1- Religious Reformers PDF

Section I 1- Religious Reformers Background Q: Why were there attempts to revive Islām in the sub-continent during the eighteenth and early nineteenth century? The...

Section I 1- Religious Reformers Background Q: Why were there attempts to revive Islām in the sub-continent during the eighteenth and early nineteenth century? The economic and intellectual breakdown of the society alarmed the reformist Muslims to revive Islām. Shāh Walī Ullāh was one of the Muslim reformers, who thought Muslims were ignorant about the Islam and teachings of the Holy Qur´ān. o So, he emphasized on the Quranic teachings. o He translated the Qur´ān into Persian- a contemporary court language, under the title ‘Fat’ḥ ur-Rehmān’. During the early 19th century, Punjab was under the Sikh rule and it was difficult for the Muslims to freely practice their religion. o Sikhs converted mosques to stables, Āzān and prayers were banned. Sayyid Aḥmad Shahīd Barelvī wanted to liberate Muslims of Punjab from Sikhs’ oppression. o He thought that Muslims cannot regain glory if un-islamic forces would not be beaten, that’s why he launched an armed Jihād movement against the Sikh rule. Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh wanted to spread Islam through Ferāizī movement because Muslim peasants of East Bengal were indulged in Hindu superstitions. o The movement was started in East Bengal and it insisted the Muslims to perform their religious obligations (Ferāiz). o Hindu landlords were alarmed by this movement. Shāh Walī Ullāh (1703-1762 A.D.) Q: Who was Shāh Walī Ullāh? Shāh Walī Ullāh was a Muslim reformer, born on 1703 A.D., in Delhi. His real name was Qutb ud-dīn who was popularized with the name of Shāh Walī Ullāh because of his services rendered to the people of Indian subcontinent. His father’s name was ‘Abd al-Rahīm who was the founder of Madrassa Rahīmiyyah where Shāh Walī Ullāh studied. He died in 1762, but his mission was continued by his sons. Q: Describe the achievements of Shāh Walī Ullāh? Shāh Walī Ullāh translated Qur´ān into Persian- contemporary court language so that most people may know and act upon the teachings of Qur´ān. He wrote fifty-one books in Arabic and Persian to explain the true teachings of Islam. o Among the most famous are Izālat al-Khafā and Ḥujjatullāh al-Bālighā. Izālat al-Khafā was an account on first four caliphs, written in a way that was acceptable to both Shias and Sunnis. To counter the growing Maratha power, Shāh Walī Ullāh called upon Aḥmad Shāh Abdālī from Afghanistan, who defeated Marathas in the third battle of Pānīpat (1761). SYED TAQI KARAMAT 1 Q: Why did Shāh Walī Ullāh have such important influence on the revival of Islam in the sub-continent? OR Q: Why did Shāh Walī Ullāh wish to revive Islam in the sub-continent? Shāh Walī Ullāh- born in 1703 in Delhi, was the pioneer figure to work for the resurgence of Islam in the sub-continent. He was the first one to state that Muslims’ downfall was due to neglecting the principles of Islam. He was one of the Muslim reformers who thought Muslims were ignorant about Islam and teachings of the Holy Qur´ān. o So, he emphasized on the Quranic teachings. Hence, he translated the Qur´ān into Persian- contemporary court language under the title ‘Fat’ḥ ur-Reḥmān’. He wrote fifty-one books in Arabic (23) and Persian (28) to explain the true teachings of Islam among Muslims of the sub-continent. o Among the most famous of his works are Izālat al-Khafā- a biography of four caliphs which tried to eliminate the sectarian i.e., Shiite and Sunni differences among the Muslims. o Ḥujjatullāh al-Bālighā determined the problems of the Muslim community. He also advised Sufis and Ulemas to sort their differences and sent out his students to different places to spread the message of harmony and unity. He advised the Muslims not to waste extravagant amount of money on marriages, births, deaths, and other ceremonies. He urged the traders and the businessmen to adopt fairer system of making money. To counter the Maratha power Shāh Walīullāh called upon Aḥmad Shāh Abdālī from Afghanistan, who defeated Marathas in the third battle of Pānīpat (1761). Sayyid Aḥmad Shahīd Barelvī (1786-1831 A.D.) Q: Who was Sayyid Aḥmad Barelvī? A Muslim reformer, born in 1786 in Rai Barailī near Lucknow. He studied in Madrassa Rahīmiyyah and was influenced by the teachings of Shāh Walī Ullāh. His father died when he was quite young so he had to get into practical life and thus joined the army of Āmir khān. He went to Saudi Arabia in 1821 and was greatly influenced by the teachings of Sheikh ‘Abd al-Wahāb. He founded the Jihād Movement on his return in Punjab because it was under oppressive Sikh rule. He fought with the army of Ranjīt Singh from 1826 to 1830. He was finally betrayed and killed in the battle of Bālākot in 1831. Q: Describe what happened at the battle of Balakot. It took place in May, 1831. Syed Ahmad Barelvi was killed along with Shah Ismail, his commander. Syed Ahmad had hoped to liberate Kashmir and Hazara. Balakot was thought to be safe as it was protected on three sides by mountains. Syed Ahmad was betrayed by local leaders (mainly Yar Muhammad Khan) who told the Sikhs a way through the mountains to Balakot. SYED TAQI KARAMAT 2  Sikhs led by Ranjit Singh launched a surprise attack who outnumbered Syed Ahmad’s forces. 