Jamaat-e-Islami

Deviant

جماعة إسلامي

Overview

A major Islamist political movement founded in British India in 1941 CE by Sayyid Abul Ala Mawdudi (1903–1979 CE). Currently active in Pakistan, Bangladesh, India, and Kashmir. Shares many methodological similarities with the Muslim Brotherhood and has similar scholarly critiques. Mawdudi's interpretations of Islamic governance and his comments on the Companions of the Prophet ﷺ have been specifically criticized by Ahl us-Sunnah scholars.

Key Beliefs

Islamic state as the primary goal of the Islamic movement
Sovereignty (hakimiyyah) belongs to Allah — governments not ruling by Shari'ah are illegitimate
Gradual revolution through da'wah and political work
Comprehensive interpretation of Islam as a political system

Scholarly Evaluation

Scholarly concerns include: (1) Mawdudi's statements critical of the Companions — including remarks about Uthman ibn Affan's governance — which were condemned by major scholars including Shaykh al-Albani and Mufti Shafi Usmani. (2) His concept of hakimiyyah (divine sovereignty) was critiqued by Ibn Baz and others for its political implications. (3) His tafsir (Tafhim al-Quran) contains positions criticized by classical scholars. His sincere contribution to Islamic scholarship is acknowledged, but specific positions are rejected.

Key Figures

Sayyid Abul Ala Mawdudi (1903–1979 CE)

Sources

Tafhim al-Quran (Mawdudi)
Al-Albani's critiques of Mawdudi
Mufti Shafi Usmani's response to Mawdudi on the Companions

Founder

Sayyid Abul Ala Mawdudi

Founded

1941 CE