The emergence of the Tabligh Jamaat as a movement for the reawakening of faith can be seen as a continuation of the broader trend of Islamic revival in North India in the wake of the collapsed Muslim political power and consolidation of the British rule in India in the mid-nineteenth century. The emergence of Tabligh Jamaat was also a direct response to the rise of such aggressive Hindu proselytizing movements as the Shuddhi and Sangathan, which launched massive efforts in the early twentieth century to reconvert those Hindus who had converted to Islam in the past. Maulana Ilyas, the founder of the Tablighi Jamaat, believed that only a grassroots Islamic religious movement could counter it.
The Tablighi Jamaat originated in Mewat, in North India, inhabited by Rajput tribes known as Meos. There is evidence that there were several Meo conversion to Islam, followed by re-conversion to Hinduism whenever Muslim political power declined in the region. When Ilyas started his religious movement in Mewat, most Meos were Muslim in name only. They worshipped Hindu deities in their homes and celebrated Hindu religious festivals. They could not recite Shahadah or say their daily ritual prayers. Their birth, marriage, and death rituals were all based on Hindu customs.
Maulana Ilyas, a religious scholar of the orthodox Deoband, and a follower of the Naqshabandiyah, learned the situation. His initial effort was to establish a network of mosque-based religious schools to educate Mewati Muslim about correct Islamic beliefs and practices. But he became disillusioned with the reality that these institutions were producing religious functionaries but not preachers. Following this, he quit his teaching position at Madrasah Mazharul Ulum in Saharanpur and moved to Basti Nizamuddin in the old quarters of Delhi to begin his missionary work. Tablighi movement was formally launched in 1926 from this place.
Maulana Ilyas devoted to what he described as “the mission of the prophets”. His message was simple: “Ai Musalmano Musalman bano”. The method adopted by him was equally simple. It was to organize units of at least ten persons and send them to various villages. These units (jamaat), would visit a village, invite the local Muslim to assemble in the mosque and present their message in the form of six demands;
1. Every Muslim must be able to recite Shahadah correctly in Arabic.
2. A muslim must learn how to say the Shalat correctly.
3. To learn the basic teaching of Islam and to do dhikr.
4. To respect the fellow Muslims
5. To inculcate honesty and sincerity of purpose in such endeavors.
6. To spend some times and travel from place to place spreading the words of God.
Maulana Ilyas later added another rule asking members to abstain from wasting time in idle talk and from sinful deeds.
The movement met with spectacular success in a relatively short period. Thousands of Muslims joined Maulana Ilyas to propagate the message of Islam throughout Mewat. There were signs of Islamic religious revival everywhere in the area. Jamaat workers are rigid in following the orthodox and observing the shariah. They stayed away from politics and political controversies. Instead of publishing books, they go door to door and invite people to join their work.
Maulana Ilyas was succeeded by his son, Maulana Yusuf. During this time, this informal association with no written constitution, no standardized organizational rules and procedures, was spread beyond India to countries of Southeast Asia, the middle east, Africa, Europe and north America. The Jamaat has become a truly global Islamic movement. Its influence has grown significantly over the past two decades. Today it has followers all over the Muslim world and the West. Its 1993 annual international conference in Raiwind near Lahore, attended by more than one Million Muslims from 94 countries has become the second largest religious congregation of the Muslim world after the Hajj.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Pakistani Cricket team in tabligh.. saead anwar , shahid afridi in feild of tabligh and pakistani crickters joined tablighi jamaat
Some famous people who spread Islam by joining the Tablighi Jamaat (a movement started by a student of the Islamic University, Deoband, Maulana Muhammad Ilyas) are Pakistani cricketers Shahid Afridi, Inzamam ul Haq, Mohammad Yousuf (a recent revert/convert), Saqlain Mushtaq and many others, also, former Pakistani cricketers including Saeed Anwar and Salim Malik. A very famous pop star Junaid Jamshaid is also a visible personality, spreading Islam to the masses amongst many others
Tabligh Movement in Mewat
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Tablighi Jamaat. (Discuss)
This article is written like a personal reflection or essay and may require cleanup. Please help improve it by rewriting it in an encyclopedic style. (December 2009)
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Tabligh is an Arabic word which means, “to deliver (the message)” and in other words “to make Islam’s message known to people” and Tabligh Jamaat (Proselytising or Conveying Group) is a Muslim missionary and revival movement. It claims to revive those duties, which they consider as the primary duty of the Muslims. It was founded in 1926 by Maulana Mohammad Ilyas Kandhalvi (1885–1944) in Mewat and put forward the slogan ‘Aye Musalmano Musalman Bano’ (O Muslims! Be Muslim).[1]
He made his headquarters at Banglewali Mosque at Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi. Although it was a massive movement which needed a lot of funding but it does not solicit or receive donations. It itself funded by its own members and operates it in a very efficient model and take care of from its senior members. It is a free-floating religious movement and very much closed to the traditional forms of Islam. It detests politics and does not involve itself in any issue of socio-political significance. Even in the controversies relating the future of Muslim minorities in India, it has remained apparently unconcerned. The apolitical programme of the Jamaat has helped it to operate freely and without official hindrance. But Maulana Ilyas never criticised Islamic groups actively engaged in politics. On the contrary he maintained extremely cordial relations with Maulana Husain Ahmad Madni of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (anti-British and pro-Indian National Congress group) and Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi who led the pro-Pakistani faction of Deoband School.2
The members of the Tabligh form groups under Amirs (group leaders) who roam village to village and town to town and stay in mosques from where they preach and converse each other the message of Allah and Prophet. They use a book named Fazail-e-Amaal which mainly consists of the Hadith (the traditions of the Prophet) written by Maulana Mohammad Zakaria, as a preaching material. They try to inspire everybody to do various acts as directed by the Prophet and refrain from doing misdeeds and to call others to follow the true path of Islam.
Contents [hide]
1 Emergence of Tabligh
2 Principles and Methods
3 Challenges and Development
4 Conclusion
5 References
6 Bibliography
[edit]Emergence of Tabligh
From around the 10th century onwards Mewat attracted many great Sufi saints e.g. Syed Salar Maswood Ghazi, Khwaja Nizamuddin Aulia, Shaikh Moosa, Shah Chokha, Miyan Raj Shah, Qutbuddin, Akbar Ali, Khwaja Ajmeri, Khwaja Mehrauli etc.[2]
These Sufi saints illuminated the light of Islam in Mewat region. The Meos and other communities of Mewat accepted Islam and followed it till the long time. But as the time passed the Muslims of this region drifted away from the Islamic rules and principles and adopted innovations that too mixed with the Hinduism. They used to celebrate Hindu festivals and fares with pomp and show. Their customs were predominantly Hindus even their names were like Hari Singh, Dhan Singh, Chand Singh, Sammu Singh, Jal Singh, Lal Singh etc.4 They were Muslims without Islam. On the other side the emergence of Tabligh was also a direct response to the rise of such aggressive Hindu proselytizing movements such as Shudhi and Sangathan. They tried to reconvert those people who had embraced Islam in the past. Maulana Ilyas believed that only a gross root Islamic religious movement could counter it.
