Tablighi Jamaat from the words of Mufti Mahmud Hasan Gangohi

This is a translation of a book by Hazrat Allama Mufti Mahmood Sahib (May Allah have mercy on him) who was the Grand Mufti of Darul Uloom Karachi. In this book he has compiled the insights of Mufti Mahmud Hasan Gangohi regarding Tablighi Jamaat.

InshaAllah, this translation is a work in progress and will be updated over time. We will translate by parts and update this document accordingly.

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Full Table of Contents

1 – Preface

4 – Speech by Hazrat Sheikh ul Hadith Maulana Saleemullah Khan Sahib (May Allah Preserve Him)

5 – Handwritten Text of Hazrat Sheikh ul Hadith Maulana Saleemullah Khan Sahib (May Allah Preserve Him)

6 – Speech by Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Ludhianvi Sahib (May Allah Preserve Him)

8 – Introduction by Mufti Arif Mahmood Sahib (Professor, Jamia Darul Uloom Karachi)

17 – Life Events of Mufti A’zam Darul Uloom Deoband
(Hazrat Maulana Mufti Mahmud Hasan Gangohi Sahib, May Allah have Mercy on Him)

19 – Name and Lineage

20 – Birth and Early Life

20 – Education

22 – Initiation (Bay’at)

23 – Selection of Sheikh

23 – Request for Bay’at and the Test by the Sheikh

25 – Permission and Succession

27 – Demise

27 – Invitation and Preaching, and the Path of Moderation

32 – Anecdotes

37 – Invitation and Preaching

37 – Mufti Sahib’s (May Allah have Mercy on Him) Statements on Preaching

38 – Journey to the Mountains with Hazrat Maulana Ilyas Sahib (May Allah have Mercy on Him)

38 – Travels with Hazrat Maulana Ilyas Sahib (May Allah have Mercy on Him)

39 – A Sermon Incident with Hazrat Maulana Ilyas Sahib

40 – A Few Selected Quotes

40 – Quotations from the Sermons of Hazrat

42 – A Quotation from One of Hazrat’s Sermons

45 – Participation of Hazrat Mufti Sahib (May Allah have Mercy on Him) in Jamaat Gatherings, Staying in Jamaat for Three Days, and Encouraging His Followers to Join

46 – The Organizational Approach of the Tablighi Jamaat and the Consultation of Hazrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Gangohi Sahib

52 – The Name of the Reform Movement of Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Yusuf (May Allah have Mercy on Him)

52 – Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Yusuf (May Allah have Mercy on Him) and Maulana Inam-ul-Hasan’s Focus on Preaching

53 – The Nature of the Tablighi Jamaat’s Preaching

55 – A Dream About the Jamaat’s Acceptance

55 – A Dream of Hazrat Mufti Sahib

56 – A Dream of Mufti A’zam of Palestine

57 – The Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) Being with the Arab Tablighi Jamaat

58 – The Dream of Imam Karam Rasul Being with the Tablighi Jamaat

59 – Some Statements by Prominent Scholars

59 – (1) The Wisdom of Hazrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (May Allah have Mercy on Him)

60 – After Freeing Oneself, One Should Engage in Dawah and Preaching

62 – Opinions of Hazrat Thanvi Regarding Tablighi Jamaat

62 – Shaykh-ul-Islam Hazrat Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madani (May Allah Have Mercy on Him)

Selected Statements:

63 – Shaykh-ul-Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakariya Sahib Writes

63 – Hazrat Maulana Abu Al-Hasan Ali Nadwi (May Allah Have Mercy on Him) Writes

Objections on Tablighi Jamaat

64 – Objections on the Books of Tablighi Jamaat and Their Responses

68 – Objections on Tablighi Jamaat and Their Responses

70 – Has the Tablighi Jamaat Spread the Innovations of Ahl-e-Bid’ah? A Response to This Accusation

74 – Has the Religion Spread Through Some Special Medical Treatments?

79 – What Is the Purpose of Preaching?

82 – What Is the Reward for Those Who Engage in Tablighi Jamaat?

