Tablighi Jamaat

From Vero - Wikipedia
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Template:Short description Template:Distinguish Template:About Template:EngvarB Template:Use dmy dates Template:Infobox Religious group Template:Islam Template:Deobandi

Tablighi Jamaat (Template:Langx Template:Lit,<ref name=Who_are_the_Tablighi_Jamaat>Template:Citation</ref><ref>Template:Citation
"Tableegh literally means 'to convey'. Contextually, it refers to conveying the message of Islam."</ref> also translated as "propagation party" or "preaching party")<ref name="Pieri 2021"/><ref name="Burki 2013"/><ref name="Kuiper 2018"/> is an international Islamic religious movement.<ref name="Pieri 2021"/><ref name="Burki 2013"/> It focuses on exhorting Muslims to be more religiously observant<ref name=pew/> and encourages fellow members to return to practise their religion according to the teachings of the Islamic prophet Muhammad,<ref name=20090908theguardian>Template:Cite news</ref> and secondarily give dawah (calling) to non-Muslims.<ref name="Kuiper 2018"/> "One of the most widespread Sunni" islah (reform)<ref name="Kuiper 2018"/> and called "one of the most influential religious movements in 20th-century Islam,"<ref name=AMFO1994:524>Template:Harvp</ref> the organisation is estimated to have between 12 and 80 million adherents worldwide,<ref name=pew>Template:Cite web</ref> spread over 150 countries,<ref name="Burki 2013"/><ref name="Kuiper 2018"/><ref name="fred">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=masoodi-16-9-13/> with the majority living in South Asia.<ref name="usip.org">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=sameer>Template:Cite web</ref>

The group encourages its followers to undertake short-term preaching missions (khuruj), lasting from a few days to a few months in groups of usually forty days and four months, to preach to Muslims reminding them of "the core teachings of the Prophet Muhammad" and encourage them to attend mosque prayers and sermons. Members "travel, eat, sleep, wash and pray together in the mosques and often observe strict regimens relating to dress and personal grooming".<ref name=pew/>

Established in 1926 by Muhammad Ilyas Kandhlawi, in the Mewat region of British India, it has roots in the revivalist tradition of the Deobandi school,<ref name="Kuiper 2018"/> and developed as a response to the deterioration of moral values and the neglect of aspects of Islam.<ref name="Pieri 2021"/> The movement aims for the spiritual reformation of Islam by working at the grassroots level.<ref name=fred/><ref name=thetimes1942007>Template:Cite news</ref> The teachings of Tabligh Jamaat are expressed in "Six Principles": Kalimah (Declaration of faith), Salah (Prayer), Ilm-o-Zikr (Reading and Remembrance), Ikraam-e-Muslim (Respect for Muslims), Ikhlas-e-Niyyat (Sincerity of intention), and Dawat-o-Tableegh (Proselytisation).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Tablighi Jamaat denies any political affiliation, involvement in debate over political or Islamic doctrine such as fiqh,<ref name="pacifists" /><ref name=p135>Template:Harvnb</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> let alone terrorism.<ref name="pacifists" /> It maintains its focus is on the study of the sacred scriptures of Islam: the Quran and the Hadith,<ref name=p135/><ref name=jenkins>Template:Cite book</ref> and that the personal spiritual renewal that results will lead to reformation of society.<ref name=pew/> However, the group has been accused of maintaining political links,<ref name=fred /> and being used by members of Islamic terrorist organisations to recruit operatives.<ref name="Burki 2013"/><ref name="Kuiper 2018"/><ref name="usip.org"/><ref name="pacifists" />

History

The emergence of Tablighi Jamaat also coincided closely with the rise of various Hindu revivalist movements such as Shuddhi (purification) and Sanghatan (consolidation) launched in the early twentieth century to reconvert Hindus who had converted to Islam and Tablighi Jamaat has been called a "missionary offshoot" of the revivalist Deobandi movement of India.<ref name="Geaves-194">Template:Cite book</ref>

Origin

File:তাবলীগ জামাতের প্রতিষ্ঠাতা মাওলানা ইলিয়াস (রঃ).jpg
Muhammad Ilyas Kandhlawi

Muhammad Ilyas Kandhlawi, the founder of Tablighi Jamaat, wanted to create a movement that would enjoin good and forbid evil as the Quran decreed,<ref>Template:Qref</ref><ref name=p65/> as his teacher Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi dreamed of doing. The inspiration for this came to Ilyas in a dream during his second pilgrimage to Mecca in 1926.<ref name="Agwani">Template:Cite book</ref>

Ilyas abandoned his teaching post at Madrasah Mazahir Uloom in Saharanpur and became a missionary for reforming Muslims (but he did not advocate preaching to non-Muslims). He relocated near Dargah Hazrat Nizamuddin in Delhi, where this movement was formally launched in 1926,<ref name="AMFO1994:512">Template:Harvnb</ref> or 1927.<ref name="Dietrich Reetz 2006, p 33">Dietrich Reetz, Sûfî spirituality fires reformist zeal: The Tablîghî Jamâ'at in today's India and Pakistan, Archives de sciences sociales des religions, 135 | juillet–septembre 2006, mis en ligne le 01 septembre 2009, consulté le 29 novembre 2014. p. 33.</ref> When setting the guidelines for the movement, he sought inspiration from the practices adopted by Muhammad at the dawn of Islam.<ref name=p65>Template:Harvnb</ref> Muhammad Ilyas put forward the slogan, Template:Nowrap, "O Muslims, become [true] Muslims!". This expressed the central focus of Tablighi Jamaat: their aim to renew Muslims by socially by trying to unite them in embracing the lifestyle of Muhammad. The movement gained a following in a relatively short period and nearly 25,000 people attended the annual conference in November 1941.<ref name=AMFO1994:512/>

At the time, some Muslim Indian leaders feared that Muslims were losing their religious identity and were heedless of Islamic rituals. The movement was never given any name officially, but Ilyas called it Tahrik-i Imaan.<ref name="k261">Kepel, War for Muslim Minds, 2004: p. 261</ref><ref>Template:Harvnb</ref> Muhammad Ilyas died in 1945 and he himself is buried in the Nizām Ad-Dīn Mosque.