Although Tabligh was founded in 1920s by Mohd Ilyas but it was enrooted by his father Maulana Mohammad Ismail much early in the beginning of the later half of the 19th century in the Banglewali Mosque at Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi. About him it is stated that one day at the prayer time he came out of the mosque in search of the Muktadi (companion). He saw that some Muslim labourers were going to Delhi for the search of work. He called them for prayer and after prayer he preached them some verses from Holy Quran. He also enquired about them. Maulana assured them to give their daily wages if they study Islamic education in that mosque. They were agreed and Maulana kept them engaged in their lessons. They were the Meos of Mewat. Maulana fixed their scholarship equal to their daily wages. It was the starting of the madarsa Kasiful Uloom and these Meos were the first students. After that some other Meos also joined the madarsa.5
His son Maulana Mohammad who carried his father’s mission of teaching Islamic Theology succeeded Maulana Ismail. At his time the strength of the students rose 25 to 30. But Maulana Shah Mohammad Ilyas, the younger brother of Maulana Mohammad while teaching at Saharanpur visited Mewat and met the Mewati Muslims who had not offered prayer even once in their life because they did not know how to pray. In the early 1920s he prepared a team of young madarsa graduates from Deoband and Saharanpur and send them to Mewat to establish a network of mosque, maktab (primary school) and madarsa throughout the region. But he soon realized that the madarsa Ulema trained in the Deoband tradition were simply reproducing their prototype. By this method, only children were benefited and the skilled people both young and old were untouched. He resigned from the madarsa Mazahirul Uloom and settled in Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi in Banglewali mosque. Then Maulana Ilyas started roaming and invitation method whose name he gave “Tahrik-e-Tajdeed Dawat-wa-Tagligh” (Movement for renewed Proselytizing and Invitation). He stated that this would be a moving madarsa or Khanqah or school or hospice.6 He also stated that the real aim of this movement was to correlate the Muslims with the complete literary and practical management of Islam. He also cleared that this method of roaming and invitation is the beginning phase or ABC of the curriculum of the movement. Maulana Ilyas also asked ladies to help their gents in their religious work and ease them from the burden of the domestic work.7
[edit]Principles and Methods
Tabligh movement, which is popularly known as Tabligh Jamaat, is not a registered body nor has it enrolled membership. It comprises some people from skilled and unskilled masses from the gross root level. They request the Muslims to offer prayer, to observe roza (fast) and adopt Islamic way of life. They also encourage the people to spend three day or more in their company. They also argue that it was the way of the Prophet.8 When a Tablighi returns from his journey, he should try to implement what he has learned into his life. He should also invite others towards it so they can also spiritually benefit from it. Daily Taalim (which means teaching and learning) is recommended to be done at home so that the women folk and children can also benefit from what the men have learnt. However there is a Jamat for women called a Masturat Jamat. Unlike the men, the women stay outside the mosque in the house of a well known tablighi worker following full sharia'h rules with parda (veil) and learn and also teach the women of that locality who may come to join them. Men do not join the Masturat Jamat as they are separate and stay in nearby mosque. Tabligh Jamaat has mainly focused its works on the following three points:—9
Removal of innovations—The whole Mewat region was full of innovations or bid’at. The people of Mewat had considered these innovations and local customs like Urs, Mela, Teeja, and Gyarahwan as the Islamic traditions. These were the biggest hurdle for the Tabligh preachers. But due to their day-night work they became successful to a great extent to enlighten the people of Mewat. #Mentally prepare the people for Islamic principles and Tabligh—The people were encouraged to leave their homes for three days or more to learn the principles of Islam like Kalima and Namaz etc. They were also advised to go to distant places to meet their Muslim brethren and invite them to follow the Islamic rules. #Adoption the way of Quran and Prophet—Maulana Mohammad Ilyas and his followers started madarsa in the village and city level. In this process madarsa Moinul Islam was established at Nuh in 1923 and thereafter madarsa Hafizul Islam at Ferozpur Jhirka, madarsa Asharful Imdad at Mandikhera and madarsa Misbahul Uloom at Singar were established. It was thought that without Islamic education the real Islam cannot enter the minds of the people and the madarsas were the permanent solution of all the problems facing the Muslims of Mewat from the centuries.
The works on above three points made this movement more successful and the people joined this movement on mass level. Maulana Ilyas asked Tabligh members to restrict their preaching on six points only. These points were generally called six numbers. These are as follows:
Kalima (There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger)- The people should follow in full conviction of faith, belief and oneness of Allah. This is expanded to mean that creature cannot do anything without the will of Allah and Allah can do everything without the creature. The complete success in this world and hereafter is only achieved in following the way of life shown by Muhammad and every other way led to failure in this world and hereafter.
Namaz (Prayer) - What has been professed in the Kalima is to be proved by offering prayers at the appointed hours of day and night.
Ilm and Zikr (knowledge and hymning the glory of Allah) - The true religion cannot be followed without knowledge of Quran and Hadith (tradition of Prophet). One must spent some time everyday in hymning His glory.
Ikram-e-Muslim (kindness and respect for the Muslims) - Whatever is due to others should be given to them. It also includes respecting ones elders and showing kindness to the younger. This idea was to bring back the various factions and different classes of the Muslim society to the fold of the real Islamic brotherhood.
Ikhlas-e-Niyat (purity of intention) - The performance should be in accordance with the Commands of Allah with the sincere intention. All good actions should not be for fame or materialistic gains.
Tafrigh-e-Waqt (sparing the time) - The Muslims are required to spare their time for travelling in groups, exhorting the people to lead their life according to the principles mentioned above.
