Believers, Islamic Brotherhood and Mosque-Based Emotional and Informal Social Support System among Muslims in Pakistan

ABSTRACT Although many studies have been conducted in the Western context on congregational-based social support systems focusing on non-Islamic perspectives, studies among Muslims on mosque-based social support networks in Islamic context remained unexplored. The purpose of this study is to understand and empirically examine the religious behavior-based and demographic-related correlates of mosque-based social support among 240 Muslims (believers) from Pakistan. The study is based on dimensions that include providing and receiving emotional support, anticipating emotional support, and non-positive interactions with other believers of the believer’s mosque. Results indicated that one in every five respondents received higher levels of emotional support from their co-religionists, whereas half of the respondents received moderate levels of emotional support. Involvement in congregations and mosque attendance indicated positive relationships with receiving, providing, and anticipating social support from other believer congregants. Thus, co-religionists who were actively involved in their congregations received, provided, and anticipated higher levels of emotional support from other believers as compared to respondents not actively involved in such congregations and who did not attend the mosque frequently. Female believers were provided with and anticipated receiving higher levels of support from other believers than did male believers. The co-religionists who attend mosques frequently were expected to have high levels of emotional support compared to those who attend mosques less frequently. The respondents with high school or less education received more emotional support than the respondents with higher education. However, believers with higher qualifications reported few negative interactions with other believers than those having lower education levels. Overall, the findings show that the believers do care, provide support and assistance, cooperate and help other believers, instead of criticizing them. Such selflessness results in creating and strengthening social-ties that keep the co-religionists connected with each other backed by the bond of Islamic brotherhood, in which a believer provides support to others, considering it a religious obligation.