600 of Syed Ahmad’s forces were killed. Q: Describe Jihād Movement? It was founded by Sayyid Aḥmad Shahīd Barelvī to free Muslims of Punjab from oppressive Sikh rule of Rājah Ranjīt Singh. o Ranjīt Singh’s rule denied any kind of religious liberty. o Āzān and prayers were banned for Muslims. o Mosques were turned into stables. He raised an army of volunteers Mujāhidīn and defeated Sikhs in number of battles from 1826 to 1830. Jihad was mainly dependent upon local Pashtuns where Barelvī wanted them to renounce their customs and accept the Sharia. The traditional Khans were replaced by Wahabi-style reformist ulama (Islamic scholars) and a system of Islamic taxes was established to finance the Jihād. He was killed in battle of Bālākot by the betrayal of his fellow man Yār Muḥammad Khān. Q: Why did Sayyid Aḥmad Barelvī call for Jihād to overthrow Sikh rule in the early 19th century? It was the time when East India Company had already annexed Bengal and Northeastern territories of India. It was then time to come for Northwestern Muslim territory. Punjab at that time was under the oppressive Sikh rule and Sikhs were under the friendship treaty with East India Company. Sayyid Aḥmad Barelvī went to Hajj in 1821 and returned to Delhi in 1823 with a clear view on Jihād. Sayyid Aḥmad Barelvī believed to end the difficulties for Muslims and for that he identified that Sikh rule was one of the major difficulties for Muslims. He was the man of action and thus sought an armed struggle against Sikhs. He thought that Muslims cannot regain glory if un-islamic forces would not be beaten that’s why he launched an armed Jihād movement against Sikh rule. During the early 19th century, Punjab was under Sikh rule (Ranjīt Singh was the ruler) and it was difficult for the Muslims to practice their religion. o Sikhs converted the mosques to stables. o Azan and prayers were banned. o Bādshāhī mosque was turned into a stable and its access was denied to Muslims. Sayyid Aḥmad Shahīd Barelvī wanted to liberate the Muslims of Punjab from Sikhs’ oppression. Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh (1781-1840 A.D.) Q: Who was Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh? Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh was a Muslim reformer born in 1781 in Farīdpur district in East Bengal. He remained in Saudi Arabia for 19 years. He was also influenced by the teachings of Sheikh ‘Abd al-Wahāb like Sayyid Aḥmad Shahīd. SYED TAQI KARAMAT 3  When he came back to East Bengal, he saw Muslims being indulged in Hindu superstitions and were not performing their religious obligations. o So, he started Farāizī movement to involve Muslims to attend their religious obligations. o and to improve the socio-economic conditions of Muslims. He died in 1840 but his mission was continued by his son Muḥsin ud-dīn who was also called Dādū Miān. Q: Describe the achievements of Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh in reviving Islam? Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh worked for revival of Islam in East Bengal. He declared the area as Dār ul-Ḥurb and in such areas Friday and Eid prayers are not offered. He organized the Muslim cultivators, made them aware of their rights and united them against harsh treatment meted out by Hindu Landlords. He started Farāizī movement to involve Muslims to attend their religious obligations. Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh died in Dhākah in 1840, his reform movement was continued by his son Moḥsin ud-dīn (Dādū Miān). o He introduced the idea of Jihād in the movement. The movement confined to Bengal and ended soon. o The movement continued till 1860 by his son Dādū Miān. Q: What was the Farāizī Movement? It was founded by Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh in Bengal (1781-1840) to revive Islam and to restore Muslims’ pride. Hindu practices had crept into Muslims’ worship. He emphasized on praying for past sins and promising to live a righteous life ahead in the future and to perform religious obligations. He declared the area as Dār ul-Ḥurb and in such areas Friday and Eid prayers are not offered. The movement continued till 1860 by his son Dadū Miān. Q: Why did Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh start his Farāizī movement? Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh believed that Muslims had distanced themselves from Islamic teachings due to growing non-Muslim influence in various parts of India, especially Bengal. o Thus, he wanted Muslim to observe religious obligations which is called Farāiz in Arabic. Muslims of Bengal had suffered a lot of hardships from both British and rich landlords (Zamindārs)- beneficiaries of British. o So, he declared Bengal as Dār al-Hurb. The literal meaning of which is the “house of war”. It refers to any place where Islam cannot be practiced. It also refers to a place which is under the rule of non-Muslims where Friday, Eid, and congregational prayers cannot be offered till it is liberated and becomes Dār al- Islām. The idea of Jihād against non-Muslims was supported by Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh. Bengali Muslims were facing coercive policies from Hindus and British. SYED TAQI KARAMAT 4  o These policies include the oppression in which Muslims were restricted to ordinary jobs. o The access to education and employment was also limited to them. Q: Who was Tītū Mīr? Tītū Mīr’s real name was Sayyid Mīr Niṣār. He was Bengali Freedom fighter and was a disciple of Sayyid Aḥmad Shahīd. He too was a man of action just as his teacher and mentor Sayyid Aḥmad Shahīd. He was horrified by the sufferings of the West Bengal Muslim farmers. They were being humiliated in various ways i.e., Beard tax on Muslims. He organized the farmers to stand against oppressive Hindu landlords who were being supported by the British. He proclaimed himself as King and raised an army of 15,000 followers. He built a bamboo fort at Narkelbariā in October 1831 and defeated British forces which were sent to destroy it. The Mīr’s forces could not withstand the second attack of the British in which they had better army including cavalry and cannons. He was defeated and killed after five days of fierce battle with British. Q: How Titu Mīr protected the interests of Muslim farmers in the subcontinent in the early nineteenth century? Titu Mir advocated for the rights of Muslim farmers to own and ->Titu Mīr advocated jihad against ‘non-Islamic cultivate their land. He fought against the oppressive land policies actions’. imposed by the British colonial administration, which often ->He raised awareness of resulted in the dispossession of farmers from their lands. Titu Mir the sufferings of Muslim encouraged farmers to resist these policies and to assert their farmers in West Bengal ownership and control over their agricultural land. during 1830s. Indigo cultivation was a major source of revenue for the British, ->Titu Mīr gave Muslim but it involved exploitative practices that adversely affected farmers a cause to fight back the sufferings they Muslim farmers. Titu Mir organized protests and resistance encountered. movements against the indigo planters, who forced the farmers to ->He organised a rebellion grow indigo instead of food crops. He encouraged the farmers to against zamindars. prioritize their own food security and economic well-being over ->Titu Mīr advised Muslim the demands of the indigo planters. farmers to not pay the tax on Titu Mir played a crucial role in mobilizing the Muslim farming beards. community to collectively address their grievances. He organized ->Krishnā Devā Rāi, was a zamindār who imposed meetings, rallies, and public gatherings to raise awareness about beard tax on Muslims. the issues faced by the farmers and to unite them in their struggle ->He set up his own for their rights. By mobilizing the community, he created a Bamboo fort/commune near platform for their voices to be heard and their concerns to be Calcutta at Narkelberia with addressed. a small army of 15000 followers. In response to the oppression faced by the Muslim farmers, Titu Mir organized armed resistance against the British and the local landlords who supported their exploitative policies. Through this armed resistance, Titu Mir aimed to protect the interests and rights of the Muslim farming community. SYED TAQI KARAMAT 5 Q: Who were Zamindār? Zamindārs were landlords and tax collectors. They were wealthy and some of them had their own private armies. After the death of Aurangzeb, they were resisting to accept rule of any new emperor. Muslims were oppressed by Zamindār from 1800’s onwards. Krishnā Devā Rāi, was a zamindār who imposed beard tax on Muslims. Tītū Mīr was a great Bengali freedom fighter who led the farmers against the oppressions of zamindars. He advised Muslims not to pay any of such taxes. Long Questions Q: How important was Shāh Walī Ullāh in the spread of Islam in the sub-continent before 1850? Explain