Ijtima
Ijtima (Arabic) is a gathering/congregation in the Muslim community, often connoting the assembly of individuals for spiritual, educational and personal upliftment purposes. The gatherings provide educational sessions to inform participants about various aspects of Islamic teachings, current issues and personal development. Since it has a significant effect on Muslims’ lives and on a large number of people who engage in Ijtema, it is a valuable component of the Tablighi Jamaat worldwide. It enables the participator to learn from experiences and to receive guidance from scholars and leaders. The significance of Ijtima extends beyond gatherings; it fosters spiritual growth, personal growth and educational advancement within the community.
The organization extends an invitation to all Muslims for a three- or four-day event known as an Ijtima, which is held on an open field with tents set up to accommodate the attendees. Elaborate arrangements are created months in advance and carried out by hundreds of volunteers. Food, parking, and security are all provided for the congregants.
Aspects of the illustrious Islamic Golden Age of Al Madinah Al Munawarah, during the glory years of Nabi ﷺ and the Sahaba, are brought to life by Ijtima. It is an assembly of people from numerous nations, languages, cultures, and communities united together by Imaan. By putting the blessed Sunnah of Nabi ﷺ into practice and instilling it with love, kindness, compassion, peace, and harmony, it seeks to reform the Ummah. One of Nabi ﷺ’s greatest concerns was the complete adoption of Islam in mankind. These Ijtimas are held out of this concern (for Deen and Sunnah). Therefore, Jamaats (groups) are to be prepared to go to far-off areas around the globe by dedicating their time, resources, and health to the resuscitation of the Islamic spirit in a manner similar to the time of Nabi Muhammad ﷺ, Sahabah and Tabi’in.
It is imperative that the talks of encouragement at Ijtima’s are attended by all for the entire duration. To provide us with encouragement and fortitude to practice Complete Deen, these lectures must become deeply embedded in and permanently recorded in our hearts, thoughts, minds, and lives. The online recordings of the Ijtima are provided for those who were not in a position to attend the lectures. May Allah grant us all the ability and Taufeeq to benefit from these lectures and May Allah imprint and record them into our hearts and life.
Ameen آمين
The first ever Ijtema
November 30, 1941: At Mewat, the first Ijtema was held, drawing 25,000 participants. Many notable ulema also arrived, such as Mufti Kifayatullah and Maulana Ahmad Madani.
(Life and Mission of Maulana Ilyas, Page 62)
The first Ijtema in Karachi
December 26, 1947: Following the partition of India and Pakistan, Karachi hosted it’s first Ijtema.
(Sawanih Maulana Yusuf, Page 380)
March 13, 1948: Following the partition, Maulana Yusuf attended an Ijtema held in Pakistan. It was decided during this Ijtema that Raiwind, Lahore, would be the Markaz of Pakistan.
(Sawanih Hadhratji Tsalits, I/106)
The first Ijtema in Dhaka
The first Ijtema took place in Dhaka, East Pakistan, on January 11, 1954 (before Bangladesh’s establishment). The Ijtema was attended by Maulana Yusuf and Maulana Inamul Hassan.
(Sawanih Hadrat Maulana Yusuf, Page 385)
The first Ijtema in Raiwand
On April 10, 1954, the first Raiwind Ijtema was carried out.
(Sawanih Hadrat Maulana Yusuf, Page 376)
The first Ijtema in Tongi
The first Tongi Ijtema was held in East Pakistan in November 1967, before Bangladesh’s formation.
(Sawanih Hadhratji Tsalits, II/452)
The first Ijtema conducted in two phases
Due to the enormous number of attendees, the Tongi/Bishwa Ijtema was organized in two phases for the first time in January 2010.
(Banglapedia – Viswa Ijtema)
The work of Haji Bhai Padia in South Africa
Around 1961, Haji Bhai Padia went for Hajj where he first came into contact with the work of Tabligh. He then left for Nizamudeen, India, the headquarters of Tabligh, where he met Moulana Yusuf (Rahimahullah). He is credited with starting Tabligh in South Africa and his efforts had an impact on the lives of senior Ulama like Moulana Yunus Patel, Moulana Mahmood Madni and Mufti Ebrahim Desai as well as countless other Ulama in South Africa.
The first Jamaat to sail from South Africa went to Mauritius and Reunion in 1966. A chartered flight took a Jamaat for the first Ijtima in Africa to Zambia in the same year. Haji Sahib was instrumental in obtaining land for a Darul Uloom in Isipingo Beach.
Haji Bhai Padia passed away in 1998 in Isipingo Beach. His contribution to Islam in South Africa as well as the West Indies, Fiji, Zambia Zimbabwe, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Britain, France, Paraguay, Panama, Brazil and Russia is phenomenal.
AUDIOS
INFORMATION
If you have access to any Ijtima recordings that do not exist on www.ijtima.site and you would like to share, please follow the steps below to make a submission, Jazakallah