85 – Objections on Hazrat Maulana Ilyas Sahib’s Statements

85 – The Difference of Jihad Between Maulana Inam-ul-Hasan Sahib and Tablighi Jamaat’s System

91 – Explanation of “Fi Sabeelillah” (In the Path of Allah)

101 – Can One Go for Preaching with Tablighi Jamaat?

102 – Objection on Scholars Participating in Dawah and Preaching

103 – Is Leaving Daily Education Against Hadith?

104 – A Preaching Speech

107 – The Meaning of a Permanent Nation

110 – The Necessity of Education and Preaching

116 – The Essence of Tablighi Jamaat

122 – Is Preaching Superior to Education?

122 – Madrasas and Preaching Work

126 – Sending Teachers with Tablighi Jamaat

126 – The Connection of Tablighi Jamaat with the Teachers of Darul Uloom Deoband and Contemporary Scholars

130 – The Objections on Tablighi Jamaat and Their Responses

134 – The Concept of Tablighi Journeys, I’tikaf in Non-Mosques, and Eating Outside

140 – The Real Solution for These Issues is the Tablighi Journey

141 – Hindus, Converts, and Preaching

142 – The Benefits and Necessity of Preaching Journeys

145 – The Rulings on Tablighi Journeys

146 – Is Preaching an Individual Obligation?

150 – The Islamic Evidence for Preaching

153 – The Proof of Preaching Among Muslims

154 – Is Preaching Recommended or Obligatory?

155 – Is Preaching an Obligation?

157 – Islamic Hadith Regarding Tablighi Jamaat

159 – Up to What Extent Is Preaching Obligatory?

159 – Is It Obligatory to Go Out with Tablighi Jamaat?

160 – The Obligation of Preaching

162 – The Companions’ (May Allah Be Pleased with Them) Efforts in Preaching

163 – Encouraging People to Pray During Tablighi Efforts, Even Those Wearing Shorts

167 – The Obligation of Enforcing Prayer

169 – Preaching as a Means to Protect the Religion

174 – Preaching Should Start at Home First, Then Outside

175 – Preaching and Knowledge

177 – Preaching After Prayers

179 – Methods of Preaching

180 – The Reward of Preaching

181 – The Reward of Calling Someone to Prayer is Seven Hundred Thousand

183 – The Reward of Calling Someone to Faith is Seven Hundred Thousand

183 – The Reward of Taking One Step for Preaching is Seven Hundred Thousand

184 – How to Engage in Religion Within Tablighi Jamaat

185 – Going Out for Preaching Without the Organization of Ahl-ul-Wasl

186 – A Hadith on the Speech of Tablighi Jamaat

187 – Making Excuses in Front of Preachers

188 – Delaying Preaching Programs Due to Dinner Invitations

190 – Leaving Children and Family to Go for Preaching, Claiming It as an Obligation

191 – Going for Preaching Without a Father’s Permission and Considering It an Obligation

194 – The Effect on Those Who Start Learning Religion Late and Face Difficulties in Prayers

196 – Reading a Book Before Performing Qadha (Missed) Prayers

197 – Encouraging Others for Preaching Instead of One’s Own Practice

196 – Going for Preaching Without Parental Permission

199 – Leaving Without Proper Financial Arrangements for Children

200 – Preaching Based on Personal Desires

201 – Keeping Consideration for Lessons in Religious Studies

203 – Studying a Book on Hadith Before Going Out in Jamaat

204 – Reading a Book in the Mosque Before and After Friday Prayers

205 – What Should Be Done When a Disagreement Arises in a Gathering?

206 – Fixing Prices for Meals During Tablighi Gatherings

206 – Holding Religious Gatherings for Personal Benefits

207 – Maintaining a Tablighi Jamaat Record

208 – Balancing Studies and Preaching Activities

209 – Engaging in Other Work While in Jamaat

210 – Discussion on Women’s Preaching

213 – Preaching Journeys for Women

214 – Preaching by Women

215 – Women’s Participation in Gatherings

217 – Preaching Gatherings for Women

220 – Women’s Gatherings and Speeches

219 – Women Preaching and Reading from Religious Books

221 – Instead of Solely Preaching to Women in Gatherings, Proper Religious Education Is More Suitable

