In this chapter, I will quote certain Ahaadith of Rasulullah ﷺ that explain the meaning of the above-mentioned Aayaat of the Qur-aan Shareef. Our intention is not to cover all the relevant Ahaadith. If I quote all the Aayaat and the Ahaadith on this subject, I fear no one will read them, for now-a-days people hardly take out the time for such things. I give below a few sayings of Nabi ﷺ to show the importance of Tableegh and what serious consequences follow if we neglect it.
Translation: It is reported by Hadhrat Abu Sa’eed Al-Khudri رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Whoever sees a haraam action being done, should prevent it with his hand; and if he cannot do this, then he should prevent it with his tongue and if he cannot do this even, then he should at least think of it as a sin in his heart, and this is the lowest level of Imaan.”
In another Hadith, it has been said that if a person can prevent evil with his tongue then he should prevent it. He should otherwise at least think it to be evil in his heart. Another Hadith says that the person who hates sin within his heart, is a true believer, but this is the weakest form of Imaan. This subject is discussed in many sayings of Nabi ﷺ . How many Muslims are there who practice on this Hadith? How many of us stop evil by force? How many with the tongue, and how many of us seriously hate it within our hearts? We have to take stock of ourselves regarding this.
Translation: It has been reported by Nu’maan bin Basheer رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “There are people who do not break the limits (laws)
Translation: of Allah Ta’ala, and there are others who do so. They are like two groups of people on a ship, one of them on the upper deck (storey) and the other, on the lower deck of the ship. So, when the people of the lower deck needed water, they said: ‘Why should we cause discomfort to the people of the upper deck when we can easily have plenty of water by making a hole in our deck.’ Now if the people of the upper deck do not stop this group from such foolishness, all of them will drown, but if they stop them, then they will all be saved.”
The Sahaabah رَضِ اللّٰهُ عَنْ هُمْ asked Rasulullah ﷺ : “O Messenger of Allah (ﷺ ), can we people be destroyed even when there are pious ?” He answered: “Yes, when evil deeds are plentiful in a community (more than their good deeds).” The Muslims are generally worried about the downfall of this Ummah and they give some ideas about how to stop this downfall. Did they ever think as to what is the main cause of our downfall? They fail to see that the true reason of our spiritual and moral downfall, especially when the proper solution has been given to us by Allah Ta’ala and His Rasool ﷺ . It is a pity that the wrong diagnosis and incorrect remedies, including the continued neglect of the responsibility of Tableegh, is causing the Ummah to fall even further. In fact, the main cause of our downfall is that we neither do the effort of Tableegh nor do we help those who are doing Tableegh.
Poetic Translation: How simple minded are you, O Meer! The cause of your sickness is the very same person who you buy medication from
HADITH 3 – THE DOWNFALL OF BANI ISRAA-EEL
Translation: It has been reported by Ibn Mas’ood رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “The destruction of the Bani Israa-eel began like this. When the pious among them saw sins being committed by the sinners, they stopped them. When these sinners did not make taubah, the pious, because of their relationship and friendship, continued to mix with them. Allah Ta’ala thus caused their hearts to be cursed in the same manner.” (i.e. their hearts were also affected with the sins of the sinners). In support of the above, Rasulullah ﷺ read a verse of the Qur-aan which says: “The disobedient and the sinners among the Bani Israa-eel were cursed by Allah.” Rasulullah ﷺ then advised the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ : “You must encourage others to do good deeds and stop them from doing evil. You should stop every tyrant from tyranny (oppressing others) and invite him towards truth and justice.”
Another Hadith says that Rasulullah ﷺ was resting comfortably when, suddenly overcome with emotion, he sat up and said: “I swear by Allah that you people cannot attain najaat (salvation) unless you prevent the tyrants from tyranny.” Another Hadith says that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “You people must call to the truth, and stop the sinners from doing haraam things and stop the tyrants. Bring them towards the right path, otherwise you will be cursed and your hearts will be corrupted, just as Allah Ta’ala did with the Bani Israa-eel.” Rasulullah ﷺ read certain Aayaat of the Qur-aan Shareef to show the importance of this subject. The Bani Israa-eel were cursed because among other sins, they also did not stop others from haraam. Nowadays it is considered as good manners to be at peace with all and please everyone including the sinners. This is definitely a wrong practice, because in extreme cases you may be excused for keeping quiet, but never for falling in line with the tyrants and sinners. At the very least, one must command those people to do good whom they can easily influence, for instance: those who are under him, his servants, his wife, his children, and his relatives. In such situations, to remain silent about Tableegh, cannot be forgiven before Allah Ta’ala. Hadhrat Sufyaan Sauri رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says: “Whoever is very popular and loved by his relatives and neighbours, we suspect him to be compromising in preaching the true teachings of Deen.”
