Mufti Taqi Usmani on Maulana Saad

On 2024, April 23, Mufti Taqi Usmani sent a letter criticising Maulana Saad for his mistakes especially claiming something that Mufti Taqi Usmani did not say. On 14 May 2024, after the letter went public, Maulana Saad finally replied to Mufti Taqi’s letter.

Mufti Taqi Usmani’s Letter to Maulana Saad

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Below is a full English translation of the Urdu letter issued on 23 April 2024.

Download the full Urdu letter here.

Key summary:

  • Mufti Taqi explains why he has made the letter public since Maulana Saad has used his name to spread his ideology publicly.
  • Mufti Taqi reprimands Maulana Saad for claiming that Gasht is Fardh Ayn (compulsory).
  • Mufti Taqi corrects Maulana Saad for making this claim based on quoting and misinterpreting Mufti Taqi’s book
  • Mufti Taqi admonishes Maulana Saad not to exaggerate (Ghuloo) in his views regarding Da’wa

[Page 1]

[From Mufti Taqi Usmani]

Respected and honourable Maulana Saad,

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakaatuh,

I hope you are in good health. Based on my personal relationship with you, I have corresponded with you occasionally on various issues. However, the reason for sending this letter now is that some brothers have sent me several of your speeches, both in audio and written forms. In these speeches, you have incorrectly attributed to me the statement that “Individual Da’wa is obligatory (Fardh A’yn) upon every Muslim”. This incorrect attribution has been made in several of your speeches. Moreover, one such speech delivered during the event of the “Quarterly Mashwara” which happened from 27 to 30 January 2024, has been published in a book named “Irshaadaat-E-Akabir (Speeches of Akaabir)”. In that book, the following has been written: 

  • “May Allah keep His Eminence Mufti Taqi Usmani, blessed with long life and good health. He made a very good point, -why are you arguing?- there are two aspects of Tabligh (propagation of deen) one is Individual (Inferadi) and another is Collective (Ijtimai). One is Fardh A’yn and the other is Fardh Kifayah. The Fardh A’yn one is the individual (Inferadi) Da’wa and every Muslim must invite others individually.” – (Irshaadaat-E-Akabir, page: 163)
  • Mufti Taqi Usmani, may he live longer with good health and his guidance be with us forever, says that the Da’wa, Individual (Inferadi) Da’wa, is Fardh A’yn upon each person” ….. “And I think due to this narration “Whoever among you sees an evil must change it with his hand, “Mufti Taqi Usmani states that Individual (Inferadi) Da’wa is Fardh A’yn upon each believer, He has clarified this matter that Da’wa is not Fardh Kifayah (communal obligation). – Taken from (Maulana Saad’s) Fajr Bayan dated 2023 May 13 

[Page 2]

  • “His Eminence (referring to Mufti Taqi Usmani), may Allah grant him a good reward, says that there are two aspects of Tabligh: one is a personal obligation (Fardh A’yn), and the other is a communal obligation (Fardh Kifayah). To personally invite every other Muslim is the personal obligation (Fardh A’yn) for each Mu’min” – Taken from Bayan dated 2023 September 15.

Then in many of your statements, the explanation you made on this topic leads to the conclusion that it is a personal obligation (Fardh A’yn) of every Muslim to go and personally invite each Muslim, and in some (more direct) statements, the method of Gasht has been exclusively mentioned as necessary for observance of this obligation.  This conclusion can be drawn from the following excerpt:

  • “I have stated that the personal invitation (Inferadi Da’wa) was a common practice of the Prophet SAW and his Sahaba. They would sit one-on-one, go to each individual personally- going to each individual and sitting with each person (was their regular practice).” (Excerpt from the speech of 2019/19/8 after Fajr)
  • “Collective Da’wa (Ijtemai Da’wa) is an honorary task, whereas individual Da’wa (Inferadi Da’wa) was the obligations of the Prophets (Alayhimus Salam). The divine assistance that comes with individual Da’wa will not come through collective speeches (Ijtemai Bayaans). Rather, His Eminence (Hazrat) used to say that your collective speeches will be effective and your words will be accepted by people only when your collective speeches are followed by your individual Da’wa (Inferadi Da’wa). That’s why we have Bayan after Gasht. Without individual Da’wa (Inferadi Da’wa), a collective Da’wa (Ijtemai Da’wa) will not be effective.”
  • “If it is said that without Gasht Iman is not complete, then it is neither an exaggeration nor beyond bounds. …… The subject of Gasht pertains to enjoining good and forbidding evil (Amr bil-maroof wa Nahi A’nil-Munkar), and when these two obligations are the subject of Gasht and fulfilling these duties from one’s own being is necessary for faith in Allah, then how can faith be completed without Gasht?”

[Page 3]

  • “I believe that the necessity a Muslim has for Imaan is a similar necessity he has for Gasht. This is because the purpose of Gasht (visiting) and meeting (with others) is: I am performing Gasht by myself to fulfil my personal obligation of enjoining good (Amr-bil-maroof).” – Taken from a speech delivered in Malaysia Ijtema, 2022/10/21

In this regard, it seems that you have probably taken the statement about the obligation of individual Da’wa (Inferadi Da’wa) from my book entitled “Islaahi Khutubaat (Reformative Speeches)”, which is referred in the book titled as ‘Irshaadaat-E-Akabir‘. However, I have explained the meaning of individual Da’wa (Inferadi Da’wa) there in detail which is quoted below: 

“When one person sees another person involved in such and such sin, and evil or neglecting a necessary duty (of Deen), then individually informing that person to abandon that evil and to perform good deeds instead is called individual Da’wa and Tabligh (Inferadi Da’wa and Tabligh). 

The other is called collective (Ijtimai) Da’wa and Tabligh, which means that a person speaks about Deen in front of a large assembly, gives a sermon, teaches them or goes to others to deliver and spread the message of Deen, like how the way members of our Tablighi Jamaat spread the message of Deen by going to people’s homes and shops. These are collective (Ijtimai) Da’wa. The rules and etiquettes of these two methods of Da’wa and Tabligh are separate and distinct.

