Is it true that some Islamic scholars including Bin Baaz gave a fatwa saying that it is haram to follow jamaah tabligh?

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

We do not know of a Fatwa by Ibn Baz (Rahimahu Allah) in which he forbids going out with the Tablighi Jamah.  On the contrary, we notice in his Fatawa that he incites to cooperate with them and to advise them.

In his response to Iwad Bin Iwad al-Kahtani, when the latter inquired about this group, he stated that it was confirmed from trustworthy people who kept company with them that they did not notice anything contradictory to the Shariah, or anything that would prohibit going out with them.  He mentioned some of their positive effects on whomever accompanied them, and he does not see any harm in going out with them.  The people of knowledge should cooperate with them and make up for any shortcomings that may result from them. Speech No. 1155 dated 05/09/1399 A.H.

In his response to Abdel-Selam Al-Sulaimani he stated that he learnt from trustworthy people who are impossible to lie, like the lecturers of Tawheed in the Islamic University (Al-Jami’a Al-Islamiya) and others, that the Tablighi group are patient in calling to Islam, being affectionate and steadfast.  Allah guided, thanks to them, many people who are astray.  Ibn Baz was advising the people of knowledge to participate with them in calling to Allah so that they would help each other.  It is not appropriate to judge the Jama by the shortcoming of some individuals amongst them.  It is incumbent upon a Muslim to advise his Muslim brothers with soft words, and not run away from them or make other people dislike them.  Speech No. 325 dated 20/03/1406 A.H.

In his response to Ibrahim Abdurrahman al-Hussein Ibn Baz stated that he is still holding to his opinion in what he wrote about them previously, because, thanks to them, Allah benefited enormously other people, and guided many people.  Therefore, we must thank them for their efforts and encourage them and draw their attention to things that they might not be aware of, because Muslims must advise each other.  He urged people to go out with them and gather with them.  He stated to those who contradict them the following:

“You have to stop criticizing them, or do what they have done.”

Speech dated 27/01/1407 A.H.

Ibn Baz responded also to Saad Bin Abderrahman Alhussayn to doctor Taki al-Dinn al-Hillali and criticized them about discrediting this group.  He also responded to Fahih Bin Nafi’i when he criticized them, and praised them and confirmed his view by standing by their side but advising them with regard to the shortfall that could result from some of them, as everybody is subjected to imperfection, this is the human nature.

He stated that running away from them and warning people not to mix with them is a serious mistake as these causes more harm than benefit.

Speech No. 889, dated 12/08/1406 A.H.

Apart from Sheikh Ibn Baz, there are those who praised this group and those who criticized it.

A Muslim has to ask Allah often for guidance about things on which there is a difference of opinion, and to seek the truth without fanaticism, and to cooperate with those who work for Islam on whatever truth they are upon and not to imitate them if they deviate from the truth, nobody is infallible after the Prophets.  The words and actions of every person could be accepted or rejected.  However, we have to advise with wisdom whomever deviates from the truth, and explain to  him the truth with the best manners. 

We have to supplicate a lot with the supplication that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) used to make at the beginning of the night prayer which is: “O, Allah! Lord of Jibreel, Mikaael, and Israafeel, Creator of the Heavens and the Earth, Knower of the Seen and the Unseen, You are the Arbitrator between Your Servants in that which they have disputed.  Guide me to the truth by Your leave, in that which they have differed, for verify You guide whom You will to the straight path.”

In addition to this, we draw your attention to the fact that a person should be keen in educating himself, by learning what is required of Tawheed and Islamic rulings.  To know that Allah has a right upon him, his body (soul) has a right upon him, and his wife (and family) has a right upon him, so he has to give the right of everybody.  He has to benefit from the point of view of others on himself, and not to be content with oneself, and not to call to Allah except with something he is sure about, that it is from Allah and His Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam).

                                                                                      Allah knows best.