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What
Is The Evidence of Spending Time In The Path of Allah for 3 Days, 40 Days, 4
Months, etc. Thursday, 16 July 2009 Haters and despisers of the so-labelled 'Tablighi
Jamat' ramble on and on about how much innovations this so-called group is
spiralling themselves into. During my days of ignorance, I too was a person who
hated and despised the so-labelled 'Tablighi Jamat'. But now not anymore,
Alhamdulillahi Rabbil 'Aalameen. I find it absolutely unbecoming that in this day and
age, into the 21st century, people at large are still ignorant about the virtue
and graceful acceptance of this noble work. First and foremost, those who are
active, who are supporters and who are sympathisers of this group don't regard
it as a 'Jamat' as per se. But it is a work, i.e. the work of Da'wah, the work
of calling one another, and more importantly - one's ownself to bring the
greatness of Allah SWT into one's heart. This work has been revived in the
1920s and it is the culmination of the work of Rasulullah SAW. Those who say
that 'Tablighi Jamat' are people of innovation are infact saying that
Rasulullah SAW did innovation, Na'udhubillah Min Zaleek. This post hopes to clarify and politely destroy
misconceptions and perceptions. I am fully aware that by writing and posting -
it is not as powerful as spending time in the path of Allah in itself; for if a
person were to benefit and see the beauty of this work, one should
open-mindedly and open-heartedly go out and spent three days with the
so-labelled 'Tablighi' brothers - only then will one appreciate, understand and
embrace the work of Rasulullah SAW. It is through this work that Islam spread
to all corners of the world. There were approximately 124,000 Companions of the
Prophet Muhammad SAW, but only 10,000 died in Hijaz (Makkah / Madinah) - so
where are the graves of the rest i.e. the majority of the Sahabah RA -
scaterred all around the world. They made Da'wah, the purpose and mission of
their lives. So let's zoom in to the main question(s): Why 3 Days, 40 Days or 4 Months? What is the Dalil?
What is the evidence? Hahahahahahah. Let me first laugh first to tickle my
heart, as I remember how staunchly ignorant are opposers and haters of this
blessed work. Usually when people ask this question, I invite the
questioner to ask themselves: why is primary school 6 years? why is secondary
school 5 years? why is university 3 years? Why must you have four wheels on the
axle of a car? Why must the steering wheel be a wheel? Why must the car be made
of metal? and so forth. Evidence from the Lives of the Sahabah RA -
Companions of the Prophet Muhammad SAW There was a total of 150 Jamaats that was sent from
Madinah during the life of Rasulullah SAW in this blessed city. The Prophet Muhammad SAW himself participated in 25
of these Jamaats. Some of these Jamaats consisted of 10,000 Sahabah RA, some
consisted of 1,000 Sahabah RA, some 500 Sahabah RA, some only 15 Sahabah RA,
some only 7 Sahabah RA, and more. These Jamaats went out in the path of Allah
for the duration of 3 months, 2 months, 15 days, 3 days and so forth. As for the remaining 125 Jamaats that went out in
the Path of Allah, some consisted of 1000 Sahabah RA, some 600 Sahabah RA, 500
Sahabah RA and so forth. And the durations of these Jamaats varied - some for 6
months, some for 4 months, and so forth. If we were to calculate in detail, the average time
that each Sahabi RA spent in the Path of Allah, outside his house - then this
average was 6 to 7 months per year. The Sahabah RA Spending Time in the Path of Allah
for 5 Years In the year 627M a group of Sahabah RA of the
Prophet Muhammad SAW, which was led by Wahab bin Abi Qabahah RA visited Riau,
part of the Malay Archipelago. The group stayed in Riau for 5 years for the
purpose of Da'wah and Tabligh before returning to Madinah. It was through the
effort of this blessed Sahabah RA that the Malay Archipelago and Peninsular was
graced and blessed with the religion of Islam. The Sahabah RA Spending Time in the Path of Allah
for 6 Months Bara bin Malik RA (brother of Anas bin Malik RA) narrates
that Rasulullah SAW had sent Khalid Al-Walid RA to the people of Yemen, to
invite them to embrace Islam. Bara RA said: "I too was part of that Jamaat. We stayed there
(in Yemen) for 6 months. Khalid RA frequently invited them to embrace Islam,
but they rejected his invitation." Next, Rasulullah SAW sent Saiyidina 'Ali ibn Abi
Talib RA to Yemen, and instructed Khalid RA to return with his whole Jamaat
except for only one person who wants to accompany Saiyidina 'Ali RA - so let
him be with Saiyidina 'Ali RA. Bara RA said: "I was the one who accompanied 'Ali RA for the
time we were there. When we were very close to the people of Yemen, hence they
came out and faced us. Then Ali RA arranged their Saf (row) for Solah (prayer)
and 'Ali RA was the Imam in our Solah. After Solah, 'Ali RA read the content of
the letter from Rasulullah SAW to them. After listening to the content of the
letter of Rasulullah SAW, then the whole of the Bani Hamadan (clan) embraced
Islam. Next, 'Ali RA wrote a letter to Rasulullah SAW of
which its content was to inform the Prophet SAW of them embracing Islam. (Then
the letter was sent to the Prophet SAW). After the letter was read to
Rasulullah SAW, he (SAW) immediately performed Sujud Shukur (Prostration of
Thanks) to Allah SWT. After lifting his head, he (SAW) made Du'a
(supplication): "(Ya Allah, grant) prosperity to Bani Hamadan.
