Peer Muhammad Jainul Abideen`s approach to qur`anic interpretation : a critical analysis

Abstract

Jainul Abideen is a scholar and founder of Tamil Nadu Tawhid Jamaat (TNTJ) which has the largest number of followers among Tamil speaking Muslims in Tamil Nadu and other parts of the world. He has translated and interpreted the Qur’an and Hadith books. His views differ from the mainstream interpretations of well-established scholars on various issues, such as siÍr, evil eye, understanding of the Hadith, etc. He gives fatawa on sihr and evil eye but they differ from other scholars. Although some scholars of Tamil Nadu criticise his controversial views, it has drawn very little research attention in the academia, and remained unstudied in India and beyond. This thesis focuses on Jainul Abideen’s historical life and interpretations of the Qur’an and Hadith on selected issues. Using analytical and critical methods, the study scrutinizes the views of Jainul Abideen based on his booklets, public speeches, video tapes and articles. In addition, the study has analysed the interpretations and views of the pioneering scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama`ah to compare the views of Jainul Abideen. Thus, the researcher examines the differences between the views of Jainul Abideen and the majority of scholars of Ahl al-Sunnah wa al-Jama`ah. This study notices that the arguments and views of Jainul Abideen on those selected issues are similar to the views of Mu`tazilah, a controversial sect in the Islamic history.