THE IMAAM E HERAM TALK
(Sheikh Muhammed Abdullah bin Subail, the head of the Imaams of Makkah Mukarramah and Madina Munawwarah, visited South Africa. He addressed his fellow Muslim brothers at Isipingo Beach on the occasion of the Annual Jalsa of Madarsah Taaleemuddeen. Hereunder is the crux of his deeply inspiring talk.
In his talk IMAM E HARAM has outlined.
1) The importance of Knowledge and Dawah and Tabligh,
2) The requisite qualities for doing Dawah and Tabligh
3) Outline the way of dawah of Hazrat Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam.Special admiration of TABLIGHI JAMAAT for adopting that way.And benefit of its work.
4) Importance of Knowledge and stressing that MADARSAS are essential and complimentary for the work of DAWAH.)
(The subheadings has been made by the blogger)
The talk starts………………
All praise is due to Allah Ta'ala and salutations be upon His beloved Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
I am extremely pleased to gather here on this auspicious occasion with my brothers in Islam. This is the gathering of Da'wah, knowledge and the dissemination of this knowledge.
IMPORTANCE OF KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge is indeed greatly superior since Allah Ta'ala extolled the Ulama in the words: "Allah raises the Believers among you and elevates the people of knowledge to great ranks."
The people of knowledge are those who guide mankind to the Straight Path - the path that leads to Jannah. The Ulama are thus the "Nur" (light) of the land. They illuminate it wherever they go just as we witness it in this land of yours. May Allah Ta'ala cause Islam to spread to an even greater extent in this land by means of these Du'aat (inviters towards Allah Ta'ala).
THE DAWAH AND its importance
These Du'aat are following the directive of Allah Ta'ala. Allah TA'ala instructed Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) thus: "Say! This is my path. I invite towards Allah with confidence. I do so and those who follow me." ... This path is the path of calling towards Allah Ta'ala and towards the true Deen.
The Daa'ie (inviter) calls towards Allah Ta'ala with the knowledge that Allah Ta'ala has revealed in the Holy Quran. About this knowledge Allah Ta'ala says: "The book which we revealed upon them so that they may ponder over its verses and so that the intelligent may take heed."
Hence Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is informing the Ummah that this is his path. Likewise every person whose intention is sincere will tread on this path - the path of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). He will thus invite towards Allah Ta'ala with knowledge and confidence.
DAWAH DUTY OF ALL MUSLIMS
This duty is not restricted to any one group. It applies to every person who has followed the path of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and accepted his guidance. The one who is most deserving to be called the follower of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and the one closest to him is that person who adheres to what has been revealed to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in the Holy Quran and to his Sunnah.
IMPORTANCE OF NON ARAB IN SPREAD OF DEEN
The first recipients of this Quran were the Arabs. While they were honoured with this, a great responsibility was also placed upon them. Allah Ta'ala says: "And verily it is a remembrance for you and your nation, and soon they will be questioned." The Arabs will be questioned with regard to this responsibility of propagating the message of the Quran. Hence Allah Ta'ala also cautions them that "if you turn away He will replace you with another nation. then they will not be like you."
Hence O Arabs, this is an honour for you if you fulfil its responsibility. If you do not do so then Allah Ta'ala will raise another nation who will be better than you in inviting towards His Deen.
This has been openly witnessed. Allah Ta'ala has strengthened Islam greatly with non-Arabs. We find that most of the great works of Tafsir, Hadith and commentaries of Hadith have been compiled by non-Arabs. They were people who followed the Deen of Allah Ta'ala and the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Hence Allah granted them knowledge as well as the ability to practice upon it. Hence He used them to benefit mankind greatly.
You are also aware of the great Ulama of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Khurasan, etc. We regard these personalities as our leaders and we pray to Allah Ta'ala to resurrect us with them in Jannah.
IMPORTANCE OF CALLING TOWARDS ALLAH
Hence whoever has been blessed with Islam, he should invite towards the Deen of Allah Ta'ala and the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). There is really nothing more virtuous than calling towards Allah Ta'ala. Calling towards Allah Ta'ala is the best of actions. If Allah Ta'ala guides a single person by means of your efforts, the virtues are extremely great. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said: "If Allah guides one person by means of your effort, it is better for you than red camels (an extremely valuable possession of the Arabs in those days)."
