Title: Is it Obligatory to Join a Group for the Propagation of Islam? Question: I really need your help in this problem of mine. I recently decided to join the tablighi movement and sincerely I just can't find any fault in it. But with all the recent findings that I've found from the internet, my reading and friends, I've started to doubt my earlier decision. Can you please help me by giving a more detailed information about tabligh , its history, why is it considered as wrong or right (according to Hadith or Qur'an)? Is it wrong to not joining any jama`ah (for a temporary time only) before finding the right one? Answer: I really do not like to criticize any movement or work that apparently seems to be organized for a good cause and a sincere motive. I would, therefore, not like to give my comments on what, in my opinion, is wrong in the ' Tablighi ' movement. However, in case you want a clarification on any aspect of the movement, you may send me your questions regarding that particular aspect of the movement, rather than ask for my comments on the movement, as a whole. As far as joining or not joining a Jama`ah (a group) is concerned, the decision rests with the individual. If the individual feels that joining a particular group shall enhance his own chances of making positive contributions to the community as well as in being a better human being and a better Muslim, he may decide on joining the group. Nevertheless, joining any group is not a religious or an Islamic requirement. In other words, Islam does not require us to join any group. The decision rests solely with the individual. Some people, however, cite some narratives ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh), in which he is reported to have said that a Muslim must remain a member of " Al-Jama`ah ", construing these narratives to imply that a Muslim should always remain a member of one of the many groups that are working for the cause of Islam. This interpretation of these narratives, in my opinion, is not correct. What these narratives imply is that after the creation of a collective organization - a Muslim state - a Muslim should live a life of submission to the decisions of the collectivity. " Al-Jama`ah " in these narratives ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh) does not imply 'any group of individuals' but actually implies the Muslim state. Thus, as has been stated earlier, the decision to join any group rests solely with the individual. He may or may not become a member of any group. Muslims are not directed to become a part of any group, besides, of course, the group of "Islam" itself. 11 th June 2000