[edit]Challenges and Development
The first challenge was from the Shudhi Movement of the Arya Samaj. Their activities were widespread in Mewat. They were in the groups of 10 to 12 preachers roamed the whole of Mewat and tried to convert the people according to their mission. In its response some people of Mewat requested Maulana Ilyas to visit Mewat in order to thwart the activities of Arya Samaj. He quickly responded and along with Syed Husain Ahmad Madni, Mufti Kifaitullah etc. arrived in Mewat and after a long conversation with the Shudhi workers he became successful to counteract the opponents. According to the Tabligh workers, they learnt enough from them specially the group preaching from village to village. The Tabligh workers adopted it completely in their own mission.11
The other challenge for the Tabligh Movement was from its own Muslim community. Actually Tabligh work is reformation of the society as well as religion and in Mewat both were polluted and innovated. Muslim society was not ready to give up their customary traditions and so called religious malpractices. The innovations or bid’at was fully developed in their mind. These people opposed the Tabligh tooth and nail and not even ready to listen their appeal. They abused and teased the Tabligh workers openly. They did not even spared Maulana Ilyas. During one of his missionary tours in Mewat, a peasant upon whom he impressed the importance of leading a religious life once hit him with a stick. The Maulana a mere skeleton fell on the ground and collapsed. When he regained his consciousness he said “look, you have done your job, now would you let me do my job and listen to me for a little while?” According to a Tabligh worker Abdullah of Dewla Nagli (Mewat), the Tablighis were teased with the following poem—12
“Saanp Ne Chhori Kanchli, Bhit Ne Chhoro Leo,
Barkha Mandi Par Gai, Jab Se Hue Maulvi Meo,
Hue Maulvi Meo, Piron Ki Kare Hain Gilla,
Bhar Bhar Kunda Khain Lewen Na Kisi Ki Salla,
Nakti Unki Khusni, Mathe Unke Syah,
Jaise Chhuhran Ka Fatiha, Aise Unke Byah”
(The snake left its skin, the wall left its plaster,
the rain became scant when the Meos became Islamic scholar (Maulvi),
these Meo scholars criticizes the saints (Pirs),
they eat full of vessels, don’t take others advice,
their trousers are short, their forehead is black,
just as mini functions of the sweepers, so are their weddings)
The members of the Jamaat were encouraged by saying that if they happen to be abused by the people then don’t desperate because it was the work of the Prophet. They were also taught that in this way if they face the misfortunes and troubles then they consider them as Divine benevolence.13 Slowly and gradually the mentality of the people started to change due to the day night effort of the Tabligh workers. The Meo workers of the Tabligh Jamaat were in much strength in Mewat who had extended their full support to Maulana Ilyas and later on to his successors. They were well versed in Quran and Islamic Principles, called as “Miyanji”.14 In 1926, the first group of Tabligh Jamaat arrived in Mewat under Maulana Khalil Ahmad of Saharanpur. This group with the assistance of the Miyanjis arranged a conference at Nuh town. This was attended by thousands of people with much enthusiasm.15 In this conference the people were requested to disown the Hindu customs and follow the Muslim practices and spread the network of Tabligh in the whole of Mewat. First Tabligh Jamaat of the Meos was also convened and toured the areas of Sohna, Taoru and Nagina. Maulana Ilyas also came and spoke on the occasion of Juma prayer in all the three places .16
On 2ndAugust 1934, Maulana Mohammad Ilyas arranged a Panchayat at Nuh which was attended by around 107 Chaudharies of Mewat In this Panchayat he gave emphasis on the importance of Islamic Principles and its full implication in the daily life. Regarding this he prepared 15 points as a Panchayatnama, which was duly signed by all the presentees with full assurance and acceptance.17 This Panchayat, was considered as the milestone and everybody started to take part in the Tabligh work.
Another chapter added in the progress of the Tabligh work when a three day conference was organized at Nuh on 28 to 30 November, 1941.This conference was attended by 25 thousand people who came all across Mewat and around one thousand people attended from the outside Mewat. It was ever biggest gathering which the people of Mewat never seen in the past. Maulana Ilyas gave many impressive speeches along with his companions. Maulana Husain Ahmad Madni was also one of the speakers. In this convention Jamaat were convened and sent to Delhi, U.P., Karachi etc.18 Sayed Abu Ala Maududi, the founder of Jamaat-I-Islami, paid a glowing tribute to spectacular success of Maulanas effort in Mewat and elsewhere in India and described the Tabligh Movement as a major step towards the Islamisation of Indian society.
From that very time the Tabligh Movement never seen behind and from Mewat it spread to the whole of India and now covering almost entire world. Now it has become truly a global Islamic movement. It has spread to 150 countries of South East Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America etc. It has an active following estimated to be around 70 to 80 million devout followers. In 1993 one million Muslims attended its Annual International Convention at Raiwind near Lahore from 94 countries. This convention has become the second religious congregation of the Muslim world after the Hajj.19
[edit]Conclusion
The Tabligh Movement or Jamaat, which was started only due to the Mewat problems and spread to the whole of world, is purely a non- political organization. Tabligh workers generally avoid political and controversial debates and interaction with media. Their reply to any embarrassing question is always evasive. They also reject any modernistic interpretation of Islam. Due to their congregation in mosque with common boarding and lodging on individual expenses projected them an egalitarian organization. Purifying the religious practices among the common Muslims including deep faith towards Islam and promoting unity among them were the avowed objective of Tabligh Movement. The effort of its founder Maulana Ilyas was for total commitment to Islam with a view to inspire them to undertake actions in their life for sure rewards by Allah. But the minus point of the Tabligh is that instead of orientation of the Muslims for just society their members believe in preaching only for adherence to Islamic pattern of life of the Prophets era. Tabligh Jamaat hardly has any relevance to the solution of the socio-economic problems of the Muslim masses. But its appeal to simple rank and life of common Muslims for establishment of “Kingdom of Allah” has an inspiring effect.
[edit]References
^ Zakir 2005, p. 25
^ Zakir 2005, p. 17
[edit]Bibliography
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tabligh Movement in Mewat
Zakir, Qamruddin (1 December 2005), Mewat Se Tablighi Kam Ki Ibtida, Nuh
1-The ancestral home of Maulana Ilyas was in Jhanjhana, in the district of
Muzaffarnagar, UP. His father Maulana Mohammad Ismail, after death of his first
wife, married in the family of Mufti Ilahi Baksh Kandhalvi. So Kandhla became a
second home to him. His childhood was spent in maternal grandfather’s home in
Kandhla. He took his education from Gangoh and stayed with Maulana Rashid
Ahmad Gangohi for about nine years. There after Maulana went to Deoband, where
he studied from Maulana Mahmoodul Hasan. He started his teaching from madarsa
Mazahirul Uloom of Saharanpur. (Qamruddin Zakir, Mewat Se Tablighi Kam Ki
Ibtida, Nuh, 2005, p. 25) (Urdu) (Hereafter cited as Zakir)
2-Martin E. Marty, R. Scott Appleby, The Fundamentalism Observed, American
Academy of Arts & Sciences, Chicago, 1995. pp. 518&521
3- Zakir, p. 17
4- Gurgaon District Gazetteer, Chandigarh, 1983, pp. 100–104. Syed Abul Hasan Ali
Nadvi in his book Maulana Mohammad Ilyas Aur Unki Deeni Dawat has quoted
from Alwar District Gazetteer, 1878, London, that the Meo Muslims Gods are the
same as those of the Hindus. They also celebrate many festivals of the Hindus. For
them the Holi festival is as important as Muharram, Eid and Shab-e-Barat. Like Holi
they also celebrate Janam Ashtami, Dussehra and Diwali. They also invite Brahman
Pundits to write “Peeli Chithi (Red Letter) and to fix the date of the marriage. They
generally adopt the Hindu name except Ram and prefer the surname as Singh. They
also worship the Flag of Syed Salar Masood Ghazi at the time of Shab-e-Barat.
(Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi, Hazrat Maulana Mohammad Ilyas Aur Unki Deeni
Dawat, New Delhi, 2002, pp. 76–79) (Urdu) (Hereafter Quoted as Deeni Dawat)
5- Deeni Dawat, pp. 44–46
6- Zakir, p. 26
7- Mohammad Manzoor Nomani, Malfoozat, Maulana Mohammad Ilyas, New
Delhi, 2006, pp. 26&101 (Urdu) (hereafter quoted as Malfoozat)
8- Hashim Amir Ali, The Meos of Mewat, New Delhi, 1967, pp. 43–44. At one place
Maulana Mohammad Ilyas said that don’t ask the people for sparing three or five or
seven days, you say that this is the way and how much you will work you will
get.(Malfoozat, p. 93)
9- Zakir, pp. 7&8
10- Shamsuddin Shamsh, Meos of India, New Delhi, 1983, pp. 184&185
11- Zakir, pp. 44&45
12- Ibid, p. 47
13-Malfoozat, p. 27
14-Ibid, p.
15-Ibid, p. 49
16-Deeni Dawat, p. 92
17- Zakir, p. 48
18- Deeni Dawat, pp. 142–144
19-The Fundamentalism Observed
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Tablighi Jamaat. (Discuss)
This article is written like a personal reflection or essay and may require cleanup. Please help improve it by rewriting it in an encyclopedic style. (December 2009)
This article may need to be wikified to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. Please help by adding relevant internal links, or by improving the article's layout. (December 2009)
Tabligh is an Arabic word which means, “to deliver (the message)” and in other words “to make Islam’s message known to people” and Tabligh Jamaat (Proselytising or Conveying Group) is a Muslim missionary and revival movement. It claims to revive those duties, which they consider as the primary duty of the Muslims. It was founded in 1926 by Maulana Mohammad Ilyas Kandhalvi (1885–1944) in Mewat and put forward the slogan ‘Aye Musalmano Musalman Bano’ (O Muslims! Be Muslim).[1]
He made his headquarters at Banglewali Mosque at Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi. Although it was a massive movement which needed a lot of funding but it does not solicit or receive donations. It itself funded by its own members and operates it in a very efficient model and take care of from its senior members. It is a free-floating religious movement and very much closed to the traditional forms of Islam. It detests politics and does not involve itself in any issue of socio-political significance. Even in the controversies relating the future of Muslim minorities in India, it has remained apparently unconcerned. The apolitical programme of the Jamaat has helped it to operate freely and without official hindrance. But Maulana Ilyas never criticised Islamic groups actively engaged in politics. On the contrary he maintained extremely cordial relations with Maulana Husain Ahmad Madni of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind (anti-British and pro-Indian National Congress group) and Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi who led the pro-Pakistani faction of Deoband School.2
The members of the Tabligh form groups under Amirs (group leaders) who roam village to village and town to town and stay in mosques from where they preach and converse each other the message of Allah and Prophet. They use a book named Fazail-e-Amaal which mainly consists of the Hadith (the traditions of the Prophet) written by Maulana Mohammad Zakaria, as a preaching material. They try to inspire everybody to do various acts as directed by the Prophet and refrain from doing misdeeds and to call others to follow the true path of Islam.
Contents [hide]
1 Emergence of Tabligh
2 Principles and Methods
3 Challenges and Development
4 Conclusion
5 References
6 Bibliography
[edit]Emergence of Tabligh
From around the 10th century onwards Mewat attracted many great Sufi saints e.g. Syed Salar Maswood Ghazi, Khwaja Nizamuddin Aulia, Shaikh Moosa, Shah Chokha, Miyan Raj Shah, Qutbuddin, Akbar Ali, Khwaja Ajmeri, Khwaja Mehrauli etc.[2]
These Sufi saints illuminated the light of Islam in Mewat region. The Meos and other communities of Mewat accepted Islam and followed it till the long time. But as the time passed the Muslims of this region drifted away from the Islamic rules and principles and adopted innovations that too mixed with the Hinduism. They used to celebrate Hindu festivals and fares with pomp and show. Their customs were predominantly Hindus even their names were like Hari Singh, Dhan Singh, Chand Singh, Sammu Singh, Jal Singh, Lal Singh etc.4 They were Muslims without Islam. On the other side the emergence of Tabligh was also a direct response to the rise of such aggressive Hindu proselytizing movements such as Shudhi and Sangathan. They tried to reconvert those people who had embraced Islam in the past. Maulana Ilyas believed that only a gross root Islamic religious movement could counter it.
Although Tabligh was founded in 1920s by Mohd Ilyas but it was enrooted by his father Maulana Mohammad Ismail much early in the beginning of the later half of the 19th century in the Banglewali Mosque at Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi. About him it is stated that one day at the prayer time he came out of the mosque in search of the Muktadi (companion). He saw that some Muslim labourers were going to Delhi for the search of work. He called them for prayer and after prayer he preached them some verses from Holy Quran. He also enquired about them. Maulana assured them to give their daily wages if they study Islamic education in that mosque. They were agreed and Maulana kept them engaged in their lessons. They were the Meos of Mewat. Maulana fixed their scholarship equal to their daily wages. It was the starting of the madarsa Kasiful Uloom and these Meos were the first students. After that some other Meos also joined the madarsa.5
His son Maulana Mohammad who carried his father’s mission of teaching Islamic Theology succeeded Maulana Ismail. At his time the strength of the students rose 25 to 30. But Maulana Shah Mohammad Ilyas, the younger brother of Maulana Mohammad while teaching at Saharanpur visited Mewat and met the Mewati Muslims who had not offered prayer even once in their life because they did not know how to pray. In the early 1920s he prepared a team of young madarsa graduates from Deoband and Saharanpur and send them to Mewat to establish a network of mosque, maktab (primary school) and madarsa throughout the region. But he soon realized that the madarsa Ulema trained in the Deoband tradition were simply reproducing their prototype. By this method, only children were benefited and the skilled people both young and old were untouched. He resigned from the madarsa Mazahirul Uloom and settled in Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi in Banglewali mosque. Then Maulana Ilyas started roaming and invitation method whose name he gave “Tahrik-e-Tajdeed Dawat-wa-Tagligh” (Movement for renewed Proselytizing and Invitation). He stated that this would be a moving madarsa or Khanqah or school or hospice.6 He also stated that the real aim of this movement was to correlate the Muslims with the complete literary and practical management of Islam. He also cleared that this method of roaming and invitation is the beginning phase or ABC of the curriculum of the movement. Maulana Ilyas also asked ladies to help their gents in their religious work and ease them from the burden of the domestic work.7
[edit]Principles and Methods
Tabligh movement, which is popularly known as Tabligh Jamaat, is not a registered body nor has it enrolled membership. It comprises some people from skilled and unskilled masses from the gross root level. They request the Muslims to offer prayer, to observe roza (fast) and adopt Islamic way of life. They also encourage the people to spend three day or more in their company. They also argue that it was the way of the Prophet.8 When a Tablighi returns from his journey, he should try to implement what he has learned into his life. He should also invite others towards it so they can also spiritually benefit from it. Daily Taalim (which means teaching and learning) is recommended to be done at home so that the women folk and children can also benefit from what the men have learnt. However there is a Jamat for women called a Masturat Jamat. Unlike the men, the women stay outside the mosque in the house of a well known tablighi worker following full sharia'h rules with parda (veil) and learn and also teach the women of that locality who may come to join them. Men do not join the Masturat Jamat as they are separate and stay in nearby mosque. Tabligh Jamaat has mainly focused its works on the following three points:—9
Removal of innovations—The whole Mewat region was full of innovations or bid’at. The people of Mewat had considered these innovations and local customs like Urs, Mela, Teeja, and Gyarahwan as the Islamic traditions. These were the biggest hurdle for the Tabligh preachers. But due to their day-night work they became successful to a great extent to enlighten the people of Mewat. #Mentally prepare the people for Islamic principles and Tabligh—The people were encouraged to leave their homes for three days or more to learn the principles of Islam like Kalima and Namaz etc. They were also advised to go to distant places to meet their Muslim brethren and invite them to follow the Islamic rules. #Adoption the way of Quran and Prophet—Maulana Mohammad Ilyas and his followers started madarsa in the village and city level. In this process madarsa Moinul Islam was established at Nuh in 1923 and thereafter madarsa Hafizul Islam at Ferozpur Jhirka, madarsa Asharful Imdad at Mandikhera and madarsa Misbahul Uloom at Singar were established. It was thought that without Islamic education the real Islam cannot enter the minds of the people and the madarsas were the permanent solution of all the problems facing the Muslims of Mewat from the centuries.