(Ya Allah, grant) prosperity to Bani Hamadan." [Bukhari, Baihaqi, Bidayah-wan-Nihayah] The Sahabah RA Spending Time in the Path of Allah
for 4 Months Ibn Juraij RA narrates: "There was a person who narrated to me that on
one night when Umar RA was rounding (in Jaulah) in the lanes of the city of
Madinah, suddenly he heard a woman reciting a Sha'eer (poetry): "Oh how long is this night and how dark is its
surroundings. I cannot sleep because my beloved is not here whom I want to
kiss. Should it be that I am not afraid of committing sin against Allah - the
One and Only; I would have permitted this body be shakened by another
(person)." When Umar RA heard this Sha'eer, he asked the woman: "What has happened to you?" The woman answered: "I miss my husband very much, who has left me
for several months." Umar RA asked: "What do you mean by doing what is bad?" The woman answered: "I seek refuge from Allah." Umar RA said: "Control yourself! Now I will send someone to
call back your husband." After that, Umar RA asked his daughter (who was also
the wife of Rasulullah SAW): "I will ask you one thing which is disturbing
me, with the hope that you can resolve it for me. How long is it that a woman
can afford to withstand her husband being away from her?" Upon hearing this, Hafsah RA turned her head down in
shame. Umar RA said: "Indeed Allah is never ashamed in this things
that are good." Hafsah RA answered by signaling with the fingers of
her hands - "between three to four months." After that, Umar RA wrote letters to all of the
Amirs (leaders) of Islamic Jamats informing that they should not hold members
of their groups for more than 4 months. [Abdur Razzaq - Al-Kanz] Abdullah ibn Umar RA narrates that on one night when
Umar RA was out (to see the well-being of the people), suddenly he heard a
woman reading Sha'eer (poetry): Oh how long is this night and how dark is its
surroundings. I cannot sleep because my beloved is not here whom I want to
kiss. Next Umar RA asked Hafsah RA: "How long is it that a woman can
withstand from being away from her husband?" Hafsah RA answered: "6
or 4 months." Hence Umar RA said: "From now on, I shall not hold the army
for a time longer than that."[Baihaqi] The Sahabah RA Spending Time in the Path of Allah
for 40 Days A man came to Saiyidina Umar ibn Khattab RA, and
then Saiyidina Umar RA asked: "Where have you been? He answered:"I was at Ribat." Saiyidina Umar RA asked some more: "How long have you been in Ribat?" He answered: "Thirty days." Hence Saiyidina Umar RA said: "Why don't you just complete it to make it
forty days?" [Kanzul Ummal] The Sahabah RA Spending Time in the Path of Allah
for 3 Days Abdullah ibn Umar RA narrates: "Nabi SAW said
had called Abdur Rahman bin 'Auf RA and said: "Prepare yourself, for indeed I will be sending
you with one Jama'ah (for after that he narrated some more Hadith and then
said:) Hence Abdur Rahman went out and met his companions, and hence they
walked until they arrived at their first stop called Daumatul Jandal, and hence
as they entered the village, he invited the villagers into Islam for three
days. And then on the third day, Asbagh bin Amru al-Kabir RA embraced Islam,
who previously was Christian, and he was the leader of the village."[Darul
Qutni] Further Explanation from the Noble Ulama of Haqq - 1. As-Shaykh Abu Bakr Al-Jayzari, Chief Hadith
Teacher of Masjid Nabawi, and the Islamic University of Madinah 2. As-Shaykh Mufti Ebrahim Desai, Mudir of Madrasah
Al-In'aamiyah, Camperdown, South Africa 3. As-Shaykh Abil Abad, 'Aalim of Darul Uloom
Faisalabad, Pakistan The term: "Tashkeel" which is frequently
