Translation: Abu Khadeejah Al-Atharee
Religious verdicts have been passed by reliable scholars of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamâ'ah concerning these Jamâ'ât (Tableegh and others) which support the fact that they are upon Bid’ah; and which indicates the fact one must be cautious and distant from them.
Among the verdicts are:
1 - The Fatwa of Shaykh Muhammad bn Ibrâhîm Âli-Shaykh as in his Fatâwâ wa Rasâil (Verdicts and Letters) (1/267). He said:
'This group, i.e. 'Kuliyyatu Da’wah Wa Tablîgh Al-Islâmiyyah' (the Tablîgh Jamâ'ah) is of no virtue. It is a group of Bid’ah and misguidance. By reading some booklets… I found that it comprises misguidance, Bid’ah, the call to grave-worship and polytheism."
2- Shaykh 'Abdul 'Azîz Bn Bâz (d. 1420AH) (rahimahu-Llâh) said while answering questions concerning the al-Ikhwânul Muslimûn and the Tablîgh Jamâ'ah which reads:
'Are they among the seventy-two lost sects?', he replied:
'Yes, whoever contradicts the 'aqîdah of the Ahlus-Sunnah is among the seventy-two lost sects.'
3- Shaykh Al-Albânî (d. 1421AH) (rahimahu-Llâh) said:
'I believe that the da’wah of Tablîgh is a modern form of Sufism (mystics). It does not rely on the Kitâb and the Sunnah of the Messenger (sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam).'
He further said: 'It is surprising to me that they go out for propagation (tablîgh) while they themselves know that they are not entitled to propagate. Propagation is meant to be administered by the people of knowledge because the Messenger of Allâh (sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would send only the noble, scholarly and exegetes among his Companions to teach the Deen of Islâm to people…'
4- The saying of Shaykh 'Abdur-Rahmân Al-'Afîfî comes up later - In Shâ'Allâh (download the whole book below). 5- Shaykh Muhammad Sâlih Al-'Uthaymîn (d. 1422AH) (rahimahu-Llâh) refuted a number of their Bid’ah among which is his statement concerning their Six Points. He says:
‘These issues, as mentioned by the questioner, are surely nice but defective. The reason for its defects is that the Deen that the Prophet (sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) brought is composed of what is mentioned in the Hadîth of 'Umar bn Al-Khattâb (radiyAllâhu'anhu).
The Messenger (sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said; 'It is Jibrîl who has come to teach you your Deen''… without doubts, these Six Points they call to has a lot of defects that they must make up for with what is evident in the Sharî'ah.
The Eminent Shaykh was asked, 'What is your opinion about the saying of some people that the statement of 'lâilâha illa llâh' means ‘the removal of false certainty about matters and the bringing in the true certainty about the essence of Allâh.' They meant that it is He Allâh Who harms and benefits, revives and kills, nothing can harm or benefit except that it is Allâh Who make it cause harm and benefit?’
He responded thus;
"This statement is defective because it is only a part of the meanings of Lâilâha illa llâh. Its real meaning - which the Messenger ('alahis salâm) called to and about which the polytheists disbelieved - is that there is no deity worthy of worship in truth other than Allâh. In the Arabic Grammar, the word Al-Illâh is in the object case while the measure fa'âl could also come in the object case as in many instances such as in firâsh (bed) meaning mafrûsh (what is laid upon), binâ (building) meaning mabniyy (the built) and girâs (hole) meaning magrûs (that which is dug).
Therefore, Illâh (deity) with the meaning Ma'lûh (the One being worshiped) refers to the One the heart loves, desires and exalts. These are not worthy to be devoted to - in truth – besides Allâh. This is the meaning of Lâilâha illa llâh.
Scholars have grouped Tawhîd (Islamic monotheism) in to three: Rubûbiyyah, Ulûhiyyah, and Asmâ' was Siffât.
Tawhîd-ar-Rubûbiyyah - It refers to the attribution of creation, dominion and the control of all affairs to Allâh (the One Who is free of all defects) alone.
Tawhîd-al-Ulûhiyyah - It refers to the attribution of the right of worship to Allâh Alone.
