(#175)
Question
What is the evidence that participating in Tablighi Jamaat activities yields the same reward as the Sahabah when they went out in the path of Allah? And what actions are considered as going out in the path of Allah according to Islamic teachings?
Answer
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
حامدا و مصليا و مسلما
Muhtaram
We have received your query relating to going out in the path of Allah Ta’ala, our response is as follows:
The work of Tableegh is no doubt a very elevated and noble work and the fruits of the work are manifest for all to see. Many of our Muslim brothers who were completely far from Deen have, through the Grace of Allah Ta’aala, benefitted tremendously by going out in the path of Allah Ta’ala. A genuine spiritual reformation is evident in their day to day lives.
The honourable Sahabah radiyallahu anhum sacrificed their lives for the Deen. Undoubtedly their sacrifices are unparalleled. It is a great bounty of Allah Ta’ala that the brothers involved in the effort of Dawat and Tabligh also sacrifice their lives, time and wealth for the upliftment of Deen. The Qur’an & Ahadeeth have mention of great rewards for the one who sacrifices for the Deen. The common terms utilised in the Qur’an and Ahadeeth are Jihad & Fee Sabeelillah (path of Allah Ta’ala). The one who sacrifices for the Deen in a method which is according to the Sunnah can be included within these two terms. Thus the one who traverses the path of acquiring Deeni knowledge, the one who goes towards the Masjid, the one who goes for Hajj, and the one who goes out for Dawat & Tabligh are all in the path of Allah Ta’ala. Yes, the Ayat and Ahadeeth which have mention of the word Qitaal (and it’s like) & those texts that refer to specific incidents of Qitaal should not be understood with so much generality.
The evidences that Fee Sabeelillah includes the effort of Dawat & Tabligh are many. The following narrations are but a few examples which mention the generality of the word Fee Sabilillah and similar words.
قال أبو هريرة رضي الله عنه وأبو ذر رضي الله عنه مرفرعا: إذا جاء الموت لطالب العلم وهو على هذه الحال مات وهو شهيد (خرجه البزار باسناد لا بأس به، المتجر الرابح ٢٣ ح٣٣)
Hadrat Abu Hurairah Radiyallahu anhu and Hadrat Abu Zarr Radiyallahu anhu narrate: When death comes to a seeker of knowledge, and he is in this condition, then he has died as a Shaheed.
عن انس رضي الله عنه مرفوعا: من خرج في طلب العلم فهو في سبيل الله تعالى
(الترمذي وقال حديث حسن غريب ورواه بعضهم فلم يرفعه)
It is narrated by Hadrat Anas radiyallahu anhu : Whoever goes out in search of (Deeni) knowledge then he is in the path of Allah Ta’ala.
عن ابي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال سمعت النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: من جاء مسجدي هذا لم يأته الا لخير يتعلّمه او يعلّمه فهو بمنزلة المجاهد في سبيل الله
(الحديث، ابن ماجه)
Hadrat Abu Hurairah radiyallahu anhu mentions that he heard Nabi Sallallahu alai wa sallam say: Whoever comes to my Masjid only to learn & teach goodness, such a person is like a Mujahid in the path of Allah Ta’ala.
عن الحسن ان أصحاب رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم سألوه ما نفقتنا على أهلينا؟ قال: ما انفقتم على اهليكم في غير اسراف ولا تقتير فهو في سبيل الله
(ابن ابي شيبة)
The companions of Rasulullah Sallallahu alai wa sallam asked him regarding the ruling of spending on ones family? Nabi sallallahu alai wa sallam said: What you spend on your family without excess and without miserliness is in the path of Allah Ta’ala.
قال أبو امامة رضي الله عنه: الغدو والرواح الى هذه المساجد من الجهاد في سبيل الله (رواه احمد في مسنده ٥/٢٦٨)
Hadrat Abu Umamah Radiyallahu anahu states: Going to these Masajid in the morning & evening is from Jihad Fee sabeelillah.
عن بريدة رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم النفقة في الحج كالنفقة في سبيل الله الدرهم بسبع مائة ضعف (احمد، الطبراني)
Hadrat Buraidah radiyallahu anhu states that Rasulullah Sallallahu alai wa sallam said: Spending in Hajj is like spending in the path of Allah Ta’ala. One Dirham (silver coin) is multiplied by seven hundred times.
عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت: يا رسول الله هل على النساء جهاد؟ قال : نعم جهاد لا قتال فيه ، الحج و العمرة جهادهن (ابن ماجه و احمد والطبراني)
Sayyidatina Aisha Radiyallahu anha said: O Messenger of Allah Ta’ala, is there any Jihad on women? He replied yes, such a Jihad where there is no fighting, Hajj & Umrah is their Jihad.
Multiple examples have been presented in the book of Hadratul Ustaadh Mufti Ateequr Rahman Azami hafidhahullah “Jihaad ka Saheeh Mafhoom”, also refer to the work of Hadrat Shaikhul Hadeeth Moulana Muhamamd Zakaria Sahib rahimahullah “ Jamaat-e-Tabligh par I’tiraazat ke Jawaabat”
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Answered by:
Muhammad Irshad Motara