The works on above three points made this movement more successful and the people joined this movement on mass level. Maulana Ilyas asked Tabligh members to restrict their preaching on six points only. These points were generally called six numbers. These are as follows:
Kalima (There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is His Messenger)- The people should follow in full conviction of faith, belief and oneness of Allah. This is expanded to mean that creature cannot do anything without the will of Allah and Allah can do everything without the creature. The complete success in this world and hereafter is only achieved in following the way of life shown by Muhammad and every other way led to failure in this world and hereafter.
Namaz (Prayer) - What has been professed in the Kalima is to be proved by offering prayers at the appointed hours of day and night.
Ilm and Zikr (knowledge and hymning the glory of Allah) - The true religion cannot be followed without knowledge of Quran and Hadith (tradition of Prophet). One must spent some time everyday in hymning His glory.
Ikram-e-Muslim (kindness and respect for the Muslims) - Whatever is due to others should be given to them. It also includes respecting ones elders and showing kindness to the younger. This idea was to bring back the various factions and different classes of the Muslim society to the fold of the real Islamic brotherhood.
Ikhlas-e-Niyat (purity of intention) - The performance should be in accordance with the Commands of Allah with the sincere intention. All good actions should not be for fame or materialistic gains.
Tafrigh-e-Waqt (sparing the time) - The Muslims are required to spare their time for travelling in groups, exhorting the people to lead their life according to the principles mentioned above.
[edit]Challenges and Development
The first challenge was from the Shudhi Movement of the Arya Samaj. Their activities were widespread in Mewat. They were in the groups of 10 to 12 preachers roamed the whole of Mewat and tried to convert the people according to their mission. In its response some people of Mewat requested Maulana Ilyas to visit Mewat in order to thwart the activities of Arya Samaj. He quickly responded and along with Syed Husain Ahmad Madni, Mufti Kifaitullah etc. arrived in Mewat and after a long conversation with the Shudhi workers he became successful to counteract the opponents. According to the Tabligh workers, they learnt enough from them specially the group preaching from village to village. The Tabligh workers adopted it completely in their own mission.11
The other challenge for the Tabligh Movement was from its own Muslim community. Actually Tabligh work is reformation of the society as well as religion and in Mewat both were polluted and innovated. Muslim society was not ready to give up their customary traditions and so called religious malpractices. The innovations or bid’at was fully developed in their mind. These people opposed the Tabligh tooth and nail and not even ready to listen their appeal. They abused and teased the Tabligh workers openly. They did not even spared Maulana Ilyas. During one of his missionary tours in Mewat, a peasant upon whom he impressed the importance of leading a religious life once hit him with a stick. The Maulana a mere skeleton fell on the ground and collapsed. When he regained his consciousness he said “look, you have done your job, now would you let me do my job and listen to me for a little while?” According to a Tabligh worker Abdullah of Dewla Nagli (Mewat), the Tablighis were teased with the following poem—12
“Saanp Ne Chhori Kanchli, Bhit Ne Chhoro Leo,
Barkha Mandi Par Gai, Jab Se Hue Maulvi Meo,
Hue Maulvi Meo, Piron Ki Kare Hain Gilla,
Bhar Bhar Kunda Khain Lewen Na Kisi Ki Salla,
Nakti Unki Khusni, Mathe Unke Syah,
Jaise Chhuhran Ka Fatiha, Aise Unke Byah”
(The snake left its skin, the wall left its plaster,
the rain became scant when the Meos became Islamic scholar (Maulvi),
these Meo scholars criticizes the saints (Pirs),
they eat full of vessels, don’t take others advice,
their trousers are short, their forehead is black,
just as mini functions of the sweepers, so are their weddings)
The members of the Jamaat were encouraged by saying that if they happen to be abused by the people then don’t desperate because it was the work of the Prophet. They were also taught that in this way if they face the misfortunes and troubles then they consider them as Divine benevolence.13 Slowly and gradually the mentality of the people started to change due to the day night effort of the Tabligh workers. The Meo workers of the Tabligh Jamaat were in much strength in Mewat who had extended their full support to Maulana Ilyas and later on to his successors. They were well versed in Quran and Islamic Principles, called as “Miyanji”.14 In 1926, the first group of Tabligh Jamaat arrived in Mewat under Maulana Khalil Ahmad of Saharanpur. This group with the assistance of the Miyanjis arranged a conference at Nuh town. This was attended by thousands of people with much enthusiasm.15 In this conference the people were requested to disown the Hindu customs and follow the Muslim practices and spread the network of Tabligh in the whole of Mewat. First Tabligh Jamaat of the Meos was also convened and toured the areas of Sohna, Taoru and Nagina. Maulana Ilyas also came and spoke on the occasion of Juma prayer in all the three places .16
On 2ndAugust 1934, Maulana Mohammad Ilyas arranged a Panchayat at Nuh which was attended by around 107 Chaudharies of Mewat In this Panchayat he gave emphasis on the importance of Islamic Principles and its full implication in the daily life. Regarding this he prepared 15 points as a Panchayatnama, which was duly signed by all the presentees with full assurance and acceptance.17 This Panchayat, was considered as the milestone and everybody started to take part in the Tabligh work.
