What is 'Tabligh'?

'Tabligh' is the work done by Muslims to call others to Allah. It is the same work that was done by the prophets and messengers (May Allah's peace upon them and His blessings), to their people like Nuh, Lut, Ibrahim, Ismail, Ishaaq, Yaqub, Musa, Isa, Muhammed, etc. (May Allah's peace be upon them all.) Since Muhammed (May Allah's peace upon him and His blessings) is the final prophet and messenger, it becomes a duty on every muslim to invite and call people to Allah.

Who is the founder of 'Tabligh'?

It is Abu AlQasim (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him), also known as Muhammed ibn Abdullah ibn Abdul Muttalib ibn Hashim, who is not the father of any man and the seal of the prophets. After receiving the messengership, Muhammed (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) conveyed the message of truth to His companions (called the Sahabah), who then brought the message to the rest of the world. It is this work that is, by the grace of Allah, alive and active today. It is by their efforts, May Allah be pleased with them and have mercy upon them, that we are Muslims.

Who are the 'jamaat tabligh'?

It is a great Mercy from Allah (All glory is due to Him the Most High) that this work has been revived in many places throughout the world. It is also a great Mercy from Allah (All glory is due to Him the Most High) that people doing this effort are able to organize together and support and help each other out in doing this work.

The ways that are followed are what Allah has revealed in the Quran, and according to the traditions of Muhammed (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him.)

It is inappropriate for people to call people that do this work as the 'jamaat tabligh'. It is out of ignorance, and the works of the shaitan, to divide the Muslims. The Muslims are one Ummah (Nation), and amongst them are some that are foremost in good works, some that wrong their souls, and some that follow a way between the two. It is every muslim's duty to convey the message given by Abu AlQasim (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). It is the responsibility of every Muslim to first convey the message to himself/herself, by learning more about Islam, then conveying the message to his/her family, and to the people around them.

What are the benefits?

First, Allah the One that controls all the events of this universe, makes the person's life much better. The Shaitan makes people think other things control the events that surround them. It is Allah that controls them. Allah, the One that Created this universe Certainly knows about it. Allah did not make this universe in randomness or in chaos. Everything happens for a reason. Allah created This universe, and all the events that occur in the HAQ (TRUTH). Of course a person that follows the guidance of Allah will be better off, and will not have any fear or grief. Allah will put the Barakah (blessings) in the persons life.

Also Allah has prepared a beautiful repayment for the people that strive in His way, in the Akhira (after life). The Akhira is far better than anything a person can achieve in this world's life. The Akhira (after life) also lasts much longer than this world's life. It is eternal.

The Sahabah before us made huge sacrifices for this effort; many of them sacrificed their whole life. It is appropriate for us to also make some sacrifices for conveying this message. Allah is well aware of all the things that people do, and Allah will repay everyone according to the efforts that they do.

Allah Commands us to do tabligh.

Allah commands all of us to do tabligh. Allah says in the Quran:

061.014 O ye who believe! Be ye helpers of God: As said Jesus the son of Mary to the Disciples, "Who will be my helpers to (the work of) God?" Said the disciples, "We are God's helpers!" then a portion of the Children of Israel believed, and a portion disbelieved..

Allah makes this command to all the believers. We must be helpers of Allah and convey the message that Allah gave to His final messenger (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him). Muhammed (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) fulfilled his duty by conveying this message to his sahabah, its now for us to convey it to others.

Also in Bukhari hadith:

4.667: ------- Narrated 'Abdullah bin 'Amr: The Prophet said, "Convey (my teachings) to the people even if it were a single sentence, and tell others the stories of Bani Israel (which have been taught to you), for it is not sinful to do so. And whoever tells a lie on me intentionally, will surely take his place in the (Hell) Fire."

In the above hadith from Bukhari, Prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) commands us to convey the message. In arabic the word for convey is baligh. That is what is tabligh. This command is for everyone. The prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) orders us to convey the message even if it were a single statement. The prophet (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) also commands us to relate the stories of Bani Israel, and whoever says a lie about prophet Muhammad (May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) will find his seat in the hell fire.