Showing Pity For Ignorance

Maulana Muhammad Ilyas (rah) Malfuzat compiled by Maulana Muhammad Manzoor Nuhmani (rah)
Published in Muslim Murasu, November 2012

The main objective of our missionary work is to get relieved from Tagoot (evil) forces and turn back to Allah. This cannot happen without sacrifice. There are two sacrifices for the religion, one is related to life and another related to wealth.
To come out of house or nation and traveling to preach Kalima (God’s word) belongs to first type. Owning the expenses for this travel and sponsoring for others belong to second type. If we pay for another missionary worker, we will get full reward for it. ‘addaalu alal khairi kafaayili’. Those who travel on our behalf are helping us. We should consider leaders, field workers, hard workers as our benefactors. This is the correct religious perspective.
Ilm (knowledge) and Zikr (remembrance) are important. There is no good deed without knowledge and no Marifat without deeds. Knowledge devoid of remembrance of God is only gloom. It won’t have luminance. We witness lacunae and weakness in our mission on this front. Religious scholars should give importance to this mission and join us widely. This mission will benefit from the participation of scholars. We should invite Ahle Ilm (scholars) and Ahle Zikr (hermits) to join our mission.
Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Nadwi has written a letter. He explains that there are only two types of Muslims: 1. He travels in the cause of Allah 2. He sponsors and helps those who travel in Allah’s cause. There is no third type of Muslims.
This illustrates his good understanding. To encourage and exhort also is one way of helping missionary workers. If because of our effort, Quran Dars is organized, we will get full reward for it. It is important to explain these nuances to field workers. This is the essence of preaching.
We have to learn from learned people and take the message to people of lower rank. Ignorant, unlearned people are our helpers. When their Kalima becomes complete, our Kalima also will become complete. Bringing perfection in their prayers will make our prayers perfect.
‘manlaa yarham laa yurham irhumu manfil aril yarhamkum manfissamaayi’.
We feel pity when we see Muslims hungry, poor or ill. We don’t feel pity when we see them ignorant about religion. We are concerned about material loss, we ignore greater spiritual loss. Allah will not show mercy on us if this is our attitude. The cornerstone of our mission is having mercy for lack of awareness about religion. Let us continue our mission with sympathy. Otherwise we may feel proud and arrogant.