From Miracles to Mission: Building a Lasting Jamaat

Recorded 2 August 1998, this episode is an in-depth strategic lecture for the nucleus of a Jamaat focused on dawah and tabligh. The speaker—addressing movement leaders and those responsible for policy and outreach—covers theological foundations (the purpose of creation as worship, Allah’s will, the role of messengers and awliya), the purpose of miracles and karamat as a means to attract people to the Messenger and to Allah, and the importance of adab and niyah.

Practical topics include prerequisites for sustained missionary work (total dedication, family alignment, personal sacrifice), organizational needs (documentation, photos, tapes, brochures), and media strategies for the United States: seminars, mosque outreach, public lectures, interviews, and use of video and the internet. The talk references historical examples and contemporary figures—Prophets (e.g., Isa and Musa), Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani, Imam Ahmad Hanbal, Sheikh Hisham, Shaykh Nazim, Mawlana Maududi—and local contributors such as Brother Nafisul Rahman, Brother Isa and Brother Tyler.

Key takeaways: the movement must follow the sunnah of using charismatic personalities and signs as a means to guide people to Allah; success requires full-time commitment from core workers rather than part-time effort; image-building must be truthful and well-packaged; materials (photographs, interviews, recordings) should be organized and widely distributed; and leaders should develop a clear, visionary plan to grow from a nucleus into a widespread, lasting movement. The episode ends with concrete next steps—organize archival material, plan interviews (Brother Isa and Brother Tyler), and return with specific outreach proposals for implementation.