The Mewat region where Tablighi Jamaat started near Delhi<ref name="Dietrich Reetz 2006, p 33"/> was inhabited by the Meos, an ethnic group native to the region, most of whom had converted to Islam, and then had adopted Hindu traditions and attitudes when Muslim political power declined in the region, lacking the necessary acumen (according to one author, Roger Ballard) required to resist the cultural and religious influence of majority Hindus, prior to the arrival of Tablighi Jamaat.<ref name="Ballard 1994 64">Template:Harvnb</ref>

Expansion

File:Biswa Ijtema Dhaka Bangladesh.jpg
Bishwa Ijtema in Bangladesh

The group began to expand its activities in 1946. The initial expansion within South Asia happened immediately after the partition of India in 1947, when the Pakistan Chapter was established in the hinterlands of Raiwind town near Lahore, Pakistan. The Pakistan Chapter remained the largest until Bangladesh became independent from Pakistan in 1971. Today, the largest Chapter is Bangladesh followed by the second largest in Pakistan. Within two decades of its establishment, the group reached Southwest and Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.<ref name=AMFO1994:514>Template:Harvnb</ref> The Tablighi Jamaat's aversion to politics, and also its lack of any direct and practical economic-political-social viewpoints, helped it enter and operate in societies, especially western countries and societies where politically active religious groups faced restrictions.<ref name=AMFO1994:524/>

Foreign missions

The first foreign missions were sent to the Hejaz (western Saudi Arabia) and Britain in 1946.<ref>Template:Harvnb</ref> The United States followed and during the 1970s and 1980s the Tablighi Jamaat also established a large presence in continental Europe.<ref name="k261"/> In France it was introduced in the 1960s, and grew significantly in the two decades following 1970.<ref name="FIGORSM-29-1-12">Template:Cite news</ref>

In France, as of 2004, it was represented on the French Council of the Muslim Faith.<ref name="k261"/> During the first half-decade of the 21st century Tablighi Jamaat went through a major revival in France, reaching 100,000 followers by 2006.<ref name=daily>Template:Cite news</ref> However, the United Kingdom is the current focus of the movement in Europe, primarily due to the large South Asian population that began to arrive there in the 1960s.<ref name=Eva>Template:Cite web</ref> By 2007, Tablighi Jamaat members were situated at 600 of Britain's 1,350 mosques.<ref name=Norfolk>Template:Cite news</ref>

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, the movement made inroads into Central Asia. As of 2007, it was estimated that 10,000 Tablighi Jamaat members could be found in Kyrgyzstan.<ref name=rotar>Template:Cite web</ref>

Pew Research Center estimates there are between 12 and 80 million adherents, spread across more than 150 countries.<ref name=masoodi-16-9-13>Template:Cite news</ref> The majority of the followers of the Tablighi Jamaat live in South Asia.<ref name=fred/><ref name=sameer/> It is estimated that nearly 50,000 members of Tablighi Jamaat are active in the United States.<ref name=fred/>

Beliefs and objectives

Members of Tabligh Jamat are allowed to follow their own fiqh as long as it does not deviate from Sunni Islam.<ref name=p135/><ref name=Eva/> Tablighi Jamaat defines its objective with reference to the concept of Dawah, the proselytising or preaching of Islam. Tablighi Jamaat interprets Dawah as enjoining good and forbidding evil only and defines its objective within the framework of two particular Qur'anic verses which refer to this mission.<ref>Template:Harvnb</ref> Those two verses are:<ref>Template:Harvnb</ref>

Template:Blockquote Template:Blockquote

Six Attributes (Sifāt)

File:Principles of tabligh jamaat.svg
Six Principles of Tabligh Jamaat

When Tablighi Jamaat visits a village or neighborhood, it invites the local Muslims to assemble in the mosque to hear their message in the form of "Six Attributes".<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> These six Attributes were derived from the lives of the companions of Muhammad, since Muslims believe Sahabah (companions) are the best human beings after Muhammad—It is stated in one hadith, "My Sahabah (companions) are like [guiding] stars, whosoever follows [any] one of them will be guided."<ref name="AMFO1994:513">Template:Harvnb</ref><ref>[(Sahih Muslim 6466; 207-(2531) Darussalam ed.)]</ref> The Six Sifāt are basically a discussion about six special Attributes that when achieved, will just make it easy to follow the entire Dīn. These objectives are:

