Tablighi Jamaat

Himalaya · July 30, 2011, 10:50pm

Re: Tablighi Jamaat

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.

Any advice?

There is not much you can do but respect his beliefs and if you are a friend then support his actions.

Is he new to Tabligh or has he recently joined the movement? Is he going there alone or with others? TJ is never really targetted at non-Muslims as TJ’s stress that we need to improve Muslims before movig into non-Muslims - a view which people criticise it for.

BEWARE - he will probably try to convert you ito a TJ too. Once they start going they spare o victims. jkg!