Barelvi

Barelvi (, , ) is a movement of Sunni Islam originating in the Indian subcontinent. The Barelvi movement was started in 1880 to defend contemporary traditionalist Islamic beliefs and practices from the criticisms of reformist movements like the Ahl al-ḥadīth (people of hadith).Jones 1989: 70 This included a defence of many traditional practices and rites associated with popular Sufism. The movement in British India was shaped by the writings of Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi (1856–1921).

Etymology

To its followers the movement is known as Ahle Sunnat wal Jama'at ("People of the traditions of Muhammad and the broad community"), as a means to lay exclusive claim to be the legitimate form of Sunni Islam, in opposition to its reformist rivals like the Deobandi, Ahl al-ḥadīth and Darul-uloom Nadwatul Ulama movements.Geaves 2006: 148 This is a contested claim and outside of the movement it is commonly referred to as the Barelvi movement,Riaz 2008: 75 derived from Ahmad Raza's home city of Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India.Sanyal 2005

Presence

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