  1. Kalimah (ʾImān'i Sifāt) — T.J Believes, to achieve it, One must have to strive. To make his iman into Yaqeen. That, Creation cannot do anything without the will of Allah, but Allah can & Peace-Happiness, Success is lying only in the way that Muhammad shows, not in any other worldly ways.<ref name="Ali_&_Sahib">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Lone">Template:Cite bookTemplate:ASIN</ref>
  2. Salah (Namaz) — T.J Believes, One must have to try to achieve the sahaba standard salah. in both the inward and outward manners, that the Companions learnt from Muhammad. Have to make a Yaqeen that, by doing so one can become direct recipients from the vast Treasuries of Allah.<ref name="Ali_&_Sahib"/><ref name="Lone"/>
  3. Ilm with Zikr (Knowledge and Remembrance of Allah) — T.J Believes, One must have to try to know what Allah desires from us at any particular time and condition. know to differentiate halal-Haram. so that he can act accordingly in the way Muhammad taught. Try to achieve, the consciousness and remembrance of Allah in every action, at each moment in one's worldly existence. these two are combined because only through the quality of Zikr, A'mal can be done with the full consciousness and remembrance of Allah. T.J Believes, the benefits of ilm should be learned in Taleem programs & ilm Maslaha from Ulama.<ref name="Ali_&_Sahib"/><ref name="Lone"/> The knowledge and remembrance of Allah conducted individually and in sessions where the congregation listens to preaching by the emir, performs prayers, recites the Quran and reads Hadith. The congregation will also use these sessions to eat meals together, thus fostering a sense of community and identity.<ref name="usip.org"/>
  4. Ikram al-Muslim (Honoring Muslims; Ikram Sifāt) — Treating fellow Muslims "with honor and deference". T.J Believes, One must have to try to act Iḥsān (in the best possible way, with excellence and perfection), toward every Creation. One should invariably fulfil the obligations towards other human beings as commanded by Allah, & as taught by Muhammad. One should be prepared to sacrifice one's own rights, for which one will be rewarded in the hereafter. The other aspect of this sifat is, Akhlaq and Haqooq Ul Ibad encompassing rights of the Muslims as well as mankind. It is through these moral values, character building and showing sympathy to Muslims and non Muslims like poor, sick, elderly and other needy Islamic teachings could be practically disseminated.<ref name="Ali_&_Sahib"/><ref name="Lone"/>
  5. Ikhlas-i-Niyyah (Purity, Sincerity of Intention; Ikhlāṣ Sifāt) — T.J Believes, One must have to try to be pure, sincere when making an intention. every action is to be undertaken with no other end in view but to please Allah, & to reform oneself. Any slightest deviation from this set path is bound to generate the wrath, anger of Allah instead as it tantamont to admitting partner in that deed. Whether it be ibadat or mu'amalat, Allah accepts only such deeds which are offered purely with an intention to gain his pleasure only. A small act with purity in intention is great, considered acceptable and fully reward-able by Allah, compared to a big one where a slightest corruption in intention is present.<ref name="Ali_&_Sahib"/><ref name="Lone"/>
  6. Dawah and Tabligh (Invitation and Conveyance, Preach; Dāʿī Sifāt), also Tafrigh-i-Waqt (sparing time in the path of Allah; Missionary tours;) — T.J Believes, As there are no more prophets to come, the responsibility for the effort of Da'wah now falls upon the Ummah. So, One should spent his life, wealth & time in the way of Allah. so that he can learn the proper use of these three, which was actually borrowed from Allah. Should follow the footsteps of Muhammad, by taking His message door to door. He should make an effort so that everyone can gets closer to Allah, & also withdraw himself from worldly engagements to go forth in missionary groups.<ref name="Ali_&_Sahib"/><ref name="Lone"/> spend one night a week, one weekend a month, 40 continuous days a year, and ultimately 120 days at least once in their lives. Women would work among other women or travel occasionally, with their men folk on longer tours. Only in an atmosphere free of worldly thoughts can be there a true receptivity to the message concerned.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Activities, traditions, methodology

Template:Quote box The activism of Tablighi Jamaat can be characterised by the last of the Six Principles. This principle, Tafrigh-i-Waqt (English: sparing of time) justifies the withdrawal from World, though temporarily, for travelling. Travel has been adopted as the most effective method of personal reform and has become an emblematic feature of organisation. They describe the purpose of this retreat as to patch the damages caused by the worldly indulgence and occasionally use the dry-dock parable to explain this.<ref name=p166>Template:Harvnb</ref>

These individual jamaats, each led by an ameer, are sent from each markaz across the city or country to remind people to persist on the path of God. The duration of the work depends on the discretion of each jamaat. A trip can take an evening, a couple of days or a prolonged duration.<ref name=fred/><ref name=womenbm/>

Khurūj (proselytising tour)

Preaching tours hold an important position in the Tablighi Da'wah methodology that they may be referred as 'travelers in faith' <ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Tabligh Jamaat encourages its followers to follow the pattern of spending "one night a week, one weekend a month, 40 continuous days a year, and ultimately 120 days at least once in their lives engaged in tabligh missions".<ref name="bmppp"/> During the course of these tours, members are generally seen dressed in simple, white, loose-clothing, carrying sleeping bags on their backs.<ref name=womenbm/> These members use mosques as their base during this travel but particular mosques, due to more frequent tablighiyat activities, have come to be specifically associated with this organisation. These mosques generally hold the periodic, smaller scale convocations for neighbourhood members.<ref name="bmppp"/>

During their stay in mosques, these jamaats conduct a daily gasht, which involves visiting local neighbourhoods, preferably with the help of a guide called as rehbar.<ref name=Eva/> They invite people to attend the Maghrib prayer at their mosque and those who attend are delivered a sermon after the prayers, which essentially outlines the Six Principles. They urge the attendees to spend time in tabligh for self reformation and the propagation of Islam.<ref>Template:Harvnb</ref>

Generally, the assumed role of these jamaat members cycle in a way that they may be engaged as a preacher, a cook or as a cleaner at other times. Among Tabligh Jamaat members, this is generally referred to as khidmat which essentially connotes to serving their companions and freeing them for tablighi engagements.<ref name=womenbm/> The members of the Jamaat are assigned these roles based on the day's mashwara. The markaz keeps records of each jamaat and its members, the identity of whom is verified from their respective mosques. Mosques are used to assist the tablighi activities of individual jamaats that voluntarily undertake preaching missions.<ref name=fred/><ref name=sameer/> Members of a jamaat, ideally, pay expenses themselves so as to avoid financial dependence on anyone.<ref name=womenbm>Template:Cite web</ref>

Ijtema (annual gathering)

File:Congregation of Muslim, Tongi, Bangladesh.jpg
Bishwa Ijtema (World Gathering) of Muslims at Tongi, Bangladesh