Another chapter added in the progress of the Tabligh work when a three day conference was organized at Nuh on 28 to 30 November, 1941.This conference was attended by 25 thousand people who came all across Mewat and around one thousand people attended from the outside Mewat. It was ever biggest gathering which the people of Mewat never seen in the past. Maulana Ilyas gave many impressive speeches along with his companions. Maulana Husain Ahmad Madni was also one of the speakers. In this convention Jamaat were convened and sent to Delhi, U.P., Karachi etc.18 Sayed Abu Ala Maududi, the founder of Jamaat-I-Islami, paid a glowing tribute to spectacular success of Maulanas effort in Mewat and elsewhere in India and described the Tabligh Movement as a major step towards the Islamisation of Indian society.
From that very time the Tabligh Movement never seen behind and from Mewat it spread to the whole of India and now covering almost entire world. Now it has become truly a global Islamic movement. It has spread to 150 countries of South East Asia, Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America etc. It has an active following estimated to be around 70 to 80 million devout followers. In 1993 one million Muslims attended its Annual International Convention at Raiwind near Lahore from 94 countries. This convention has become the second religious congregation of the Muslim world after the Hajj.19
[edit]Conclusion
The Tabligh Movement or Jamaat, which was started only due to the Mewat problems and spread to the whole of world, is purely a non- political organization. Tabligh workers generally avoid political and controversial debates and interaction with media. Their reply to any embarrassing question is always evasive. They also reject any modernistic interpretation of Islam. Due to their congregation in mosque with common boarding and lodging on individual expenses projected them an egalitarian organization. Purifying the religious practices among the common Muslims including deep faith towards Islam and promoting unity among them were the avowed objective of Tabligh Movement. The effort of its founder Maulana Ilyas was for total commitment to Islam with a view to inspire them to undertake actions in their life for sure rewards by Allah. But the minus point of the Tabligh is that instead of orientation of the Muslims for just society their members believe in preaching only for adherence to Islamic pattern of life of the Prophets era. Tabligh Jamaat hardly has any relevance to the solution of the socio-economic problems of the Muslim masses. But its appeal to simple rank and life of common Muslims for establishment of “Kingdom of Allah” has an inspiring effect.
[edit]References
^ Zakir 2005, p. 25
^ Zakir 2005, p. 17
[edit]Bibliography
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Tabligh Movement in Mewat
Zakir, Qamruddin (1 December 2005), Mewat Se Tablighi Kam Ki Ibtida, Nuh
1-The ancestral home of Maulana Ilyas was in Jhanjhana, in the district of
Muzaffarnagar, UP. His father Maulana Mohammad Ismail, after death of his first
wife, married in the family of Mufti Ilahi Baksh Kandhalvi. So Kandhla became a
second home to him. His childhood was spent in maternal grandfather’s home in
Kandhla. He took his education from Gangoh and stayed with Maulana Rashid
Ahmad Gangohi for about nine years. There after Maulana went to Deoband, where
he studied from Maulana Mahmoodul Hasan. He started his teaching from madarsa
Mazahirul Uloom of Saharanpur. (Qamruddin Zakir, Mewat Se Tablighi Kam Ki
Ibtida, Nuh, 2005, p. 25) (Urdu) (Hereafter cited as Zakir)
2-Martin E. Marty, R. Scott Appleby, The Fundamentalism Observed, American
Academy of Arts & Sciences, Chicago, 1995. pp. 518&521
3- Zakir, p. 17
4- Gurgaon District Gazetteer, Chandigarh, 1983, pp. 100–104. Syed Abul Hasan Ali
Nadvi in his book Maulana Mohammad Ilyas Aur Unki Deeni Dawat has quoted
from Alwar District Gazetteer, 1878, London, that the Meo Muslims Gods are the
same as those of the Hindus. They also celebrate many festivals of the Hindus. For
them the Holi festival is as important as Muharram, Eid and Shab-e-Barat. Like Holi
they also celebrate Janam Ashtami, Dussehra and Diwali. They also invite Brahman
Pundits to write “Peeli Chithi (Red Letter) and to fix the date of the marriage. They
generally adopt the Hindu name except Ram and prefer the surname as Singh. They
also worship the Flag of Syed Salar Masood Ghazi at the time of Shab-e-Barat.
(Syed Abul Hasan Ali Nadvi, Hazrat Maulana Mohammad Ilyas Aur Unki Deeni
Dawat, New Delhi, 2002, pp. 76–79) (Urdu) (Hereafter Quoted as Deeni Dawat)
5- Deeni Dawat, pp. 44–46
6- Zakir, p. 26
7- Mohammad Manzoor Nomani, Malfoozat, Maulana Mohammad Ilyas, New
Delhi, 2006, pp. 26&101 (Urdu) (hereafter quoted as Malfoozat)
8- Hashim Amir Ali, The Meos of Mewat, New Delhi, 1967, pp. 43–44. At one place
Maulana Mohammad Ilyas said that don’t ask the people for sparing three or five or
seven days, you say that this is the way and how much you will work you will
get.(Malfoozat, p. 93)
9- Zakir, pp. 7&8
10- Shamsuddin Shamsh, Meos of India, New Delhi, 1983, pp. 184&185
11- Zakir, pp. 44&45
12- Ibid, p. 47
13-Malfoozat, p. 27
14-Ibid, p.
15-Ibid, p. 49
16-Deeni Dawat, p. 92
17- Zakir, p. 48
18- Deeni Dawat, pp. 142–144
19-The Fundamentalism Observed
History:-
It was founded in the late 1920s by the Deobandi cleric Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Kandhalawi in the Mewat province of India. Maulana Ilyas put forward the slogan, ‘Aye Musalmano! Musalman bano’ (O Muslims! Be Muslims).
It is strictly a non political movement. The Tablighis work at grass roots level reaching out to Muslims across the economic and social spectrum.
Originally started in Delhi, India, the movement has spread to 150 countries and has an active following estimated to be between 70 to 80 million devout followers.
The Jamaat does not solicit or receive donations. Rather it is self funded by its members and operates on a very efficient model where administrative expenses are almost absent or taken care of by donations from senior members.
Ameer or Zimmadar:-
Ameer or Zimmadar are titles of leadership in the movement.
The first Ameer, also the founder, was Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Kandhalawi (Maulana Ilyas) (RA) (1885-1944). The second was his son Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Kandhalawi (1917-65) (RA). The third one was Maulana Inaam ul Hasan (Inamul Hassan) (1965-95) (RA). Now there is a shura which includes two leaders: Maulana Zubair ul Hasan and Maulana Saad Kandhalawi
Aims:-
Tabligh in Arabic means "to deliver (the message)" and Tablighi Jamaat strive to revive this duty which they consider as one of the primary duties of a Muslims. They encourage people to follow Islamic principles and the life of the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The movement asks the Muslims at-large to spend their time and money in spiritual journeys (called "khurooj" in Arabic) to seek religious knowledge ("Taleem") and promote the faith. During these scheduled journeys (usually for a specified period of 4 months, 40 days, 10 days, or 3 days), members of each travelling group (called jama'ats) learn the basic tenets of Islam from each other. Apart from these, a list of desired qualities of the sahaba are studied and practiced.