Tawhîd-al 'Asmâ' was-Sifât – It refers to the attribution to Allâh of what He deserves of Names and Attributes exactly as He puts it without Tahrîf (distortion), Ta'tîl (denial), Takyîf (saying how?) or Tamthîl (representation).
If some people would say, this division of Tawhîd is Bid’ah. We would say: when we researched into textual-evidences concerning Tawhîd, we found out that they do not fall outside these three divisions.
To establish a matter, it must be based on research and an established conformity as could be found in the Qur'ân as in the statement of Allâh – the Most High;
''Have you seen him who disbelieved in Our Âyât (this Qur'ân and Muhammad (sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)) and (yet) says: I shall certainly be given wealth and children (if I will be alive (again)). Has he known the unseen or has he taken a covenant from the Most Gracious (Allâh)?'' (Maryam: 77-78)
The answer is thus neither of the two is applicable and as such, Allâh says:
'Nay! We shall record what he says, and We shall increase his torment (in the Hell). (Maryam: 79)’
6- His Eminence, Shaykh At-Tuwayjirî (rahimahu-Llâh) has a one volume treatise explaining the heresies, and warnings against the Jamâ'ah Tablîgh. The book is entitled: 'Al-Qawlul-Balîgh fît-Tahdhîr min Jamâ'atit-Tablîgh' (the Eloquent Statement of Warning against the Tablîgh Jamâ'ah). It is published and widespread.
He said while answering a question:
'I will like to admonish the questioner and others who care about cleansing their Deen from the impurities of Shir'k, extremism, bid’ah and superstitions not to join the Tablîgh. They should never go out with them whether in Saudi Arabia or outside. This is because, the least that could be said about the Tablîgh people is that they are people of bid’ah, misguidance, ignorance about their 'aqîdah and their methodology. For those who possess such derogatory qualities, there is no doubt that to distant oneself from them is the only measure of safety."
7- His Eminence, Ash-Shaykh Sâlih Al-Lahîdân (rahimahu-Llâh) said: 'Ikhwân and the Tablîgh Jamâ'ah are not among the people of sound methodology. The fact is, all Jamâ'ât and appellations have no basis with the Salaf of this Ummah.'
8 - His Eminence, Ash-Shaykh 'Abdullâh Bn Ghadyân (hafidhahu-Llâh) said:
‘This country - i.e. Saudi Arabia, may Allâh protect it from all evil - used not to know the name of Jamâ'ât before. It got to us from foreign countries…for example; we now have what is called Al-Ikhwânul Muslimûn. We also have the Tablîgh Jamâ'ah and so many other Jamâ'ât while each sees itself as the best and as such, claims that people should join their Jamâ'ah. They believe only their Jamâ'ah on the truth.
How many then are on the truth? The truth is one… but in a situation whereby every Jamâ'ah lays down a system of operation, with a leader while each of these Jamâ'ât carries out oath of allegiance (bay’ah) and wants that they only are to be associated with. They disunite people - i.e. in a particular city-; you will find out that its people are in a state of dissention…
This is alien to the Deen because the Deen is one, the truth is one and the Ummah is one. Allâh the Exalted says:
'You are the best Ummah… '' (Âli Imrân: 110) and He did not say: 'You are groups…'
In essence, these Jamâ'ât came to us and carried out their activities in the country; devilish activities for that matter. There are now claims for Jamâ'ah Al-Ikhwânul Muslimîn and Jamâ'ah Tablîgh even in the girls' schools. Why won’t someone love to be with the Prophet (sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam)?! [instead of these groups?]
9- His Eminence Ash-Shaykh 'Abdul-Muhsin Al-'Abbâd (Hafidhahu-Llâh) said concerning the groups: Ikhwân and Tablîgh:
'Firstly, these new different sects were invented. They were born in the fourteenth century (of Hijrah) and they were previously non-existent. They were in the world of the dead before they were thereafter born in the fourteenth century.
However, the birth of the sound methodology and the straight path was since the advent of the noble Prophet (sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and it is based on what the Messenger (sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and his Companions were upon since he was raised as a Prophet. Whoever adheres to this truth and guidance is safe and secure while he who departs from them is astray.
