Tablighi Jamaat - Definition and Meaning 🌏
Tabighi Jamaat (Arabic: جماعة التبليغ, Urdu: جماعت تبلیغ) is an influential Islamic reform movement founded by Mawlana Muhammad Ilyas in 1927 in Delhi, India. The name translates to “Society for Spreading Faith.”
Comprehensive Definition
Tablighi Jamaat is a religious movement aimed at a spiritual revival and fostering increased Islamic observance among Muslims, particularly focusing on the everyday aspects of faith rather than political objectives. The effort involves adherents going on short missionary trips, called khuruj, to preach a return to fundamental Islamic practices such as prayer, modesty, and community.
Etymology and Background
Etymology:
- “Tablighi” derives from the Arabic root “ب-ل-غ” (b-l-gh), meaning “to convey” or “to deliver a message.”
- “Jamaat” is an Arabic word meaning “group” or “assembly.”
Background: Founded by Mawlana Muhammad Ilyas Kandhalawi (1885–1944) during a period of significant social and religious transformation in British India. Concerned by the perceived decline in Islamic morals and practices among Muslims, particularly in rural areas, Ilyas aimed to establish a movement that encouraged a personal religious revival based on the model of early Islamic practices.
Historical Facts and Dates
- 1927: Foundation of Tablighi Jamaat by Mawlana Muhammad Ilyas in Delhi, India.
- 1934: The notion of small groups of volunteers traveling to preach the core practices of Islam begins to take form.
- September 4, 1944: Death of Mawlana Muhammad Ilyas; leadership passed on to his successors, notably Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhalawi (1898–1982).
- 1950s: Movement expands significantly into various countries including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other parts of Asia, Europe, and eventually the Americas.
- 1995: The global membership of Tablighi Jamaat estimated to be around 12 million.
Cultural Differences and Similarities
Similarities:
- Shared communal focus across diverse Muslim countries.
- Unified by common goals of propagating essential Islamic values and practices.
Differences:
- Cultural adaptation to local customs while maintaining Islamic core principles.
- Varied methods of dawah (proselytism) reflecting the regional context, from face-to-face interactions in Asia to organized events and gatherings in the West.
Synonyms, Antonyms, and Related Terms
Synonyms:
- Da’wah movement: general term for Islamic missionary work.
- Ijtima: Large gatherings organized by Tablighi Jamaat.
Antonyms:
- Secularism: Removing religious elements from daily practices and public affairs.
- Modernist Islam: Reformist approach that often embraces intellectualism and political involvement in contrast to the apolitical stance of Tablighi Jamaat.
Related Terms:
- Khuruj: Short term traveling missions to preach faith and religious practices.
- Da’wah: The act of inviting others to Islam, key to the movement’s activities.
Exciting Facts
- The annual World Gathering (عملى اجتماع or ‘Ijtima’) held by Tablighi Jamaat attracts millions of Muslims making it one of the largest religious congregations after the Hajj.
- Feminine versions exist alongside the main, male-centric missions ensuring the movement also reaches Muslim women.
- Despite its non-political stance, Tablighi Jamaat developed significant influence in shaping Muslim communities globally, often acting as social reformers.
Quotations from Notable Writers
“The Tablighi Jamaat represents a fascinating contemporary revivalist movement. It champions a return to personal piety among Muslims without engaging directly in the turbulence of political or social activism.” — John L. Esposito
Suggested Literature and Sources for Further Study
- “Islamic Revival in British India: Deoband, 1860-1900” by Barbara D. Metcalf: This work provides context on the Deoband school, from which founders of the Tablighi Jamaat drew inspiration.
- “Tablighi Jamaat: An Indo-South Asian Islamic Movement” by Yoginder Sikand: Comprehensive analysis and history of Tablighi Jamaat.
- “Islamic Daʻwah in the West: Muslim Missionary Activity and the Dynamics of Conversion” by Larry Poston: Explores Tablighi Jamaat’s activities and impacts in Western countries.
- “The Pathan Unarmed: Opposition & Memory in the North West Frontier” by Mukulika Banerjee: Discusses the movement’s influence in South Asia, specifically the pathan regions.
Translation of Main Term
- Arabic: جماعة التبليغ
- Urdu: جماعت تبلیغ
- Persian: جماعت تبلیغ
Farewell Thought: Dive deep into the transformative pages of history, and you will find movements like Tablighi Jamaat, birthed from passion to revive and sustain the essence of faith. May your journey of knowledge illuminate paths of wisdom.
فسير على نابود, Saleem Akhtar