Template:Main An annual gathering of followers, called ijtema, is summoned at headquarters of the respective countries. A typical ijtema continues for three days and ends with an exceptionally long prayer.<ref name=daily/> These gatherings are considered moments of intense blessings by Tabligh Jamaat members and are known to attract members in excess of 2 million in some countries.<ref name=bmppp/> The oldest ijtema of the World started in Bhopal, capital city of Madhya Pradesh, India. It attracts people from all over the world. Almost 2 million people gather for this annual gathering.Template:Citation needed One of the largest of such annual gatherings is held in Bangladesh. The Bengali gathering, called Bishwa Ijtema (World Gathering), converges followers from around the world in Tongi near Dhaka, Bangladesh, with an attendance exceeding 2 million people.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=reuters1018192007>Template:Cite news</ref> The second largest Tabligh Jamaat gathering takes place in Raiwind, Pakistan which was attended by approximately 1.5 million people in 2004.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2011 Pakistan divided the Ijtema into two parts and a total of 1 million people attended each of the two Ijtema.<ref name=tribune294886>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=tribune298670>Template:Cite web</ref>

Methodology

The method adopted by Muhammad Ilyas was to organise units (called jamaats, Template:Langx meaning Assembly) of at least ten persons and send them to various villages or neighborhoods to preach. These outings, Dawah tours (see below), are now organised by Tablighi Jamaat leaders.<ref name="GKWMM2004:83">Kepel, War for Muslim Minds, 2004: p. 83</ref> In these tours, emphasis is laid on "A hadith about virtues of action" (imitating Muhammad). In the ahadith (reported sayings of Muhammad) of fazail (virtues) these has been called Eemaan (faith) and Ihtisab (for the sake of Allah) and Tablighi Jamaat believes this is the most vital deriving force for reward in akhirah (afterlife). The Tablighi Jamaat founder Ilyas preached that knowledge of virtues and A'amalu-Saliha (Good Deeds and Actions) takes precedence over the knowledge of Masa'il (jurisprudence). Knowing jurisprudence detail (Fara'id (mandates) and Sunan (traditions) of Salat) is useful only if a person is ready to perform rituals such as offering Salat.<ref name="tablighijamaattruth.blogspot.in">Template:Cite web</ref> They insist that the best way of learning is teaching and encouraging others, with the books prescribed by Tabligi Jamaat Movement in the light of Quran and Hadith stories of Prophets, Sahaba (Companions of Prophet) and Awlia Allah ("Friends of Allah").<ref name="bmppp">Template:Cite web</ref> <ref group="Note">In this background Tablighi Jamaat suggest a series of books comprising Riyadus Saliheen, Muntakhab Ahadith (Collection of authentic Ahadith without commentary), Hayatus Sahaba and Fadhaa'il A'maal Vol 1 & 2<ref name="tablighijamaattruth.blogspot.in"/> and other books.<ref name="central-mosque.com">Template:Cite web</ref>' etc.</ref> A collection of books, usually referred as Tablighi Nisaab (Tablighi Curriculum), is recommended by Tabligh Jamaat elders for general reading. This set includes four books namely (Hayatus Sahabah, Fazail-e-Amaal, Fazail-e-Sadqaat and Muntakhab Ahadith).<ref>Template:Harvnb</ref>

In its early days and in South Asia, the Tabligh movement aimed to return to orthodoxy and "purify" the Muslim religio-cultural identity of heterodox or "borderline" Muslims who still practised customs and religious rites connected with Hinduism. Especially to counteract the efforts of Hindu proselytising movements who targeted these often recently converts from Hinduism.<ref name="AMFO1994:511">Template:Harvnb</ref> Unlike common proselytising movements, Tablighi Jamaat has mostly focused on making Muslims 'better and purer' and ideally "religiously perfect", rather than preaching to the non-Muslims. This is because (it believes) dawah to non-Muslims will only be effective (or will be much more effective) when a Muslim reaches "perfection".<ref name="AMFO1994:511" /><ref>Template:Harvnb</ref>

Organisation

File:Kakrail Mosque, Dhaka.jpg
Kakrail Mosque, Dhaka. The Tablighi Jamaat movement in Bangladesh is mostly based here.

Tablighi Jamaat follows an informal organisational structure and keeps an introverted institutional profile. It has been described as "a free-floating religious movement with minimal dependence on hierarchy, leadership positions, and decision-making procedures."<ref name=AMFO1994:459>Template:Harvnb</ref> It keeps its distance from the mass media and avoids publishing details about its activities and membership. The group also exercises complete abstinence from expressing opinions on political and controversial issues, mainly to avoid the disputes that would accompany these endorsements.<ref name=mef>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=dawn460513>Template:Cite news</ref> As an organisation, Tabligh Jamaat does not seek donations and is not funded by anyone; in fact, members have to bear their own expenditures. Since there is no formal registration process and no official membership count has ever been taken, the exact membership statistics remain unknown.<ref name="AMFO1994:514"/> The movement discourages interviews with its elders and has never officially released texts, although there are publications associated with the movement (usually referred to as Tablighi Nisaab [Tablighi Curriculum]). The emphasis has never been on book learning but rather on first-hand personal communication.<ref name="bmppp"/><ref name="AMFO1994:516">Template:Harvnb</ref>

The organisation's activities are coordinated through centers called Markaz. It also has country-wise centers in over 200 countries to coordinate its activities. These centers organise volunteer, self-funding people in groups (called jamaats), averaging ten to twelve people, to remind Muslims to remain steadfast on the path of Allah.<ref name=sameer/> These jamaats and preaching missions are self-funded by their respective members.

