What is the meaning of Tahreef Ma'nwi? The Tabligh Jamaat applies all the Qur'aanic verses and Ahaadith pertaining to Jihad (Qitaal) fi Sabeelillah to

Answer

Tahreef Ma'nwi is a corrupt distortion of Qur'aanic or Hadith text – a distortion which changes the meaning of the text thereby attributing a meaning not intended by the Shariah, or a distortion which overrides or overshadows the true meaning of the texts, or the application of the texts to other meanings/activities not stated by the Shariah. Tahreef Ma'nwi is kufr.

2) It is haraam to change the Qur'aanic and Hadith texts which explicitly refer to Jihad in the meaning of Qitaal fi Sabeelillaah. It is not permissible to convey the idea that these texts which specifically refer to Jihad, refer to the Tabligh methodology of the Tablighi Jamaat. Such an idea is corrupt, false and baatil. Such distortion (Tahreef) is haraam and tantamount to kufr.

3) Regarding fadhaa-il and thawaab for Deeni acts, it is permissible to employ qiyaas in a restricted sense without distorting or abrogating the original meaning of the texts, and without attributing Qat'iyyat (Absolute Certitude) to the effect of such qiyaas. Thus, it will be said that a Tabligh group making khurooj for the purpose of da'wat is in the Path of Allah (Fisabeelillah) in the literal sense (Haqeeqi ma'na), not in the technical (Istilaahi) meaning.

In corroboration of this, is the Hadith which mentions that the one who leaves home in the quest of Ilm-e -Deen is Fisabeelillah until he returns. However, it will not be proper to make ta-addi (extension) of the exact thawaab of Qitaal fi sabeelillah for the customary tabligh of the Tablighi Jamaat. The thawaab for the former act is established by the Nusoos of the Shariah whereas there is no Nass whatsoever for the customary tablighi activities.

The furthest one may traverse in this sphere is to say that there is great reward for tabligh and da'wat. If there is any specific thawaab and fadhielat mentioned in the Ahaadith for tabligh other than Qitaal, then these should be mentioned. The specific virtues and rewards for Qitaal should not be transferred to the activities of the tablighi Jamaat. In so doing, it will be the commission of Tahreef Ma'nwi.

4) While the Tabligh Jamaat may encourage people by saying that there is much thawaab for participating in their style of Tabligh and Da'wat, it is not permissible for them to equate the fadhielat of their methodology to the Mansoos fadhaa-il of Jihad.

Since the Tabligh Jamaat has been peddling the idea that all the Qur'aanic Aayaat and Ahaadith pertaining to Jihad apply to their specific tablighi methodology, the rank and file –the awaam- have gained the impression that all such texts were revealed specifically for their style of tabligh. This is erroneous and dangerous.