your answer. OR Q: Was the work of Shāh Walī Ullāh the most important factor in the revival of Islam in the sub-continent during the 17th and 18th centuries? Give reasons to your answers. Q: Did Shāh Walī Ullāh contribute more to the spread of Islam than anyone else in the sub-continent before 1850? Explain your answer. OR Q: Was the work of Sayyid Aḥmad Barelvī the most important factor in the revival of Islam in the sub-continent during the 17th and 18th centuries? Give reasons to your answers. OR Q: Did Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh contribute more to the spread of Islam than anyone else in the sub-continent before 1850? Explain your answer. OR Q: Who of the following was the most important in the spread of Islam during the 17th and 18th centuries? i- Shāh Walī Ullāh; ii- Sayyid Aḥmad Shahīd; iii- Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh Explain your answer with reference to all three of the above Shāh Walī Ullāh was one of the first Muslim thinkers to state the reasons of Muslims’ downfall and the later movements were the off shoots of Shāh Walī Ullāh’s work. Shāh Walī Ullāh was the pioneer figure to work for the resurgence of Islam and was the first one to state that Muslims downfall was due to neglecting the principles of Islam. Shāh Walī Ullāh was one of the Muslim reformers who thought Muslims were ignorant about Islam and the teachings of the Holy Qur´ān. So, he emphasized on the Quranic teachings. He translated Qur´ān into Persian- a contemporary court language so that most people may know and act upon the teachings of Qur´ān. He wrote fifty- one books in Arabic and Persian to explain the true teachings of Islam. Among the most famous are Izālat al-Khafā and Ḥujjatullāh al-Bālighā. Izālat al-Khafā was an account on first four caliphs, written in a way that was acceptable to both Shias and Sunnis. Ḥujjatullāh al-Bālighā determined the problems of the Muslim community. It explains as to how Islam is suitable to all races, cultures, and people of the world. Muslim society was divided into many factions i.e. Shi‘ah, Sunnī which was one of the reasons of the decline of the Muslims. He tried to bring both the factions together and also advised Sufis and Ulemas to sort their differences. He also sent out his students to different places to spread the message of harmony and unity. He advised the Muslims not to waste extravagant amount of money on marriages, births, deaths, and other ceremonies. To counter the Marathan power Shāh Walī Ullāh called upon Aḥmad Shāh SYED TAQI KARAMAT 6  Abdālī from Afghanistan, the later defeated the former in the third battle of Panipat (1761). Not only Shāh Walī Ullāh but Sayyid Aḥmad Shahīd Barelvī was also an important figure who revived Islam in Indian subcontinent. He believed to end the difficulties for Muslims and for that he identified that Sikh rule was one of the major difficulties for Muslims. During the early 19th century, Punjab was under Sikh rule and it was difficult for the Muslims to practice their religion. Sikhs converted the mosques to stables, Azan and prayers were banned. Sayyid Aḥmad Shahīd Barelvī was a man of actions and wanted to liberate the Muslims of Punjab from Sikhs’ oppression. He went to Hajj in 1821 and returned back to Delhi in 1823 with a clear view on Jihād. He thought that Muslims cannot regain glory if un-islamic forces would not be beaten that’s why he launched an armed Jihad movement against Sikh rule. Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh was also an important figure who wanted to spread Islam through Farāizī movement (1781-1840). The movement was started in Bengal and it insisted the Muslims to perform their religious obligations (Farāiz). At that time Muslims of Bengal were peasants and were working together with local Hindu landlords (Zamindār). He wanted that the Muslims should not indulge themselves into superstitions based on Hindu traditions. He emphasized on praying for past sins and promising to live a righteous life ahead in the future. He declared the area as Dār ul- Ḥurb and in such areas Friday and Eid prayers should not be offered. He organized the Muslim cultivators, made them aware of their rights and united them against harsh treatment meted out by Hindu Landlords. Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh died in Dhaka in 1840, his reform movement was continued by his son Moḥsin ud-dīn (Dādū Miān), he introduced the idea of Jihād in the movement. The movement confined to Bengal and ended soon. Conclusively, it can be said that Shāh Walī Ullāh was the most important Muslim reformer among all because his efforts were not confined to a particular place i.e. Sayyid Aḥmad Shahīd was confined to Punjab and Ḥājī Shari‘at Ullāh to East Bengal. SYED TAQI KARAMAT 7