Once I asked my tablighi friend to come with me to a bayaan of a famous Deobandi alim that I liked so much because of his powerful speeches, but my friend refused to come with me saying that it is “shakhsiyat parasti” to listed to a specific speaker. I told him that it is the most stupidest thing i have ever heard and explained him that this is not shakhsiyat parasti. Could Mufti Sahab (DB) please clarify the term shakhsiyat parasti and i would like to know if all the tablighi brothers think the same about this matter or just the ignorant ones.
What your friend defines as personality worship is not correct. We don’t call this personality worship but rather we call it guidance by personalities. Is very important to have trust in certain personalities because the benefit we gain from someone is gained due to the trust we put in him/her and allow him/her to guide us. Thus the more knowledge and piety any individual who is being followed has, the more benefit people can gain from him. It is very important to be in the company of those who know and to participate in their lectures and gatherings and to benefit from their books; this is the basis upon which Dean is based on. Whoever we trust more and has piety and knowledge then we should participate in their gatherings; and we should not be affected by the sayings of those people who prohibit others from going to these gatherings.
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