in whichever organisation or movement they deem to be closer to Sunnah, advantageous and effective but its their responsibility to steer clear of propaganda and have Husnud-Dhan (Good thoughts) about their fellow Muslims as our Beloved (Sallaho Alaihe Wassallam) reminded us:

‏إِيَّاكُمْ وَالظَّنَّ فَإِنَّ الظَّنَّ أَكْذَبُ الْحَدِيثِ وَلَا ‏ ‏تَحَسَّسُوا ‏ ‏وَلَا ‏ ‏تَجَسَّسُوا ‏ ‏وَلَا تَنَافَسُوا وَلَا تَحَاسَدُوا وَلَا تَبَاغَضُوا وَلَا ‏ ‏تَدَابَرُوا ‏ ‏وَكُونُوا عِبَادَ اللَّهِ إِخْوَانًا

“Avoid suspicion, for suspicion is the gravest lie in talk and do not be inquisitive about one another and do not spy upon one another and do not feel envy with the other, and nurse no malice, and nurse no aversion and hostility against one another. And be fellow-brothers and servants of Allah.” [Muslim]

This booklet will neither address every single objection on “Tableeghi Jamaat” will it be the last word on the subject and those who have an inherent hatred towards this movement will no doubt attempt to refute or find faults in what is written and there is no objection to that because if they believe that this organization is based on heresy and deviation then they are duty-bound to refute it; all we ask our Muslims brothers and sisters to read with an open mind and make dua to Allah (SWT) to show them the right way.

Lastly, we recommend that anyone who has objections and reservations on the matter should discuss it directly with the Scholars of Tableeghi Jamaat in their respectively city (or country) and then further correspondence can also be done with the Shura of Tableeghi Jamaat and we reproduce the address in India and Pakistan for the purpose of correspondence. Before proceeding please evaluate your intention and ensure that it is to first and foremost to please Allah (SWT) and secondly to read and investigate with an open mind.

Tableeghi Jamaat Shura (India): Banglawali Masjid, 168 W. Nizamuddin, Basti Nizamuddin, New Delhi, India

 Tableeghi Jamaat Shura (Pakistan): Madrassa Arabia, Raiwind, Lahore, Pakistan.