Deobandi movement

The Deobandi (Urdu: دیو بندی devbandī) is an Islamic revivalist movement which started in South Asia and has more recently spread to other countries, such as Afghanistan, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Deobandis follow the fiqh of Abu Hanifa and are regarded as a part of the Ahlus Sunnah wal-Jamaa'h. They follow Abu Mansur Maturidi's thought in Aqeedah and Ilm ul Kalaam i.e the science of refuting criticism of Islam made using Greek logic. Deobandi thought is characterised by a strict adherence to the Sunnah (the tradition of the Prophet Muhammad) and an emphasis on Sharīˤa (Islamic law) and Tasawwuf (Islamic Sufi spirituality). The Deobandis are associated with the Sufi Tariqahs of the Naqshabandiyyah, Chishtiyyah, Qadiriyyah and Suhrawardiyyah. The name derives from Deoband, India, where the madrassa Darul Uloom Deoband is situated.

Tenets

Deobandi thought is characterised by a strict adherence to the Sunnah and an emphasis on Sharīˤa. It has five main principles, which are:

1. Tawħīd: (Monotheism) of God; no one shares His attributes.
2. Sunna: Following and loving the methodology of the Messenger of God, Muhammad in every small and big matter.
3. Ħubbus-Sahāba: Love of the companions of the Messenger of God, and following their way.
4. Taqlīd wal-Ittibā: Giving preference to the jurisprudence of one of the earliest jurists of Islam over that of later jurists.
5. Jihād fī Sabīlil-Lāh: Doing Jihād in the way of God against every evil.

History

The Deobandi movement developed as a reaction to the British colonialism in India, whom they believed to be assimilating the Islamic religion. Fearing this, a group of Indian ˤUlāmā led by Maulana Qasim Nanautavi founded an Islamic seminary known as Darul Uloom Deoband. It is here that the Islamic revivalist and anti-imperialist ideology of the Deobandis began to develop. Gradually, their influence, through organisations such as Jamiat Ulema-e Hind and Tableeghi Jamaat, began to spread and hundreds of Madrassas and Darul Ulooms affiliated to Deoband sprouted. Notable Deobandi seminaries include Nadwatu l-Ulama (Lucknow) and Darul Uloom Karachi (Karachi, Pakistan).

Some of the early Deobandi scholars included Maulana Qasim Nanotwi, Maulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi, Maulana Husain Ahmed Madani, Mawlana Ashraf Ali Thanawi, Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri, Mufti Kifayat Ullah Dahlavi, Maulana Ilyas Khandhelawi and Mawlana Ubaidullah Sindhi, Maulana Muḥammad Zakarīyā al-Kandahlawī, as well as Maulana Rahmatullah Kairanvi, the famous polemicist who emigrated to Arabia after the 1857 war, who was also associated with Deoband.

Opposition by Sunni Barelvis

The Barelvis oppose the Deobandis because they are accused of having pro-Wahhabi elements in their core books. They are also accused of blasphemous and derogatory references to Almighty Allah's truthfulness and The Holy Prophet's knowledge of the Unseen which led to the Barelvis making takfīr and also accusing them of being Wahhabis.

Objections by the Barelwis

• The Prophet (sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) Has The Power Of Giving Benefit And Loss

• The Holy Prophet Muhammad (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) Is Alive

• The Intercession Of The Holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam)

• The Holy Prophet Is A Unique Human Being

• Knowledge Of The Unseen Possessed By The Prophet (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam)

• The Holy Prophet (sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam) Is Noor

• The Concept Of "haazir-o-naazir" Used For Rasoolullah (Sallal Laahu Alaihi Wasallam)

• Tawassul

Present

Prominent Deobandi scholars today include Mufti Taqi Uthmani, Mufti Ebrahim Desai, Mufti Rafi Uthmani (Grand Mufti of Pakistan) , Maulana Tariq Jamil and Imam Tahir Anwar of the USA

The Taliban

The Taliban are said to follow the teachings of the Deoband school, although some scholars, like Ahmed Rashid, claim they follow a simplistic version of the school's teachings.

The Tablighi Jamaat

Some famous people who propagate 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, propagating Islam to the masses amongst many others.

See also

• Ahl-e-Hadeeth

References

• Zaman, Muhammad Qasim (2002). The Ulama in Contemporary Islam: Custodians of Change. Princeton University Press. ISBN 0691096805.

External links

• ProjectHaq - Direct Your Heart To The Truth
• Ulama e Deoband online - Multimedia
• Deen ki Kuttab
• Masalak e Ulama e Deoband - Multimedia
• Dar ul Uloom Deoband
• Dar ul Uloom Karachi
• Hadhrat Deobandi Rahimahullah
• al-Balaagh Magazine Canada
• Madrassah Ina'amiyah South Africa
• Madrassah Sawlatiyah Makkah Mukarrammah
• Jaami'ah Farooqiah Karachi
• Jaami'ah Ashrafia Lahore
• Ahnaf - Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaat E-Zine
• No Difference between Barelwis and Deobandis
• Fatwa on the Mawlid (Celebration of the Muhammad's Birthday)

Answering accusation made by Berailwis

• Answering Kokab Noorani's Deceit