Introduction
In this chapter, I would write down a few points for the Muslims so that they may know how to respect the Ulama and those doing Tableegh. Today it is normal to find faults with the Ulama as well as those doing Tableegh. This is very harmful from an Islamic point of view. Everywhere in the world, there are good as well as bad people. If there are a few bad Ulama also, it is understandable. Take note of two important points! Firstly, you should not think bad about anyone, unless you have solid proof.
Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur-aan Shareef:
Translation: “And do not pursue something which you have no knowledge of, because everyone will be questioned as to how he used his ears and eyes and the heart.” (Surah Bani Israaeel - Aayah: 36)
Obviously, it is wrong to reject the good advice of a person doing Tableegh just because you have some doubts about him. The Jews translated their holy books into Arabic, and would read them to the Muslims. Rasulullah ﷺ was so careful that he advised: “O Muslims, you should neither accept nor reject what they say. You should rather say: ‘We believe in everything which Allah Ta’ala has revealed.’” In other words, he stopped us from rejecting even a kaafir’s word without first verifying it. We are such that we do not pay attention to those doing Tableegh and attack them even though we know that they are pious and sincere. The second thing that you must remember is that the pious Ulama and those doing Tableegh are human beings. They too may have some weaknesses. They will answer for their good or bad deeds and the final decision belongs to Allah Ta’ala. I hope that by His mercy and kindness He forgives them. They have been sacrificing and serving His Deen throughout their lives. In short, to doubt and find faults with those doing Tableegh, or to speak bad about them, will drive people away from Deen. This will be a cause of great worry for those who are doing the work of Deen. Rasulullahﷺ has said:
Translation: “Whoever respects the following three, he really shows respect to Allah Ta’ala: (1) An old Muslim, (2) One who takes care of the Qur-aan without going against its orders himself (i.e. transgress its limits), (3)
Translation: A ruler who is just to the people.”
The following saying of Rasulullah ﷺ tells us:
Translation: “That person who does not respect our elders, nor is he merciful to our youngsters, and he does not respect our Ulama is not one of us.”
Translation: “Whoever disgraces the following three people is not a Muslim, but rather a hypocrite: first, an old Muslim, second, an Aalim (of Deen) and third, a just ruler.”
ﷺ has also said: “I fear especially three problems in my followers. First, with an increase in worldly possessions, they will become jealous of one another; second, discussing the Qur-aan will become so common that even the ignorant (those who don’t know) will say that they know the meanings of the Qur-aan, although many meanings are such that cannot be understood by anyone except the learned Ulama of the Qur-aan, who say: ‘We have strong belief in it, and that it is from Allah Ta’ala’, so how much more careful should the common people be; third, the Ulama will be neglected and people will not benefit from them.” (Targheeb)
Many similar Ahaadith are found in the books of Hadith. It has been mentioned in ‘Fataawa Aalamgiri’ that the sort of insulting words used today by the ignorant people about the Ulama may seriously damage their Imaan. Therefore, people must be careful to avoid such words. Suppose for a moment there are no true and sincere Ulama in the world, even then, nothing is gained by calling them evil Ulama. Rather, it is the Islamic and moral duty of every Muslim to form such an Islamic organization (Jamaat) that will produce sincere servants of Islam. Only when such a Jamaat exist, should we be content. One common objection is that the differences amongst the Ulama have brought about destruction to the general masses. It is possible that this objection is correct to a certain extent. But, in reality, difference of opinion amongst the Ulama is not something new. It is not something that only came into existence in the last century or so but rather it is in existence from the golden era of Rasulullah ﷺ . There is a Hadith that says: “Rasulullah ﷺ gave his shoes to Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , and said: ‘Take my shoes as a sign and announce among the Muslims that whoever will say ‘Laa ilaaha illallaah Muhammadur Rasulullah,’ from the bottom of his heart, will certainly enter Jannah.’” Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ met Hadhrat Abu Hurayrah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ on the way and asked him where he was going. He told him the message of Rasulullah ﷺ , Hadhrat Umar ﷺ was annoyed, because he did not agree with such a plan. Therefore, he hit the messenger on the chest which caused him to fall on his back. Yet no one raised any objections against Hadhrat Umar رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُ , nor was any demonstration arranged against him because of this difference of opinion. Many differences of opinion existed among the Sahaabah رَضِيَ اللّٰهُ عَنْهُمْ and later on the four Imaams of Fiqh differed amongst themselves on many issues. There have been many minor differences of opinion about Salaah between the four Imaams. I myself know of about 200. There may be many more. Besides “The raising of the hands (rafa hadain)” and “Saying Aameen loudly (aameen bil jahr)” people probably never heard of anything else. This does not mean that their followers should doubt the Imaan of one another, calling each other ‘kaafir’. The fact is that the common people do not know the finer points on which various Ulama and Imaams differ in their views. These differences are a blessing in disguise. As a matter of fact, good preachers and sincere servants of Islam do not attach any importance to such minor issues, but continue their attempt to bring people to the right path. We know that doctors and lawyers also have differences, but people still take their advice. But those who are ignorant, selfish and lazy, raise objections against the Ulama simply because of the differences of opinions that the Ulama have. Every Muslim has been commanded to follow those Ulama whom he respects and knows to be the followers of the Sunnah. He should not find fault with those whom he does not like. Anyone who has no proper knowledge of Islam and the Qur-aan has no right to find faults with the Ulama. The Ulama should always keep this saying of Rasulullah ﷺ in mind and act accordingly: “It is a waste of knowledge to pass it on to those who are not fit for it.” In this corrupt age, when even the commandments of Allah Ta’ala and the sayings of Rasulullah ﷺ are being criticised, I have no reason to be surprised if the people do not hear the advices of Ulama and do not follow the Qur-aan Shareef. Allah Ta’ala says in the Qur-aan Shareef:
Translation: “And whoever transgresses the limits of Allah Ta’ala, surely these are the unjust.” (Surah Baqarah - Aayah 229)