Using the correct means of propagating Deen
All the Ambiya Alaihimus Salaam (messengers of Allah Taála) called and invited their people to the oneness of Allah Taála. The invitation of Nooh Alaihis Salaam is recorded in detail in the Quraan Sharif. Nooh Alaihis Salaam said to his people, “O my people, Verily I am a clear warner to you. Worship Allah, fear Him and obey me. Allah will then forgive your sins and grant you respite (by not punishing you and allowing you to live) until a specified period (the time when your death is destined). Verily, when Allah’s specified period (the time for your death) arrives, it is not delayed. If only you knew (the truth of this, you would accept immediately).” [Surah Nooh, Verses 2&3] Similarly, the invitation and Dawat of the various other Ambiya are recorded in detail in Surah Hood which is in the 12th Juz of the Quraan Sharif.
The Nabi of Allah spent approximately 950 years inviting towards the oneness of Allah Taála and only a negligible amount of people accepted his message. However, the Nabi of Allah was 100% successful in his effort.
Similarly, in this day and age, we too should convey the message of Islam to the masses as the Ambiya Alaihimus Salaam had done previously. However, we should only utilize those means of propagating Deen which have been prescribed in the Shariah, that is, by going to individuals and interacting with them at a personal level, or propagating Deen through Islamic literature in the form of books and pamphlets, Islamic websites, delivering discourses in the Masaajid for males, etc., even though the response may be minimal.
On the other hand, we should refrain from utilizing such mediums of propagation which are regarded as impermissible in Shariah such as, television, Youtube, and other such media platforms, even though a major portion of the Ummah may be reached within seconds.
Our Mashaaíkh mention that the primary object of television is to provide entertainment. The film actors simply act on television, as well as other entertainment channels. If one tries to propagate Deen utilizing such means, then entertainment and acting will be propagated, and not Deen. This was mentioned by Maulana Ilyaas Saheb Rahimahullah.
If Deen is propagated via television and Youtube, then the seriousness of Deen will leave the lives of people. People will relax on couches, munch on snacks, joke and laugh with others whilst listening to the talks of Allah and His Rasul Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, whereas the teaching of Deen requires the highest level of respect and ettiquette. The noble companions of Rasulullah Salallahu sat before him as students, and the master Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam imparted Deen as their Ustaad and teacher. This is the method transmitted over generations until our era. Another approved method of propagating Deen is that an Alim of Deen stands before his congregation in a Masjid scenario, and imparts the teachings of Deen. These are the most effective methods of imparting Deen and this is when we will notice change occuring within people.
Many a times a speaker desires popularity and therefore appears on media channels, whereas one’s efforts of Deen should be solely and purely for Allah Taála. There should be absolutely no other objective besides the pleasure of Allah Taála. Without Ikhlaas (sincerity), the efforts and actions of an individual holds no weight in the court of Allah Taála. Once Mufti Taqi Uthmani Saheb accompanied Allama Yusuf Binnori Rahimahullah to a government meeting which was held in Islamabad. Allama Yusuf Binnori Rahimahullah was told, “Your discources are extremely effective, so if you appear on television then innumerable people will benefit.” Hadrat immediately declined the offer saying, that Deen cannot be spread using impermissible means. Television comprises of picture making, photography, music, nudity, etc. Our Deen is spread through sacrifice, just as all the Ambiya Alaihimus Salaam had done, and this will have a tremendous impact on the lives of people.
A Jamaat had once travelled to Japan in the 60’s. It was difficult to meet the Muslims at the time, since people were sparsely populated. They would search for Muslims using the telephone directory and thereby contact them. They would then travel hundreds of kilometers to meet their Muslim bretheren. Sometimes, they were unable to meet with them after travelling so extensively, since people were preoccupied with their employment. It was suggested that the Jamaat appears on television for a short duration of 40 minutes, whereby they would reach the entire nation. When they consulted with Hadrat Maulana Yusuf Khandelwi Rahimahullah, he refused their proposal saying, that Deen will not come alive by utilizing this means, but rather the acting of the TV actors and entertainment will spread.
Nabi Ibrahim Alaihis Salaam after constructing the House of Allah Taála was instructed to call people for Hajj. Makkah Sharif was a barren land with hardly anyone residing there, but his job was to invite the people. When he fulfilled his task, Allah Taála conveyed the message to the entire world, to the extent that the message reached those that weren’t even born, and even they responded in the realm of the souls. In conclusion, our responsibility is to make an effort and producing results is purely in the Hands of Allah Taála, hence, we should only adopt permissible means of propagating Deen.
Extracted from Majlis of Hadrat Maulana Abdul Hamid Is’haq Saheb D.B.