The Six Foundational Principles of Tablighi Jamaat: An Analytical Study

Abstract

The Tablighi Jamaat is one of the most influential Islamic revivalist movements of the modern era, founded by Maulana Muhammad Ilyas in response to the challenges of religious decline in Mewat, India. Its missionary framework is built upon six foundational principles, commonly known as chhe number or six asool: Kalima Tayyaba, Salah (prayer), Ilm and Dhikr (knowledge and remembrance of Allah), Ikram al-Muslim (honouring fellow Muslims), Ikhlas al-Niyyah (sincerity of intention), and Dawah wa Tabligh (propagation and preaching). This paper provides an analytical study of these principles by tracing their historical development, theological grounding, and practical application within Muslim communities. The analysis demonstrates how these principles aim to strengthen faith, promote moral discipline, and revive collective religious identity. While not directly instituted during the lifetime of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), they serve as a structured method for contemporary Muslims to reconnect with the essential teachings of Islam. The study concludes that the six foundational principles remain a central framework for Tablighi Jamaat’s global influence, offering both spiritual guidance and communal reform.