used in Da'wah and Tabligh work means - to encourage all Muslims to spend time,
out in the Path of Allah for the purpose of Islah (self-rectification) as well
as Da'wah and Tabligh work within a particular timeframe; for example 3 days,
10 days, 15 days, 40 days, 4 months, 7 months, 1 year and so forth. The time period is not something compulsary, whatmore
an integral element in Deen; but it is so, in order to establish a form of
system, just like how First Aid courses are held; whereby participants are
required to do one month worth of practical first aid exercise. And although
the person who has attended this First Aid course doesn not become a specialist
doctor, but at least he knows what to do during emergencies. Similarly, a
person who spends time in the path of Allah for 3 days, or 40 days, or 4
months, and so forth - does not imply that he becomes an expert in Shari'ah.
However, in the least - he is able to understand the basic requisites of what
is wanted in the Shari'ah of Islam. The more a person spends time in the Path of Allah,
the more he will learn, and have the opportunity to become a better Muslim. The
time spent out, is not a criteria mandated by Shari'ah. Some people say - Ooo, these Tablighis are doing
Bid'ah for spending time in the Path of Allah for 3 Days, 40 Days and 4 months.
To clarify against this notion, we must understand that going out in the Path
of Allah to rectify oneself is similar in its tertib to going out to obtain
knowledge and guidance. Similar is going out to do Da'wah to invite other human
beings to Allah and share with them beneficial things which are useful for the Hereafter
as well as this world. All of this is spending time in the Path of Allah, as
long as it is wrapped with the pure intention of obtaining the pleasure of
Almighty Allah; and nothing else. It is incorrect to believe that when the brothers
who go with the so-labelled "Tablighi-Jamaat" - that they are going
out to correct others, and rectify others. The Prophet Muhammad SAW has said: "One evening or one morning out in the path of
Allah, is better than the whole world and whatever it contains." The Prophet Muhammad SAW ias also said: "Whomsoever comes to this Masjid, we the pure
intention to obtain goodness from what he teaches or learns, is like a person
in Jihad, in the Path of Allah." There are plenty other authentic Hadith (Sahih /
Hassan) that teach and encourage us to spend time in the Path of Allah. How
strange is it that these nonsense makers say that the brothers in the
so-labelled 'Tablighi Jamaat' are doing Bid'ah! What nonsense. Such spreaders
of lies even go to the extent that the episode of Rasulullah SAW sending Mu'adh
bin Jabal RA alone to Yemen alone is enough to indicate that going out in the
Path of Allah with Jamaat is Bid'ah. May Allah give light to the ignorant and
the arrogant. Ameen. They have forgotten that the Prophet Muhammad SAW did not
send Mu'adh RA alone, but he was accompanied by Abu Musa Al-Ash'aari RA. The Prophet Muhammad SAW said to the both of them: "Make them happy and don't you both make them
run away. Make it easy for them and don't give them hardship. Help one another
and do not get into conflicts." The Prophet Muhammad SAW also sent 'Ali bin Abi
Talib RA and Khalid bin Sa'id bin Al-Ash RA. Together with them, the Prophet
Muhammad SAW sent a large group for the purpose of Da'wah, Talim and making
decisions between people (as mediators for rules and regulations related to
Shari'ah). Hence, the system and order of the so-labelled
Tablighi Jamaat is similar in concept to the systems and orders in schools and
universities - where they have divided time for classes, time for recess, etc.
