Revival from Below

Revival from Below: The Deoband Movement and Global Islam is a book by Brannon D. Ingram, a professor affiliated with Northwestern University. This scholarly publication delves into Deobandi expansion beyond South Asia, with a particular focus on South Africa.^[1] The author reexamines the Deobandis' articulation of their reformist goals, noting their networks' reach and influence in regions outside of South Asia.

Revival from Below: The Deoband Movement and Global Islam

English cover
Author	Brannon D. Ingram
Language	English
Subject	Deobandi movement in South Africa
Publisher	University of California Press
Publication date	2018
Publication place	United States
Pages	322
ISBN	9780520298002
OCLC	1077754974
Website	ucpress.edu

An essential component of Ingram's analysis revolves around the nuanced Deobandi perspective on Sufism, with consideration of the realms of law, ethics, and politics. While the Deobandis embrace the literary heritage of Sufism and respect the authority of Sufi masters, they adopt a discerning stance towards certain popular Sufi rituals, he argues. A key focus of Ingram's research lies in understanding how the Deobandis grapple with the delicate balance between democratizing knowledge through the dissemination of printed materials to empower the masses and emphasizing the indispensable guidance provided by religious scholars. Through the integration of these intricate elements, the author seeks to consider the global implications of Deobandi Islam, the relevance of Sufism in the study of contemporary Islamic thought, and to comprehend religious authority within the Islamic context.^[2][3]

Content

Chapter One serves as an introduction, setting the stage by presenting the historical background of the Darul Uloom Deoband. It discusses the Indian Muslim landscape following the events of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, which marked the end of Mughal Empire. The chapter explores the discussions and debates surrounding Islamic law and the future of Islamic education during this transformative period.^[4]

Chapter Two, titled "The Normative Order," focuses on the Deobandis' perception of "unlawful innovations" within the religious practices of Muslims. It places particular emphasis on deviations in the commemoration of the Prophet's birthday and examines how the Deobandis interpret and respond to these practices.^[4]

Moving forward, Chapter Three, "Remaking the Public," delves into the Deobandis' efforts to spread their reformist messages to a wider audience. It highlights the strategies employed by influential scholars like Ashraf Ali Thanwi, who navigated a delicate balancing act. These scholars are characterized as refraining from discussing the complex rationales behind legal rulings in front of lay audiences, instead opting for simplified explanations. The chapter also explores the utilization of print media by the Deobandi ulama and emphasizes the crucial role of scholars as mediators between the tradition and the public.^[5]

Chapter Four, "Remaking the Self," explores the Deobandis' promotion of an ethical understanding of sainthood. It discusses how the movement sought to simplify the Sufi path, making it accessible to "busy, middle-class Muslims" who aimed to incorporate mysticism into their daily lives. The chapter suggests that adherence to Sharia alone could enable any Muslim to attain the status of a "saint" within the Deobandi framework.^[5]

Shifting focus to the expansion of the Deobandi tradition beyond South Asia, Chapter Five, "What Does a Tradition Feel Like?" lays the groundwork for studying the movement's reach and impact. It examines the establishment of the Tablighi Jamaat, a movement that actively involves lay Muslims in spreading the faith. The chapter sheds light on the initial skepticism faced by the Tablighi Jamaat from religious scholars and explores how Deobandi scholars differentiated themselves from other groups through the use of emotive language. They emphasized the significance of embodying the tradition through pious actions rather than merely holding abstract beliefs. The Tablighi Jamaat, influenced by this approach, saw the 'ulama' as living embodiments of the Prophet's knowledge, which they sought to transmit to lay Muslims through personal interactions.^[5]

Chapters Six, "How a Tradition Travels," and Seven, "A Tradition Contested," shift the geographical focus to South Africa, where the Deobandis have gained significant prominence outside of South Asia. These chapters consider the adaptive nature of the Deobandi tradition in response to local Islamic requirements and needs, particular with reference to the South African context.^[5]

Methodology

The author incorporates key scholarly works from Western academia on the subject, giving considerable recognition to researchers such as Metcalf, Zaman, Muhammad Khalid Masud, and Ebrahim Moosa. Additionally, the author's inclusion of lesser-known South African scholars, including Abdulkader Tayob and Achmat Davids, is significant. Andrew Booso, a graduate of the London School of Economics, acknowledges the author's methodology, particularly the extensive use of diverse primary sources, with a specific emphasis on Urdu materials. The book offers comprehensive discussions derived from Urdu works by pioneers like Imdadullah Muhajir Makki, Rashid Ahmad Gangohi, Khalil Ahmad Saharanpuri, as well as later influential figures like Muhammad Tayyib Qasmi, Taqi Usmani, and numerous Deobandi scholars from South Africa. While Ashraf Ali Thanwi takes center stage as the "central character" in the book, recognized for his synthesis of law and Sufism that played a substantial role in making the Deobandi movement a global phenomenon, Thanwi does not represent the entire movement. Ingram emphasizes this observation, especially considering Zaman's identification of Thanwi as a polarizing figure within the ranks of the Deobandis, despite his considerable influence.^[6]

See also

• Bibliography of Deobandi movement