History The Barelvi movement was founded by Ahmad Raza Khan[11][12][13][14] who, after two failed attempts at establishing Islamic schools, finally succeeded in 1904 with the Manzar-e-Islam.[8][15] Though very much linked to Pakistan today, the movements foundation predated Pakistans nationhood; the movement was, essentially, founded as a defense of traditional Islam as understood and practiced in South Asia.[9] Defense of these beliefs sometimes brought the Barelvis into conflict with other movements and creeds. Unlike most other Muslim movements in the region, the Barelvis opposed the Indian independence movement due to its leadership under Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, who was a Hindu and not a Muslim.[16] On the other hand, Khan and his movement, being among the foremost campaigners for Sufism, were largely responsible for pulling Muslims into conflict with Hindus and were primary supporters of the Pakistan Movement.[16] The Barelvis were joined in this by all major Islamic movements in the South Asia, including Shiites and Ismailis, except the Deobandis, the Barelvis main rivals.[16][17][18] The Barelvi movement formed as a defense of the traditional mystic practices of South Asia, which it sought to prove and support.[8][9] Although the Nadwatul Ulema council was founded in 1893 to reconcile the South Asias Muslim sectarian differences, the Barelvis eventually withdrew their support of the council and criticized its efforts.[8] As a reaction to the anti-Islam film Innocence of Muslims, a conglomerate of forty Barelvi parties called for a boycott of Western goods, while at the same time condemning violence which had taken place in protest against the film.[19] Presence India Today estimates that the vast majority of Muslims in India adhere to the Barelvi movement,[20] and The Heritage Foundation, Time and The Washington Post both give a similar assessment for the vast majority of Muslims in Pakistan.[21][22][23][24] Political scientist Rohan Bedi estimates that 60% of Pakistani Muslims are Barelvis.[25] The majority of Pakistani and Kashmiri immigrants to the United Kingdom are descended from Barelvi-majority villages.[7] The Barelvi movement in Pakistan has received funding from Barlevis in the UK, in part as a reaction to rival movements in Pakistan also receiving funding from abroad.[26] According to an editorial in the English-language Pakistani newspaper The Daily Times, many of these mosques have been however usurped by Saudi-funded radical organizations.[27] Beliefs and practices[edit] Like other Sunni Muslims, Barelvis claim to base their beliefs on the Quran and Sunnah, and believe in monotheism and the prophethood of Muhammad. Barelvis follow the Maturidi school of Islamic theology and the Hanafi school of jurisprudence, in addition to choosing from the Qadri, Chishti, or Suhrawardi Sufi orders. Beliefs regarding Muhammad[edit] Barelvis have several beliefs regarding Muhammads nature, which distinguish them from Deobandi, Salafi and Shia groups in South Asia: He is a human being but created from light like angels, rather than from clay like other human beings.[28] He is present in many places at the same time.[29] He is still witnessing all that goes on in the world.[29] He has knowledge of that which is unknown, including the future.[30] He has the authority to do whatever he desires as granted to him by God.[31] Practices[edit] Public celebration of the Muhammads birthday.[32][33] Veneration of the dead, specifically those who lead pious/righteous lives. This consists of the intervention of an ascending, linked and unbroken chain of holy personages claimed to reach ultimately to Muhammad, who Barelvis believe intercede on their behalf with God.[34] Visiting the tombs of Muhammad, his companions and of pious Muslims, an act the Barelvis claim is supported by the Quran, Sunnah and acts of the those companions, but which opponents call shrine-worshipping and grave-worshiping and consider to be un-Islamic.[35][36][37][38] Use of devotional music.[39][40][41][42] Leaving the beard to grow for men; the movement views a man who trims his beard to less than a fist-length as a sinner, and shaving the beard is considered abominable.[43] Mosques
Posted on: Fri, 15 Nov 2013 09:21:47 +0000
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