Those sects or Jama'ât are known to have the correct and wrong sides but their wrongdoings are greater and should as such, be avoided. One should therefore hearken to follow the Jamâ'ah whose people are of Ahlus-Sunnah wal-Jamâ'ah who are upon the methodology of the Salaf of the Ummah.'' 10- The Standing Committee which comprised the following Shuyûkh: 'Abdullâh Bn Qu'ûd, 'Abdullâh Bn Ghadyân, Abdur-Razzâq Al-'Afîfî, and their head, Shaykh 'Abdul 'Azîz Bn Bâz (Rahimahumu-Llâh wa hafidhahum), was asked by a questioner as thus:
'I am a university student. I live in an environment of different views and ideologies; among several Jamâ'ât while each of them claims to be superior to others and does its best to gain more membership; the likes of Al-Ikhwânul-Muslimîn and Tablîgh Jamâ'ah."
He further mentioned other Jamâ'ât and said:"I wish you direct us to the correct path?''
The Committee replied:
"What is compulsory on you is to stick to the truth that is supported with evidence without taking sides with any particular Jamâ'ah. The best Jamâ'ah to collaborate with is the one that takes good care of sound 'aqîdah on which the Imâms of the Salaf-Sâlih (ridwânullâhi 'alayhim) were upon; that adheres strictly to the Book of Allâh and the Sunnah of the Prophet (sal-Allâhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and discards all bida'u and superstitions. With Allâh lies success."
10- His Eminence, Ash-Shaykh Sâlih Fawzân has so many Fatâwâ warning against the Tablîgh Jamâ'ah in his valuable book entitled: 'Al-Ajwibatul-Mufîdah 'An As'ilatil-Manâhijil-Jadîdah' wherein a questioner asked:
‘What is this Tablîgh Jamâ'ah? What is the methodology it follows? Is it permissible to join them and go out with their individuals for da’wah - as they say, assuming they are students of knowledge who profess a sound 'aqîdah as with the natives of this country?
He responded saying: "The Jamâ'ah that it is pertinent to associate and go out with is the Jamâ'ah of Ahlus-Sunnah Wal-Jamâ'ah which follows the path of the Prophet and his Companions. Nevertheless, whoever contradicts this fact should be disowned.
Yes, by obligation, we have to call them to Allâh and to the Sunnah of the Prophet, but to join them, go out with them and follow their foot-steps while knowing that they are not on the correct path, this is not permissible since it implies associating with other than the Jamâ'ah of Ahlus Sunnah wal-Jamâ'ah.
He was also asked: "What is the verdict on the existence of these sects, the like of Tablîgh, Al-Ikhwânul-Muslimûn and others particularly in our country and in all Islâmic countries in general?"
He replied: 'We must not accept all of these newly arrived Jamâ'ât because they only aimed at disuniting us by making this person a Tablîghî, this person Ikhwânî, the other person so-and-so; why the disunity?!
"This is an act of ingratitude to the blessing of Allâh as He said:
'…and remember Allâh's favour on you for you were enemies to one another but He joined your hearts together, so that by His grace, you became brethren (in Islâmic faith)'' (Âli Imrân: 103).
Why do we descend so low (by breaking-up) while Allâh had favored us with togetherness, harmony and the sound path? Why should we then ascribe ourselves to a party (hizb) which will divide us, distort our unity and plant enmity among us? This is never permissible!
I personally witnessed the animosity of the Tablîgh Jamâ'ah regarding the 'aqîdah of tawhîd and their hostility to those who mention it.
11- The sayings of Ash-Shaykh Zayd Bn Hâdî Al-Madkhalî (hafidhahu-Llâh);
‘O Tablîgh Jamâ'ah, by Allâh! We love that the Deen of Allâh be propagated even for twenty-four hours daily but…in what manner do we teach people? We have to teach them the correct knowledge and methodology. You cannot successfully acquire and protect this until you sit with the scholars that are capable to direct you towards a sound and unblemished direction. But concerning their going out to skylines without knowing the correct meaning of lâilâha illâ llâh, we disavow this for them and we invite them to this saying: 'People need knowledge…!'
But for your reliance on the Soofee methodology and your subservience to those who have allegiance to Sufi ideologies, we will never agree with you on this and will not say that you are on the (right) path of Allâh and as such, cleanse the Da’wah from the errors regarding its methodology….
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