, it affects the sinner only, but when it is committed openly and it is not prevented by those who are able to prevent it, then it affects everybody. How many sins are committed openly in front us every day? Although we have the ability to stop it, we fail to do so. It is a pity that if anyone makes an effort to stop the wrong, these ignorant and shameless people find faults with him instead of helping him.
Translation: “Shortly (after death) the oppressors (wrongdoers) will come to know to which place they will return (Jahannam).” (Surah Shu’araa - Aayah 227)
Translation: Hadhrat Jareer bin Abdullah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says, “I heard Rasulullah ﷺ saying: ‘When a sin is done in front of people and they do not stop it in spite of being able to, Allah Ta’ala will punish them a severe punishment before their death.’”
My dear friends! You wish to see the rise of Islam and the Muslims. You have clearly seen the cause of our downfall. Leave alone the general people, we do not even stop from sin our own family members and others who are under us. We do not even think about stopping evil, let alone doing something about it. We do not even check our own son when he breaks the commandments of Allah Ta’ala, but if he takes some interest in politics, or joins a certain political party, we then worry not only about him but also about our own safety and honour. We then warn him and also think about some plans to be safe and secure from any harm. On the other hand, when he breaks the commandments of Allah Ta’ala, we are not concerned about the life in the Hereafter and about the questioning of the Day of Qiyaamah.
Sometimes you are aware that your son is addicted to some useless things like playing chess and is careless about his Salaah, but you have no courage to prevent him from such habits, or to discipline him, although Allah Ta’ala has clearly commanded you to be firm in uprooting such evils and even cut off relations with the sinner which has been discussed earlier.
كجاست تا؛ 
Translation: Look at the difference between the paths; what a great deviation! Many times a father will be angry with his son, because he is lazy and does not pay attention to his studies or job or business properly, but is there anyone who is angry with his son, because he does not have concern for Salaah with jamaat or he makes his Salaah qadha? My dear friends! As a matter of fact, the ill effects of breaking the commandments of Allah Ta’ala is not only a great loss in the Hereafter but also to our worldly affairs and interests which are so dear to us. This blindness of ours has no limits, for Allah Ta’ala says:
Translation: “Whoever is blind (to the way of guidance and salvation) in this world, will surely be blind in the Hereafter/ Aakhirah (unable to see the way to Jannah) and will be even more astray.” (Surah Bani Israaeel - Aayah 72)
And the reality is that:
Translation: “Allah has placed a seal on their hearts (so that no good enters it) and on their hearing/ ears, while there is a veil over their eyes (so that they neither hear nor see the truth).” (Surah Baqarah - Aayah 7)
Translation: It has been reported by Hadhrat Anas رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “As long as a person says ‘Laailaaha illallaah’ (no one is worthy of worship but Allah Ta’ala), he receives reward, and he is saved from miseries and problems, unless he ignores its rights.” The Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ asked: “O Messenger of Allah ﷺ , how are its rights ignored?” He answered, “When sins are committed openly, and the person who recites the kalimah does not stop the sinners from sin.”
How many sins are committed without any serious effort to stop it? With so many sins being committed around us, the very existence of the Muslims is a great favour of Allah Ta’ala. We are rather inviting the anger of Allah Ta’ala in different ways. Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا asked Rasulullah ﷺ , “When the punishment of Allah Ta’ala comes to the people of any area, does it affect the pious, just as it affects the sinners?” Rasulullah ﷺ answered: “Yes, it does affect all of them in this world but on the day of Qiyaamah the pious will be separated from the sinners.” Therefore, those who are satisfied with their own piety and do not stop others from evil, should not feel that they are safe from the punishment of Allah Ta’ala. If a punishment comes from Allah Ta’ala, they too will be punished.
