Letter to a friend

Walaikumussalaam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa barakaatuh

You have asked me concerning this Jamaat which is called Tableegh Jamaat. What you have heard about this Jamaat and what people have told you about it is not true. Alhamdulillah, this Jamaat is doing a lot of good work just as you yourself have acknowledged their sincerity. If you do not believe, then join them, observe them and make your own experience, then you yourself will tell me how nice it is. Insha Allah, you will get the fervour, willpower and desire to live in the obedience of Allah Ta’ala and according to the Mubaarak principle of His Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam). You have told me that such and such person has such and such flaws in him although he is a member of Jamaat. However, you should not look at it in this way. You should see whether such and such person had more shortcomings before joining Jamaat or after. I give you the guaranty that they were worse before joining the Jamaat: Due to this Jamaat, they have reformed themselves and have become somehow better. So, tell me yourself what is the problem with the Jamaat? Did Jamaat make him worse or reformed him? Should Jamaat be blamed for that little shortcoming that he still has or should he be congratulated due to the great change that came about in his life?

If a person who comes to perform Salah, steals the sandals and shoes of the Musalli, is the Imaam, the Masjid or the Salah responsible for it?

You are wrong if you expect to become a great ‘Aalim or a great scholar by joining Jamaat as this is not the work of the Tableegh Jamaat. Nonetheless, I can assure you that you will get the yearning all the more to become good. This is the goal of Tableegh Jamaat. I can say that this is the only Jamaat that has been able to realise this goal to a higher percentage than other groups. Who knows that the little Deen that you have in you, may - to a certain percentage - be due to the contribution of the Tableegh Jamaat. One should never kick the stomach of the one who has breastfed one. It would be for one’s own benefit. Wassallam!

[English version of "Lettre à un ami (tabligh jamaate)" – Al Jamiat – Vol.1 No.4]