Ameer is the title of supervisor (doyen) in the Tabligh Jamaat, and the attribute largely sought is the quality of faith rather than the worldly rank.<ref name=womenbm/> The ameer of Tabligh Jamaat is appointed for life by a central consultative council (shura) and elders of the Tabligh Jamaat.<ref name="AMFO1994:516"/> The first emir was Muhammad Ilyas Kandhalawi, later succeeded by his son Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Kandhalawi and then by Inamul Hasan Kandhlawi, and the current emir is Muhammad Saad Kandhlawi. Sometime in 1992, 3 years before the time of his demise, Inamul Hasan Kandhlawi formed a 10-member advisory committee to appoint an emir (ameer). This 10-member advisory committee consisted of Saeed Ahmed Khan, Mufti Zainul Abideen, Muhammad Umar Palanpuri, Izhar-ul-Hasan Kandhlawi, Zubair-ul-Hassan Kandhlawi, Miyaji Mehraab, Haji Abdul Wahhab, Haji Abdul Muqeet, Haji Afzal, Muhammad Saad Kandhlawi, and Khalid Siddiqui Aligarhi.<ref name="Maolana Muhammad Saad in Bhopal Ijtema of India">Template:Cite news</ref>

Since 2016, Tableeghi Jamat has functioned as two groups after a bitter division, one led by Maulana Saad Kandhelvi with headquarters in India, and the other led by a collective Shura with headquarters in Punjab, Pakistan and Bangladesh. There have been at least three violent clashes, one in Delhi, India and two in Bangladesh.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Role of women

In Tablighi Jamaat, women are encouraged to stay at home, and to choose a life of "segregation between female and male". However they also engage in proselytising activities, discussing among themselves in small groups the basics of Tabligh and traveling with their husbands (or another mahram) on proselytising trips.<ref name=defeo-12-10-09>Template:Cite web</ref> Tabligh inculcates in them that dawah is also important alongside taking care of their spouses or taking care of their children.<ref name=defeo-12-10-09/>

According to a 1996 study by Barbara Metcalf,<ref name=womenbm/> the Tablighi Jamaat has encouraged women to participate since the beginning of the movement. Some scholars objected to the participation of women, but Muhammad Ilyas slowly gained their support and the first jamaat of women was formed in Nizamuddin, Delhi.<ref name=womenbm/> Accompanied by a close male relative, (mahram), women are encouraged to go out in jamaats and work among other women and family members while following the rules of modesty, seclusion and segregation. They observe hijab by covering their faces and hands.<ref name=daily/><ref name=womenbm/> Jamaats of women sometimes participate in large annual meetings; otherwise, they commonly hold neighbourhood meetings.

Tablighi Jamaat tends to blur the boundaries of gender roles and both genders share a common behavioural model and their commitment to tabligh. The emphasis is on a common nature and responsibilities shared by both genders. Just as men redraw the gender roles when they wash and cook during the course of da'wa tours, women undertake the male responsibility of sustaining the household.<ref name=womenbm/> Women do not play any role in the higher echelons of the movement,<ref name=daily/> but their opinions are taken into due consideration. Women and the family members are told to learn Quran and follow 5 Amaals in everyday life, Taleem of Ahadees, Quran recitation, 6 Points muzakera, and mashwara for daily life work and fikr for the whole world as people from around the world will be coming and they are the ones who have to learn before they can teach.<ref name=womenbm/>

File:Cot Goh.jpg
Mushawara after Bayan Subh at Tablighi Jamaat center in Cot Goh, Montasik, Aceh Besar, Aceh

Criticism and controversy

Lack of political activism

Tablighi Jamaat avoids scrutiny and official ban by maintaining absolute secrecy and neutral stance towards the Political Islam by remaining neutral towards extremist Islamic groups "neither condemning nor supporting their actions" as " any overt connection with these groups is not in the best interest of the Tablighi Jamaat", thus allowing it to coexist even in modern Western world. Many analysts find this neutrality of Tablighi Jamaat towards extremist political Islamist groups sufficient to make Tablighi Jamaat culpable because Islamist militant groups often attend TJ congregations "where they hand out recruitment pamphlets". This allows those radicals to obtain the cover of Tablighi Jamaat to gain visa for overseas travel. "It is thus possible that a [extremist Islamist] flame sparked and fueled by Tabligh could begin to burn out of control."<ref name=tagrad1>Islamist Networks: The Case of Tablighi Jamaat, United States Institute of Peace, 12 Oct 2006.</ref>

Tabligh Jamaat has been criticised—especially by the radical islamist groups,<ref name=tagrad1/> such as Hizb ut-Tahrir and Jamaat-e-Islami, for its neutral political stance and failure to assist Islamist forces in the fight against secular or non-Islamist opponents. Specifically they criticise the Tabligh Jamaat's neutral position towards issues in South Asia such as the introduction of an Islamic constitution in Pakistan (1950s), Islam vs socialism (1969–1971), communal riots in India in the 1970s and 1980s, the Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Movement (1974), and Nizam-e-Mustafa Movement (1977).<ref name="AMFO1994:518">Template:Harvnb</ref> The Tablighi Jamaat, in response, states that it is only by avoiding the political debates that the Tablighi Jamaat has been successful in reawakening the spiritual conscience of the followers. The apolitical stance also helped it operate in difficult times, such as during the governments of Ayub Khan (1960s) and Indira Gandhi (1975–77), when other sociopolitical Islamic groups faced restrictions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="AMFO1994:518" />

The difference of opinion regarding political participation also marks the fundamental difference between the Tablighi Jamaat and Islamist movements. While the Islamists believe that the acquisition of political power is the absolute requirement for the establishment of an Islamic society, the Tablighi Jamaat believes that mere political power is not enough to ensure effective organisation of the Islamic social order.<ref name="AMFO1994:519">Template:Harvnb</ref> The exclusive focus of the Tablighi Jamaat's attention is the individual, and members believe the reformation of society and institutions will only be effective through education and reform of individuals. It insists that nations and social systems exist by the virtue of the individuals who form them; therefore, the reform must begin at the grass-roots with individuals and not at the higher level of political structure.<ref name="AMFO1994:517">Template:Harvnb</ref>