These are:
1.Kalima Conviction of faith - Belief in the oneness of God. This is expanded to mean that the creation cannot do anything without the will of God, but God can do everything without the creation. It also has the adjunct of belief that complete success in this world and the hereafter is only achieved in following the way of life shown by the prophet Muhammad and every other way leads to failure in this world and the hereafter.
2.Namaz Humility & Devotion in Salah - Perfection in observance of prayers.
3.Ilm-o-Zhikar Acquiring knowledge about Islam and the Universe and remembrance of God.
4.Ikram-e-Muslim Good behaviour towards Muslims, and others. Sacrificing ones own needs in order to fulfil another's needs. Includes respecting ones elders and showing kindness to somebody younger.
5.Sa-hih-Niyyat (Also referred to as Ikhlas-e-Niyyat) Correction and Purity of intention. Meaning that all good actions should be solely for the pleasure of God and not for fame or materialistic gain. At the beginning, during and at the end of a good deed, the intention should be checked and corrected.
6.Da'awat-Il-Allah Inviting to God - Spending ones time and money in the "Path of God" (Invite towards good action e.g. charity, prayer and calling people towards God). This task is a must for every Muslim as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was the last messenger of God and no further messengers will come to preach the message of Islam.
Constitution and activities:-
Members of any given Jama'at usually hail from varied backgrounds. Each Jama'at is usually constituted in a village or town mosque. They decide upon a route and time period of the Journey by Mash'wara or group counselling.
Each Jama'at has 8 to 15 members with one leader or Amir who is usually chosen by the members themselves before the actual journey. They stay in Masjids (Mosques) along the way, and preach to the people who attend the Mosque. During the day, members of the Jama'at visit Muslim houses door to door and roam the markets of the town or village they have stayed in and exhort Muslims to lead a pure religious life and invite them to attend a sermon in nearby Mosque after certain prayers. Usually after the sermon, they encourage the attendees to come forward and join them on the spiritual journeys for a number of days they can spare.
Since they encourage other Muslims to join in their spiritual journeys, any Muslim can easily join. There is no strict membership rules to be part of Tablighi Jamaat. In fact there is no 'membership' at all and there is no background check for newcomers. Almost any Muslim can join the group in a mosque.
The Jamaat as a missionary organization is popular in South Asia and has many adherents internationally. The main headquarters for Tabligh Jamaat (known as a Markaz) is in Nizamud-deen,India. Europe's main Markaz is in Dewsbury, England. East Asia's main markaz is located in Jakarta, Indonesia. The main African markaz is in Johannesburg, South Africa. The group has also given lectures in the majority of mosques in the world.
When a "Tablighi" returns from his journey, he should try to implement what he has learnt into his life. He should also invite others towards it so they can also spiritually benefit from it. Daily Taalim (which means teaching and learning) is recommended to be done at home so that the women folk and children can also benefit from what the men have learnt. However there is a Jamat for women called a Masturat Jamat. Unlike the men, the women stay outside the mosque in the house of a well known tablighi worker following full sharia'h rules with pardah and learn and also teach the women of that locality who may come to join them. Men do not join the Masturat Jamat as they are separate and stay in nearby mosque.
Apart from preaching, followers are also encouraged to spend 2.5 hours every day serving others. Typically this involves encouraging other Muslims to join the effort. These 'hours' are also used to meet sick people and help the needy. In the local mosque, there is a daily 'Taalim' (which means teaching or learning) and one person reads from a book. 'Taalim' is also done in homes with wife and children. This teaching is generally done with a few books, but is not limited to (Fadail-e-Ammal or virtues of deeds by Maulana Zakaria and Riyadhus-Saleheen) and also the book of selected Ahadith called "Muntakhaba Ahadees" and it covers the basic tenets of Islam. Then there is a 'Mashwara' where planning for the effort is done. They also do a weekly program called "Joula" where they go door to door meeting people and inviting them to mosque for prayer etc
Social impact:-
Most hamlets in the Indian subcontinent usually have a mosque called the Markaz, or centre, where weekly meetings occur. Preachers during these meetings urge people to go in Jama'at for as many days as their condition permits. The recommended period (but not necessary) is four months once in a life-time, a periodic planned tour schedule of 40 days in a year and 3 days in a month.
A strong grassroots support for the movement can be found in India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Central Asian countries, East Asian countries, North and Central African countries, South American countries and the Gulf countries.
In Pakistan the movement is based in Raiwind, near Lahore. The annual Tablighi congregation in Bangladesh, the Biswa Ijtema, attracts over 3 million devotees from around the world. A large participation in Tabligh efforts are also seen in Europe, North America, South Africa, North Africa and East Asian Muslim countries.
Political & Celebrity links
The Tablighi Jamaat is a professedly non-political movement. Despite this, due to its popular stature, many prominent politicians in Muslim and non-Muslim countries from both the right and the left associate themselves with the Tabligh. Many entrepreneurs in the Muslim world have been Tablighis. Among others, former Pakistani Prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and former Pakistani President Muhammad Rafiq Tarar have been associated with the Tablighi movement. Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency was formerly headed by Javed Nasir, also a Tablighi.
Other than politicians, many celebrities in Pakistan have also associated themselves with the Tablighi Jamat. Acclaimed musician Junaid Jamshed reverted to Islam through the Jamat. Members of the Pakistani cricket team, including Saeed Anwar, Mohammad Yousuf (convert-formerly Yousuf Youhana), Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Salim Malik, Mushtaq Ahmed & Shahid Afridi frequently attend the Jamat's lectures.
In Indonesia, Tabligh has also touch the life of Sakti, a member of Sheila on 7, a famous Indonesia Pop Band. During 2006 he has conducted a four months journey to International Markaz in Nizzamudin, New Delhi, India. He already quit the band completely, and practices the amalan maqaami and amalan intiqaali quite intensively.
It was founded in the late 1920s by the Deobandi cleric Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Kandhalawi in the Mewat province of India. Maulana Ilyas put forward the slogan, ‘Aye Musalmano! Musalman bano’ (O Muslims! Be Muslims).
It is strictly a non political movement. The Tablighis work at grass roots level reaching out to Muslims across the economic and social spectrum.
Originally started in Delhi, India, the movement has spread to 150 countries and has an active following estimated to be between 70 to 80 million devout followers.
The Jamaat does not solicit or receive donations. Rather it is self funded by its members and operates on a very efficient model where administrative expenses are almost absent or taken care of by donations from senior members.
Ameer or Zimmadar:-
Ameer or Zimmadar are titles of leadership in the movement.
