Recently a Pakistani fellow was transferred into my office from London. He’s a nice guy, intelligent, and has a beautiful wife and a new born. We have become fast friends mostly because we share a common background and an intense passion for banking. He has done very well for himself Ma’shallah, just recently brought his parents a beautiful house in Surrey.
We were having bagels and coffee yesterday morning and he dropped a bombshell: He was going to request a leave of absence to do tabligh in South America. This was a big deal for me because I went through a range of emotions:
I selfishly don’t want him to leave, we get on REALLY well and he’s the only Pakistani colleague I have.
I have mixed feelings on the missionary work. I know where he is coming from, materially he is doing well Alhamdolilah, and he wants that spiritual fulfillment. I almost quit my job to take a fellowship at Al-Azhar so I admire his vision.
Also, in case you guys are wondering: He wouldn’t be one of those joker TJ types who hit up Muslims only, he has a plan for dawah that is no joke. The guy is a born salesman with a degree in Marketing, so he knows how to run things.
I didn’t really have a chance to express my feelings because he had to run to a client meeting. I don’t want to lie to him but would like to be supportive. Also, he did mention that he was going to take his wife and son with him.
I’m going through a mix of emotions and want to support this brother.
Its a human nature when some1 walks in the way of Allah SWT our heart just get soft and suddenly, our mind tells us do whatever we can to help him out. So if it possible and ur able to help him in anyway then do it. rest I agree with x2 :)
Please forgive me If I say something offensive, but all tableeghi jamats are not same. There are few organizations and sadly they have a quite strong hold in several mosques in UK and USA. These organisations are not teaching the core values of Islam, they are hard-core fundamentalists, and please excuse my opinion that they are doing more damage than good.
You will notice that they are very intolerant of other Islamic sects, Jihad is the recurring theme. You'll also notice that they are ritual oriented, lot of emphasis on quran memorization and supplementary prayers rather than the spirit of Islam.
That's pretty offensive.
Well, when you start talking about religion everything gets to be offensive to someone.
What's to say that you're friend asking south americans to convert from whatever religion they have is not offensive? shirley, if i was a devout follower of any particular religion and was asked to convert, i would find that pretty offensive as well.
Now if you were offended about the crush part, then I'm sorry about that, your post just came across like that. I will try to go back and edit it.
Please forgive me If I say something offensive, but all tableeghi jamats are not same. There are few organizations and sadly they have a quite strong hold in several mosques in UK and USA. These organisations are not teaching the core values of Islam, they are hard-core fundamentalists, and please excuse my opinion that they are doing more damage than good.
You will notice that they are very intolerant of other Islamic sects, Jihad is the recurring theme. You'll also notice that they are ritual oriented, lot of emphasis on quran memorization and supplementary prayers rather than the spirit of Islam.
His goal is definitely Dawah not particular agenda or sectarian view. I mean he's Sunni Hanafi and so am I, but I don't think that he looking to preach the specific madhabs. It's more geared to wards just an introduction towards Islam. He had been secretly learning Brazilian (Portuguese).
Well, when you start talking about religion everything gets to be offensive to someone.
What's to say that you're friend asking south americans to convert from whatever religion they have is not offensive? shirley, if i was a devout follower of any particular religion and was asked to convert, i would find that pretty offensive as well.
Now if you were offended about the crush part, then I'm sorry about that, your post just came across like that. I will try to go back and edit it.
The crush part was offensive. In a short period of time that I have considered him like a brother, I don't randomly create threads when friends leave my job/city. I respect the guy and can't even criticize him for doing what he is doing, because as a Muslim, I think its great.
With regards to religion, I would prefer to work on becoming a better Muslim myself, before preaching to anyone, but thats just me.
I think I speak for many when I say I would like to have a look at it.
I think it may help a lot of other people see how this thing works.
So would I! I was told about this at dinner, the guy is approaching it like a marketing campaign. I don't know how it will work -- I didn't think he was serious about this.
Aww, you are such a good friend, mA. I wish there could be more genuine friends like you around.
I think if your friend is set on this, then you should help him in every way possible and make his path easy by supporting him. If you try to stop him, it might have a negative impact on your friendship.
wow mashAllah- the fact that he has seriously thought this through- not just for the spiritual purpose but also for his family, makes me so happy. I know it must be sad to see such a good friend go esp. when he has so many things common with you, but it's for a good reason and I'm sure that helps :)
Wish him best, offer help in case he needs it (i see you did that already). Tell him to stay in touch.
So would I! I was told about this at dinner, the guy is approaching it like a marketing campaign. I don't know how it will work -- I didn't think he was serious about this.
If that is his attitude to approach it like a marketing campaign then I think he will be disappointed. Religion is not a product you can sell - you cant do SWOT analysis on it. Tableegh is not based on that - its values are quite simple. Tabligh is quite controlled too so his way of giving Dawah may not even be accepted by the elders.
People get offended when someone believes themselves about what is right without giving a message backed up with facts or a mssage which may get people thinking.