Tablighi Jamaat
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Roots of Tabligh Movement
Originating in India in the Mewat province, Tablighi Jama'at aims to bring spiritual awakening to the world Muslims.
Aims of the Movement
Professedly apolitical, this movement asks every Muslim to spend his/her time and money in evangelistic journeys. During these pilgrimages (Usually for a specified period such as 4 months, 40, 10 or 3 days) members of each pilgrimage group (called Jama'ats) will learn the basic tenets of Islam from each other. Apart from these, A list of desired qualities called Six points or Che Baath are also studied. These are
- Belief in the Oneness of God. This is expanded to mean that only God can affect you in good or evil and that material things (Everything other than God) have no real power over you or the universe. It also has the adjunct of belief that the way of life shown by the Prophet Muhammad is the best way to salvation in this world and the Hereafter.
- Perfection in Religious observances. Usually meaning Namaz (Salah or the daily 5 times prayer). Also interpreted to mean the common religious practices.
- Acquiring Knowledge and Remembrance of God
- Good Behaviour. Towards Muslims, and Others. Includes respecting ones' elders and showing kindness to somebody younger.
- Purity of Intention. Meaning that all actions should be solely for the pleasure of God.
- Spending ones time and money in the "Path of God". Supposedly to acquire these above 5 qualities.
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 Masjid. They decide upon a route and time period of the Journey by Mash'wara or group counselling.
Each Jama'at has 5 to 20 members with one leader or Ameer who is usually chosen by the members themselves before the actual journey. They usually camp in Masjids(Mosques) along the way, and preach to the people who attend the Mosque. During the day, members of the Jama'at roam the markets of the town or village they have camped in and exhort the people to lead a pure life and to refrain from evils such as Alcoholic drinks.
Politics
Perceived by most Governments as harmless eccentrics in spite of their fundamentalistic beliefs, Tabligh Jama'ats can be found roaming in most world countries today. (So much so that in Sri Lanka they permitted to camp in Buddhist Monasteries.) Some countries (Such as Saudi Arabia) have officially banned them from public speeches, none the less turn a blind eye when they stay and preach in Masjids.
Social Impact
Most hamlets in India usually have a Masjid called the Markaz, or centre, where weekly meetings occur. Preachers during these meetings exhort people to go in Jama'at for as many days as their financial condition permits. But the period is not unlimited and is a periodic planned tour schedule of 40 days in an year, 3 days in a month.
Since many delinquent youngsters are demonstrably persuaded to reform and lead a law abiding and pious life by these Jama'ats they are welcomed by many Muslim parents. It has a very positive effect on the productivity of the person.
A strong grassroots support for the movement can be found in Sri Lanka and Malaysia.