When in the Path of Allah, the brothers in Da'wah and Tabligh are also
allocated time to prepare food and provisions, as well as fulfil necessities. The work of Da'wah and Tabligh is the work of the
Prophets; and this is the same work that has been passed by Allah to the whole
Muslim Ummat. The purpose of this work is so that all human beings are able to
practice complete Deen. Effort to revive Deen to pristine levels is not
sufficient by just giving 3 days, 40 days, 4 months, etc. Instead, we should be
prepared to give our whole life for Deen. This is what Allah SWT has mentioned in the Qur'an: "Lo! Allah hath bought from the believers their
lives and their wealth because the Garden (Paradise) will be theirs: they shall
fight in the way of Allah and shall slay and be slain. It is a promise which is
binding on Him in the Torah and the Gospel and the Qur'an. Who fulfilleth His
covenant better than Allah? Rejoice then in your bargain that ye have made, for
that is the supreme triumph." [Surah At-Taubah: Ayat 111] In the above verse of the Qur'an, Allah mention that
He has purchased and demanded the lives of all Believers and their wealths so
that they strive to establish the Deen of Allah. It is hence - not for 4 months
or 40 days only. Unfortunately, the Muslim Ummat today could not even handle
something so light and easy like the five-times-daily Solah. Whatmore spend his
whole life in Allah's Path. The Muslim Ummat of today is far from Deen. The
abilities and spiritual stamina is also different from one person and another.
Hence, by basing on the Qur'an and hadith, the Ulama have established certain
standards that could be followed by each member of the Muslim Ummat. Indeed
there is no Ayat of the Qur'an that instructs us to go out for Tabligh for 4
months, 40 days and 3 days - but these figures and numbers are plentiful in the
Qur'an and Ahadith. Why are these figures described in the Qur'an and Ahadith?
Obviously - there must be some form of Hikmah (wisdom) behind these durations. The Wisdom of Going Out for 3 Days Environment is something which greatly influences
the individual. A person who sits in the environment of Imaan, Amaal and
Akhlaaq within three days will definitely entice and spark sweetness in the
heart to be a good Muslim. During the time of Rasulullah SAW, the disbelievers
who were caught were tied to the pillars of the Masjid. The intention is so
that they can see the Amaals of the Muslims in the Masjid. In Sahih Bukhari, an episode is narrated whereby a
man by the name of Sumamah bin Ausal from the Banu Hanafiah tribe who was
caught and then tied inside Masjid Nabawi. For three days he observed the
practice of Muslims in the Masjid, who were busy with the Amaals of - Da'wah,
Ta'lim-wa-Ta'lum (teaching and learning), Ibadah (worship) and Khidmat
(service) between one another. On the first day he was persistent and did not
want to embrace Islam. On the second day, his thoughts were similar. On the
third day, the Prophet Muhammad SAW released him. After he was released,
Sumamah felt somethin sweet in his heart. He took a bath and came back to
Masjid Nabawi and met the Prophet Muhammad SAW, and immediately embraced Islam.
How great was the effect of the environment of Masjid Nabawi to Sumamah - only
through three days observation - it became the means of him embracing islam. Other than that, we should also be well informed of
the advice that the Prophet Muhammad SAW gave to the Jamaats that he sent for
the purpose of Da'wah or Jihad - for which a certain set of order and guidance
were given to these Jamaats on how to do Da'wah and how to perform Jihad. Amongst them are: 1. Do not fight them before giving them Da'wah for 3
Days 2. Do not kill children, women and old people who
are weak amongst them 3. Do not plunder and cause wreck and destruction to
wealth, property, crops and livestock Why did the Prophet Muhammad SAW give 3 Days for the
purpose of Da'wah before any fighting took place? This is the lesson we learn from the Prophet
Muhammad SAW himself that in Islam - there is no war before Da'wah is given
first. Through the three days of Da'wah - the non-Muslims will be able to see
the mannerism and conduct of Muslims towards the non-Muslims. This would indeed
affect their hearts and become a means of their own Hidayah. The Prophet Zakariyya AS was old. When Allah SWT
granted him a son, he asked: "O Allah, what is the sign that you will give
to my son since I am already old?" Allah SWT answered the Prophet Zakariyya AS, in the
manner - as described in the Qur'an: "My Lord! Appoint a token for me. (The angel)
said: The token unto thee (shall be) that thou shalt not speak unto mankind
