Tablighi Jamaat ("Conveying
Group") (Arabic: جماعة التبليغ , also Tabligh) is a Muslim missionary and
revival movement. Their activities are not limited to within the Muslim
community only, 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.
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.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. 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. 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.
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 ex-cheif
minister 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.
Tabligh in Arabic means "to convey (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. 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..
May ALLAH Help Us in This mission and Protect from the Evil Forces of Islam.
Thanks!