Collective (Ijtimai) Da’wa is not a personal obligation (Fardh A’yn), but a communal obligation (Fardh Kifayah), so it is not obligatory for every Muslim to go and preach to others or to go to others’ homes to preach, because it is a communal obligation (Fardh Kifayah).” (Islaahi Khutubaat: Vol: 8, Page: 29)

[Page 4]

In this book, the clear meaning of individual Da’wa (Inferadi Da’wa) has been described in detail, and the summary of which is mentioned in the following saying of the Prophet SAW:

عن عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَقُولُ: «كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَمَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ، فَالْإِمَامُ رَاعٍ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ، وَالرَّجُلُ فِي أَهْلِهِ رَاعٍ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ، وَالْمَرْأَةُ فِي بَيْتِ زَوْجِهَا رَاعِيَةٌ وَهِيَ مَسْئُولَةٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهَا ، وَالخَادِمُ فِي مَالِ سَيِّدِهِ رَاعٍ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ»، قَالَ: فَسَمِعْتُ هَؤُلَاءِ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، وَأَحْسِبُ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ: «وَالرَّجُلُ فِي مَالِ أَبِيهِ رَاعٍ وَهُوَ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ، فَكُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَكُلُّكُمْ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ

Narrated by Abdullah ibn Umar RA, he heard the Messenger of Allah SAW saying: “Each of you is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. The Imam is a shepherd and he is responsible for his flock. A man in his family is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. A woman in her husband’s house is a shepherd and she is responsible for her flock, and the servant in the property of his master is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock.” He said: “I heard these from the Messenger of Allah SAW and I believe that the Prophet SAW also said: “A man in his father’s wealth is a shepherd and is responsible for his flock. So, all of you are shepherds and each of you is responsible for his flock.'” (Sahih Bukhari 120/3)

The summary is: the meaning of individual Da’wa (Inferadi Da’wa) which is mentioned as a personal obligation (Fardh A’yn) is – every person must command good and forbid evil to those under him (i.e. within his supervision). If he sees a person or some person (under him) performing any specific sin, he should invite them to good as much as he can. As it is mentioned in the well-known hadith ‘Whoever among you sees an evil…’

This Hadith never means that it is a personal obligation (Fardh A’yn) for every person to go from house to house to invite others, as it might have been implied from your above-mentioned speeches. 

Even If a specific act is to be declared as Fardh A’yn, Firstly, this is an issue of Islamic Jurisprudence (Fiqhi Mas’alah) that must be substantiated in the light of the Quran, Sunnah, and the sayings of the Islamic Jurists (Fuqahaa) of the Ummah, and Contemporary scholars or Muftis must also issue Verdicts (Fatwa) concerning this. Declaring something as Fardh A’yn in public lectures is inappropriate. Secondly, when Sharia declares some act to be Fardh A’yn then it also defines the limits of that action and to what extent the A’mal is considered fulfilled. (For example), Salat (prayers) is Fardh A’yn. It has been specified that praying five times a day will fulfill this obligation. Similarly, fasting is Fardh A’yn and fasting in the month of Ramadaan will fulfill this obligation. Zakat too, is Fardh and giving one-fortieth portion will fulfill this obligation. Hajj is Fardh, and performing Hajj in a lifetime will be sufficient to fulfill this obligation.

[Page 5]

The question is- if it is Fardh A’yn to give Da’wa by visiting each Muslim in their homes or by doing Gasht, then what is the limit and quantity for that? How many people should a person invite to fulfill this responsibility? How many Gasht? How many times per year? How many times per month? How many times per week? And each time for how long should these A’mal be performed so that the responsibility is complete? It is evident that you have not specified any such limit nor such a limit can be drawn. Therefore,  regarding it as Fardh A’yn  can not be accepted by any means.

Alhamdulillah Tablighi Jamaa’t as a whole is performing very praiseworthy work, and to motivate to participate in this work is very virtuous- by the mercy of Allah Ta’ala we also motivate Muslims to participate in this work. However, for this motivation is it necessary to specifically regard the contemporary method to be Fardh A’yn?  It is a matter of regret that different speakers from the (Tablighi) Jamaa’t exceed the limit in this matter, and the elders of the Jama’at have been notified by respected Senior scholars (Akaabir Ulamaye Kiram) several times about this matter. However, the news of these types of exceeding limits are reached (to us) every so often, due to which it is feared that – May Allah protect- this jama’at may turn into a sect (Firqah).

It is possible that you will say that you have not mentioned clearly that this specified method is Fardh A’yn, however the general mass will get that understanding by these speeches.

I am often informed about these types of generalized speeches, and I have refuted these in some of my speeches or writings. However, when this saying is incompletely- rather wrongly attributed towards me and also they have been published, I thus find it necessary to openly deny this attribution towards me and clarify the situation. 

I have previously presented written opinions about several of your statements and speeches, but I have never published those writings publicly before because the intent was a piece of brotherly advice. You have also announced retractions (Rujo’o) from some of those points. However, since an explanation regarding individual Da’wa (Inferadi Da’wa) has been incorrectly attributed to me which was not my intention, moreover that has been widely spread, therefore, I am sending this (open) letter to those who have asked me about it.

Wassalam
Muhammad Taqi Usmani
1445, Shawwal, 14

2024, April, 23

Maulana Saad’s Response

After the letter went viral, Maulana Saad issued an official response on 2024 May 14. Below is the Urdu text and translation.

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The reason for my sending this letter to you is that some of my acquaintances have sent to me one of your lectures in written form in which the following content has been ascribed to me: “Inferadi dawaat is an irrevocable obligation (aka farz-e-ain) upon each and every Muslim, and that, while saying it, I have attributed this ruling to your writings.”

I have understood your writings to mean the following: “That dawaat is Farz-e-ain upon each and every believer (mumin), not Farz e-Kefaya. In other words, every Muslim must go to other Muslims and invite him to virtues. I have also understood that the legitimacy of Gasht is derived from the mandate of “amr bil maaroof wan nahi unil munkar.”

