DEEN MAY NOT BE PROMOTED OR SPREAD BY USING THOSE MEANS AND METHODS WHICH SHARI’AH HAS DECLARED IMPERMISSIBLE

Hadhrat Muftī Taqī Uthmānī Sāheb, after penning the following incident writes, “These last advices of Hadhrat Binnorī Rahimahullah should be inscribed on the heart of every person involved in propagating and spreading Dīn.”

A few days before his demise, Moulānā Binnorī Rahimahullah attended a meeting of the Islāmic Advisory Council in Islamabad.

On the second day of the meeting, some people approached Maulānā, requesting him to deliver a Bayān (lecture) which would be broadcasted on television. Moulānā politely refused and did not accede to their request. This then led to the question of whether television, videos, etc. should be used for the sake of spreading and propagating Dīn, if it is kept free from immodesty, shamelessness and other such elements which negatively affect peoples’ character. Although not on the agenda of the meeting, this topic was unofficially being discussed.

The crux of what Moulānā Binorī Rahimahullah said on this occasion is as follows: -

I would like to mention one important Usūl (principle) regarding the topic under discussion.

Allāh Ta'aala has not made us Mukallaf (duty-bound) to use any and every means possible in order to bring people onto Dīn. Yes, we have most definitely been made Mukallaf (duty-bound) to use the various permissible means and methods of propagating Dīn at our disposal.

Together with commanding us to propagate and spread Dīn, Islām has shown us the method and Ādāb.

If we, by adopting the permissible methods and means of propagating Dīn, achieve our goals and objectives, then well and good. But, supposingly, if we adopt the permissible means and methods, and by doing so, we do not achieve our goals, then we have not been made Mukallaf (responsible/duty-bound) to adopt those methods and means declared impermissible by Sharī’ah, just for the sake of propagating the message of Dīn and winning people over to our side.

If by adopting these methods and means which Sharī’ah has permitted, together with the Ādāb of propagation, only one person is brought onto Dīn, then our propagation efforts have been successful.

On the other hand, if, by adopting those methods and means which are declared impermissible by Sharī’ah, even a hundred people are affected and won over, then this “success” or “achievement” holds no value in the sight of Allāh E, because that propagation which entails trampling upon the laws of Dīn can never be the propagation of Dīn, but rather it is the propagation of something else.

Videos and films are in itself against the laws of Islām, therefore we have not been made Mukallaf (commanded) of using it for the propagation of Dīn.

We will extend our heart and soul for those who are prepared to listen to our Da’wat through the correct and permissible means, but as for those who are only prepared to listen to our Da’wat if it is done via those means and methods which are not permissible, like videos and films, then we are Ma’thūr (excused) from conveying the message to such persons in such a manner.

If we do not adopt this stance which has been explained, then today, for the sake of the people, we will be using films to propagate Dīn, tomorrow women without Purdah/Hijāb will be used for spreading Dīn, and we will try to bring people onto Dīn through gatherings of music and dancing … and in this way, in the name of propagating Dīn, we will be trampling upon and destroying the laws of Sharī’ah, one by one.

(Adapted from Ulamā-e-Deoban Ke Ākhrī Lamahāt Pg. 170/171)