Muhammad Ilyas
Muhammad Ilyas (1885-1944) was a prominent Sufi scholar and Deobandi `alim who founded the Tablighi Jama’at in India in 1927. His movement aimed to rejuvenate Islamic faith among Muslims by emphasizing grassroots efforts, enhancing religious education, and promoting organized da’wah (missionary work).
Etymology and Translations
- Arabic: محمد إلیاس (Muḥammad Ilyās)
- Turkish: Muhammed İlyas
Biography
Early Life and Education
Born in the town of Kandhla, in the heart of what is today Uttar Pradesh, India, Muhammad Ilyas received the foundation of his Islamic education at home under the tutelage of family members deeply immersed in Sufi traditions and the Deobandi school of thought. Later, he pursued advanced studies at the renowned Darul Uloom Deoband, a prominent Islamic seminary known for its classical Islamic teachings.
Founding of Tablighi Jama’at
The political and social landscape of British India, as well as the aggressive proselytization by Hindu reformist movements such as the Shuddhi campaign, deeply influenced Muhammad Ilyas. He was convinced that only a grassroots Islamic renewal could effectively oppose these efforts and reintroduce Muslims to the essence of their faith and rituals, unmarred by syncretic influences.
In 1927, he established the Tablighi Jama’at to engage ordinary Muslims in continuous religious education. The movement was characterized by its focus on personal piety, strict adherence to religious practices, and the emphasis on collaborative and structured efforts in propagating the faith.
Objectives and Methods
Primary Objectives
- Countering Non-Islamic Influences: Muhammad Ilyas was driven by the vision of protecting and purging Islamic beliefs and practices from the non-Islamic cultural influences that had seeped in, particularly those of Hindu origin.
- Religious Education: The initiative aimed to provide Muslims with a more profound knowledge of their religious duties and rites.
- Grassroots Mobilization: By targeting ordinary laypeople rather than just scholars or elites, the movement fostered a community-level transformation.
Key Strategies
- Organized Tabligh (Proselytization): Teams of volunteers, known as
jamaats, were dispatched on regular tours to various regions to spread true Islamic teachings. - Emphasis on Travel and Outreach: Inspired by the Prophet Muhammad’s trek for the spread of Islam, these groups would traverse across villages and towns advocating the return to fundamental Islamic principles.
- Structured Lessons: Regular meetings (
ijtimas) and study circles were held to educate the faithful, promoting thematic education concerning the core tenets of the Islamic faith.
Legacy
Muhammad Ilyas’s legacy persists through the continuous global influence of the Tablighi Jama’at. Engaging millions across the world—from South Asia to Africa, and Europe to America—the movement stands today as an embodiment of his vision, with its humble, non-political, grassroots appeal.
Suggested Books for Further Study
- “Tablighi Jamaat: A Transnational Islamic Revivalist Movement” by Muhammad Khalid Masud
- “Islamic Revival in British India: Deoband, 1860-1900” by Barbara D. Metcalf
- “The Tablighi Jama’at: Proselytizing Missionaries or Trojan Horse?” edited by Yoginder Sikand
- “Piety and Politics in Islamic Education: The Case of the Aligarh School” by Ziauddin Sardar
Takeaways and Conclusion
Muhammad Ilyas aimed to correct the religious inattentiveness and syncretism prevalent among Indian Muslims during his time through rigorously structured and heavily grassroots-centric efforts. By focusing on community-level transformations, constant travel, and on-the-ground engagement, he left an indelible mark on Islamic missionary work.
In summary, Muhammad Ilyas and the Tablighi Jama’at he founded underscore the power of collective religious re-awakening and the diversity of methods utilized in engaging and educating lay Muslims toward a renewal of their faith.
