Religious Reformers in Islamic History

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Who called upon Aḥmad Shāh Abdālī to counter the Maratha power?

Syed Ahmad Barelvī

Sheikh ‘Abd al-Wahāb

Shāh Walī Ullāh (correct)

Mirza Ghulam Ahmad

What was one of Shāh Walī Ullāh's significant contributions to the reform of Islam in the sub-continent?

Translating the Qur'an into Arabic

Leading the army against the British

Establishing the first madrassa in Delhi

Writing fifty-one books in Arabic and Persian (correct)

What did Shāh Walī Ullāh identify as the reason for Muslims' downfall?

Foreign invasions

Economic instability

Ignorance of Islamic principles (correct)

Loss of political power

What was the title of the translation of the Qur'an that Shāh Walī Ullāh produced?

Fatḥ ur-Reḥmān Signup and view all the answers

What movement did Sayyid Aḥmad Barelvī found upon his return from Saudi Arabia?

Jihād Movement Signup and view all the answers

Who was greatly influential in shaping Sayyid Aḥmad Barelvī's thoughts during his studies?

Shāh Walī Ullāh Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Shāh Walī Ullāh call for Aḥmad Shāh Abdālī's assistance?

1761 Signup and view all the answers

What societal practice did Shāh Walī Ullāh criticize among Muslims?

Extravagant ceremonies Signup and view all the answers

Who imposed the beard tax on Muslims in the 1800s?

Krishnā Devā Rāi Signup and view all the answers

What was Tītū Mīr known for?

Leading farmers against zamindars Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the major contributions of Shāh Walī Ullāh?

Translating the Qur'an into Persian Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following did Shāh Walī Ullāh believe was the reason for Muslims' downfall?

Neglecting Quranic principles Signup and view all the answers

Which book written by Shāh Walī Ullāh focuses on the first four caliphs?

Izālat al-Khafā Signup and view all the answers

How many books did Shāh Walī Ullāh write?

Fifty-one Signup and view all the answers

What was a central theme of Shāh Walī Ullāh's work?

Educating Muslims about their religion Signup and view all the answers

Which figure is associated with addressing the problems of the Muslim community?

Ḥujjatullāh al-Bālighā Signup and view all the answers

Who was killed at the battle of Bālākot?

Shah Ismail Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary motivation for Syed Ahmad Barelvi to call for Jihād?

To end religious liberty restrictions for Muslims Signup and view all the answers

What significant event occurred in May 1831?

The battle of Bālākot Signup and view all the answers

Which local leader betrayed Syed Ahmad Barelvi?

Yar Muhammad Khan Signup and view all the answers

How did Syed Ahmad Barelvi finance the Jihād movement?

By establishing a system of Islamic taxes Signup and view all the answers

What restrictions did Ranjīt Singh's rule impose on Muslims?

Banning the Āzān and prayers in mosques Signup and view all the answers

What was one major reason for the revival of Islām in the sub-continent during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries?

The economic and intellectual breakdown of society Signup and view all the answers

Who was the reformer that translated the Qur'ān into Persian?

Shāh Walī Ullāh Signup and view all the answers

What was a key element of the Jihād Movement initiated by Syed Ahmad Barelvi?

Renouncement of local customs in favor of Sharia Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the battles fought between 1826 and 1830?

Defeat of the Sikhs in multiple encounters Signup and view all the answers

What did Sayyid Aḥmad Shahīd Barelvī aim to achieve with his armed Jihād?

To liberate Muslims of Punjab from Sikh oppression Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary focus of the Ferāizī movement initiated by Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh?

To spread Islām and its obligations among Muslim peasants Signup and view all the answers

What was Shāh Walī Ullāh's real name?

Qutb ud-dīn Signup and view all the answers

Which work by Shāh Walī Ullāh is known for being acceptable to both Shias and Sunnis?

Izālat al-Khafā Signup and view all the answers

What significant social condition faced Muslims in Punjab during the early 19th century?

Mosques were converted to stables by Sikhs. Signup and view all the answers

How many books did Shāh Walī Ullāh write to explain the teachings of Islām?

Fifty-one Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant effect of Sikh rule on Muslims in Punjab during the early 19th century?

Azan and prayers were banned. Signup and view all the answers

What movement did Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh initiate?

Farāizī Movement Signup and view all the answers

Where was Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh born?

Farīdpur district, East Bengal Signup and view all the answers

What idea was introduced by Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh in his reform movement?