Therefore, my own response in this matter is that my own understanding is that you have posited a specific kind of individualized dawaat to be farz-e-ain. You have characterized such dawaat as follows:

“The upshot of the above is that it is legally binding upon each and every Muslim that (s)he enforces righteousness upon people that are administratively subordinated to him/her, and that (s)he forbids them from sins. This includes the scenario that if one is an eye-witness to another person actually committing a specific act of sin, one must, to the extent practicable, invite that sinner to virtues,” just as the famous hadith-shareef has put it:

مَنْ رَايَ مِنْكُمْ مُنْكَرُ فَلْيُغَيِّرْ بِيَاَدِيْهِ

My characterization of inferadi dawaat as farz-e-ain is predicated on the same meaning and explanation as yours. In particular, I don’t consider the prevalent form or format of Tablighi Dawaat, or any of its methodologies, to be farz-e-ain, instead I treat such form or methods as one among the several feasible avenues for the compliance of the mandate of the obligations of individualized dawaat. Naturally enough, I consider the prevalent Tablighi formats and methodologies to be complementary and beneficial to the compliance of the mandate of the obligations of individualized dawaat.

If I have erred in my understanding of the import of your sayings or writings in this context, then I am tendering unqualified apologies from the bottom of my heart. Going forward, I shall remain ardently attuned to your esteemed spiritual focus, advisories and elucidations. I pray that Allah Ta’ala grants you a long life blessed with vigorous health and emotional well-being, and grants the entire Ummat-e Muslima to benefit from your erudition, clairvoyance (fuyuz) and exalted nobility (barkaat). Ameen!

Respected and esteemed mentor, Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani, may Allah perpetuate His blessings upon you, and may Allah SWT enhance us through your knowledge and extend your life. Peace be upon you, and Allah’s mercy and blessings,

I hope you are in good health and well-being. Based on my heartfelt connection with you, I have been corresponding with you on various issues, and you have honoured me with your valuable advice and corrections. The purpose of sending this letter is that some friends have sent me a written form of one of your speeches, in which it is attributed to me that individual invitation (dawah) is a personal obligation (fard ‘ayn) for a Muslim, and it is said that I have attributed this to you. The meaning I have understood is that invitation (Da’wah) is a personal obligation for every believer, not a collective duty Fard Kifayah). That is, every Muslim must go himself to invite, and the topic of Gash is also about enjoining good and forbidding evil (Amar Bil Ma’ruf wa Nahi Anil Munkar).

In this regard, I would like to clarify that you have stated that individual Da’wah is a personal obligation (Fard ‘Ayn), and you have explained that every person must command good to those under their authority and forbid them from evil. Moreover, if someone sees an individual or a group committing a specific evil in front of them, they should invite them to do good to the best of their ability, as stated in the famous hadith, “Whoever among you sees an evil…”. I also understand individual dawah as a personal obligation with this meaning and explanation. Furthermore, I do not consider the current practices of Da’wah and its methods as a personal obligation but as one of the ways to fulfil this duty and as a specific aid and support for it.

If I have misunderstood your intention, I sincerely apologize. I also hope to continue to receive your attention and guidance in the future. My prayer is that Allah keeps you healthy and well for a long time and grants the entire Ummah the ability to benefit from your knowledge, blessings, and virtues. Ameen.

Muhammad Saad
Markaz Banglawali Masjid Basti Hadrat Nizamuddin New Delhi

Mufti Isa Qasmi criticises Maulana Saad’s Response

Mufti Isa Zaid Qasmi from Darul Uloom Deoband has criticised Maulana Saad’s response letter in an audio (https://youtu.be/Z00KsoJ2FPw?si=m42knPD9tkY4FOza). 

Maulana Saad was criticised for having a bad track record for breaking promises. His recent response used a tone similar to his previous responses where he promises not to repeat his mistakes, but continues to repeat the controversial statements later on.

Below is the Full Audio transcription: 

(Note: Mufti Isa is commenting as an individual Mufti. This is NOT an official response from Darul Uloom Deoband)

**In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful**

“The scholar (Maulana Saad) clarifies that he does not hold any specific or erroneous views and admits any mistakes he might have made. He promises not to repeat such statements in the future. However, in his statements, he is reiterating the same controversial views.”

Initially, when he was warned by Darul Uloom Deoband, he agreed not to repeat his mistakes. In his recent statements, we see the same controversial views being made. Therefore, it is clear that despite making promises, he still continues to propagate these views.

We saw this in January 2017. The scholar (Maulana Saad) wrote a detailed and commendable statement, retracting any statements that could be misinterpreted as devaluing other fields of Islamic work or causing inconvenience to specific groups. He assured that such impressions would not be created in the future.

However, his subsequent statements in 2018 and 2019 failed to demonstrate this. Thus so, Darul Uloom Deoband issued a stricter fatwa in 2023. They adopted a strong position against the scholar’s (Maulana Saad) views. They clarified that listening to or propagating such statements is not permissible. Although the scholar (Maulana Saad) had earlier admitted his mistakes and promised not to repeat them, his later statements show that he did not hold to his promise. This was why, it was necessary for Darul Uloom Deoband to address these issues more firmly.

Shaykh al-Islam Mufti Taqi Usmani (may Allah protect him) mentioned that even if the scholar (Maulana Saad) did not explicitly state that a particular method was obligatory, the general impression from his statements suggested otherwise.

In conclusion, if the scholar (Maulana Saad) sincerely admits his mistake and refrains from making such statements in the future, the issue can be resolved. However, if he continues to repeat these points, it creates problems for other fields of Islamic work and causes unnecessary conflicts among scholars. Thus, it is essential to address and rectify these issues to maintain harmony and respect among the scholarly community.

Maulana Saad’s track record of making many false quotes from Maulana Ilyas and Maulana Yusuf

According to Maulana Shahed Saharanpuri, for years, Maulana Saad has made many false quotes saying that it was said by Maulana Ilyas RA and Maulana Yusuf RA.

Maulana Shahed Saharanpuri was a long-time Muqeem of Nizamuddin, a close companion of Maulana Zubair and the grandson and Khalifa of Sheikh Zakariyya RA. He mentions in his book Ahwal Wa Atsaar Page 425, Link here:

“In the last twenty to twenty-two years, countless quotes and sayings have been falsely attributed to Maulana Ilyas RA and Maulana Yusuf RA from the pulpit. All these false quotes were mostly baseless. This is the reason why thankfully, such quotes failed to spread in the Markaz.”