Nasiruddin al-Albani in his book "Darsush Shaikhul Albani" talks about Tabligh Jamaat's aloofness from politics,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Template:Blockquote

Ideological opposition

Tablighi Jamaat has received criticism in the Indian subcontinent from the Barelvi movement. One of the main criticisms against them is that the men neglect and ignore their families, especially by going out on da'wa tours. Tablighi Jamaat participants, in response, argue that both genders should be equally engaged in Tabligh. They further say that women, like men, are also urged to carry the responsibility of Tabligh and that men should facilitate women's participation by providing childcare.<ref name="womenbm" />

Tablighi Jamaat has been criticised for being retrogressive. The women in the movement observe hijab for which the movement has been accused of keeping women "strictly subservient and second string".<ref name="daily" />

Before the rule of Prince Muhammad bin Salman, Salafist and Wahhabi ulema in Saudi Arabia issued rulings "declaring Tablighis to be deviants and forbidding participation in Tablighi activities unless the reason for the participation is to criticise" the alleged deviancy.<ref name="fred"/> They also issued fatwa prohibiting Tablighi literature and preaching in that country.<ref name="fred"/>

Allegations of extremism

Denials by TJ

Template:Anchor

Tablighi Jamaat focuses on religion and generally avoids political activities and debates,<ref name=pacifists/> claiming that the reformation of society will be achieved through personal spiritual renewal.<ref name=pew/> It has been criticised by some Muslims for being too pacifist/quietist.<ref name="pacifists"/> Its leaders have denied any links with terrorism,<ref name="pacifists">Template:Cite news</ref> denounced Al-Qaeda,<ref name=NYT/> but admit to not controlling its membership.<ref name=20060819theguardian>Template:Cite news</ref>

At least three western experts on Islam have testified to its apolitical, quietist and/or peaceful character:

According to the American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC), the Tablighi Jamaat teaches that jihad is "primarily as personal purification rather than as holy warfare".<ref name=AFPC1>Template:Cite web</ref> Because of its disavowal of violent jihad, the Tablighi activities have been banned in Saudi Arabia and some Islamist groups have accused the Tabligh of weakening support for jihad amongst Muslims.<ref name=AFPC2>Template:Cite web</ref> Interviews with TJ members, based on primary research, indicate that they emphasise self-reform, unity, and adherence to Islamic teachings before considering any broader struggles. Some TJ adherents describe their primary jihad as 'Tabligh'—the act of preaching and reviving faith among Muslims—arguing that external struggles are secondary to internal spiritual development. TJ followers highlight that division and lack of religious adherence within the Muslim community make any form of militant jihad ineffective and premature. Furthermore, some members view controlling one’s 'Nafs' (self) as the greatest form of jihad, placing emphasis on personal piety rather than political activism.<ref name=":6" />

Template:Unfocused

Connection between TJ and jihadism

Template:Anchor

Fred Burton, Scott Stewart, Mumtaz Ahmad, and Shireen Khan Burki explain the connection between TJ and jihadism by the opinions that

  • TJ shares much with groups that have been accused of breeding jihadis -- Salafis, Wahhabis and other 'revivalist' Islamist movements. They share the same conservative Islamic values and lifestyle, strict Islamic belief system and rejection of secularism;<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":0">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="fred"/> they "share the same core ideology and ultimate objectives (the expansion of Dar al Islam and the establishment of a global Caliphate)".<ref name=":1"/><ref name=AFPC1/> According to US officials (the U.S. Government has closely monitored Tablighi Jamaat since September 2001),<ref name="pacifists"/> though the Tablighis do not have a direct link with terrorism,<ref name="pacifists" /><ref name=NYT1>Template:Cite web</ref> the teachings and beliefs of Tablighi Jamat have been a cornerstone for joining in radical Muslim groups.
  • By asking Muslims to "shun politics and public affairs", TJ leaves "a gap" in members' worldview/belief system; since "some people find they cannot ignore what is happening in the world around them, especially when that world includes wars". When jihadist groups "offer religiously sanctioned prescriptions as to how 'good Muslims' should deal with life's injustices", some TJ members listen.<ref name="fred"/>
  • In addition, Mumtaz Ahmad notes, its "apolitical stance" has helped reassure Muslim and non-Muslim states, governments and others who put severe restrictions on politically activist Islamic groups; it allows TJ to penetrate and operate in these societies.<ref name=AMFO1994:524 />
  • Thus TJ provides "a cover, a conduit and a fertile recruiting ground for jihadi organisations such as Al Qaeda and Lashkar-i-Taiba".<ref name=":1" /> TJ has been said to enable Al-Qaida "by supporting recruitment in radical madrassas and fundraising at mosques all over Pakistan."<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Law enforcement officials says that Tablighi Jamaat's presence all around the world and its apolitical stance have been exploited by militant groups.<ref name=NYT>Template:Cite web</ref> A former homeland security employee described Tablighi Jamaat as a "trans-national Islamist network".<ref name="thehill263284">Template:Cite web</ref> According to Alex Alexiev, "perhaps 80% percent of the Islamist extremists have come from Tablighi ranks, prompting French intelligence officers to call Tablighi Jamaat the 'antechamber of fundamentalism.'"<ref name=Alexiev /><ref>Le Monde (Paris), 25 January 2002.</ref><ref name=india705155>Template:Cite web</ref>
  • In addition, some argue Tablighi Jamaat is not as apolitical as it might first appear. According to Patrick Sukhdeo, TJ is an extremely secretive group and the core of the group does not disclose how it operates. Despite claims of being apolitical, it has ties with the political and military sector of countries such as Pakistan and Bangladesh.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=Alexiev />