224 – The Importance of Dawah and Preaching

290 – The Importance of Preaching

315 – The Purpose and Method of Preaching

339 – The Benefits of Preaching Efforts

[PAGE 37] Da’wah and Tabligh

(Page 37) The entire life of Hazrat was dedicated to teaching, preaching, purification of the soul, moral training, advice, and guidance. His focus remained on inviting and preaching to the entire Ummah. He considered it extremely important and often encouraged and emphasized its significance. He advised many newcomers to dedicate a year to preaching and saw it as necessary for developing a deeper understanding of the purpose of life. (Reference: Hayat-e-Mahmood, Vol. 2, Page 157)

Mufti Sahib’s Preaching Journeys

Hazrat (May Allah have mercy on him) embarked on many journeys, especially to Mewat, and he also described the conditions of those journeys in a delightful manner. (Reference: Islahi Mawaiz, Page 195/3)

Hazrat Maulana Ilyas (RAH) and the Mountain JourneyThe Mountain Journey with Hazrat Moulana Ilyas (Rahmatullah Alaih)

(Page 38) Once Upon a Time Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyas Sahib (Rahmatullah Alaih) went on a journey to the mountains. As he was climbing the mountain, there was a Moulana with him. Hazrat Moulana, while climbing, asked the Moulana accompanying him, “Now that we are climbing, where should we stop for tea?”

Hazrat Moulana Ilyas Sahib (Rahmatullah Alaih) placed his hand on his shoulder and said, “Dear brother, have you ever thought about how many mountains the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Be Upon Him) climbed to spread the Deen? Today, for the first time, you have had the opportunity to climb a mountain. This is indeed a great favor from Allah, and we should turn our hearts towards Him with gratitude.”

The Journey to Mewat with Hazrat Moulana Ilyas (Rahmatullah Alaih)

During one of the hottest summer days, Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyas (Rahmatullah Alaih) was traveling to Mewat, a region where he was engaged in spreading Islamic teachings. The journey was difficult, involving mountainous terrain.

During the journey, they stopped at a small stone house where there was a simple shelter. Moulana Ilyas lay down on one of the traditional woven beds (charpai) to rest, while three other people rested on another charpai.

As soon as he arrived, a large number of people gathered to meet him. Seeing this, Moulana Ilyas immediately instructed them to leave, saying, “The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) endured great hardships for the sake of spreading Islam. Right now, these people are tired and resting, so do not disturb them.”

Later, as Moulana Ilyas’ condition worsened due to exhaustion and heat, he changed his instruction and told his companions, “Do not force people away. Do not make things difficult for them. Let them come as they wish.”

Finally, he turned to one of his students, Molvi Mahmood, and gave him a deep piece of advice:
“A true seeker of knowledge must develop such depth in his heart that he truly understands the struggles and hardships of the people. Until he does so, he does not deserve to guide them.”

A Journey with Maulana Ilyas and a Sermon in Bhinga

(Page 39) During a journey, a Friday arrived. On the way to the Friday prayer, there was a small mosque where only the Friday prayer was offered. The local people did not usually offer daily prayers there, but before they reached the main mosque, a few people (likely locals) were present there. Upon seeing them, Maulana Ilyas started giving a sermon.

People became noisy, and some said, “Maulana Sahib, let’s go to the mosque first; we will talk later.” Maulana did not stop and continued his sermon. Someone said, “If we do not pray in the mosque, it will disrespect it.”

After the Friday prayer at the main mosque, Maulana Ilyas started another sermon. When he finished, people raised concerns, saying, “Maulana, why do you keep delivering sermons? Why is it necessary to speak so much?”

At this, Maulana Muhammad Ilyas addressed the people with a strong message.

His Response:
“Is our only job to deliver sermons? I never said that! We do not give sermons just for the sake of talking. Our duty is not only to preach; if that were the case, we wouldn’t do it. We only say what is necessary and what is important.”

He continued explaining the importance of the message, repeating the key points. The crowd remained silent, listening carefully. Even the police officers present were paying attention.

After finishing his sermon, Maulana Ilyas remarked, “That is all I have to say. We are leaving now. Peace be upon you.”

