The constitution of the Jamaat-e-Islami defines its objective in terms of establishing Hukumat-e-Ilahiya or Divine Government, explained as the implementation of the Islamic way of life. Before founding the Jamaat, however, Maududi had studied earlier Islamic revivalist movements with great care. He wanted to understand not only what they had achieved but also why some of them had failed to attain their objectives. A substantial part of that inquiry is reflected in his book Tajdid-o-Ihya-e-Din (Renewal and Revival of Islam).

The book occupies a foundational place in Maududi’s thought. It is significant that it was also used in the organizational training of the Jamaat-e-Islami and the Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba. Why did Maududi consider it necessary for the workers of his new movement to study the earlier attempts at Islamic revival, particularly their failures? The answer reveals something essential about his method. It is often said that human beings learn less from the experiences of others than from the tragedies that happen to them personally. Maududi did not want the movement he was establishing to learn its lessons only after suffering its own failures. He therefore studied the history of Islamic revivalist movements himself and tried to ensure that his own workers understood both their achievements and their shortcomings.

Tajdid-o-Ihya-e-Din is striking in this respect. It describes the trials through which those who made the revival of Islam their life’s mission had to pass. It gives the members of a movement not only a sense of courage, determination and vision, but also an appreciation of the sacrifices made by earlier generations in the service of their faith. At the same time, it exposes........

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