Translation: Hadhrat Aa’ishah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهَا says: “Once Rasulullah ﷺ entered the house and I saw from his face that something very important had happened. He did not talk to anyone, and after making wudhu he entered the Masjid. I stood behind the wall to hear what he said. He sat on the mimbar and after praising Allah Ta’ala, he said, ‘O Muslims! Allah has commanded you to encourage people to good deeds, and stop them from sins. Otherwise a time will come when you will make dua to Him, but He will not listen to you. You will ask for your needs of Him, but He will not grant them. You will ask for His help against your enemies, but He will not help you.’ After saying this, he stepped down from the mimbar.”
Those people who want to fight the enemies of Islam but neglect to fulfil the basics of Islam, should ponder over this Hadith. They forget that the strength and stability of the Ummah depends upon the propagation of Deen. Hadhrat Abu Darda رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , who is a great Sahaabi of Rasulullah ﷺ , says: “You must command people to do good and stop them from evil, otherwise Allah Ta’ala will cause such a tyrant to rule over you, who will not respect your elders, and will not have mercy on your youngsters. You will make dua to Allah Ta’ala, but He will not accept your dua. You will ask Him for help, but He will not help you. You will ask for His forgiveness but He will not forgive you.” Allah Ta’ala Himself says:
Translation: “O Believers, if you help (in the propagation of the Deen of) Allah Ta’ala, He will help you, and will keep your feet firm (give you strength against your enemies).” (Surah Muhammad - Aayah 7)
’ala says in another verse:
Translation: “O Believers! If Allah Ta’ala helps you, then no one can overpower you and if He does not help you, then who can come to your help. And only in Allah Ta’ala should the Believers trust.” (Surah Aali I’mraan - Aayah 160)
It has been reported in Durr-e-Mansoor from Imaam Tirmizi and others that Hadhrat Huzayfah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ said that Rasulullah ﷺ took on oath: “You must command people to do good and stop them from doing haraam, otherwise Allah Ta’ala will send a severe punishment upon you. Then, even your duas will not be accepted by Him.” Here my respected readers should think and ponder about how many times we break the commandments of Allah Ta’ala. Therefore, this is why our attempts to reform the people fail and our duas are of no use. Instead of sowing the seeds of progress, we cause its downfall.
VIRTUES OF TABLEEGH HADITH 7 – WHEN PEOPLE BEGIN TO GIVE IMPORTANCE TO THE WORLDLY THINGS
Translation: It has been reported by Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ that Rasulullah ﷺ said, “When my followers will begin to give importance to their worldly possessions, their hearts will lose the love of Islam. When they stop calling to the truth, and stop preventing evil, they will lose the blessings of Wahi (revelation) and when they will swear each other, they will lose their respect in the eyes of Allah Ta’ala.”
Those who are concerned about the plight of the Ummah should ponder why their efforts result in failure instead of success. If you people do believe your Rasool ﷺ and his teachings to be true and beneficial, then why do you take those things as useful that he has declared harmful? He says such and such thing will worsen your disease, but you think that they will bring health to you. Rasulullah ﷺ said: “None of you can be a true Muslim unless his wishes are according to the Deen that I have brought.” But you think that Deen is an obstacle with regards to your individual and national progress like that of other nations. Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur-aan Shareef:
Translation: “Whoever desires the harvest of the hereafter, We shall increase his harvest for him. And whoever desires the harvest of this world, We shall give him a part thereof but there is no share for him in the Hereafter.” (Surah Shura - Aayah 20)
A hadith says: “The heart of a Muslim whose object is the life of the Hereafter does not care for the worldly pleasures, yet the world is brought to his feet, on the other hand, whoever hankers after the world, he is overpowered by miseries and calamities, yet he cannot receive more than his allotted portion.” Rasulullah ﷺ read the above Aayah and said: “Allah Ta’ala says: ‘O son of man, give yourself to My worship, and I will free your heart from worldly worries and will remove your poverty. Otherwise, I will fill your heart with a thousand worries and will not remove your poverty.’” These are the words of Allah Ta’ala and His Rasool ﷺ , but you think that Deen and the teachings of Ulama interferes with your worldly progress. Don’t you think that your worldly progress can be very helpful to the Ulama, for then you would be in a better position to serve them? Then