Salvation Of This Ummah

I swear by the Time, [1] man is in a state of loss indeed, [2] except those who believed and did righteous deeds, and advised each other of truth, and advised each other for patience. [3] Surah Al-'Asr

In Ma'ariful Qur'an Mufti Muhammad Shafi Usmani (r.a.) commentates on the in italic written part of this short Surah with the following words:

Need To Salvage the Entire Muslim Society

This Surah lays down the important principle of guidance for the Muslims that inviting other Muslims to keep to the true faith and good deeds is a much necessary as their own submission to the Holy Qur'an and Sunnah. Without sincere efforts, to the best of one's ability, to invite others to the right path, one's own good deeds are not enough for one's salvation. Especially, if a person does not take care of the spiritual and moral welfare of his wife, children and family and turns a blind eye to their unrighteous deeds, he is blocking his way to salvation - no matter how pious he himself might be. Therefore, the Qur'an and Sunnah make it obligatory on upon every Muslim to do his best to invite other to the good deeds, and warn them against the evil acts. Unfortunately, let alone the general public, many learned people are lax in this matter. They think it is sufficient to be concerned about their own moral and spiritual well-being. They are not concerned about the well-being of their family and children. May Allah grant us the ability to act upon this verse.

[English Ma'ariful Qur'an, Volume 8, p. 872-873]

Ameen! This tafseer from one of the greatest scholars of our time speaks a very clear language. Still some of our own brother and sisters, which even include some scholars, question the act of Muslims reminding Muslims of the right path. Some go even so far to condemn fellow Muslims for spending their own time, their own wealth and themselves to take care of their own moral and spiritual well-being and that of others. How can it be an innovation (bid'ah) to help eachother to gain more Yaqin on Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala and the Sunnah of Muhammad (s.a.w.), gain more concentration and devotion in all kind of their Ibaadats, gain more Knowledge (Ilm) about what Allah Ta'ala requests from His servants, gain more consciousness about fulfilling the rights of others, gain more Purity (Ikhlas) in all their actions and gain more awareness about the duty, which has been clearly explained above by Mufti Muhammad Shafi Usmani Sahab (r.a.)?

Instead we all should support this great effort, which revived the Oneness of Allah Ta'ala in many minds and the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) in many lives of fellow members of this Ummah. And I'm not talking about a special group or sect, because there doesn't exist a group that people like to label as "Tablighi Jama'at". Unfortunately, even many brother and sisters engaged in this effort aren't aware of that. And which many people in their blind rage like to call innovations (bid'ah) are just administrative actions, that have been taken by our Ulama to revive this effort as a congregational (ijtimay) struggle in this Ummah, which every Muslim can take part in - and all of them are permissible according to Shari'ah.

May Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala give us all the tawfiq (ability) to acquire and practice upon the four qualities mentioned in the Surah above.