The Tablighi Jamaat operates in every sense as a secret society in this country [Britain], as much as elsewhere [...] Its meetings are held behind closed doors. We don't know who attends them. How much money it has. It publishes no minutes or accounts. It doesn't talk about itself. It is extremely difficult to penetrate.<ref name=quote-Sukhdeo>quoting TJ scholar, Dr. Patrick Sukhdeo, the director of the Institute for the Study of Islam and Christianity Template:Cite journal</ref>

Some have compared the group's ideology to Khawarij whereas others point out that the Tablighi Jamaat takes a "traditionalist" approach to Islam in contrast to Khawarij's extremist and often heretical approach.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>Template:Unreliable source?<ref name=":1">Template:Cite journal</ref>

The Tablighi Jamaat tried to expand the Abbey Mills Mosque into the largest mosque in the United Kingdom. The plan attracted controversy,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and the Tabligh was denied permission.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Bans on Tablighi Jamaat in several countries

Template:Anchor

Tablighi Jamaat has been banned in Russia as well as several Muslim nations such as Iran, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, and Saudi Arabia. Central Asian Muslim countries which banned TJ, such as Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan, view TJ's puritanical preachings as extremist.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In February 2020, a counter-terrorism operation in Russia led to the arrest of seven Tablighis and dismantled the terrorist cell affiliated to the Tablighi Jamaat. According to Russian intelligence, the terrorist cell was involved in dissemination of materials and radicalisation. The Tablighi Jamaat has been banned in Russia since 2009. The Supreme Court of Russia also recommended the Tablighi Jamaat to be included into the list of terrorist groups monitored by the Kremlin.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite news</ref> On 10 December 2021, Saudi Arabia further warned against Tablighi Jamaat, calling it a "danger to society" and "one of the gates of terrorism", while all forms of innovated Islamic preaching are already banned in the kingdom. The announcement was made by the country's Minister of Islamic Affairs, Abdullatif Al Al-Sheikh.<ref name=":4">Template:Cite web</ref> All other Arab countries specifically Gulf Arabic countries including United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman have Tablighi Jamat Maraakez (centres) and many locals are openly involved in Tabligh activity.Template:Citation needed

Countrywide ban
# Country Banned since Note Reference
1 Template:Flag <ref name=":5">Template:Cite web</ref>
2 Template:Flag <ref name=":5"/>
3 Template:Flag <ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
4 Template:Flag 2006 <ref name=":5"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
5 Template:Flag 2013 Designated as extremist in Kazakhstan and now considered illegal. <ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
6 Template:Flag 2009 Banned by Supreme Court of Russia <ref name=":3" />
7 Template:Flag 2021 Warned against by Ministry of Islamic Affairs of Saudi Arabia <ref name=":4" />

COVID-19 pandemic

Template:Further Tablighi Jamaat attracted significant public and media attention during the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=":6">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Malaysia

Template:Further Between 27 February and 1 March 2020, the movement organised an international mass religious gathering at the Masjid Jamek in Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia. The Tablighi Jamaat gathering has been linked to more than 620 COVID-19 cases, making it the largest-known centre of transmission of the virus in Southeast Asia.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Sri Petaling event resulted in the biggest increase in COVID-19 cases in Malaysia, with almost two thirds of the 673 confirmed cases in Malaysia linked to this event by 17 March 2020.<ref name="NYT mosque">Template:Cite news</ref> Most of the COVID-19 cases in Brunei originated here, and other countries including Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Philippines have traced their cases back to this event.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> By 20 May 2020, Director-General of Health Noor Hisham Abdullah confirmed that 48% of Malaysia's COVID-19 cases (3,347) had been linked to the Sri Petaling tabligh cluster.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Indonesia

Template:Further Despite the outbreak, Tablighi Jamaat organised a second international mass gathering on 18 March in Gowa Regency near Makassar in South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Though the organisers initially rebuffed official directives to cancel the gathering, they subsequently complied and cancelled the gathering.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Pakistan

Template:Further Yet another gathering was organised in Pakistan near Lahore at Raiwind, for 250,000 people.<ref name="Chaudry">Template:Cite news</ref> The event was "called off" in response to the officials' requests, but the participants had already gathered and communed together. When they returned, the virus travelled with them, including two cases in the Gaza Strip.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> During testing, around 40 members of the Tablighi Jamaat were found to be COVID-infected. Another 50 people including four Nigerian women, suspected to be the carriers of the virus were quarantined 50 km from Lahore. In Hyderabad, Sindh, 38 members of the organisation were found to be positive for coronavirus. Raiwind, the place where the event was held has been locked down by Pakistani authorities and the police arrested Tablighi Jamaat members from their offices in Sindh and Punjab for violating the law.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Ninety-four more Tableeghi Jamaat members tested positive for the coronavirus on 31 March 2020 in Hyderabad, in the Sindh province.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

India

Template:Further The Tablighi Jamaat wanted to arrange the program somewhere in Vasai, Maharashtra. After the outbreak of COVID-19 in Maharashtra, the Government of Maharashtra and Mumbai Police called off the meeting. After the rejection from the Government of Maharashtra, the Nizamuddin faction the Tablighi Jamaat held the religious congregational program (Ijtema) in Nizamuddin West, Delhi.<ref>Template:Citation</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> There were also other violation of rules by foreign speakers including misuse of tourist visa for missionary activities and not taking 14-day home quarantine for travellers from abroad.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

The Nizamuddin Markaz Mosque added that the officials there"met the Ld. DM and apprised him of the stranded visitors and once again sought permission for the vehicles arranged by us," to clear the Markaz premises and take the devotees back home.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite magazine</ref>

