Sumber : Pakistan News Service (http://www.paknews.org/articles/1999/jan/art1jan-15.html)
Dr Jassim Taqui
For the last ten years, there seem to be some drastic changes within the ranks
of Tablighi Jamaat (TJ) in Pakistan though from behind the scenes. These changes
are substantial since they pertain to the basics of the Jamaat. The TJ has vowed
not to indulge in politics __one of the basic principles of the Jamaat. However,
there seems to be some changes in the thinking of the leaders of this movement.
It should be noted that the movement has been able to establish contacts and
centres for Tabligh throughout the Muslim world. There are thousands of
dedicated and disciplined workers, who would never question any order from the
high-ups. What has helped the TJ to progress is a deliberate blackout on its
activities. The TJ does not believe in communication through media or any other
written means. They believe in the "human communication" from a person
to another and from a spirit to spirit. No matter what one would write about
them, the writing would not be accurate because one only feels what they do and
preach and cannot possibly translate the same. Theirs is a spiritual movement of
the highest order especially when one spends more time with them and acquires
the tariqah. This tariqah provides the "willing" individual the
doctrines and methods for spiritual elation. Once this is achieved a person can
see and perceive things that ordinary people cannot. A transformation would take
place in inner self and a new man/woman would be born. The tablighi would then
try to correct things around him/her with the help of learnt lessons and methods
and by undoing the progressive spiritual darkening of the soul and later through
ascending the spirit to higher levels.
Through the phenomenon of inkishaf or revelation, the tablighi leader might be
unique in foresight and wisdom. If anyone would listen to him/her, he/she would
be influenced by his/her extraordinary style of discourse and spiritual
interaction of uncommon nature. In the early seventies, the author spent three
memorable days in the centre of Tabligh-e-Jamaat at Raiwind, Lahore. There,
tablighis narrated how spies were sent by the CIA to collect information about
them and how they ended embracing Islam at their hands. Said a learned tablighi,
"We know them all. We read their mind. We are capable of seeing inside. But
we let them stay with us and see us in action. We have nothing to conceal. We
truly worship God. But the infinite mercy of God intervenes sometimes when there
is a will, and transforms these. Many adversaries of our movement changed and
entered into our fold."
The Tablighis have absolute faith in God. They preach while travelling from one
place to another. They never accept money from the people nor they offer money
to their followers. Those who would like to join them have to cover their own
expenses by themselves. If they are poor, the leader of their group will arrange
their food and travelling expenses from the rich members of the group on
voluntary basis. Nobody is presumed to lie to or cheat the leader of the group.
If he did, he would later confess when he experienced the true inner change.
Tablighis ask their members to correct any misdeed they did during their life.
For example, they are asked to return the dues and loans of the people. If they
stole something, they have to return it to its original owner. If they consumed
or sold or lost the stolen item, they are asked to contact the owner and ask for
his forgiveness, if possible. After spending 40 days or six months, you would
feel a total transformation and a change in thinking and perception. Some people
would extend the stay to one year, three years, five years, and in some cases
lifetime in search for identity, values, and spiritual elevation. Staying with
them exposes your spiritual voids and vulnerability to materialism. You are
asked to suppress material urges through reducing your diet to minimum and
through worshipping God most of the time with full devotion so as to cross the
barriers of materialism. Gradually, your soul would emerge and control things.
Only then, you can feel the real delight and a glimpse of an enlightened inner
self.
Recently, some prominent figures from the TJ have started taking part indirectly
and directly in politics. Among them are the former ISI chief Gen. Javed Nasir
and President Mohammad Rafiq Tarar. Both are members of TJ though their
positions in the TJ hierarchy are not known. There could be other people
involved in politics one way or another. But one thing seems to be clear. By
nominating Mohammad Rafiq Tarar to the highest political position of president
of Pakistan, TJ means business. It is a big entry into politics, which the TJ
used to oppose earlier. It is possible that the entry of the Jamaat is having to
do with the widespread corruption in the society and the urgent need to help
restrain and control the corruption. Their entry could be a move to stop Qazi
Hussain Ahmad of the Jamaat-e-Islami from going to the extreme. Qazi has been
speaking of "Islamic revolution" and of a movement to be launched
against the government after Ramazan. The TJ does not approve any form of
"revolution". It believes in evolutionary Islam based on conviction
and faith and not through force or violence. The TJ does not believe in fatwas.
Therefore, there is no danger that the Jamaat would declare any school of
thought as kafir.
Those who are close to the inner circles believe that the tablighis were the
brains who bailed out Nawaz Sharif from the constitutional crisis. Tarar is also
believed to be the brain behind the Shariat Bill and the concept of "speedy
justice" through military courts. However, the contacts of the tablighis
had always been with Mian Mohammad Sharif and not with the son. Mian sahib is
well aware of the tariqah. He has been with the Tabligh for a fairly long time.
He takes part in their meetings on regular basis. He donates money to their
welfare projects. As usual, the tablighis would never publicise the donors or
the projects or the beneficiaries. All are committed to remain silent. Their job
is merely to satisfy the Almighty and not to publicise their alms. Their social
welfare programmes are strictly confidential since they don't intend to harm the
feelings of the recipients.
But entering politics is a risk. It is a different ball-game altogether.
Politics and spirituality are opposite with the former has the power to corrupt
the latter. The entire issue depends on how prepared the tablighis are in
entering politics and using it in fighting corruption and ultimately bringing an
evolutionary form of Islam instead of Qazi's version of revolutionary Islam.
Only time will tell.