Tablighi Jamaat and the Sanctity of Mosques: Destruction and Deception New

The Destruction of Mosques by Tablighi Jamaat: A Call for Accountability

Tablighi Jamaat and Mosques

Mosques are the houses of Allah on Earth, where worship is performed exclusively for the Creator and Master who created us solely for His worship. Allah mentions in the Quran three places (Surah Al-Baqarah: 114, Surah At-Tawbah: 17, and Surah At-Tawbah: 18) the phrase “Masajid Allah” (Mosques of Allah) and in one place (Surah Al-Jinn: 18), He says, المساجد للہ (The Mosques are for Allah). These mosques are the only houses of Allah on Earth, and they shine brightly to those in the heavens like stars do to those on Earth.

Al-Tabarani has narrated in Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir:

عن ابنِ عبَّاسٍ قالَ المساجدُ بيوتُ اللَّهِ في الأرضِ تضيءُ لأهلِ السَّماءِ كما تضيءُ نجومُ السَّماءِ لأهلِ الأرضِ (رواه الطبراني)
Translation: Ibn Abbas (RA) said: “The mosques are the houses of Allah on Earth, and they shine to the people of the heavens just as the stars shine to the people of the Earth.”
Ithmiyyah has declared the narrators to be trustworthy (Majma’ al-Zawa’id: 10/2).

This is why Allah loves His houses, the mosques, more than any other places on Earth. The Prophet ﷺ said:
أحبُّ البلادِ إلى اللهِ مساجدُها . وأبغضُ البلادِ إلى اللهِ أسواقُها (Sahih Muslim: 671)
Translation: “The most beloved places to Allah in cities are its mosques, and the most hated places are its markets.”

Since mosques are the houses of Allah, they hold great sanctity. It is forbidden to engage in worldly talk, make noise, announce lost items, conduct trade, raise unnecessary voices, compose poetry, run, or use the mosque as a passageway, and even bringing the smell of garlic or onions is forbidden. Hurting any worshiper in the mosque is also prohibited. Furthermore, building a mosque is a noble act that brings great reward, and the Prophet ﷺ encouraged his ummah to build mosques. He also promised a palace in Jannah for those who build mosques.

Now, considering all the above, let us understand two important points: Who are the people who maintain and build the houses of Allah, and who are those who destroy them, and what is their punishment? Let us look at the Quranic guidance:

(1) Those Who Maintain the Houses of Allah (Mosques):
Allah’s command is:
إِنَّمَا يَعْمُرُ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ مَنْ آمَنَ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ وَأَقَامَ الصَّلَاةَ وَآتَى الزَّكَاةَ وَلَمْ يَخْشَ إِلَّا اللَّهَ ۖ فَعَسَىٰ أُولَٰئِكَ أَن يَكُونُوا مِنَ الْمُهْتَدِينَ (التوبة:18)
Translation: “The ones who maintain the mosques of Allah are those who believe in Allah and the Last Day, establish prayer, give zakah, and fear none but Allah. It is they who are expected to be among the guided.”

The clear meaning of this verse is that those who do not believe in Allah and the Day of Judgment, do not perform the prayers, and do not fear Allah, are neither among the ones who maintain the mosques nor the guided ones. This implies that those who do not preserve or even destroy the mosques are neither among the guided, nor the believers, nor the righteous doers.

(2) Those Who Destroy the Beloved Houses of Allah (Mosques):
Allah’s command is:
وَمَنْ أَظْلَمُ مِمَّن مَّنَعَ مَسَاجِدَ اللَّهِ أَن يُذْكَرَ فِيهَا اسْمُهُ وَسَعَىٰ فِي خَرَابِهَا ۚ أُولَٰئِكَ مَا كَانَ لَهُمْ أَنْ يَدْخُلُوهَا إِلَّا خَائِفِينَ ۚ لَهُمْ فِي الدُّنْيَا خِزْيٌ وَلَهُمْ فِي الْآخِرَةِ عَذَابٌ عَظِيمٌ (البقرة:114)
Translation: “And who is more unjust than one who prevents the remembrance of Allah’s name from being mentioned in His mosques and strives to ruin them? It is not for them to enter them except in fear. For them is disgrace in this world, and for them in the Hereafter is a great punishment.”

This verse tells us that those who prevent people from praying and reciting the Quran and Hadith in the mosques are the oppressors—indeed, they are the greatest of oppressors. Those who attempt to destroy or demolish mosques are committing a heinous crime, so much so that Allah has already decreed a punishment for these wretched people in this world. The painful punishment in the Hereafter awaits them.