why should they oppose you as this will be a loss to them? The Ulama are sacrificing their own worldly interests by speaking out the , by preaching Islam, in order to bring you to the right path. Whatever your Ulama tell you is based on the teachings of the Qur-aan Shareef, and is it sensible for you to turn away from them? If you deny them, then you cannot be a true believer. Those doing Tableegh might have some personal faults, but as long as they are conveying to you the commandments of Allah Ta’ala from the Qur-aan Shareef and the Ahaadith of Rasulullah ﷺ , you are obliged to listen to them and to obey their instructions. If you disobey them, then you have to answer for your disobedience to Allah Ta’ala. Not even a fool would say that the government’s orders should not be obeyed, just because an ordinary servant told you about those orders. Never accuse those who have devoted themselves to the work of Tableegh that, they do it for worldly gains and interest. The true preachers of Islam are never selfish and never ask anything for themselves. The more they make the ibaadah of Allah Ta’ala and devote themselves to the work of Deen, the less attention they pay to worldly efforts. However, if they do ask help of you, then it will be entirely for the sake of Deen (i.e. to propagate Deen and the teachings of the Qur-aan Shareef), wherein they find more satisfaction than in any personal interest. Why should you then hesitate to help them? Generally, the people say that Islam does not ask us to give up our worldly interests and with regards to this the Aayaat of the Qur-aan Shareef are often misunderstood. For instance, there is an Aayah that says:
Translation: “O our Rabb, grant us good in this world, and good in the Hereafter; and save us from the punishment of the Fire (of Jahannam).” (Surah Baqarah - Aayah 201)
Some ignorant people stress that in this Aayah the worldly good is favoured and appreciated by Islam, as much as the good in the Hereafter. In other words, there is no giving up or rejecting of the world in Islam. Such people claim to be ‘learned Ulama’ after having seen only some translations of the Qur-aan Shareef. The true meanings of the Qur-aan Shareef can only be properly understood by those who have looked deep into its Aayaat and are learned on this subject.
Different interpretations of the above Aayah have been explained by the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ , who were the companions of Nabi ﷺ , and the Mufassireen (commentators) are as follows: Hadhrat Qatadah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says: “By ‘good in this world’ is meant peaceful existence and necessary livelihood.” Hadhrat Ali رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says that by ‘good in this world’ is meant a pious wife. Hadhrat Hasan Basri رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says that by ‘good in this world’ is meant knowledge of Islam and ibaadah. Hadhrat Suddi رَحْمَةُ اللّٰهِ عَلَيْهِ says that by ‘good in this world’ is meant lawful earnings. Hadhrat Ibn ‘Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says that by ‘good in this world’ is meant pious children and other people speaking good about you. Hadhrat Ja'far رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ says that by ‘good in this world’ is meant good health, honest living, understanding of the Qur-aan Shareef, victory over the enemies of Islam, and the company of the pious. I would add that if ‘good in this world’ meant our material progress, even then the emphasis in the Aayah is on making dua to Allah Ta’ala for such a ‘good’ but not entirely busying ourselves in chasing after the material world. To ask from Allah Ta’ala, even if it is the fixing of a shoe lace, is in itself a part of Deen. Even if it means honest living, or to be prosperous and self-sufficient, then that too is not forbidden in Islam. However, making effort for Deen should be equal to or even more than making effort for your living in this world. The point is that our efforts for the sake of Deen should at least be as much as for our efforts for the worldly things, if not more, because Islam teaches us to value both this life and the Hereafter. The following verses of the Qur-aan Shareef show more stress and importance on the life Hereafter:
Translation: “Whoever desires the harvest of the Hereafter, We shall increase its harvest for him.” (Surah Shuraa - Aayah 20)
Translation: “Whoever desires this present world (and its benefits), We shall soon grant him/ her whatever We desire (not necessarily what he/ she desires) for whoever We will (not for everyone who desires it); then We will appoint Jahannam for him. He will be thrown headlong, with disgrace. And whoever desires the Aakhirah, and exerts himself for it as he ought to, and he is a Mu’min (true believer), then those are such people whose efforts will be appreciated (rewarded).” (Surah Bani Israaeel - Aayah 18-19)
