We appreciate your concern, and we are aware of the fatwas and the context around them. Nonetheless, the fatwa simply discusses the effort of tablīgh; it does not discuss any factions therein, and which faction is holding the ijtima is irrelevant. The answer would have been the same if this ijtima was held by our Shura-affiliated brothers.

If someone cannot see how the gathering of tens of thousands of Muslims from around the world in a non-Muslim country like the US – where we are just 1% of the population – to talk about Allah ﷻ, His Messenger ﷺ, and bringing people closer to the dīn is anything but a blessing, then their factional politics have clouded their rational fikr (concern) for the dīn.

We have to be able to look at the broader picture. The average attendee will benefit the same and will not be able to differentiate whether it is a Nizamuddin or Shura ijtima. Those who are not associated with the effort will find more benefit in being associated with either one of the factions than being associated with neither.

Our advice to people who inquire about matters related to the factions is the same advice that our esteemed teacher Mufti Ebrahim Desai Ṣaḥib (may Allah have mercy on him) gave over a dozen times since at least 2018 and until his passing, which is as follows:

"We advise you to continue doing the effort of tablīgh. Avoid getting caught up in the differences and controversies. Identify a spiritual guide and refer to him for further guidance."

If you have strong reservations against Mawlana Saad Ṣaḥib, you are welcome to benefit from the rest of the program and skip his talk(s). If you have reservations overall and are plugged into the effort of the dīn in other avenues, continue to remain engaged there. However, for the masses who are not connected to any effort, inshaAllah, our expectation and hope is that this ijtima will be a means of benefit for them. Once their fikr for the din is activated, you are welcome to take them along in jamaat with you with any group you decide to go with.

And Allah knows best.

Mf. Abrar Mirza
Head Mufti, Darul Iftaa Chicago