Class 1: Religious Thinkers

1.0 Lesson Objectives

• Understand the background, work and significance of Shah Wali Ullah
• Understand the background, work and significance of Haji Shariat Ullah
• Understand the background, work and significance of Syed Ahmad Shaheed Barailvi

1.1 Background of Shah Wali Ullah

• Born 21 February, 1703
• During Aurengzeb (Alamgir)’s reign
• His birth name was Qutb-ud-din
• Son of Shah Abdur Rahim
  • Founder of Madrassa Rahimiya
  • Linked To Fatawa-E-Alamgir
    • Gained support of Emperor Aurengzeb
• Started teaching at the Madrassa after his father’s death in 1718
• Went on pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia in 1724
  • Furthered his studies while in Saudi Arabia
  • Studies under Sheikh Abu Tahir Bin Ibrahim
• Returned to Delhi in 1732

1.2 Beliefs and Works

• Belief: He believed that Muslims have lost touch with the true teachings of Islam mainly because Islamic teachings were inaccessible to Muslims in India
  • He translated the Quran into Persian
    • Ulema criticized his work as un-Islamic
    • His sons later translated the Quran into Urdu
    • Sons names were Shah Abdul Qadir and Shah Rafi
  • He wrote 51 books on Islam
    • A large number of these were in Persian, making Islamic teachings more accessible to the people.
    • Wrote Hujjatullah-al-Baligha and Azalat Akhfa
      • Famous books making Islamic teachings more accessible to the people.
  • Madrassa Rahimiya became highly influential in spreading Islamic teachings.
• Belief: Muslims had lost unity, and the leadership of the Mughal Empire in Delhi was weak enough to bring back the Unity. Muslims were also facing sectarian division in the form of Shia-Sunni conflict
  • He wrote an account on the first four caliphs that was acceptable to both the Sunnis and the Shia
    • Helped bring both communities closer.
  • He emphasized the need for Jihad against a common enemy
    • Wrote letters to Muslims leaders such as Ahmad Shah Abdali of Persia to protect the Muslims against the Marathas
      • Ahmad Shah Abdali fought the battle of Paniput against the Marathas in 1761.
• Belief: Only true following of Islam can bring back the Muslims to their glorious status and save them. Islam has to be followed in all spheres of life.
  • He himself lead an extremely pious life.
    • Became a role-model for other people at an early age.
  • He asked for Islamic principles to be applied in all spheres of life
    • Equality and better care of the peasant and craftsmen class of the society.

1.3  Importance of Shah Wali Ullah (1703-1762)

• One of the first Muslim Thinkers to link decline of Muslims to the lack of following of Islam
  • Showed the importance of Islamic principles in Muslim Success
• His actions proved his beliefs
  • Madrassa Rahimiya flourished under his sons
    • Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi studied here.
• His influence stood the test of time.
  • His sons translated Quran into Urdu, which further increased its accessibility for the Muslim Ummah
• His actions showed that if sectarian division was stopped, Muslims can flourish
  • Muslims initially united against the Marathas
  • Shia-Sunni conflict reduced much during his time.

1.4 Background of Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi (1786-1831)

• Born near Lucknow
  • Town named Rae Bareli
• Moved to Delhi in 1806
• Studied in Madrassa Rahimiya
  • Under sons of Shah Wali Ullah
• 1810
  • Joined forces of Amir Khan
  • Pathan leader
  • Learned use of European weapons
  • Led people in prayer due to piety
• 1817
  • Returned to Delhi
  • Started working on his Jihad aims

1.5 Beliefs and Works of Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi

• Belief: Armed struggle required against oppressive British and local non-Muslim forces.
• Belief: Piety and following of Islam required to end social evils and reduce moral corruption of the society.
• Belief: Sikhs needed to be faced in Punjab to reduce oppression against the Muslims. Islam can only be rejuvenated after the Sikh regime if overthrown