three days except by signs. Remember thy Lord much, and praise (Him) in the
early hours of night and morning. [Surah Al-Imran: Ayat 41] The Mufassirin (scholarly experts of Qur'anic
interpretation) say that - the sign for which the Du'a of Nabi Zakariyya AS is
accepted is if under the condition that he does not speak for three days except
for by sign. At that time, Allah SWT commanded Nabi Zakariyya AS to make much
Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and leave worldly talks, so that he becomes closer
to Allah. Hence, from the above verse, the Ulama have given
explanation that - should a human being be able to take time away in solitude
in the Path of Allah for three days, to purify himself, to be away from worldly
talks and concerns, to be busy in Da'wah, in Ibadah, in teaching and learning
of religious Knowledge - then indeed, it will give great effect to his heart,
love for Deen will come, repentance will come, and inclination will present
itself so that he become close to Allah SWT. The
Wisdom of Going Out for 40 Days Many people ask about this. Where do these so-called
Tablighi Jamaat people get their dalil for 40 days? Actually - the duration of 40 days has been mentioned
in the Qur'an, many times in Qur'an and Hadith. The spiritual benefit is
already clearly seen when Allah SWT Himself ordered the Prophet Musa AS to
increase the number of days he spends in remembrance of Almighty Allah; and
this is recorded in the Qur'an: "And when We did appoint for Musa thirty nights
(of solitude), and added to them ten, and he completed the whole time appointed
by his Lord of forty nights; and Musa said unto his brother, Harun: Take my
place among the people. Do right, and follow not the way of
mischief-makers." [Surah Al-A'raaf: Ayat 142] Similar is the instruction in Surah Al-Baqarah, Ayat
51: "And when We did appoint for Musa forty nights
(of solitude), and then ye chose the calf, when he had gone from you, and were
wrong-doers." [Surah Al-Baqarah: Ayat 51] In the Ahadith of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, much has
been mentioned about the period of Forty Days. Amongst these, is the Hadith
whereby Abdullah ibn Mas'ud RA reported that Rasulullah SAW said: "Verily your creation is on this wise. The
constituents of one of you are collected for forty days in his mother's womb in
the form of blood, after which it becomes a clot of blood in another period of
forty days. Then it becomes a lump of flesh and forty days later Allah sends
His angel to it with instructions concerning four things, so the angel writes
down his livelihood, his death, his deeds, his fortune and misfortune. By Him,
besides Whom there is no god, that one amongst you acts like the people
deserving Paradise until between him and Paradise there remains but the
distance of a cubit, when suddenly the writing of destiny overcomes him and he
begins to act like the denizens of Hell and thus enters Hell, and another one
acts in the way of the denizens of Hell, until there remains between him and
Hell a distance of a cubit that the writing of destiny overcomes him and then
he begins to act like the people of Paradise and enters Paradise."
[Muslim] In another Hadith, as narrated by Saiyidina Anas RA,
the Holy Prophet Muhammad SAW said: "The person who offers his Prayers
continuously for 40 days without missing the first Takbir, is granted a
two-fold immunity by Allah: immunity from Hell-fire and immunity from
hypocrisy." [Tirmidhi] In
another Hadith it is narrated: "Whomsoever is sincere to Allaah for forty
days, fountains of wisdom will spring from his heart to his tongue."
[Tirmidhi, Ahmad, Bukhari] Indeed, there are many other Ahadith like this that
shows the virtues and hence why priority is placed on the duration of 40 Days.
Hence, it is clear and easy to understand that whomsoever spends time in the
Path of Allah trains himself to be pious and follow the commands of Almighty
Allah for 40 Days, then obviously, InshaAllah - he will carry this piety and
obedience when he returns home. It is thus for these various spiritual reasons that
we see the Ulama and Mashaa'ikh in the effort of Da'wah and Tabligh encourage
us to spend time for 40 days to make Islah of one's own self and learn the
effort of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. Compiled and Posted by Abu Khadijah Damansari at
13:06 1 comments: PhD holder said... There is NO evidences from Quran and Hadith that say
undergraduate study in the university must be completed in 3 or 4 years. Yet hundreds of thousands of people have not argued
about this matter. July 16, 2009 5:59 PM http://revivalry.blogspot.com/2009/07/what-is-evidence-of-spending-time-in.html |
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