Allah Ta'ala also says: "Who is better in speech than the one who calls towards Allah and does good actions and says 'verily I am among the Muslims'." TheDaa'ie invites towards Allah and also does good deeds. He firstly practises and also at the same time invites towards the Deen of Allah Ta'ala with extreme love and compassion. Hence who can be better than such a person?
DAWAH IS COMBINATION OF SPEECH AND ACTION
Da'wah takes place by means of speech. However it also takes place to a greater extent by means of action. People accepted the invitation of Islam after they became attracted towards the good actions, noble qualities and humility of those who invited them. This was the manner of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). He was extremely kind and tolerant, even towards those who were rude. He would then invite them towards Islam and they would accept.
KINDNESS AND TOLERANCE IS KEY FOR DAWAH
Once a Bedouin came to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) asked him; "Do you bear witness that there is none worthy of worship besides Allah and that I am His Messenger?" The Bedouin bluntly answered: "No!" This Bedouin then pointed to a live lizard that he had and said: "I will not accept you until this lizard bears witness that you are the Messenger of Allah." Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Give it to me." He then held it in his hands and addressing the lizard asked: "Who am I?" The lizard said: "I bear witness that you are the Messenger of Allah." Upon hearing this and witnessing this miracle the Bedouin proclaimed the Shahadah and accepted Islam. He then went to his nation and invited them towards Islam. Hence they also accepted Islam. This was all due to the kindness and tolerance of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
Similarly Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was once sitting in the Musjid with his companions. A Bedouin came into the Musjid and began urinating in one corner. The people became furious and harshly rebuked him. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said to them: "Leave him alone. Do not rebuke him." When this person had relieved himself Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) instructed one of the Sahaaba (R.A.) to bring a bucket of water and purify the place. He then called the Bedouin and gently said to him: "This is the Musjid - the house of Allah. This is the place to perform Salaah, recite the Holy Quran, tasbeeh, etc. It is not the place to relieve oneself." Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) thus advised him with soft and gentle words. The Bedouin went outside and after mounting his camel said: "O Allah have mercy on Muhammed (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and myself. Do not have mercy on anyone besides us." Due to the kindness of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) the Bedouin loved him and prayed for him. As for those who had rebuked him, he excluded them from hisDua.
Hence it is necessary to adopt love, kindness and gentleness in the course of inviting towards Allah Ta'ala. If people are invited with kindness they will accept. Harshness will only drive the people away.
It is also necessary, especially in these countries, that one should adorn oneself with the qualities of a true Believer. He should apply all the commands of Deen upon himself. This includes being punctual upon Salaah with Jama'ah(congregation). One should refrain from all sins and transgression. One should refrain from disobedience, adultery, drinking, stealing, transacting in interest, lying, backbiting, deceiving, not paying people their dues - even if they be non-Muslims. He should deal with compassion and kindness. Likewise he should fulfil his promises. These are the qualities of a Believer. When one will adorn oneself with these qualities, he will be loved by the people. Hence this will attract them to Islam and they will eventually accept it.
EXAMPLES OF SPREAD OF ISLAM BY STEADFASTNESS ON DEEN, the means adopted by Tablighi Jamaat
Many of the countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, etc. were not conquered by Mujahideen. Islam spread in the these countries by means of traders who were steadfast on Deen. Hence the people loved them and enquired from them about their religion. Thus they entered into the fold of Islam.
Therefore it is necessary for the Daa'ie to adopt these qualities. We thank Allah Ta'ala that he granted the Tabligh Jama'ah the tawfeeq to adopt this noble method. They approach people with love and kindness. Hence we find that, due to their efforts, great benefit has been achieved throughout the world. We beseech Allah Ta'ala to grant them the ability to continue with this good work and may He make all their actions solely for Himself. May they remain steadfast on this noble Da'wah in which there is great benefit for Islam and the Believers. Insha Allah.
IMPORTANCE OF MADARSAS
Likewise disseminating knowledge by means of establishing Madrasahs and teaching the people is of fundamental importance so that the Daa'ie could invite with full knowledge. When a student would graduate from this Madrassah, or any other Madrasah, after he has gained sound knowledge, he would now invite with confidence. Hence his Da'wah would be more beneficial. This was the path of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam).
We beseech Allah Ta'ala to grant us all beneficial knowledge and the ability to do good deeds and make us inviters towards his Deen. May He make us among those who follow the Path of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Finally, may He enable us to bring into our lives His noble words: "And who is better in speech than the one who invites towards Allah and does good deeds..."
