Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) once mentioned the following:
Those who are involved in this effort of inviting people towards deen, they should clearly explain to people that the purpose of the tableeghi jamaats going out in the path of Allah Ta‘ala is not only to look for Muslims and speak to them about deen. Rather, one of the purposes of coming out in the path of Allah Ta‘ala is for one to correct himself (and acquire self-reformation), as well as learn deen and learn how to practice upon deen correctly.
Therefore, when a person goes out in the path of Allah Ta‘ala, great emphasis and importance must be shown to ilm and zikr (acquiring the correct knowledge of deen and engaging in the remembrance of Allah Ta‘ala). Without one showing importance to these two aspects of ilm and zikr, one will not benefit through coming out in the path of Allah Ta‘ala.
Thereafter, it is also necessary for one to understand that when one wishes to acquire the knowledge of deen and engage in the zikr of Allah Ta‘ala, then he must connect himself to the pious servants of Allah Ta‘ala (e.g. the Ulama, the Mashaa’ikh) who are recognized as the senior personalities in the path of deen. After connecting himself to them, he should remain under their supervision and seek guidance from them.
The Ambiyaa (‘alaihmus salaam) acquired the knowledge of deen under the guidance of Allah Ta‘ala, and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) acquired the knowledge of deen and zikr under the supervision and guidance of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would guide the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and supervise their condition in all matters.
In the same way, the pious of every era acquired the knowledge of deen and zikr from their seniors, and under their supervision and guidance, they acquired perfection in deen.
Similarly, in this day and age as well, we are in need of the supervision and guidance of our seniors. If we do not have their guidance and supervision, then there is great fear of us becoming ensnared in the trap of Shaitaan (thereby becoming victims of his misguidance).
(Malfoozaat Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahmatullahi ‘alaih) pg. 88)