Source: Ahwal Wa Atsar, Page 425

List of Maulana Saad’s Controversial Speeches

See full list here: https://tablighi-jamaat.com/en/maulana-saad-bayan-controversy-even-after-rujoo/ 

  1. Ghuloo’ – Excessive exaggeration in matters of deen
  2. Deviating from the Ijma – Directing away from the true beliefs of the Ahlus Sunnah wal Jamaah.
  3. Self Ijtihaads – Personal deductions from the Qur’an, Hadith and Seerah.

30 comments

  1. Adaabi mushoorah has always been part of the series of muthaakirah conducted by every jamaat out in the Path of Allaah. It is conducted under the ultimate decision-making authority of the appointed ameer, and the help of Allaah comes through this process. This was the system in place at the time of Rasoolulaah (s.a.w.s.) and in the times of the Khulafaa -ir Raashideen and the leaders of the Muslims after them until 1923 C.E.. It was the system of the first three ameers of Tableegh, and of every Markaz and of every local masjid where the work was taking place, and of every jamaat out in the Path of Allaah. The command of Allaah (a.w.j.) for this system is clear from text and example.

    For any of the senior elders and ‘ulemaa of Tableegh – from Hazrat ji Inaam ul Hasan (r.a.a.) onwards (and even Maulaana Ilyaas (r.a.a.) if that was actually his position) – to believe they know better, and that the system of Allaah is in need of correction or modification for the current era is so outlandish as to be almost unbelievable. Obedience to any order of an Ameer is impermissible when they order the disobedience of Allaah (a.w.j.). The sheer fact that a split has been caused in the effort should be evidence enough of their mistake for them – no matter how long that split took to occur. They need to do tawbah and return to the perfect system of Allaah (a.w.j.), or do they really expect that everyone should leave the sharee’ah and follow their way instead? Don’t they understand that putting aside a command of Allaah to follow the command of a man is a minor form of worshipping other than Allaah?

    The effect of the disgraceful violence that took place in Nizamuddin was to clear out all the individuals continuing to support the abandonment and replacement of Allaah’s system of Ameer and Shoorah. Who and whatever was left remaining is then subject to the command to obey an Ameer until he is openly a disbeliever – even if he oppresses. Imaam Ahmad’s (r.a.a.) continuing statement of allegiance to the Mu’tazilee Khaleefah of his time is sufficient as a practical demonstration of this. Every man dies, and the man who succeeds a position of authority is decided by Allaah (a.w.j.).

    1. Yes, the decision of the 2015 Mashwara in Raiwind was to continue the Shura system with a rotating Ameer as how it has been practiced since 1995. The decider of this Mashwara was Haji Abdul Wahab Sahab. One man was unhappy with this decision and decided to break away from the Elders.

      Even if this Mashwara did not occur (or some say it was invalid) a 1995 Mashwara which decided there be no more Ameer but a Shura should supersede.

      1. Jazaakallaah for your reply, although it saddens me that a response to Qur’aan, hadeeth, seerah and over 1400 years of history is “So-and-so decided we will do things our own way, so we will follow that rather than Qur’aan, hadeeth, seerah and over 1400 years of history.” There is no khair in such a mushoorah, as long-term events have proven, and remaining stubborn upon what is clearly contrary to Allaah’s mandated system of governance is a form of kibr – that of rejecting the truth. I personally owe Haji Abdul Wahab sahib a huge debt for the care he showed me back in 1992, which led to a complete change in the direction of my life, and I keep him in my du’aas – that Allaah (a.w.j.) accept whatever good he did, forgive whatever mistakes he may have made, and raise him with the people he aspired to emulate. Aameen. Ma’a salaam, Sulaiman.

        1. This is a too simplistic view that cannot be the bottom line. Sadly, one cannot convince anyone who has been b__________.

          Please see a collection of Fatwas on the permissibility of Shura. Link here: https://tablighi-jamaat.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Permissibility-of-Shura.pdf

          Our esteemed Ulema and Mufti have said Shuras with a deciding Ameer is permissible in Sharia. Why should we go against Mashwara, break away and disunite the Jama’at, when the Sharia is clear on this matter? And all this for a controversial person who wants to be Ameer at all cost?

          If anything this should be the bottom line. And the fact that there was a 2015 Mashwara decision and a prior 1995 agreement, is an even bigger bottom line.

          May Allah SWT accept your sacrifice. I am in no position to express disagreement with you. You have sacrificed your life for Tabligh compared to an “ant” like myself.

          1. Jazaakallah for the links to the pdf’s, but I don’t speak Urdu, so have no idea what has been said by the people who gave their opinions. If you could provide accurate translations, I would appreciate it.

        2. One more point is that if shura system is impermissible and is administrating such an influential organisation like tableegh, then it would have been responsibility of and wajib on all these leading scholars and darul ulooms to write against it and refute it, just like so many of them gave a fatwa against mln saad so that public is warned regarding what’s not ok, same way they would have had to refute the shura system as well so that public is warned about shura systems impermissibility, yet none have refuted, and some have instead explicitly clarified that’s it’s permissable, while the silence of others from the likes of mufti taqi (who also wrote against mln saad as he felt it was his responsibility due to the influence he has) yet he’s not refuted the shura system one bit, him and so many others like him, who are extremely knowledgeable, leading scholars, sufis and madaris of our era, them not refuting shura system should satisfy you regarding its permissability or even it’s necessity for the time being.

          As for some less influential, less knowledgeable but highly respectable local scholars who do great effort for the deen and are with mln saad, and they regard shura system as impermissible, they too ought to have written an explanation about why they think it’s impermissible, had they written something like that on a technical share”ee basis, they would have beem refuted and completely made to look unreasonable, the proof of that is what i just mentioned that the silence of so many giants is indicative of the permissability of this system, no big scholar has yet written a detailed exposition regarding the permissability of this system because the opposition too has only used this point in their local circles, which too sort of indicates that they may understand the weakness of the point.

