Idealized Islamic Past
Idealized Islamic Past Imams' Authority in Bangladesh
Mamun Al Mostofa
ASIATIC SOCIETY OF BANGLADESH
Published by Asiatic Society of Bangladesh 5 Old Secretariat Road, Nimtali, Dhaka 1000 Telephone: (880+2) 9576391 E-mail:
[email protected] Website: www.asiaticsociety.org.bd
First Published May 2018
© Asiatic Society of Bangladesh
Cover Design Rakib Hasan
Graphics Md. Kaosar Sikder
Printed by Bengal Com Print
Price Tk. 250.00
ISBN: 978-984-93191-2-2
To Shahana Begum (maa jononi), Golam Mostofa (abba), ASM Nazmul Alam (Bhai), Jewel Rana, Md. Shafiqul Islam, Shishir Bhattacharja and Mohammad Shorab Hossain who most lovingly contributed to the making of this author.
Contents Page no. Foreword Preface
xi xiii
Chapter I: Introduction
1
Chapter II: The Concept of Islamic Authority
9
Chapter III: The Role of Mosque and Imams
35
Chapter IV: Methodology
55
Chapter V: Imams' Social Engagement
61
Chapter VI: Government Intervention and Imams' Level of Social Engagement
73
Chapter VII: Imams and the Expectation of the Community
79
Chapter VIII: Community's Expectation and Performance of the Imams
89
Chapter IX: Presence of Imams in Social Development
93
Chapter X: Cartoon Controversy and the Mediation of the National Mosque
101
Chapter XI: Conclusion
107
Appendices
113
Bibliography
123
Index
129
List of Tables Table 1: Table 2: Table 3: Table 4: Table 5: Table 6: Table 7: Table 8: Table 9: Table 10: Table 11: Table 12: Table 13: Table 14: Table 15: Table 16: Table 17: Table 18: Table 19: Table 20: Table 21:
Page no. Surrender of Judgment in Islamic Authority 26 Authority's Relationship with Coercion and Guidance 30 Philip Lewis' list of Imams' Functions 37 Course Titles of Foundation Course at Imam Training Academy 49 Background of the Imams 61 Multiple-engagement of the Imams 62 Cross-tabulation of Imam Training and Mosque-centered Initiative 64 Cross-tabulation of Imam Training and Involvement in Development Projects 65 Cross-tabulation of Imam Training and Single-most Important Message Imams Try to Convey 67 Cross-tabulation of Imam Training and Priorities in Khutba 68 Activities that Take Place in Mosques 69 Cross-tabulation of Level of Religiosity and Prominent Issues in Khutba 69 Cross-tabulation of Level of religiosity and Engagement in Development Projects 70 Expectation from the Imams 81 Cross-tabulation of Religiosity and Expectation of the Employers 82 Cross-tabulation of Local Elite's Influence on Imam and Religiosity 83 Expectation of the Employers 84 Cross-tabulation of Imam Training and the Nature of Sermons 86 Cross-tabulation of Religiosity and Nature of Sermons 87 Similarity between Influential and Non-influential Imam 98 Difference between Imams Who Have Social Engagement and Those Who Do Not 99
List of Figures Page no. Figure 1: Islamic Authority Figure 2: Political and Religious Authority Figure 3: Model of Imam's Engagement in Social Development Agenda Figure 4: Job Preference of the Imams Figure 5: Demand and supply do not meet in society Figure 6: Demand and supply meet at a point in real life
23 29 51 63 107 109
Foreword Scholars on Islamic authority have so far exclusively focused on questions like: who has the right to speak for Islam? Muslims see Islam as encompassing all aspects of their life— their belief, rituals, worldview, day-to-day activities, social be