These mosques are the houses of Allah. We should make every effort to build them, to keep them thriving, and to raise the remembrance of Allah within them. However, on Earth, there exists a group known as the Tablighi Jamaat. This group not only prevents the Ahle Hadith from teaching Quran and Hadith in mosques but also prevents them from offering prayers there. Throughout its history, the Tablighi Jamaat has caused harm to the Ahle Hadith mosques, their Imams, and the general public.

An article from Akhbar Ahle Hadith Amritsar, dated July 1, 1932, was shared by a brother on social media, which mentioned that under the influence of enemies, the Hanafi people attacked and beat up the Ahle Hadith Imams and their followers. The article states that the Ahle Hadith did not resist. The Ahle Hadith, respecting the sanctity of the mosque, did not respond to the oppression in the sacred place, while the Hanafis showed no respect for the mosque, the worshipers, or the Imam leading the prayer.

The Tablighi Jamaat is a group that owes much to the mosques worldwide. They do not have offices, kitchens, beds, or Tablighi centers. Their home is the mosque. They cook food in the mosque, eat there, and sleep there after eating. They bathe and relieve themselves in the mosque’s facilities. It is also here that they perform their spiritual retreats (Chilla), and from here, their proselytizing activities are organized. They forcibly gather people from all walks of life, both pure and impure, in the mosque. This group is often composed of ignorant people, and they teach others the wrong path. After a few spiritual retreats and a couple of teachings, they consider themselves great scholars and Muftis, who incite others against those who do not participate in such retreats. They show hatred toward the Ahle Hadith, torment them, use harsh language like the Barelwis, and accuse them of being Wahhabis. Meanwhile, the Ahle Hadith endure all this patiently and leave their matters to Allah.

These individuals have also taken control of mosques. The Ahle Hadith, being noble, have often sheltered the Tablighi Jamaat in their mosques. However, the Tablighi group has been taking over the mosques. In India, there have been numerous attempts by these impersonators to take over Ahle Hadith mosques.

A significant and unforgettable event occurred on Saturday, September 15, 2018, when the Tablighi Jamaat thugs—terrorist proselytizers—demolished the Ahle Hadith mosque in the village of Pulmanir, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh, at 3 AM. Inna Lillahi wa Inna Ilaihi Raji’un.

This mosque had nurtured them, provided them shelter, and supported their existence. Using the same mosque as their base, they traveled the world, lived on its mercy, and spread their teachings, making others Hanafi. Today, in return for all these blessings, they demolished the mosque.

The destruction of the mosque by non-Muslims, like the Babri Masjid, is not surprising. A disbeliever has no regard for the sanctity of Allah’s house. However, when those who call themselves the true custodians of Tabligh, and boast of their efforts in populating mosques, engage in such a despicable and shameful act similar to that of Abraha, it raises concerns about their faith. It is no longer surprising that such acts occur. It is evident that the oppressors referred to in Surah Al-Baqarah (114) are the Tablighi thugs who, while outwardly inviting to prayer and appearing to populate mosques, are in reality devoid of faith. They are fearless of Allah and the consequences in the Hereafter. Such people deserve disgrace and humiliation in this world, and a severe punishment in the Hereafter.

On this occasion, I address the responsible individuals of two major Hanafi educational institutions in India—Darul Uloom Deoband and Darul Uloom Nadwatul Ulama. You possess educational institutions, and I do not question the way you teach Quran and Hadith, but what is your view on the incident of the mosque’s demolition? What ruling do you pass on those oppressors who have carried out such an act? I have expressed my view with reference to the Quran, and now I seek a fatwa filled with knowledge from your institutions.

Apart from these two institutions, I have a question for the Hanafi leaders of the All India Muslim Personal Law Board, as one of the key issues addressed by this Board is the Babri Mosque case. You have made significant efforts for the reconstruction of that mosque. Today, however, your Tablighi Jamaat’s preachers and propagators have demolished a house of Allah. You must be well aware of this, yet your silence raises questions not only about the Board but also about something that may be concealed. I will not ask you to rebuild the mosque, as it is the house of Allah, and Allah can have whomever He wills build His house. But why are you silent? I wish to know your opinion on this demolition from your honored mouth and nothing more.

To the Ahle Hadith community in Andhra Pradesh, I request that just as we were previously embodiments of patience, we continue to show this distinguishing characteristic now. Let us not engage in provocations or demonstrations due to this incident. The current national situation does not allow us any room for protests or unrest. However, this is the time to expose the mischief of the Tablighi Jamaat. In my view, nothing could be more mischievous than the destruction of the mosque. Let us, through our words and writings, peacefully express the mischief of the Tablighi Jamaat and advise our community to stay safe from their harm, especially from their evil. May Allah be our Helper and Supporter.