          1. We don’t replace known aspects of Islaam unilaterally. We don’t develop our own system, implement it on an international movement of millions of people, then ask for fataawa to support our unilateral actions.
            If circumstances have changed in such a way that they materially hinder or prevent the practice of a particular aspect of deen, then we request fataawa for any proposed changes before implementing them. There were and are no hinderances or preventions to implementation of the 1400+ year Islamic system of governance to the running of Tableegh.
            There is no way of saying that no-one was competent for the role of Ameer after Hazrat ji Inamul Hasan. No Ameer of Tableegh has taken on the role because they felt they were competent for it. Maulaana Ilyaas had to be reassured by the ‘ulemaa of his time that he hadn’t been told to do the work, but that work would be taken from him. Maulaanu Yusuf wasn’t fully committed to Tableegh – especially mustaraat work – before taking on the role, as his main deeni interests lay elsewhere, but once he accepted it from his father, he gave his life for the effort. He wouldn’t make decisions before consulting with the main elders of his time, even if he had to wait for their returns from journeys, but then he would determine on a course of action and fully put his trust in Allaah (a.w.j.). Hazrat ji Inamul Hasan hadn’t even spent 4 months when he was made Ameer, and again he followed the pattern of considering himself fully dependent on taking opinions from whoever he thought necessary, then relying on Allaah after making a decision.
            Every Ameer knew that any success that came during his time came from the help of Allaah (a.w.j.) only. To suggest that there was no-one in the whole of India whom Allaah (a.w.j.) would help in a similar fashion to the help he had given the first three Ameers is untenable and insulting. Similarly, to suggest that the only people available to choose from were ones who did consider themselves competent and not completely in need of Allaah, or were interested in the status of being the head of an international Islamic movement of millions of individuals, is also untenable and insulting.

  2. Asslamualikum if shoorah system is wrong then what u r saying is that for so many years after the demise of maulana inamul hasan sab we were doing bidah or against dheen
    Either in shoorah it was two or three or thirteen all is called shoorah
    After demise of maulana inam sab u also say it was decided three person shoorah or some say two person some say it was two but like one but all is shoorah so u r saying till maulana saad became one ameer we were doing wrong?
    Great scholors like Maulana idharul hasan sab , maualana umer palanpuri, sab mufti zainulabideen sab all did wrong?

    And now also all darul iftas are wrong?they are not at all opposing this system

    So only maulana saad team knows dheen?

    1. Based on His absolute knowledge of everything that will be and could be involved in the organisation, administration, results and effects of every system of governance possible , Allaah (a.w.j.) chose for us His optimum system of Ameer and Shoorah. This was mandated at every level of organisation from the Khilaafah down to three people on a journey, and to the family unit in the home. It is not optional.
      Any system other than Ameer and Shoorah is by definition inferior. In a situation where nothing prevents the implementation of Allaah’s system, firstly from just a common sense point of view: ‘Do you seek to exchange that which is inferior for that which is better?’ (Baqarah 2:61). Secondly, what makes anyone think they have right to modify or replace it?
      To modify or replace Allaah’s system in a way that is acceptable from a sharee’ah point of view, there have to material, existant reasons for doing so. There were and are no hinderences or things preventing the implementation of Allaah’s system of Ameer and Shoorah in the running of Tableegh.
      Anyone who reads the articles on this site, and the replies to my comments, can’t fail to notice that what occurred following on from Maulaana Sa’d’s “Last Man Standing” ploy is considered to be the primary cause of the problems in Tableegh. None of the commenters seem to realise that the split that has occurred is actually the effect of a previous split – a result arising from the split away from Allaah’s system to a man-made one. We can’t wilfully change Allaah’s system for no valid reason, then expect everything to come out smelling of roses.

      1. Assalamualaikum Brother Solaiman, can you please specifically address the questions raised by brother “M” regarding our elders doing wrong by allowing Surah after the demise of Maulana imanul hasan.

        It is hard to hear that they did it wrong.

        I think there was some hikmah behind allowing Surah then but it does not apply any more after Maulana Saad sab became our Amir?

  3. Sorry i didnt get a clear answer
    Can you clearly say that?
    Whether our elders was doing wrong after the demise of maulana inam sab?
    So many years whoever went to nizamuddin we know that faizal was turn by turn so they did against quran and hadhees?

    And you mean to say no proper canditate was thr
    I dont feel maulana saad sab is a proper candidate better than all our senior ulamas like Maulana idharul hasan sab, Maulana umer palanpuri sab nd many like that
    None of the darul ifta has come against them nd said they fear they may create a wrong ideology group?

    If its so also u have to say all our elders did against quran and hadhees during that period

    1. Any system other than Allaah’s system (a.w.j.) is deficient and has inbuilt flaws, which exhibit themselves in use. The fact that it takes time for these flaws to surface as problems is currently being taken as evidence for the validity of the initial decision to change to the Shoorah system.
      If I cut the brake pipes of my car then drive off, it doesn’t matter how far I drive safely before needing to use my brakes. Tableegh cut their connection with the system of Allaah (a.w.j.), then traveled along for a few years before the obvious deficiencies in their substitute system started to surface. It was simply an accident waiting to happen.
      From the off, inter-family political situations had to be taken into account when appointing the initial shoorah. As Haji Abdul Wahab sahib is quoted as saying on this site, Maulaana Sa’d hadn’t even spent 40 days – yet he was given his time in the chair to take decisions affecting the effort of Tableegh. There was nothing in the administrative set-up to ensure that without fail a suitable replacement was immediately put in place on the death or incapacity of an existing shoorah member. Nothing was drafted from a legal standpoint to ensure that Nizamuddin had to remain on the new system. There was a naive belief that everyone then and in the future was and would remain sincere to the spirit of the system, whereas Allaah (a.w.j.) knows the effects of authority, power and respect on every individual, and how that changes through an individual’s life. His system (a.w.j.) has safety measures in place to prevent power grabs.
      History shows that people on a man-made system can remain united against a common enemy, but once that common enemy is gone, they eventually turn on each other and fragment even further.

      1. Your key point is that the Shura (with a rotating Ameer) is against Sunnah (i.e. a Bidah). Because of that you claim it is the root cause of the Tablighi Jamaat Split.

        But I believe your play of words is just to satisfy a guilty conscience.
        The Ulema has clarified that Shuras with a rotating Ameer is permissible. See the fatwas here. This should be enough for us laymen.

        Also, almost every Islamic Organiztion, Darul Ulooms and Masjid’s in the world are run under a board/committee/Shura. The Shura appoints and fires an Ameer; some via voting. Are ALL these Islamic Organizations, Darul Ulooms, and Masjids going against the Sunnah?

