Question:
The effort of Tableegh Jamaat is around for about fifty years. The syllabus is three chillahs (4 months) in a lifetime; and one chillah (40 days) every year; and three days every months; and two gasht every week, one locally and the other outside; and daily ta’leem; and being present on Thursday nights in the markaz; and helping the Jamaat that comes. This is considered necessary.
Is this method Fardh, Wajib, Sunnah or Mustahab in Shariah? Or does it have some status?
Before this the scholars and pious people did tableegh in their own ways and they were not connected to this Tableegh Jamaat. Did this necessitate any Sharee sin?
Answer:
Tableegh (Conveying the message of the Religion of Islam) is Fardh Kifaayah. It is a phenomenal act of virtue. It is a great fortune for every Muslim to take part in this significant effort as much as he can in accordance to his knowledge and conditions. Shariah did not fix any specific day or time for this effort. One may choose whichever method and syllabus is beneficial and practical.
The Ummah has benefited and is benefitting tremendously by the congregational Tableegh Jamaat effort that was introduced by Hazrat Maulana Ilyaas (May Allah have mercy on him) and his successors. It has been established by experience and the testimony (of many) that the concern and worry of the Hereafter (Aakhirah) and Deen increases in those people who join them in this effort.
For every congregational effort there is a need for a timetable and syllabus. In the same manner that in Islamic schools a timetable and syllabus is followed, similarly in this (Tableegh Jamaat) effort a timetable and syllabus has been laid down. The same way that the syllabus of the Islamic schools is not Fardh or Wajib, rather they are permissible, similarly is the ruling of the syllabus of Tableegh Jamaat.
If a person has a better syllabus and method, he may use it. There is no sin in that. It is not necessary that he must join that Jamaat. However the person that joins this Jamaat should follow the set syllabus so as not to cause disorder and chaos.
And Allah knows best
(Hazrat Mufti) Muhammad Rafi’ Usmani (May Allah Preserve him)
Imdaadus Saa’ileen Vol.1 Pg.305-306