Timeline

• Toured India to spread ideas about Jihad before going for Hajj in 1821.
  • Returned from Arabia in 1823
• Formed Jihad Movement against Ranjit Singh’s rule in Punjab and North West Frontier.
• Toured to gain members for his Jihad Movement
  • Punjab, North West Frontier, Rajasthan, Sindh, Balochistan and Afghanistan
  • Minimal support shown from Afghans
• 1826
  • Headquarters near Peshawar
  • Sent message to Ranjit Singh to reduce oppression against the Muslims
  • Message was dismissed by Ranjit Singh
  • 21 December
    • Okara attached by Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi
    • Then Hazarothe attacked
  • Sikhs were defeated here
• More people joined the force
  • 80000 total soldiers
• Sikhs called Syed Ahmed Barelvi and his army un-Islamic for following Shah Wali Ullah’s teachins
• 1827
  • Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi unanimously agreed as Imam
  • His decision considered binding on religious matters
  • Mujahideen force became strong and united
• Preparation for attack on Attock
  • 35000 sikhs army found in Okara
  • Yar Muhammad Khan bribed by the Sikhs
    • Servant tried to poison Syed Ahmed Barelvi
    • Yar Muhammad Khan deserted the battlefield creating chaos
  • Mujahideen were defeated
  • Mujahideen headquarters relocated to Panjtrar near Kashmir
• More issues within Muslims
  • Yar Muhammad Khan killed in battle with Mujahideen
    • Sultan Muhammad Khan was his brother
    • Waged war against Mujahideen to avenge his brother.
  • Headquarter again changed of Mujahideen to Balakot
    • To avoid fighting within Muslims
    • To liberate Kashmir and Hazara
• Battle of Balakot
  • Balakot was secure with mountains of three sides
  • Local leaders bribed by the Sikhs
    • Told secret passage through the mountains
  • 1831
    • Surprise attack by Sikhs
    • Battle of Balakot
    • 600 Mujahideen were killed
    • They were heavily outnumbered
    • Both Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi and his commander Shah Ismail were martyred

1.6 Influence and Importance

• Long-lasting
  • Jihad movement survived in the hills of North West Frontier till 1863
    • British had to send a strong force to stop it
    • It still continued after that battle with British
• First armed struggle in Indian history to overthrow non-Muslim oppression
• Movement was based on religious principles and restoring Islam
  • Not the typical type of movement to give power to a particular leader.
• United the Muslims
  • The unity proved crucial for Pakistan movement later

1.7 Background of Haji Shariat Ullah (1781-1840)

• Born in Faridpur, East Bengal
• Father was poor farmer
• Went for Hajj in 1799
• Stayed in Arabia till next 19 years
• Influenced by Skeikh Muhammad Abdul Wahab
• Started the Faraizee Movement
• Died in 1840
• Work carried on my Mohsin-ud-Din
  • His son

1.8 Beliefs and Works

• Belief: India is Dar-ul-Harb or enemy territory, where Friday and Eid prayers must not be offered
• Beliefs: Muslims need to return to true Islam and fulfillment of Faraiz or obligatory Islamic Duties
  • Movement was called Faraize Movement
  • Followers were called Faraizees
  • Supported the concept of Jihad against oppressive non-Muslims who undermined the true spirit of Islam

Works and Time Line

• Muslims were historically strong in Bengal
  • British worked with local Hindu Zamindars
    • Reduced Muslim influence in the area
• Faraizi Movement to restore Muslim price
  • Remove Hindu practices from Islam
• Emphasis was placed on Taubah
  • Praying for past sins and leading a pious life
  • Following Fariaz in later life
• His success alarmed British and Hindus
  • He was forced to move out of Faridpur
  • Went to Nawabganj in Dhaka
    • Died in 1840
• His son continued his work
  • Divided East Bengal into circles
    • Each area had its own Khalifa
  • Peasants opposed taxes imposed British and Hindu landlords
  • Threatened to declare Jihad against the British government
  • Was arrested and imprisoned
  • Died in 1860
  • Faraizi movement declined after that point.

1.9 Influence

• Brought unity and motivation in Muslims to fight for their rights.
• Spiritual revival
  • Hindu practices removed from Islam in his area
• Muslims understood that if they united against the British and the Hindus, they can protect their rights
  • Proved important later in Pakistan Movement