        1. There seems to be a thirst for open, named criticism of individuals involved in this whole affair, which I have tried to avoid joining in with. Rasoolullaah (s.a.w.s.) ordered us to hold our tongues in relation to his sahaaba (r.a.a.), and I try to extend the same courtesy, and for the same reasons, to those who have given their life in the effort of Tableegh.
          For us, we have been given the gift of hindsight, so we can see how and more importantly why things have unfolded as they have – from beginning to end, not just from part way. The people involved in the initial decisions did not have knowledge of the future effects and results of their actions. We are supposed to learn from our own mistakes, and the mistakes of others.

          1. Here’s the problem… All Ulemas, Muftis, Elders, Haji Abdul Wahab, Maulana Zubair, Mufti Zainul Abidin, Maulana Umar Palanpuri, Maulana Ibrahim, Darul Uloom Deoband, Masjids that have Committees, Darul Ulooms that are run by a Board,… all of them are WRONG in respect to the Shura… all are WRONG… except Maulana Saad. Only Maulana Saad is right…

  4. Yes i didnt understnd ur view brother
    Inorder to say Maulana saad is correct you are saying all our Darul ulooms nd ulamas are wrong. And our akabirs also
    We feel they have much more ilm than you nd its not an individual view darul iftas has issued fatwa.

    This is not a good step. Our elders say whoever say bad about our accepted elders its thr first step to go outside tableegh.

    Whole world darul ulooms nd our 90% awwal saff is at one place nd Maulana saad is at other place
    So what is the difference between you and kadhiyani
    They also say the same whole world ulama dont understand the baseerath of hadhrath kadhiyani.
    If it was one we could have accepted or say hasad or less ilm but its whole world darul ulooms who accepted us, worked with us for 100 years is saying Maulana saad ideology is wrong and whole world akabir, 90% awwal saff they say we need that old work nd not new which cause much fitna

    In medical we say cognitive dissonance
    “We will be having some personal issue or view so that if we know its wrong also we dont give brain or think and say Whatever you say what im saying is correct””

  5. The system of Islaam is Ameer and Shoorah. All of the elders you mention and all of the organisations you mention – without exception – agreed with this system’s use in Tableegh up until the death of Hazrat ji Inamul Hasan (r.a.a.). The elders of Tableegh all practiced it, taught it, and worked for its adoption in every level of society. They were not wrong. They were not harboring secret doubts about the system’s applicability or effectiveness.
    None of the organisations you mention issued fataawa or continuing, repeated warnings or advice to the elders of Tableegh that Ameer and Shoorah is not something that is workable in this day and age. As far as I am aware, none of the organisations you mention have said that Allaah’s system (a.w.j.) is unworkable in Tableegh today – that Allaah (a.w.j.) will not help a sincere, humble Ameer as He has done in the past. How could they? Are any of them or you prepared to speak definitively on Allaah’s behalf?
    Allaah (a.w.j.) has already spoken on His Own behalf, and His Messenger (s.a.w.s.) has fully elaborated on that.
    As for the personal use of other systems by the organisations you mention – if you read what I said earlier: “To modify or replace Allaah’s system in a way that is acceptable from a sharee’ah point of view, there have to be material, existent reasons for doing so.” If you would care to ask them why they have the system that they do, I’m sure each would be happy to explain to you the hindrances and preventions that exist, and the exemptions to general rules that apply in their own particular circumstances.
    To give you a couple of readily available examples – many organisations operate under charitable status in the laws of the countries in which they are located, for local and national taxation reasons among others. This requires a state-mandated system of governance to comply with that status. Many educational establishments fall under the jurisdiction of the Education Ministry of their country, so have to comply with its governance rules.
    The organisations may also give you examples of the past and ongoing measures they have introduced to mitigate against the problems that arise from their system: “Any system other than Allaah’s system (a.w.j.) is deficient and has inbuilt flaws, which exhibit themselves in use.”
    As for Maulaana Sa’d, even to accept whatever you believe about him, there is still the saying that a broken clock is right twice a day. He can be right on one thing and wrong on absolutely everything else. Whatever he is or isn’t, it doesn’t change the deen of Allaah (a.w.j.) that we are obliged to follow, establish and propagate. We will be asked about what we did, not about what he did.

  6. Alhamdulillah, you’ve stopped digging, so I’ll summarize the issue for you inshaa Allaah.
    The problems that have arisen are a direct consequence of the introduction of a man-made shoorah system riddled with flaws from the outset. Each step of failure of the system enabled its end result. To widely condemn that end result on the one hand, then use its existence as a justification for the continued allegiance to the shoorah system that enabled it defies all logic. What has happened recently wasn’t even a mild threat during the period of Tableegh under Allaah’s (a.w.j.) Ameer and Shoorah system.
    To exaggerate the issue slightly, just so as to make things even clearer – on Monday, all Tableeghi Elders and “ordinary” participants around the world fully believe in, practice, teach and promote Allaah’s (a.w.j.) Ameer and Shoorah system. On Tuesday, a small group of individuals – not all of whom are senior Elders – jointly sign a document stating that it is no longer fit for purpose, so has to be replaced. What changed between going to sleep on Monday night and waking up on Tuesday?
    There was no change in Indian state or national law preventing Tableegh running its affairs in Nizamuddin as it saw fit. There has been no change since either. The only hindrance in choosing an Ameer is the State’s natural concern at what they would see as a possible foreign interference in a mass movement operating within its borders if a non-Indian World Ameer were appointed.
    There was no lack of Indian Elders who could have taken on the role if asked to do so for the sake of Allaah. To cite Maulaana Umar Palanpuri (r.a.a.) as one example is sufficient, with no intent of denigrating the others who were also alive at the time. After the death of the Maulaana shortly afterwards, there were still candidates who were more than suitable. To say otherwise is both insulting and an unjustifiable statement concerning Allaah’s willingness to continue helping this effort if any of those individuals had taken on the role of Ameer. Was there anyone who claimed they had been informed by Allaah (a.w.j.) that He would no longer help Tableegh under His Ameer and Shoorah system?
    Has any other valid reason been given for the change of position?
    With no valid reason from a sharee’ah point of view, then “so-and-so said so” and “so-and-so thought that…” doesn’t substitute for that. Ash-Shaari’ (The Legislator) is Allaah (a.w.j.) alone.
    An even cursory glance at the history of Islaam in its best three generations shows that power grabs, usurpations and rebellions were not uncommon occurrences, yet our ‘ulemaa of the time still guided the ummah to obedience of whoever was in power – however that power had been achieved. I mentioned the hadeeth on the limits of obedience earlier, and the case of Imaam Ahmad (r.a.a.) as an example, but in case you think this was a misrepresentation of hadeeth, or an isolated incident of one scholar, I’ll quote our ‘aqeedah on the issue as stated on behalf of the Hanafees for us by Imaam at-Tahaawee (r.a.a.).
    “We consider the prayer behind every righteous person or transgressor from the people of the qiblah – and over those of them who died – to be correct. We don’t declare any of them to be residents of Paradise or the Fire, and we don’t charge them with disbelief, nor with polytheism, nor with hypocrisy – as long as nothing of that becomes evident from them. We leave their secrets to Allaah Exalted. We don’t consider use of the sword on anyone of the nation of Muhammad (s.a.w.s.) to be correct, except him upon whom the sword became obligatory. We don’t consider rebellion against our leaders and the rulers over out affairs to be correct – even if they oppressed. We don’t supplicate against them and we don’t take our hand from obedience to them. We consider obedience to them to be part of obedience to Allaah (a.w.j.) – an obligation – as long as they didn’t order disobedience. We supplicate for them for righteousness and protection. We adhere to the Prophetic Way and the main body of Muslims, and we avoid becoming separated; conflict and disunion. We love the people of justice and trustworthiness, and we hate the people of injustice and betrayal.”
    We don’t pick and choose obedience based on whether we like or respect an individual. We do so because it is the deen of Allaah (a.w.j.).

