There are two Tabligh Jamaat groups.

Answer

Do not join any one of the two opposing factions who have daggers in their hearts for each other.

Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahmatullah alayh) said:

―The Madaaris should understand that it is incumbent to impart the full Arabic syllabus (Dars-e-Nizaami) to every student. All the kitaabs should be taught to those who have a compatibility (with Ilm) and whose understanding is excellent.

Those who lack such a munaasabat (compatibility) or they lack fahm-e-saleem, should be taught the basic essentials, then they should be advised to branch off into some worldly occupation such as trade or commerce.

Every person is not qualified to be a leader. Some are completely unfit (naa-laayaq). It is khiyaanat (abuse of trust) to allow such incompetent ones to become muqtada (leaders).

Nowadays, the principles and teachers totally ignore this fact. Do all the students n their Madaaris have a munaasabat with Ilm? Do all of them have fahm-e-saleem? Never! Why do they not select from the students?

For such students (who lack munaasabat and fahm-esaleem) a shorter course should be arranged. They should not be taught beyond its limit. The shorter course should be adequate for understanding the necessary masaail of the Deen.‖ (End of Hadhrat Thanvi's naseehat)

The naseehat of Hadhrat Thanvi (Rahmatullah alayh) is based on the Hadith of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam):

―He who imparts Ilm (i.e.

higher Ilm) to the unfit one, is like one who garlands khanaazeer (pigs) with pearls, diamonds and gold.‖

This warning and naseehat are completely ignored by all the Madaaris. The emphasis is on bulk production of molvis to enhance the worldly status of the institution. Ilm is no longer imparted for the Pleasure of Allah Ta'ala. The motivation is the dunya and nafsaaniyat. These unqualified molvis then abuse Ilm to gain fulfilment for their nafsaaniyat of hubbe-maal (love of money) and hubb-e-jah (love for name and fame). This method of the Madaaris has created the Carrion Cartels and the Riba Halaalizers (the so-called ‗shariah' boards of the riba banks), and the interfaith gang of murtaddeen. These are the Menks, Reverend Bhams, swamis and pundits masquerading as ulama. They become

agents of Iblees.

THE MASNOON

WALIMAH

Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: ―Evil is the food of a walimah to which have been invited only the wealthy while the poor have been left out.‖ Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) also said:

―The Nikah with the most barkat is the one in which the least expense is incurred.‖

Today, nothing - absolutely nothing - of the Sunnah Walimah remains. The wedding reception - the function after the nikah - is not a Walimah in the meaning of the Sunnah. On the contrary, it is a function of israaf (waste), riya (show) and kibr (pride).

The Sunnah Walimah is the obligation of the groom. He should invite a few relatives, friends and poor persons to a simple meal at his home. There is no need for another venue and no need to invite the whole family/tribe.

Another way of fulfilling the Walimah obligation is to prepare food and send it to the poor. There is great barkat in the simple ways of the Sunnah. The ostentatious feasts and functions of these times are the effects of the nafs and the inspirations of shaitaan.

THE EFFECT OF HUMILITY

When friends, relatives and neighbours annoy or offend you, then you are required to restrain yourself. Keep back your anger. By constant struggle and restraining the nafs, it will become your natural disposition (tabiyet), which further develops. Then when people vex you, you will not become annoyed. You will not take offence. This is humility. Humility is not a mere external façade of smiles, greeting and niceties.

Nowadays there has spread the calamity (balaa) of futile titles. These titles did not exist in former days. No one was in former days called Shaikhut Tafseer and Shaikhul Hadith. In fact, most Akaabir (senior Ulama) were not even called ‗Maulana'. They were only referred to as ‗Molvi Saheb'. But nowadays, you have Shaikhut Tafseer, Shaikhul Hadith, Imaamush Shariat, Imaamul Hind and Shaikhul Hind. This title of Shaikhul Hind was adopted for Hadhrat Maulana Mahmod Deobandi (rahmatullah alayh). In fact he was Shaikhul Aalam (i.e. Shaikh of the world). But, those who professed love for him awarded him the deficient title of Shaikhul Hind. All this is the influence of liberalism. Now, a novel kind of title has been lately introduced. In this regard I usually say, that inspite of a man being a human being, the names of animals have been chosen. Someone is called ‗Bulbul-e- Hind' (The Nightingale of Hind); someone is titled ‗Tauta-e-Hind' (The Parrot of Hind). Now, the next step will be ‗Gung-e-Hind' (The Wolf of Hind); ‗Isp-e-Hind' (The Stallion of Hind); ‗Feel-e- Hind' (The Elephant of Hind) and ‗Khar-e-Hind' (The Donkey of Hind). What drivel is all this? People have completely abandoned the simple ways of our seniors.

Similarly has developed the futile custom of kissing the hands (of a buzrug).

(Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)

Comment: A new addition to this drivel is the title Qutbul Irshaad.

HIDAAYAT

In many Aayaat of the "He (Allah) guides whomever

Qur'aan it is stated that He wills to Siraatul Mushidaayat (guidance) is the pretaqeem."

rogative of Allah Ta'ala. On- (Al-Baqarah, Aayat 142)

ly He guides. No one's effort - no one's tableegh, not even the tableegh of a Nabi can guide people to the Deen. Therefore, the one who offers naseehat and engages in tableegh should not become disappointed if he sees that his efforts are not yielding benefit.

While the reward for naseehat and tableegh is assured, hidaayat is not. Allah Ta'ala guides only those whom He wills to be guided.

TAWAADHU'

(HUMILITY)

Tawaadhu (humility) is to regard yourself as the most despicable person, the most despicable of Allah Ta'ala's Creation - even lower than an animal - even lower than a dog.

One is unaware of one's future and what will happen to him at the time of maut (death) or in the Aakhirah (Hereafter). No one has a guarantee that he will leave this dunya with his Imaan intact. In relation to the Aakhirah, one does not know. Therefore, one has to develop the feeling - the emotion - the consciousness that ‗I am the lowest and most contemptible of creation.'

EATING FROM TABLES

Irrespective of whatever interpretation or argument is presented to justify eating from tables, the actual reason for this (style of eating) is tashabbuh (i.e. imitating the kuffaar). While the conscience of people (i.e. of those who have not lost their souls to modernity and kufr culture) bothers them, they nevertheless, onerously endeavour to make this practice lawful.

(Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)

THE MAUT OF THE THAAKIR

Whether the heart derives pleasure or not, continue with Thikrullah. Thikrullah is wonderful. Its value and benefit will be understood at the time of death. A person in whose heart thikr has become engrained, his death is very pure and holy.

(Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)