Zikris Mahdabi in Baluchistan, Pakistan

Islamic Online University Bachelor of Arts in Islamic Studies Aqeedah 202 Assignment Full Name: Muhammad Raihanul Mizan Write a short essay on an Islamic sect that has not been covered in this course. It should consist of: 1) Founder(s) 2) Origins 3) Beliefs & Practices 4) Modern-day Leaders 5) Modern-day Influence Answer: بِسْمِ الله الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيْمِ الْحَمْدُلِلَّهِ رَبُّ الْعَالَمِين وَالصَّلاةَوَالسَّلامْ عَلَى رَسُولِهِ الْكَرِيمْ وَعَلَى آلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ وَمِنَ اسُّنَّةِ بِسُنَّتِهِ إِلَى يَوْمِالدِّينِ Zikri Mahdavism in Baluchistan, Pakistan. (وَيُكَلِّمُ آلنَّاسَ فِي آلْمَهْدِ وَكَهْلاً وَمِنَ آلصَّلِحِينَ(ال عمران: 46 What does the word “Mahdi” mean in the above verse? Sahih International translated the word as “cradle” referring to the Prophet Eesa (PBUH). But, en.wikipedia.org means the word as “guided” referring to the prophesized redeemer in Islam. The Prophet (PBUH) said,   ‏ الْمَهْدِيُّ مِنِّي أَجْلَى الْجَبْهَةِ أَقْنَى الأَنْفِ يَمْلأُ الأَرْضَ قِسْطًا وَعَدْلاً كَمَا مُلِئَتْ جَوْرًا وَظُلْمًا يَمْلِكُ سَبْعَ سِنِينَ “The Mahdi will be of my stock, and will have a broad forehead a prominent nose. He will fill the earth will equity and justice as it was filled with oppression and tyranny, and he will rule for seven years.” (Sunan Abi Dawud 4285) Syed Muhammad Jaunpuri proclaimed himself to be the promised “Mahdi’ on three different occasions: in 901 A.H at Makkah; in 903 A.H at Ahmadabad; and in 905 A.H at Badli. The Zikri faith is supposed to be based on the teaching of this Mahdi claimant of the 15th century. The religious practice of the Zikris differs greatly from that of mainstream Muslims. Their prayers are called Dhikr which is supposed to be a major deviation by reciting sacred verses. Founder: Born in a famed center of Muslim scholarship, Syed Muhammad Jaunpuri was grown up in a Sufi family with the concept of Imam from Shiaism. It is reported from his autobiography that he had no consciousness for seven years as the Sufism training. Then he made his pilgrimage to Makkah and the presence of Arab “Khidr” was remarkable during his proclamation of “Imam Mahdi” (Rahman, page 59). He claimed to teach the inner meaning of the Qur’aan and started Mahdavi movement in South Asia. According to Dr. Ali S.Asani, he was persecuted mainly for political reason (MIFS Newsletter, page 3). Origin: Zikri Mahdavis or "Zikris" are an offshoot of the Mahdavi movement that found mostly in the Baluchistan regions of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. The Zikri faith arose in Makran (in Indonesia) in the late 16th century and later flourished there. They dominated until 1740. Naseer Khan of Kalat wanted to stop the spread of this new sect. The Zikri state of Makran was consolidated under one of the last rulers of the Malik dynasty, continued with the Bulaidais in the early 17th century, and terminated with the Gichkis in the second half of the 18th century. By defeating Malik Dinar Gichki, the last Zikri ruler of Makran, Nasir Khan conquered all western Baloch territories previously occupied by the Zikri rulers (Gul Khan Nasir 1993:56ff.). The last major group was driven away from Baluchistan when a certain Qazi Abdullah Sarbazi declared jihad against them in the 1930s, which resulted in a major massacre. However, Zikrism is a uniquely Baloch religion, and many Baloch nationalists and intellectuals depict it as the national religion of the Baloch, and a Zikri as the archetypal Baloch. (Badal Khan Sabir 2008 page 12) Beliefs & Practices: "Zikri" derives from the Arabic word dhikr meaning "remembrance", "devotion", "invocation". Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 29 Surah Ankabut verse 45: “Recite what is sent of the Book (Al-Quran) by inspiration to thee and establish regular prayer, for prayer restrains from shameful and unjust deeds; and the ‘Dhikr’ (Remembrance) of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah Knows all that ye do.” The religious practice of the Zikris differs greatly from that of mainstream Muslims. There is a common misconception that the Zikris perform prayers, five times a day, called dhikr. This is supposed to be a major deviation, in which sacred verses are recited, as opposed to the more practice of the traditional salah, practiced by most other Muslims. In their mosque, they have no pulpits but stones and mats on which to observe the Dhikr only. In addition to the Hajj, Zikris also undertake a pilgrimage (ziyarat) to the Koh-e-Murad ("Mountain of Desire" in Balochi) where the Imam al-Mahdi is believed to have stayed. This is celebrated on the 27th night of Ramadan. There are roughly 750,000 Zikris worldwide (en.wikipedia.org). Naturally, the question arises from their practice of religion and beliefs when they are evolved from Sunni Hanafi Sainthood. Was it an 18th century Mahdi movement against British colonialism and decline of Muslim rule in Pakistan or it is just a “devil deception”? Modern-day Leaders: The Zikris are an under-researched community. Most of them follow Syed Mohammed Jaunpuri as Imam Mahdi while from Shia influence a few of them believe in 12th Imam, Imam Mahdi Akhir-u-Zaman. However, many Baloch nationalist leaders and writers have expressed solidarity with the Zikris, considering them the ‘archetypal Baloch’. For example, Abdul Ghani Baloch does not consider them to be heretic. Zikri intellectuals challenge Sunnis’ and others’ claims regarding their faith. But their spiritual leaders, Malais, believe that their prayer is a bit different from others. Besides, 19th century Chechen Islamic spiritual leader, Kunta Haji, or Kunta Kishiev, was the founder of a mystical Islamic movement, Zikrism in Chechnya. Modern-day Influence: The Pakistani and Chinese governments have been deeply involved in developing the Gwadar deep-sea port which is being linked to the rest of Pakistan, to China and to Central Asia through a system of roads and pipelines. Gwadar’s population is about 50% Zikri. If the forecasted economic development based on the port actually takes place all of Baluchistan and the region will be significantly affected. There, it has been reported by a couple of fishermen that Jesus appeared to them in a storm and rescued them while on a fishing trip. Pray that many more Zikri fishermen would truly encounter Jesus, and become real fishers of men! Non-governmental organizations including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) are working with local activists to create a greater awareness of the Zikri predicament, and they aim to forestall backlash against this scattered and impoverished community. Recently, police protection has been provided to some Zikri pilgrims. Syed Mohammed neither presented a new religion nor claimed himself to be a prophet, but declared himself to be "the promised Mahdi" and a caliph of Allah. His deviant claim of Ma’soom resulted in availability of a few copies of the Qur’aan on the shelves at Koh-i-Murad (Dr. Iftikhar, page 12). There are demands for Zikris to be declared a non-Muslim minority. The Zikris have left mostly negative reminiscences: they are characterized almost as kaafir, infidels, following non-Muslim traditions and practicing heretical rituals.   وَجَهِدُواْفِى آللهِ حَقَّ جِهَادِهِ,هُوَآجْتَبَكُم...فَأَقِيمُواْآلصَّلَوةَ...هُوَمَوْلَكُمْ,فَنِعْمَ آلْمَوْلَى وَنِعْمَ آلنَّصِيرُ And strive for Allah with the striving due to Him. He has chosen you… establish prayer… He is your protector; and excellent is the protector, and excellent is the helper.  (Surah al-Hajj: 78) Moreover, the Messenger of Allaah (PBUH) also said, ‏ "‏ بَيْنَ الْعَبْدِ وَبَيْنَ الْكُفْرِ تَرْكُ الصَّلاَةِ ‏" ‘Between a person and Kufr (disbelief) is abandoning the prayer.’ (Sunan ibn Majah, Vol. 1, Book 5, Hadith 1078) Zikris are abandoning prayer, remembering Allaah (SWT) according to the teaching of their spiritual leaders. They have Mahdi or helper instead of Allaah (SWT) to seek refuge against trial of this life by visiting his Koh-e-Murad. Ultimately, where did devil place them? They are now totally out fold of Islam and reverting to the Shiaism or Christianity as a minority cast. References: 1.      Syed Ziaullah Yadullahi, Maulud, Jamiat-E-Mahdavia, Bangalore, India. 2.      Dr. Iftikhar H.Malik, Religious Minorities in Pakistan, MRG International, UK. 3.      Garnik S.Asatrian, Iran & the Caucasus, Brill NV, Leiden, The Netherlands. 4.      MIFS Newsletter, 6 September, 2011. سُبْحَانَكَ اللهُمَ وَبِحَمْدِكَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لأَإِلَهَ إِلاَّ أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