    1. We say in medical term cognititive dissosance for this
      Even whole world is against my view also patient try to prove my view is correct

      Hope our all darul ulooms nd ulamas got much ilm than u
      Inorder to support maulana saad ideology we have to say whole world ulama has gone wrong nd awwal saff has gone wrong
      And we have studied ilm from these darul iftas for 100 years not from a single person
      Can you bring one fatwa against shoorah system or shoorah tarteeb by any well known darul ifta??

      I can show more than 50 fatwa against the ideology of maulana saad

      So if u believ both are correct we have to choose orginal one or better one right
      Not duplicate one

      Why we need to choose duplicate?

      1. Assalaamu ‘alaikum
        I’d hoped you’d stopped digging, but seemingly not. You keep commenting on what isn’t the topic of contention. Maulaana Sa’d isn’t Islaam. I am not talking about Maulaana Sa’d, I’m talking about Islaam. Whatever has been said about Maulaana Sa’d doesn’t change Islaam, and is completely irrelevant to what I’ve posted. Try putting Maulaana Sa’d to one side and looking at what I’ve said from the perspective of Islaam. There is no hiding behind “so-and-so-said” in matters which are ma’roof in deen. Every single Barailawee believes that Rasoolullaah (s.a.w.s.) is everywhere and aware of everything because their ‘ulemaa tell them so. Is “so-and-so-said” going to help them? Deobandi ‘ulemaa and others on similar lines of Ash’aree and Maatureedee beliefs believe that Allaah (a.w.j.) can’t speak Arabic, so the Qur’aan is muhdathah. Is “my teachers taught me this” going to help them? If Maulaana Sa’d dies tomorrow and his successor continues on the system of Ameer and Shoorah, but without all the clearly wrong things which have been rightly criticized, what are you going to say then as to why you don’t follow Allaah’s (a.w.j.) mandated system?

        1. Subhanallah, the last comment by ‘M’ really put a word to what’s going on. I always witnessed this behaviour in Maulana Saad’s followers like yourself but I never knew there was already a scientific term for it i.e. ‘Congnitive Dissonance’.

          In simpler words, deep inside they know something is not right as there are overwhelming evidences against (Fatwas, Elders, etc).

          This causes the ‘dissonance’ (discomfort). To address this, instead of accepting the truth, they dismiss all evidences, rationalize it as part of a conspiracy, or seek the smallest information that supports their worldview. This is their way for them to reduce their deep discomfort for holding a belief that conflicts with all evidences.

          Brother, we are doing this effort for the sake of Allah SWT, for our Akhira.
          How long does it take to perform two Raka’at Salat and ask Allah SWT sincerely for guidance?

          1. I’d say cognitive dissonance is knowing what Allaah (a.w.j.) ordered, what Rasoolullaah (s.a.w.s.), the Khulafaair Raashideen (r.a.a.), and the Caliphs up until the 1920’s practiced, and which the leaders and elders and every jamaat of Jamaa’at at Tableegh practiced until 1995 – and still insisting on something different without any quoted evidence of what change necessitated ijtihaad in the case of Jamaa’at at Tableegh. Read your replies – not a whisper of valid reasoning. Not a single quote of valid, legal reasons from any of the organizations or fataawa which you repeat constantly as being evidence and “superior knowledge” in this matter as it specifically relates to Tableegh. This mindset is described repeatedly from different angles concerning different communities and individuals – both in the Qur’aan and the seerah.

          2. So to hold the ideal “Ameer” system, you are willing to break an agreement, split the Jamaat into two, cause violence, disrupt the work of Dawa, and follow a controversial person who was never appointed as the Ameer?

            Again my question still holds. How long does it take to do two Raka’a Salat?