"Under such compelling circumstances there was no option for Markaz Nizamuddin but to accommodate the stranded visitors with prescribed medical precautions till such time that situation becomes conducive for their movement or arrangements are made by the authorities," the Tablighi Jamaat HQ said.<ref name=":2" />

On 21 March the Markaz directed everyone "not to venture out until 9 PM as desired by the Prime Minister of India, therefore the plans to move back to their native places by way of means other than railways also did not materialise."<ref name=":2" />

At least 24 of the attendees had tested positive for the virus among the 300 who showed symptoms by 31 March 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is believed that the sources of infection were preachers from Indonesia.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Many had returned to their states and also housed foreign devotees without the knowledge of local governments.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and eventually started local transmissions especially in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Jammu and Kashmir and Assam. The entire Nizamuddin West area has been cordoned off by the police as of 30 March, and medical camps have been set up.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> After evacuation from the markaz, of the scores of jamaat attendees, 167 of them were quarantined in a railway facility in south east Delhi amid concerns over their safety and transmission of the virus. The Tablighi Jamaat gathering emerged as one of India's major coronavirus hotspots in India,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> after 1445 out of 4067 cases were linked to attendees according to the Health Ministry.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 18 April 2020, Central Government said that 4,291 cases (or 29.8% Of the total 14,378 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in India) were linked to the Tablighi Jamaat, and these cases were spread across 23 states and Union Territories.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Questions have been raised as to how the Delhi Police, which under direct control of the Union Home Ministry headed by the Home Minister & the then Bharatiya Janata Party president Amit Shah allowed this event to proceed in the midst of a pandemic,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> while a similar event was prohibited in Mumbai by the Maharashtra Police.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Once the COVID lockdown came into effect in Delhi from 22 March onwards, the missionaries remaining in the Nizamuddin Markaz were trapped, and the functionaries began to seek assistance from the authorities for their evacuation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> As of 4 April, more than 1000 cases, representing 30% all confirmed cases in India, were linked to the Nizamuddin event. Some 22,000 people that came in contact with the Tablighi Jamaat missionaries had to be quarantined.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 31 March 2020, an FIR was filed against Muhammad Saad Kandhlawi and others by Delhi Police Crime Branch.<ref name="standard">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="indiatoday">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 8 April 2020, the Delhi Police traced Tablighi Jamaat leader Maulana Saad Kandhalvi in Zakirnagar in South-East Delhi, where he claimed to be under self-quarantine.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

People associated with the ruling Hindutva-aligned Bharatiya Janata Party called out Indian Hindus to socially boycott Indian Muslims.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> This drew criticism from Arab leaders and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation; the Prime Minister Narendra Modi responded: "the virus did not discriminate between people on the basis of faith, community, race or nationality".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On 12 October 2020, Mumbai court discharged the members with the order stating they didn't act negligently to spread COVID and didn't disobey to the orders of the Indian authorities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Notable members

The Tablighi Jamaat has no membership lists nor formal procedures for membership, which makes it difficult to quantify and verify affiliations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> One of the most famous and popular contemporary leaders of the Tablighi Jamaat is the Pakistani preacher Maulana Tariq Jamil who has amassed a huge online social media following.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>

The former chief minister of the Pakistani province of Punjab, Pervaiz Elahi is also a strong supporter of the Tablighi Jamaat. During his tenure in 2011, 75 kanals of land (Template:Convert, Template:Convert) were purchased for a Tablighi Jamaat mosque at the Raiwind Markaz.<ref name="nation.com.pk">Template:Cite news</ref>

In India, Munawar Faruqui, an Indian stand-up comedian, and Sana Khan, an ex-Bollywood star, and Arif Khan, an ex-Bollywood actor, are associated with Jamaat.Template:Citation needed

The Former Pakistan Presidents- Farooq Leghari and Muhammad Rafiq Tarar were believed to be associated with the movement, the Indian president Dr Zakir Hussain was also affiliated with tabligh jammat<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Singers, actors and models, including Attaullah Essa Khailwi,<ref name="briefs">Template:Cite news</ref> Gulzar Alam,<ref name="thenews158072">Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Bacha,<ref name="nation.com.pk" /> Alamzeb Mujahid,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Junaid Jamshed are also affiliated with the movement.

Former Lieutenant General and head of Inter-Services Intelligence Javed Nasir and General Mahmud Ahmed of the Pakistan Army both became members of Tablighi Jamaat during their service.<ref name=20030603atimes>Template:Cite news</ref> The Tablighi Jamaat also has a notable following among Pakistani professional cricketers: Shahid Afridi, Mohammad (formerly "Youhana") Yousuf and the former cricketers Saqlain Mushtaq, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mushtaq Ahmed, Saeed Anwar and Saeed Ahmed Muhammad Rizwan are active members.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Mohammad Yousuf's conversion from Christianity to Islam is widely attributed to the influence of the Tabligh Jamaat.<ref name="yusuf">Template:Cite news</ref>

In Malaysia, prominent actors and singers such as Azmil Mustapha, Nabil Ahmad, Aliff Aziz, Anuar Zain, Amar Asyraf, Dato' Nash and Dr Sam have all been involved with Tablighi Jamaat. One of Malaysia's most prominent actress Neelofa, has also participated in Tablighi Jamaat's Tours with her husband (PU Riz), as a result of which she now dons the Islamic face veil ever since.

See also

References

Notes

Template:Reflist

Citations

Template:Reflist

Bibliography

Further reading

Template:Refbegin

Template:Refend

Template:Commons category Template:Sister project

Template:Tablighi Jamaat Template:IslamismSA Template:Authority control

Retrieved from "https://wiki.sarg.dev/index.php?title=Tablighi_Jamaat&oldid=535153"