The first Ameer, also the founder, was Maulana Muhammad Ilyas Kandhalawi (Maulana Ilyas) (RA) (1885-1944). The second was his son Maulana Muhammad Yusuf Kandhalawi (1917-65) (RA). The third one was Maulana Inaam ul Hasan (Inamul Hassan) (1965-95) (RA). Now there is a shura which includes two leaders: Maulana Zubair ul Hasan and Maulana Saad Kandhalawi
Aims:-
Tabligh in Arabic means "to deliver (the message)" and Tablighi Jamaat strive to revive this duty which they consider as one of the primary duties of a Muslims. They encourage people to follow Islamic principles and the life of the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The movement asks the Muslims at-large to spend their time and money in spiritual journeys (called "khurooj" in Arabic) to seek religious knowledge ("Taleem") and promote the faith. During these scheduled journeys (usually for a specified period of 4 months, 40 days, 10 days, or 3 days), members of each travelling group (called jama'ats) learn the basic tenets of Islam from each other. Apart from these, a list of desired qualities of the sahaba are studied and practiced.
These are:
1.Kalima Conviction of faith - Belief in the oneness of God. This is expanded to mean that the creation cannot do anything without the will of God, but God can do everything without the creation. It also has the adjunct of belief that complete success in this world and the hereafter is only achieved in following the way of life shown by the prophet Muhammad and every other way leads to failure in this world and the hereafter.
2.Namaz Humility & Devotion in Salah - Perfection in observance of prayers.
3.Ilm-o-Zhikar Acquiring knowledge about Islam and the Universe and remembrance of God.
4.Ikram-e-Muslim Good behaviour towards Muslims, and others. Sacrificing ones own needs in order to fulfil another's needs. Includes respecting ones elders and showing kindness to somebody younger.
5.Sa-hih-Niyyat (Also referred to as Ikhlas-e-Niyyat) Correction and Purity of intention. Meaning that all good actions should be solely for the pleasure of God and not for fame or materialistic gain. At the beginning, during and at the end of a good deed, the intention should be checked and corrected.
6.Da'awat-Il-Allah Inviting to God - Spending ones time and money in the "Path of God" (Invite towards good action e.g. charity, prayer and calling people towards God). This task is a must for every Muslim as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was the last messenger of God and no further messengers will come to preach the message of Islam.
Constitution and activities:-
Members of any given Jama'at usually hail from varied backgrounds. Each Jama'at is usually constituted in a village or town mosque. They decide upon a route and time period of the Journey by Mash'wara or group counselling.
Each Jama'at has 8 to 15 members with one leader or Amir who is usually chosen by the members themselves before the actual journey. They stay in Masjids (Mosques) along the way, and preach to the people who attend the Mosque. During the day, members of the Jama'at visit Muslim houses door to door and roam the markets of the town or village they have stayed in and exhort Muslims to lead a pure religious life and invite them to attend a sermon in nearby Mosque after certain prayers. Usually after the sermon, they encourage the attendees to come forward and join them on the spiritual journeys for a number of days they can spare.
Since they encourage other Muslims to join in their spiritual journeys, any Muslim can easily join. There is no strict membership rules to be part of Tablighi Jamaat. In fact there is no 'membership' at all and there is no background check for newcomers. Almost any Muslim can join the group in a mosque.
The Jamaat as a missionary organization is popular in South Asia and has many adherents internationally. The main headquarters for Tabligh Jamaat (known as a Markaz) is in Nizamud-deen,India. Europe's main Markaz is in Dewsbury, England. East Asia's main markaz is located in Jakarta, Indonesia. The main African markaz is in Johannesburg, South Africa. The group has also given lectures in the majority of mosques in the world.
When a "Tablighi" returns from his journey, he should try to implement what he has learnt into his life. He should also invite others towards it so they can also spiritually benefit from it. Daily Taalim (which means teaching and learning) is recommended to be done at home so that the women folk and children can also benefit from what the men have learnt. However there is a Jamat for women called a Masturat Jamat. Unlike the men, the women stay outside the mosque in the house of a well known tablighi worker following full sharia'h rules with pardah and learn and also teach the women of that locality who may come to join them. Men do not join the Masturat Jamat as they are separate and stay in nearby mosque.
Apart from preaching, followers are also encouraged to spend 2.5 hours every day serving others. Typically this involves encouraging other Muslims to join the effort. These 'hours' are also used to meet sick people and help the needy. In the local mosque, there is a daily 'Taalim' (which means teaching or learning) and one person reads from a book. 'Taalim' is also done in homes with wife and children. This teaching is generally done with a few books, but is not limited to (Fadail-e-Ammal or virtues of deeds by Maulana Zakaria and Riyadhus-Saleheen) and also the book of selected Ahadith called "Muntakhaba Ahadees" and it covers the basic tenets of Islam. Then there is a 'Mashwara' where planning for the effort is done. They also do a weekly program called "Joula" where they go door to door meeting people and inviting them to mosque for prayer etc
Social impact:-
Most hamlets in the Indian subcontinent usually have a mosque called the Markaz, or centre, where weekly meetings occur. Preachers during these meetings urge people to go in Jama'at for as many days as their condition permits. The recommended period (but not necessary) is four months once in a life-time, a periodic planned tour schedule of 40 days in a year and 3 days in a month.
A strong grassroots support for the movement can be found in India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Thailand, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Fiji, Central Asian countries, East Asian countries, North and Central African countries, South American countries and the Gulf countries.
In Pakistan the movement is based in Raiwind, near Lahore. The annual Tablighi congregation in Bangladesh, the Biswa Ijtema, attracts over 3 million devotees from around the world. A large participation in Tabligh efforts are also seen in Europe, North America, South Africa, North Africa and East Asian Muslim countries.
Political & Celebrity links
The Tablighi Jamaat is a professedly non-political movement. Despite this, due to its popular stature, many prominent politicians in Muslim and non-Muslim countries from both the right and the left associate themselves with the Tabligh. Many entrepreneurs in the Muslim world have been Tablighis. Among others, former Pakistani Prime ministers Nawaz Sharif and former Pakistani President Muhammad Rafiq Tarar have been associated with the Tablighi movement. Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency was formerly headed by Javed Nasir, also a Tablighi.
Other than politicians, many celebrities in Pakistan have also associated themselves with the Tablighi Jamat. Acclaimed musician Junaid Jamshed reverted to Islam through the Jamat. Members of the Pakistani cricket team, including Saeed Anwar, Mohammad Yousuf (convert-formerly Yousuf Youhana), Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Salim Malik, Mushtaq Ahmed & Shahid Afridi frequently attend the Jamat's lectures.
In Indonesia, Tabligh has also touch the life of Sakti, a member of Sheila on 7, a famous Indonesia Pop Band. During 2006 he has conducted a four months journey to International Markaz in Nizzamudin, New Delhi, India. He already quit the band completely, and practices the amalan maqaami and amalan intiqaali quite intensively.
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