Emotion Work in Tabligh Jama’at Texts

Abstract

This study examines the emotional dynamics of the written and oral texts of Tabligh Jama’at—respectively, Faza’il-e-A’maal (Virtues of Good Deeds) and bayan (religious sermon). In them, the study identifies emotion work—the attempt to generate certain emotions. The study discusses how the texts’ emotion work relates to Tablighi discursive ideology (framing) and also posits several emotions that the emotion work might generate. From these findings, the study offers the idea that Tablighi emotion work contributes to transforming Muslims’ emotional sphere by attaching them emotionally to ultimate religious concerns. By enchanting Muslims’ emotional sphere and attaching Muslims to Islamic social actors, values, practices, and Islamic revivalist goals, Tablighi emotion work contributes to the social transformation of individuals and society.

Muslim Social Activity and Placemaking in Australia

“…A brief history of the Tabligh Jama'at's emergence into the world illuminates this point. The Tabligh Jama'at's representing the institution of Islamic revivalism in Australia has occurred via networks that extend beyond Australian shores, to the group's origins and headquarters in India and to Tablighi communities around the globe (Ali 2012;Ali and Sahib 2022;Sahib 2022). The Tabligh Jama'at was founded by a Muslim scholar named Maulana Ilyas in Delhi in 1927.…”