Assalaamu Alaikum, I am a 30-year old Pakistani currently studying in the USA. Upon my return to Pakistan, I plan to serve Islam and Muslims by joining Jamaat-e-Islami.
Question
Unlike my family that belongs to a certain religious seminary group that opposes Sayyid Maududi and his movement, I, in all honesty, consider Sayyid Maududi as one of the greatest Muslim scholars of all time and Jamaat Islami a bulwark against unislamic tides and influences in Pakistan. Moreover, JI is the only religious group that's completely free of sectarian biases. All the other religious parties are very parochial and sectarian i.e. Deobandi, Barelvi, Ahle-Hadith, Shia and so on. In all sincerity, I believe that the parochial religious parties have done considerable damage to the cause of Islam. Now to my question: please tell me in the light of the Islamic teachings how far could I go in antagonizing my father and uncles in "rebelling" against their parochial group and joining the rank of Jamaat Islami? Thank you.
Answer
It is very pleasing to note that you wish to serve Islam and the Muslims. That is indeed a very noble deed that yields the proximity to Allah and His Rasul (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'The person most dearest to me is he whose benefit (to people) is most widespread. May Allah Ta'ala accept your intentions and accept you for the service of the Deen, Aameen.
Brother, there are many people serving the course of Deen, even Faasiqs. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Allah Ta'ala will strengthen this Deen even through a Faasiq (transgressor).' Our aims and objective should not be restricted to serve Deen but to have the service accepted in the sight of Allah. In order to achieve that, we advise you search for that criteria.
Being non-sectarian is certainly not a criteria of acceptance in the sight of Allah Ta'ala as sects and denominations in Islam is expressly mentioned in a Hadith wherein Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'My Ummah will be divided into 72 sects. Only one will be correct and on truth.' Upon enquiring which group will that be, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'That path on which I am on (Sunnah) and my companions (Sahaaba).' That one sect is commonly known as Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa`. Surely, they will have to be selective and discriminate against the other sects which Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) declared as being deviated. In view of the above explanation, we humbly advise you to reconsider your criteria of being on Haqq and truth. It is grossly incorrect to join and group that is amalgamated with members of mixed and incorrect beliefs. If any sect, for example, Barelvis believes in the Omnipresence of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), do you expect the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa` to be silent? If any sect discredits the prophet's Sahaaba, for example, the Shi'as, Mawdudis, etc. do you expect the Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaa` to be silent? If the Ahle Hadith do not have at least equal knowledge to the great jurists, Imaam Maaliki, Imaam Hanafi, Imaam Shaaf'ee, Imaam Hanbali, is it correct for them to pass judgments against the research of such oceans of knowledge?
Dear brother, your intention is noble but ensure it becomes noble. Kindly refer attached.
and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best
Mufti Ebrahim Desai
- Answered by
- Mufti Ebrahim Desai
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