Jihād Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary goal of the Farāizī Movement?

To revive Islam and restore Muslims' pride Signup and view all the answers

What did Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh declare about the area known as Dār ul-Ḥurb?

Friday and Eid prayers are not offered there. Signup and view all the answers

Who continued Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh's mission after his death?

Muḥsin ud-dīn (Dādū Miān) Signup and view all the answers

Which factions were the Muslim society divided into, contributing to its decline?

Shi‘ah and Sunnī Signup and view all the answers

What was a direct consequence of the Farāizī Movement initiated by Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh?

Improved socio-economic conditions for Muslims Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the key actions of Sayyid Aḥmad Shahīd Barelvī in response to Sikh rule?

Starting an armed Jihad movement Signup and view all the answers

What did Shāh Walī Ullāh advise regarding expenditures on ceremonies?

To avoid extravagant expenditures Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of the Farāizī movement initiated by Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh?

To emphasize the performance of religious obligations Signup and view all the answers

What significant event occurred in 1761 that involved Aḥmad Shāh Abdālī?

The defeat of Marathan power in battle Signup and view all the answers

What challenges faced Muslims in Punjab during Sikh rule?

Banning of Azan and prayers Signup and view all the answers

Which area did Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh designate as Dār ul-Ḥurb?

An area without Muslim governance Signup and view all the answers

What did Shāh Walī Ullāh encourage Sufi and Ulema to do?

Sort their differences Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Religious Reformers Background

Attempts to revive Islam in the 18th and 19th centuries arose due to economic and intellectual decline in society, prompting reformist Muslims to revive Islam.
Shah Wali Ullah, a key reformer, believed Muslims were ignorant of Islamic teachings, leading him to emphasize Quranic teachings and translate the Quran into Persian.
During the early 19th century, Muslims faced religious restrictions under Sikh rule in Punjab.
Sayyid Ahmad Shaheed Barelvi advocated for armed Jihad against the Sikhs to reclaim Muslim glory.
Haji Shariat Ullah aimed to spread Islam through the Faraizi movement, encouraging Muslim peasants of East Bengal to abandon Hindu superstitions.

Shah Wali Ullah (1703-1762 A.D.)

Born in 1703 in Delhi, his real name was Qutb ud-Din.
Popularized as Shah Wali Ullah for his contributions to the revival of Islam in the subcontinent.
His father, 'Abd al-Rahim, founded the Madrassa Rahīmiyyah where Shah Wali Ullah studied.
Translated the Quran into Persian (contemporary court language).
Wrote numerous books (e.g., Izālat al-Khafā, Hujjatullāh al-Bālighā), intending to clarify Islamic teachings.
His works aimed to bridge differences between Shia and Sunni Muslims.
Shah Wali Ullah encouraged Muslims to adopt a more orthodox interpretation of the Quran.
He sought to counter the Maratha threat and encouraged the Afghan ruler Ahmad Shah Abdali from attacking Maratha territory.

Sayyid Ahmad Shaheed Barelvi (1786-1831 A.D.)

Born in 1786 near Rai Bareli, Uttar Pradesh.
Influenced by Shah Wali Ullah's teachings and established a movement to liberate Muslims from oppressive Sikh rule.
Raised a volunteer army (Mujahideen) to combat the Sikhs (1826-1830).
His movement emphasized Jihad.
Was killed at the battle of Balakot in 1831.

Haji Shariatullah (1781-1840 A.D.)

Born in 1781 in Farīdpur district of East Bengal.
Religious reformer of East Bengal.
Established the Faraizi movement.
Focused on the religious obligations (Farāiz) of Muslims in Bengal, aiming to counter the increasingly influential Hindu Zamindars (landlords).
Movement encouraged Muslims to reject Hindu superstitions and observed Islamic practices.
Movement was eventually limited to Bengal.

Titu Mir (circa 18th century)

Disciple of Sayyid Ahmad Shaheed.
Focused on the rights of Muslim farmers against the exploitation of Hindu landlords under British rule.
Built a fort (Narkelbariā); resisted the British to protect the interests of Muslim farmers in Bengal.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the pivotal figures and movements in the 18th and 19th centuries that sought to revive Islam amid socio-economic challenges. Discover the contributions of Shah Wali Ullah and others in promoting Quranic teachings and resisting external influences. This quiz covers key reformers and their impact on the religious landscape in South Asia.