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Tablighi Jamaat ("Conveying[1] Group") (Arabic: جماعة التبليغ , also Tabligh) is a Muslim missionary and revival movement. Their activities are not limited to within the Muslim community only.[2], the Movement's main aim being to bring spiritual awakening to the world's Muslims. It is the largest non-political movement in the world.
Contents |
History
The movement originally is a strictly non-political movement, with the main aim of the participants being to work at the grass roots level reaching out to all Muslims for spiritual development. The Tablighi Jamaat was founded in the late 1920s by Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Kandhalawi in the Mewat province of India. The inspiration for devoting his life to Islam came to Ilyas during his second pilgrimage to the Hijaz in 1926.[3]Maulana Ilyas put forward the slogan, ‘Aye Musalmano! Musalman bano’ (in Hindi / Urdu) which translates 'O Muslims! Become Muslims' (in English). It is not an officially recognised group or association but a movement for Muslims to become practising Muslims. This is the only movement in Islam which is thought to be the working irrespective of the differences among sects. For nearly two decades, the Tablighi Jamaat operated mainly within South Asia. With the ascent of Maulana Yusuf, Ilyas’ son, as its second emir (leader), the group began to expand activities in 1946, and within two decades the group reached Southwest and Southeast Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. Initially it expanded its reach to South Asian diaspora communities, first in Arab countries then in Southeast Asia. Once established, the Tablighi Jamaat began engaging local populations as well. Although the Movement first established itself in the United States, Britain is the current focus of the Movement in the West, primarily due to the large South Asian population that began to arrive there in the 1960s and 1970s.[2] The Jamaat claims that it does not solicit or receive donations. Rather it is self funded by its participants and operates on a very efficient model where administrative expenses are almost absent or taken care of by donations from participants voluntarily. As early as 1978, the World Muslim League subsidised the building of the Tablighi mosque in Dewsbury, England, which has since become the European headquarters of Tablighi Jamaat. Ameer or Zimmadar are titles of leadership in the movement. The first Ameer, also the founder, was Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Kandhalawi (Maulana Ilyas) (1885-1944). The second was his son Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Kandhalawi. The third one was Maulana Inaam ul Hasan. Now there is a shura which includes two leaders: Maulana Zubair ul Hasan and Maulana Saad Kandhalawi. In Pakistan the duties of the Ameer are being served by Haji Abdulwahab. Maulana Muhammad Zakariya al-Kandahlawi is also among the prestigious personalities of the jamaat, as he compiled the famous book Fazail-e-Amal.[4][5] In Britain, they have gained press attention in their attempts to build the London Markaz, Europe's largest mosque in Newham next to the site for the London 2012 Olympics.[6]
Celebrity and Political links
There are many renowned personalities associated with the movement. Former President of India, Dr Zakir Hussain was associated with the Jamaat. Former president of Pakistan Rafiq Tarar, and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif have been regualrly attending the ceremonies. Former head of ISI of Paksitan Gen Javed Nasir and Gen Zia-ul-Haq have had a special soft corner for this silent movement. Famous singers Junaid Jamshed and Abrar-ul-Haq have now close links with the jamaat. Among professioal sportsman Shahid Afridi, Saqlain Mushtaq, Inzamam-ul-haq, Mushtaq Ahmed and Saeed Anwar. It is also widely believed the Pakistani middle order batsman Muhammad Yousuf embraced Islam with the help of the Tablighi Jamaat and Saeed Anwar. Dr. Arbab Ghulam Rahim the former governer of Sindh, and Ijaz-ul-Haq have strong ties with the tablighi activities. The islam has now touched the lives of Sheila on 7, a famaous Indonesian music band. The group is actively participating the movement. Many of the western societies are greatly influenced by the jamaat and embracing islam.
The six principles
Tabligh in Arabic means "to convey[1] (the message)" and Tablighi Jamaat strive to revive this duty which they consider as one of the primary duties of a Muslim. They encourage people to follow Islamic principles and the life of Muhammad (peace be upon him) through his teachings. Going out for months or years is in the same fashion as the Companions of Prophet were sent out for different durations. Sharia law doesn't prohibit going out for different durations in this way.[1] When an individual goes out to Jamaat, he tries to bring 6 qualities into his life, which were commonly found in all the sahabas, if one brings these into his life, then following complete Deen will be made easy for him. These 6 qualities are:
| Firm belief in the Kalimah | "An article of faith in which the tabligh accepts that there is no god but Allah and the Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam is His messenger. and that Allah can do each and every thing without the help of the creation, and the creation cannot do anything without the help of Allah. The only way to suceed in this world and the next (life after death)is to walk on the path shown by Prophet Muhammad Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam . "[2] |
| Concentration and Devotion in Salaat | "Five daily prayers that are essential to spiritual elevation, piety, and a life free from the ills of the material world. To build a connection with Allah(SWT) and to gain from his unlimited treasures" [2] |
| Ilm and Dhikr | "The thirst for knowledge and remembrance of Allah conducted in sessions in which every individual contributes whatever knowledge which one can regarding performing prayers, reciting the Quran and reading Hadith and to gain the remembrance of Allah in every action make Dhikr by reciting 3 Tasbihaat, Third Kalima, Durood Sharief and Istighfaar. "[2] |
| Ikram-i-Muslim | "The treatment of fellow Humans with honor and deference, to love the youngsters and respect the elders and have special respect for the scholars of Islam" [2] |
| Ikhlas-i-Niyyat | "Reforming one’s life in supplication to Allah by performing every (good) human action for the sake of Allah and toward the goal of self-transformation" [2] |
| Dawat-o-Tabligh | "The sparing of time to live a life based on faith and learning its virtues, following in the footsteps of the Prophet, and taking His message door-to-door for the sake of faith. since Nabi(SAW) was the last and final prophet, it is our duty to now carry on this work of the prophets, ie. call others towards good and prevent evil" [2] |
Comments by prominent personalities
Graham E. Fuller, a former CIA official and expert on Islam, (Author of "The Future of Political Islam") characterized Tablighi Jamaat as a "peaceful and apolitical preaching-to-the-people movement." Barbara Metcalf, a University of California scholar of South Asian Islam, called Tablighi Jamaat "an apolitical, quietist movement of internal grassroots missionary renewal" and compares its activities to the efforts to reshape individual lives by Alcoholics Anonymous. Olivier Roy, a prominent authority on Islam at Paris's prestigious Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, described Tablighi Jamaat as "completely apolitical and law abiding."
