Sûfî spirituality fires reformist zeal: The Tablîghî Jamâ'at in today's India and Pakistan

Abstract

The paper discusses the results of field research in India and Pakistan with regard to the influence of Sûfî-related practices and concepts in the workings of the Tablîghî Jamâ'at. These observations are of a preliminary nature, as the project and field research were not specifically focused on Sûfî connections but on the social and organisational worldview of the Tablîghîs. To structure the observations from the field research, the presentation concentrates on three issues: how personal religious leadership and guidance are constructed on the Sûfî model; how interaction and self-organisation at various decision-making levels in the Tablîghî Jamâ'at are modelled after a Sûfî order; how Sûfî spirituality is used in Tablîghî rituals and philosophy to mobilise adherents. It will then raise countervailing sing influences such as local variables between its branches in India, where the Sûfî legacy is arguably stronger, and Pakistan, where the Sûfî heritage is going "underground". In conclusion it will discuss as to what extent the success of the Tablîghî Jamâ'at is rooted in its successful fusion of its Sûfî and reformist antecedents.