Inside the Tablighi Jamaat

by Ziya Us Salam

Not much is known about what is arguably the world's, and certainly India's, largest Islamic organization - the Tablighi Jamaat. From poverty-stricken peasants of Bihar to dairy farmers of Mewat, its members attend three-day retreats in local mosques, and at times, the Markaz in Delhi. They come of their own free will, at their own expense. The Tabligh tells its members to look within, that life is about internal cleansing with regular prayer that paves the path to spiritual uplift. Unlike other Islamic organizations that balance the here and the hereafter, the Tabligh is concerned only about 'matters beyond the sky and under the earth'. Its steadfast refusal to take a political stand has stood it in good stead. It is the 'ideal Muslim organization' for some - focused solely on introspection in isolation. Now, for the first time, author Ziya Us Salam provides an inside view of the organization that unwittingly became a 'hotspot' during the novel coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

Genres: Nonfiction, Islam

260 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2020

Reviews

[Ruchi Patel · Rating 3 out of 5]

In recent times, we all heard the news about Tablighi Jamat but after that this title caught my attention as the concept of the book seemed different and I wanted to explore about it. You know religion is everyone’s personal opinion and matter. So I won’t do facts checks or comment about anything. I will review this book purely based on writing by the author. In initial chapters author has covered explanation about what happened in recent times with references of newspapers and media articles along with her version of explanation. I don’t want to comment about it as it can go in either extremes. Every coin has two sides so better to drop that subject. I came to know about Tablighi Jamat and it’s work in well detailed manner after reading this one. For almost 100 years, the Tablighi Jamat is a self- effacing, apolitical body, engaged in spiritual renewal of Muslims. Author has explained it’s functions and working methods. I liked genuine opinion that author has presented regarding them. Like I came to know about certain facts through this like Quran should be understood only by intellectuals and then message conveyed to common man and their views on restricted use of technology. I liked the chapter “Path to Prayer” I have many Muslim friends so I know few of their traditions but author has explained well the importance of Vazu, the correct method and why they wear ankle length Pajamas. I liked the author’s take and views regarding her religion. Author has covered well known issues such as Triple Talaq and Babari Masjid and at that time Jamat refused to say a word. That shows their apolitical stand. I like their virtues such as helping poor, and staying away from substance such as alcohol, habits such as gambling, etc. I appreciated author’s effort when in one of her book she wrote about women’s permission to enter mosques and frictions following that. I felt sometimes event’s sequences are here and there while writing and assembling into the book. Content is messy sequences wise. Author has studied Quran and it’s verses properly before commenting on anything so huge respect for that. I liked the references and glossary given at the end of the book for reference purpose. I liked the vocabulary and language used by the author. I respect her genuine and bold opinion. I liked the writing style. Overall it was quite informative.

[Shalini singh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually don't talk about sensitive issues these days much because I don't really have time to fight. I am a lawyer and I argue anyways a lot so what makes sense is reason there where it had matter most- by myself, with my brain and heart. Like this book. I solely read this short and factually correct timeline shredded, theories and media gambled in a caste divided India by an author who is reputed and a master at journalistic views. There are so many issues which we aren't fully aware of to make a concise opinion on. The issue of how the markaz was blamed for spreading bio terrorism basically has been explored in the book.

Evocative, deep and researched to prove nothing- the book is neutral and basic in it's approach. I didn't get many surprises as such as I knew the history of the Jamaat. The Tabligh tells its members to look within, that life is about internal cleansing with regular prayer that paves the path to spiritual uplift. Unlike other Islamic organization's that balance the here and the hereafter, the Tabligh is concerned only about 'matters beyond the sky and under the earth'. Its steadfast refusal to take a political stand has stood it in good stead. It is the 'ideal Muslim organization' for some - focused solely on introspection in isolation. Now, for the first time, author Ziya Us Salam provides an inside view of the organization that unwittingly became a 'hotspot' during the novel Coronavirus pandemic in 2020.
His books on Islam include Nikah Halala: Sleeping with a Stranger, Women in Masjid, Madrasas in the Age of Islamophobia, Lynch Files, 365 Tales from Islam, Of Saffron Flags and Skull Caps, and Till Talaq Do Us Part.

For someone who reads the news religiously, I found the book repetitive (duh) in many chapters as news paper quotes and a better curated Wikipedia of all that happened and in what sequence during the ensuing months leading to lock down is charted as how someone who is living in a bubble would be introduced. Read it to gain knowledge on  India's, largest Islamic organization - the Tablighi Jamaat.

[Shambhavi Pandey · Rating 2 out of 5]

For almost a century, India’s largest apolitical Islamic organization- Tablighi Jamaat continued to work meticulously towards the inner psychic and spiritual resumption. Well-known for maintaining a politically neutral stance, the organization has never been vexed or inconvenienced by the country’s changing political dynamics. The members of the tabligh direct their solicitude to the ‘matters beyond the sky and underneath the earth’. They believe in the idea of rumination in isolation.

I read this book solely for the purpose of knowing more about an organization that has been condemned and criticized for unfurling bioterrorism, which the book actually does. It explores in detail, and with proper references and citations, what led to “Markaz” become the ‘hotspot’ and ‘super-spreaders’ during the covid-19 pandemic. The author has deeply researched the topics before drawing upon any conclusion and rather makes an unbiased neutral stand for a lot of issues he managed to bring up in the book. It traverses issues on grounds of its history, formation, inner workings, principles, religious ideologies, etc. It highlights the role of media, which is often ignorant, occasionally irresponsible in the shaping of public opinion, which I found particularly perceptive. The telling text is instructive in its subject matter with edifying references from the Quran and other religious texts.

The narrative is however repetitive and falls flat at times for being too bland. The takeaway message on page one-hundred is essentially the same as what one gathers on the fifth page of the preface. This was one major issue that I dealt with, but perhaps that is one underlying scuffle that one has to deal with while reading a political non-fiction book.
Read it if you wholly wish to know about the functioning of this organization.

[Umar Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I spent a lot of time with the Tablighi Jamaat in my younger days and am generally a fan of their work. I learned absolutely nothing in this book I didn't know. Very light on information.

[Chittajit Mitra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think the first time majority of Indian public even heard about the Tablighi Jamaat was when they were dragged into the whole Covid situation. As usual, the whole situation was communalized by some
selective news channels and politicians & random stories were spread defaming them. The fight against the pandemic soon was portrayed as fight against Muslims. But this book isn't about that.
Ziya Us Salam takes us through the history & making of the Tablighi Jamaat. We come to know about their philosophy, working & thought process. The author is extremely critical about some aspects of the Jamaat & how they function, he gives several theological arguments to support his claim. With the book divided in several chapters, Ziya Us Salaam describes each aspect of the Tablighi Jamaat & goes into its intricate details. The book is a window to understand India's largest Islamic organization & is surely the easiest to get an inside view. A truly important read in today's era of rampant Islamophobia.

[DK · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a timely book. But it fails to answer a crucial question. What is the impact of the Jamaat's insistence on standardisation of Islam/ orthopraxy on the larger community and its relationship with the majority community. In India, Islam has incorporated local, syncretic elements. Trying to stifle these strains will cause a gradual social cleavage.

[Mibin Mammen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's an interesting book on the Tablighi Jamat. The book gives a different perspective on the community and also a detailed understanding of how the community functions and also their beliefs