Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahimahullah) once said:
The general method of teaching Deen to people, which we also wish to adopt through our effort of Tableegh, is the method which was adopted during the blessed era of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) (of going to people and inviting them to Deen or sitting with people and teaching them Deen e.g. in a masjid, madrasah, khaanqah etc.). During the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), it was through this method that Deen was generally learnt and taught.
Later on, all the other methods of imparting Deen, such as compiling kitaabs and learning Deen through literature etc. were thereafter invented based on the need that arose. However, in today’s times, there are certain people who feel that these new methods are the original methods of learning and propagating Deen.
These people have totally forgotten about the method that was in vogue during the time of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), whereas this is the original method of teaching people Deen, and reaching out to the masses on a large scale will only be achieved through adopting this method.
(Malfoozaat Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas [rahmatullahi ‘alaih] pg. 59)
Source: Ihyaauddeen.co.za