Allegations that Tablighi Jamaat has ties to terrorism
Dozens of the captives the USA holds in extrajudicial detention in its Guantanamo Bay detention camps, in Cuba, were believed that they had their continued detention justified through their alleged association with the Tabligh movement. Other nation's counter-terrorism agencies also suspect the movement, or some its members of ties to terrorism
The American counter-terrorism analysts who prepared the allegations against Yasim Muhammed Basardah wrote:[7]
"The detainee was recruited by Jamaat Tablighi (sic), a group that recruits young men for Jihad in Afghanistan. Many of these young men are poor and on drugs. The detainee attended meeting sponsored by Jamaat Tablighi (sic) for two months."
The allegations prepared for Saad Masir Mukbl Al Azani's Administrative Review Board hearing, stated:[8]
"Jama'at Al Tablighi (sic), a Pakistan-based Islamic missionary organization, is becoming increasingly radicalized, and is being used as a cover to mask travel and activities of terrorists including members of al Qaida."
Fayad Yahya Ahmed asked his Personal Representative to provide him with a document explaining how al Qaida was related to Tablighi Jamaat.[9]
His Personal Representative replied:
"We searched for a document to show that there is a connection but did not find one."
Murat Kurnaz's lawyers prepared a long dossier for his Administrative Review Board hearing, that included letters from three American professors of Religion, who assured his Board that the Tabligh movement was founded on a principle staying out of politics.
| Qamar-ul Huda |
"From the very beginning the Jama'at al-Tablighi has deliberately distanced itself from politics, political activities, and political controversies."[10] |
| Barbara D. Metcalf |
"I will also attempt to explain why it is implausible to believe that the Tablighis support terrorism or are in any way affiliated with other terrorist or 'jihadi' movements such as the Taliban or Al Qaeda."[11] |
| Jamal J. Ellias. |
"I must emphasize this last point, that the Tablighis formally and actively believe that traveling to engage in missionary activity fully discharges any religious obligation to engage in Jihad."[12] |
See also
- Deobandi Analysis of the Madrassah Darul Uloom, Deoband.
- Islam in India
- Islam in Pakistan
- Islam in Bangladesh
- Biswa Ijtema, the annual congregation in Bangladesh
References
- ^ a b c M. Jawed Iqbal; Mufti Ebrahim Desai (Saturday, June 9th 2007). Inviting to Islam (html). www.askimam.org. Retrieved on 14/06/2007.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Howenstein, Nicholas. Islamist Networks: The Case of Tablighi Jamaat (html). Retrieved on 2007-06-14.
- ^ Islamic Fundamentalism in India, Twenty First Century Indian Society, 1986, p. 41.
- ^ Tabligh Jamaat. History of Indian Muslim (2005-12-31). Retrieved on 2007-02-01.
- ^ Alexiev, Alex. "Tablighi Jamaat: Jihad's Stealthy Legions", Middle East Quarterly, Winter 2005. Retrieved on 2007-02-01.
- ^ http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article651161.ece
- ^ Summarized transcript (.pdf), from Yasim Muhammed Basardah's Administrative Review Board hearing - page 233
- ^ Factors for and against the continued detention (.pdf) of Saad Masir Mukbl Al Azani Administrative Review Board, May 27 2005 - page 3
- ^ Summarized transcripts (.pdf), from Fayad Yahya Ahmed's Combatant Status Review Tribunal - page 86
- ^ Murat Kurnaz ARB, Department of Defense, pages 93-95
- ^ Murat Kurnaz ARB, Department of Defense, pages 96-98
- ^ Murat Kurnaz ARB, Department of Defense, pages 103-105
External links
- The Beginnings of Jama'at Tabligh
- [1]
- Fiqh of Dawah
- Dawah
- Scholar’s attachment with Tabligh site in South Africa
- Scholar’s attachment with Tabligh site in Chicago, IL, USA
- Maulana Tariq Jamil
- Andrew Gilligan on Tablighi Jamaat's role in the building of a new East London supermosque
- Article about Tabligh's alleged terror ties
- Gugler, Thomas: Jihad, Da´wa, and Hijra: Islamic Missionary Movements in Europe
- Article in Daily Times
- Islamist Networks: The Case of Tablighi Jamaat U.S. Institute of Peace Audio, August, 2006
- "Suspected Islamists Detained In Kazakhstan", Radio Free Europe, July 27, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-7-9.
- Yoginder Sikand. "Plane 'Plot': Media Targets Tablighi Jamaat", August 19 2006. Retrieved on 2007-7-10.
- Dominic Kennedy, Hannah Devlin. "Disbelief and shame in a community of divided faith: High Wycombe is coming to terms with notoriety", =The Times, August 19, 2006. Retrieved on 2007-7-10.