Translation: “These are the luxuries of the worldly life, but with Allah Ta’ala is a very good abode (Jannah).” (Surah Aali I’mraan - Aayah 14)
Translation: “And amongst you are those who desire the world only; and amongst you are those who desire the Aakhirah (life of the hereafter).” (Surah Aali l’mraan -Aayah 152)
Translation: “(O, Rasulullah ﷺ ) Tell them, “The comforts (enjoyments) of this world is very short. The Aakhirah (life of the hereafter) is much better for those who have Taqwa (fear Allah).” (Surah Nisaa - Aayah 77)
Translation: “The life of this world is nothing but a play (pastime) and sport, and the home of the Aakhirah (hereafter) is best for those with Taqwa (The pious).” (Surah An'aam - Aayah 32)
Translation: “And leave aside those who regard their religion (Islam) as a play and sport (make a mockery of it), and whom the worldly life has deceived.” (Surah An'aam - Aayah 70)
Translation: “You people desire the things (wealth) of this world only, while Allah Ta’ala desires the Aakhirah/ Hereafter (for you).” (Surah Anfaal - Aayah 67)
Translation: “Do you prefer the life of this world instead of the (the great rewards in store in the) Hereafter? The benefits of this worldly life is but little (insignificant) compared to the (comforts and pleasures of the) Hereafter.” (Surah Taubah - Aayah 38)
Translation: “Whoever desires the life of this world and all its adornments, We shall grant them the full rewards for their (good) deeds in this very world and they will not be wronged. They are the ones who shall have nothing but the fire for themselves in the Aakhirah. Whatever (good actions) they did in this world will be lost to them (in the Aakhirah) and all their (good) deeds will be in vain.” (Surah Hood - Aayah 15-16)
Translation: “And they (the Kuffaar) rejoice (boast) about the life of this world; but the worldly life, when compared to the Hereafter, is but something worthless.” (Surah Ra’d - Aayah 26)
Translation: “They shall have Allah Ta’ala’s wrath on them and they shall suffer a terrible punishment. This (punishment) is because they preferred the life of this world to the Hereafter.” (Surah Nahl - Aayah 106-107)
There are many other Aayaat in which the life of this world and the Hereafter has been compared. I cannot mention all of them here, but I have quoted a few of them as examples. Basically, the moral of all the Aayaat is that those who prefer this world to the hereafter will be losers in the long run. If you cannot properly deal with both the worlds, then the life of the hereafter is preferable, and you should fulfil its requirements. We cannot avoid the needs and necessities of this worldly life. For example, we will not sit in the toilet the whole day, but rather only spend that amount of time which is necessary to relieve ourselves. If we carefully study the Shariah, we will have to admit that Islam has shown us the proper place for our worldly jobs and our Islamic duties. We have been commanded to use at least half of our time for our Ibaadaat and spend the other half in our necessities such as resting or earning a living. According to this plan, we can carry out our Islamic duties as well as fulfil our worldly needs. If we totally busy ourselves only with our worldly needs, then we will be unjust and unfair. Justice requires that we should do both, that is, see to our needs of this life as well as the hereafter, so that both are taken care of, because Islam does not ask us to withdraw from this world. This is what is meant by the Aayah:
Translation: “O our Rabb! Give us good in this world and in the Hereafter, and save us from the punishment of the Fire (of Jahannam).” (Surah Baqarah - Aayah 201)
In this chapter, my real object was to quote the sayings of Rasulullah ﷺ about the work of Tableegh. The seven that I have quoted above are sufficient for true believers. As for the disbelievers, Allah Ta’ala says:
Translation: “Shortly the oppressors (wrongdoers) will come to know to which place they will return (Jahannam).” (Surah Shu’araa - Aayah 227)
Some sayings of Rasulullah ﷺ indicate that there will come a time when everyone will follow his own desires and temptations and no one will pay any attention to the teachings of Deen or the commandments of Allah Ta’ala. In those times, Rasulullah ﷺ has advised us not to worry about the reformation of others and to engage ourselves in the ibaadah of Allah Ta’ala in seclusion, rather than delivering lectures to the people. But the pious ones say that such a period has not yet come; therefore, try your best to reform yourself and to encourage others, before such a time comes. We must avoid those shortcomings pointed out above by Rasulullah ﷺ , as these are the doors through which corruption will occur in our personal life as well as in the Ummah. Rasulullah ﷺ has counted these shortcomings among the causes of our destruction.
Translation: “O Allah! Save us from the tests of sins, whether they are visible or hidden.” Aameen.