(Source: Aina-e-Qudrat, Page 152)

[PAGE 53] Advice to the Tablighi Jamaat

The groups that would visit Hazrat for his service and request advice, Hazrat would provide them with guidance. These pieces of advice also serve as principles of leadership. To one such group, he advised:

“Observe discipline in principles! Do not be careless with time! Wasting time is a loss. Rather, if you engage in unproductive activities, it will lead to a change in your mission. Work is like a glass goblet—just as glass is clear, it is also fragile. If it gets stained, it loses its purity. Keeping it intact requires caution.”

“Look, if a person is busy, do not disturb them. For instance, if someone is writing, do not interrupt them in conversation until they are finished. This is because a distracted person is like a mother with a child—if she throws her child in one direction and then asks where the baby is, what would you say? You would say she threw the child herself!”

“Similarly, a preoccupied person should not be interrupted unnecessarily. Scholars especially must be mindful of their time. If they waste time, what will happen? If you have scholars in your gathering, respect them, because they have spent ten years studying the teachings of Allah! Why should you disrespect them?”

“A permanent Muslim is one who adheres to Islamic principles. If you act against respect, you go against Islamic values. If you respect a Muslim, they will remain a Muslim. Similarly, honor those who sit in religious gatherings and respect the scholars present.”

“Remain engaged in your work and always focus on self-improvement rather than concerning yourself with correcting others.”

[PAGE 55] A Dream of Hazrat Mufti Sahib

Hazrat Mufti Sahib wrote a letter to his teacher, Sheikh-ul-Hadith Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Zakariya Sahib, in which he mentioned:

“I saw a dream in which I was blessed with the visitation of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ said: ‘Remain engaged in your work—teaching and preaching. My companionship will be with you in paradise.’”

“At a nearby mosque, the practice of praying after Fajr and engaging in Tabligh has been started. The people have also become accustomed to offering their prayers, and preaching activities have commenced from Thursday.”

Response from Sheikh-ul-Hadith Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Zakariya Sahib

Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Hadith replied to this letter, stating:

“This is a blessed dream, may Allah make it auspicious. The two tasks mentioned in the dream are extremely important. As for Tabligh, my constant wish has been that the complete responsibility of this preaching movement falls upon you. However, it should only be as much as is necessary for this cause—not beyond that.”

(Source: Sawaneh Hazrat Mufti Mahmood Hasan Sahib from Maulana Muhammad Shahid Sahib, Baharanpuri, vol. 3, p. 35)

[PAGE 56] A Dream of the Grand Mufti of Palestine

A Jamaat traveled to Palestine, where the Grand Mufti was present. They saw him weeping. When they asked him why, he replied:

“I saw a dream in which I was blessed with the visitation of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. The Prophet ﷺ extended his hand toward me and said, ‘My guest is coming, and he is my special guest.’ At that moment, I saw a man approaching the Prophet ﷺ. When I looked closely, I realized that this man was from your Jamaat. I immediately recognized him because I had seen him before in that dream. The Holy Prophet ﷺ welcomed him as his guest and instructed him to purify himself before meeting the prophet.”

The Jamaat then traveled to China, where most people were non-Muslims. They stood with a Muslim congregation and asked for permission to join the prayers. The congregation allowed them to join.

Then the Mufti said, “My soul tells me that the first part of this journey is a test. If you pass it, you will receive divine strength. Tell me, what do you have with you?”

They replied, “We have some gold and silver.”

The Mufti asked, “What have you done with it?”

They replied, “We have not spent it yet.”

The Mufti continued:
“When a person recites SubhanAllah, Alhamdulillah, La ilaha illallah, Allahu Akbar, they gain great strength. Each word brings forth a light that reaches up to the heavens.”

Hearing this, the people joined the prayer.

This was a sign of divine help, showing that Allah’s support is always there. However, one must follow discipline and principles in both spiritual and daily life. The heart must be kept pure, allowing only the remembrance of Allah inside.

“We used to build houses with three walls, but now we build them with four—it is unnecessary. We should only seek what is needed for Allah’s faith. Whatever Allah has given us is enough.”

(Source: Khutbat, vol. 10, p. 322)