  7. Alhamdulillaah, you’ve finally realized that it’s the system that I’m holding to, not the individual. Individuals come and go, and the system has instructions in place as to how to deal with individuals of all kinds – which as I’ve mentioned previously is not just a fiqh issue, it’s an ‘aqeedah one. I’ve also given examples from our history of the practical application of this. I’ve also directly answered your points on breaking agreements, splits, violence and disruption. What happened after the death of Uthmaan (r.a.) to Alee (r.a.) and the sahaabah as a whole, then later at Karbala is sufficient for anyone to learn what is expected of us. I’ve also answered the point about taking leadership unilaterally. All of the points I’ve answered have been from Qur’aan, hadeeth, usoolul fiqh and verified, historical responses of our ‘ulemaa and ummatees from the first generations. Review your own points and see that there is nothing more than loyalty to modern individuals, and emotional rather than fiqhi responses to what has happened. My personal loyalty will always be to Allaah (a.w.j.) and His system, irrespective of who is currently leading it within the bounds of sharee’ah. Imaam Ahmad (r.a.a.) will always be my example for this, with his unswerving allegiance to the Mu’tazilee Caliph of his time – despite being tortured almost to death by him at the same time. I would advise you against speaking for Allaah (a.w.j.) even indirectly on something which isn’t known from our sources. This is one of the objectives of Shaytaan in relation to us. If Allaah (a.w.j.) has told you something directly from your own two rakaa’a, then state it openly. Much more likely is that despite repeated requests, you have nothing to offer from a fiqh perspective on the specific question of why the Ameer and Soorah is now unworkable in Tableegh, so are using your “question” to deflect from the fact. I’ll state yet again that “so-and-so said so” is not fiqh in this day and age unless valid evidences are provided – no matter who they are – and especially when hindsight shows clearly that an unfounded decision has been a disaster after implementation.

    1. I have provided a 13 page document containing various Fatawas that ‘Shuras with an Ameer’ is not only permissible but an established principle in Deen (Link here)
      To break the Jamaat, defy Mashwara and disrupt the work of Dawa just for one controversial Ameer is beyond all reason.

      1. You’re still referring to general principles, which aren’t in question – as already stated. Continually answering a point which isn’t being asked. Do I have to keep repeating it? Answer the specific question of why the Ameer and Soorah is now unworkable in Tableegh.

  8. Brother why dont you understand
    This is not like a khalifa of islam , like aboobakr (r) if so whatever we have to do,we have to ask Maulana saad even if saudi arabia needs to dig oil they should ask Maualana saad. Khalifa of islam means that.
    Imarat system in tableegh or madrasas is just for administrative purpose thats clearly said in fatwas Maulana is not the khalifa of whole world people

    So for administrative purpose its clearly said in fatwas shoorah system or imarat system no. Issues

    And brother we all dont have any issue with that also if Maualana saad was doing according to quran and hadees we all dont have any issue to follow him

    Mainly people split for money nd position but u can see in whole world whoever standing with shoorah they have thrown away positions and come

    This issue araised only when he started to add neww new things nd he started to say against dheen

    1. Straw man argument. Who has said he is equivalent to a Caliph? Also a rewriting of history. The issue of following is not because of what he says or when he started saying it. It is a fundamental position taken in 1995 that there will be no more Ameer and Shoorah. If he hadn’t said anything controversial, the issue would be the same – no following of a world Ameer of Tableegh.

  9. I’ll do a (hopefully) final walk-through in the hope that you can follow it. “Today, I completed your religion for you, and I perfected My favour upon you, and I approved Islaam for you as religion.” (5:3) Administration of deen is part of deen, and it is the Ameer and Shoorah system. We are not permitted to change any aspect of deen just on a whim. Aside from this, no-one is capable of coming up with any aspect of deen which is superior to, or even equal with what Allaah (a.w.j.) designed, so to replace what is better with what is worse, just based on whim, is the act of a fool, and also lays the changer of deen (and the ones who simply follow his change) open to being questioned by Allaah (a.w.j.) on the matter. The Ameers of Tableegh knew this, and adopted the Ameer and Shoorah system. As an organisation whose aim is to bring the complete deen into every individual and society, how could they choose anything else?
    We are permitted to make changes to aspects of deen when circumstances necessitate it. The group of individuals who decided to leave the Ameer and Shoorah system were neither acting upon whim, nor were they fools, so they did so based on what they considered to be circumstances which necessitated it. We, as followers of their decision, have an absolute right to know what those circumstances were, and decide for ourselves whether they are, or at least seem, valid or not. We are all liable to be questioned for the decisions we make on what and whom we followed. The two most obvious, possible reasons – no-one suitable, and a change in the national laws – even I can see have no basis, and I have stated reasons why.
    There is no legal obligation upon us to participate in the effort of Tableegh, so when the decision was made to change the administration system we had the choice to accept it and remain (whether we agreed with it or not), or reject it and leave. There was no second, break-away Tableegh group operating under an Ameer and Shoorah system.
    People such as yourselves are now giving the impression that the choice of administrative system is one of preference – choose whichever you like. This is foolish, and not in the spirit of the 1995 decision. If you are following the 1995 decision in the spirit in which it was made, the circumstances which necessitated it, or changed circumstances, must still be in operation. You refuse point blank to state what those circumstances are, so individuals can make a decision as to whether they are, or seem valid. Blind trust and blind allegiance seem to be expected in following the Shoorah system. Blind trust and blind allegiance will not form part of the accounting of anyone with sense. Taqleed is something different.
    The lack of basic safeguards in the Shoorah set-up, and a naiive expectation that everyone involved would “play nicely” permitted what happened to happen. There is now someone claiming to be the world Ameer of Tableegh in Nizamuddin, operating under the Ameer and Shoorah system again. It’s working as a system for the people who accepted the takeover – negating the claim that it can’t. He doesn’t exhibit open kufr, and as long as he doesn’t order me to sin, Islaam clearly, with absolute certainty, permits obedience. Blind trust is based, by definition, on not knowing, so cannot be certainty – only doubt. Rasoolullaah (s.a.w.s.) ordered us to to leave what makes us doubt for what doesn’t make us doubt.

    1. My dear respected brother, I have only been in this effort for a small 20 years and am considered a junior by any standards. You have far more experience than me and I respect you for that. That is why there is no point for me to convince you since the age gap renders it useless.

      Do you not see that your main premise is that Shura is impermissible or non-ideal; and because of this you are suggesting we go all out to promote a self-declared-controversial Ameer who’s seniors don’t even endorse his leadership?

      That is why we have produced the fatwa document which sets the permissibility of Shura. These are written by Senior Ulema higher than you and me.

      This is my last reply and let’s end this as there is much suffering within the Ummah at the moment, especially with the events in the Middle East.

      How I wish the Ummah understand that the destruction of the work of Da’wa impacts the whole world!

      May Allah unite us all back.

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