Deobandi

Deobandi
Founder	Muhammad Qasim Nanautawi, Rashid Ahmad Gangohi
Founded	1867
Location	Deoband, India

Deobandi is a Sunni Islamic school of thought that originated in Deoband, India in the late 19th century, founded by Muhammad Qasim Nanautawi and Rashid Ahmad Gangohi, who were influenced by the works of Shah Waliullah Dehlawi and Abdul Haq Dehlavi. The movement is closely associated with the Darul Uloom Deoband, a renowned Islamic seminary that has produced many prominent Islamic scholars, including Husain Ahmad Madani and Ashraf Ali Thanwi. Deobandi scholars have been influenced by the works of Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Qayyim Al-Jawziyya, and Shah Abdul Aziz Dehlavi. The movement has also been shaped by the Indian Rebellion of 1857 and the subsequent British Raj in India.

Introduction

The Deobandi movement emerged as a response to the British colonialism in India and the perceived threat to Islamic traditions and Muslim identity. The founders of the movement, Muhammad Qasim Nanautawi and Rashid Ahmad Gangohi, were influenced by the Wahhabi movement and the works of Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab, but they also drew on the Sufi traditions of India and the Hanafi school of thought. The Deobandi movement has been associated with the Ahl-i Hadith movement, which emphasizes the importance of Hadith in Islamic jurisprudence. Deobandi scholars have also been influenced by the works of Abu Hanifa, Shafi'i, and Malik ibn Anas. The movement has spread to other parts of the world, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, and the United Kingdom, with notable institutions such as the Jamia Binoria in Karachi and the Darul Uloom London.

History

The Deobandi movement has its roots in the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which marked a significant turning point in the history of India and the Muslim world. The rebellion was led by figures such as Bahadur Shah Zafar and Maulvi Ahmadullah Shah, who were influenced by the works of Shah Waliullah Dehlawi and Syed Ahmad Barelvi. The Deobandi movement emerged in the late 19th century, with the establishment of the Darul Uloom Deoband in 1867. The movement gained momentum in the early 20th century, with the establishment of other institutions such as the Jamia Ashrafia in Lahore and the Darul Uloom Karachi. Deobandi scholars have been influenced by the works of Muhammad Iqbal, Abul Kalam Azad, and Jawaharlal Nehru, who played important roles in the Indian independence movement. The movement has also been shaped by the Partition of India and the subsequent establishment of Pakistan.

Beliefs and Practices

Deobandi scholars emphasize the importance of Tawhid (the oneness of God) and the authority of the Quran and Hadith. They follow the Hanafi school of thought, but they also draw on the Shafi'i and Maliki schools. Deobandi scholars have been influenced by the works of Al-Ghazali, Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, and Ibn Arabi, who were prominent figures in Islamic philosophy and Sufism. The movement emphasizes the importance of Sufism and the Sufi orders, such as the Naqshbandi and Qadiri orders. Deobandi scholars have also been influenced by the works of Abdul Quddus Gangohi and Ahmad Sirhindi, who were prominent Sufi saints. The movement has been associated with the Tablighi Jamaat, a Sufi-oriented movement that emphasizes the importance of Dawah (proselytization).

Institutions and Movements

The Deobandi movement has established a number of institutions and movements, including the Darul Uloom Deoband, the Jamia Ashrafia, and the Darul Uloom Karachi. These institutions have produced many prominent Islamic scholars, including Husain Ahmad Madani, Ashraf Ali Thanwi, and Muhammad Shafi Deobandi. The movement has also been associated with the Tablighi Jamaat, which was founded by Muhammad Ilyas Kandhlawi and has spread to many parts of the world, including Europe and North America. Deobandi scholars have also been influenced by the works of Abul A'la Maududi and the Jamaat-e-Islami, a Islamist movement that emphasizes the importance of Islamic governance. The movement has also been associated with the Hizb ut-Tahrir, a pan-Islamist movement that emphasizes the importance of Caliphate.

Influence and Criticism

The Deobandi movement has had a significant influence on Islamic thought and Muslim society in India, Pakistan, and other parts of the world. The movement has been associated with the Taliban and other Islamist groups, which has led to criticism from some quarters. Deobandi scholars have been criticized for their views on Takfir (excommunication) and their perceived links to terrorism. However, the movement has also been praised for its emphasis on Islamic education and its role in promoting Islamic values and Muslim identity. Deobandi scholars have been influenced by the works of Sayyid Qutb and the Muslim Brotherhood, which has shaped their views on Islamic governance and social justice. The movement has also been associated with the Arab Spring and the subsequent Islamic awakening in the Middle East and North Africa.

Notable Figures

The Deobandi movement has produced many notable figures, including Husain Ahmad Madani, Ashraf Ali Thanwi, and Muhammad Shafi Deobandi. Other notable figures associated with the movement include Abul Kalam Azad, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Muhammad Iqbal, who played important roles in the Indian independence movement. Deobandi scholars have also been influenced by the works of Shah Waliullah Dehlawi, Syed Ahmad Barelvi, and Abdul Haq Dehlavi, who were prominent figures in Islamic thought and Sufism. The movement has also been associated with the Tablighi Jamaat, which was founded by Muhammad Ilyas Kandhlawi and has spread to many parts of the world, including Europe and North America. Other notable figures associated with the movement include Abul A'la Maududi, Sayyid Qutb, and Yusuf al-Qaradawi, who have shaped the movement's views on Islamic governance and social justice.

Category: Islamic schools and branches