Role of Ulema and Sufis in Pakistan Studies PDF

3/29/2021 Pakistan Studies Ms. Shabana Siddiqui Senior Lecturer & QMS Coordinator School of Public Health, DUHS SUFISM 1  3/29/2021 Objectives of Lecture-4...

3/29/2021 Pakistan Studies Ms. Shabana Siddiqui Senior Lecturer & QMS Coordinator School of Public Health, DUHS SUFISM 1  3/29/2021 Objectives of Lecture-4  Understand the concept of Sufism  knowledge about role of Ulema in the Indo Pak Subcontinent  Realize the vital role of Ulema and Sufi in making Ideology of Pakistan  Describe the efforts of Prominent Sufi and Ulema  Provision of a sound knowledge and balanced understanding with the subject. What is Sufism?/ MEANING The word “SUFI” derived from “Sufa” Meaning Purity in Arabic (Era of MBUH) later derived from Arabic word "suf" meaning "wool" in the sense of "cloak", referring to the simple cloaks the original Sufis wore. Generally known as “the poor” Fuqara/Faqir (in Arabic) in Persian Dervish, Also Called Wali / Awlia / Shaikh was expected to Intercede with God on a behalf of his followers Islamic mysticism / spirituality is called Tasawwuf in Arabic, but In Western languages called Sufism since the early 19th century. 2  3/29/2021 Cont… Origin of Sufi The Sufism is the Love of Truth , Selfless experiencing and Devotion and actualization of the Truth. TARIQAT: The Practice of Sufism is the intention to go towards the Truth, by means of love and devotion called ”TARIQAT” means Spiritual Path Way Towards God. The goal of a Sufi is “none other than God himself “ or “Closer union with God” Human being is– unreal /an illusion / Maya Classical Sufi scholars have defined Tasawuf as "a science whose objective is the reparation of the heart and turning it away from all else but God". Origin of Sufi Khanqah / Monasteries: Not connected with the court directly but they are spiritual guide and Guide their devotees at Khanqah / Monasteries Sufis spread the message by the “teaching of Islam & creating good will by educating people in simple and direct messages Allowed SAMA and Devotional Music First sufi – Hasan al Basri (642-728 AD) They subscribed to the doctrine of Monism called “Wahdat-ul-Wajood” this term Coined/ by Sadruddin Qunavi (Hama Oost). 3  3/29/2021 Wahdat ul wajud mean Allah is present in everything. Allah and His creatures are same. because Allah's characteristics are laid somewhere in his creatures. Wahdat ul Shahood mean all things are reflection of Allah. Allah is one, it is all about unity of being, oneness of Allah cannot be shared or competed. History of Sufism Sufism is as old as humanity. The term ‘Sufi’ was first used at the end of 2nd century Hijri i.e. in the early 9th century AD. The term Sufi did not find a mention either in the Sihah-i- Sittah compiled in the 9th and 10th century AD or in the Arabic dictionary, the Al-Qamus compiled in the early 15th century AD. It is believed that 124,000 prophets of God preceded to the Prophet Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬. they brought the message of the one true God. openly disapproved of idolatry worship restore the religion of Abraham. Seekers of Truth: who engaged themselves in the search of Truth and believed in the unity of the Supreme Being. 4  3/29/2021 Cont … They Mostly lived in fasting/scanty food/hunger and wore little clothes and busy in Celibacy (‫)تجرد‬ Giving up the worldly pleasures-wealth, fame, feasts and women Solitude away from the society More concerned with the punishment and rewards observing the rules of Sharia (the Islamic code of conduct), In the 09 century AD, the Sufis recognized that spiritual progress couldn’t be achieved by following “Sharia” alone. then They started adopting various spiritual practices over and above Sharia, known as Tariqat (the path). They considered following Shariat and Tariqat essential to reach the ”Haqiqat” (the Truth). Role of Sufis in the spread of Islam in subcontinent Muslim saints and Sufis who made concerted and diligent efforts to reach out to the accumulates and sensitize them about the teachings of the Islam. Most of these Muslim saints migrated to India b/w the time span of eleventh and fourteenth century and devoted their lives for the cause of Islam A large number of non Muslims were impressed by the simple teachings, lofty character and fair treatment of the Sufis and entered in the fold of Islam 5  3/29/2021 The message of Islam was spread across the length and breadth of the Indian sub continent by the good will of education, simple and direct massage of Islamic mystics. Data Ganj Baksh of lahore Khawaja Moinuddin of Ajmer Khwaja Bakhtiyar kaki, Delhi Baba Farid of Pakpattan Sheikh Bahaudin Zakriya of Multan Makhdoom Jhania Jangashat of Bahawalpur Sheikh Nazim uddin of Delhi, The Sufis Taught Simple faith The mercy of God The pleasures of honest dealing Fellow of feeling The nearness of God The power of prayer The beauties of faith The duties and responsibilities of men in respect to other men 6  3/29/2021 The Sufi SILSILAH or ORDER The number of orders given by Abul fazal in his(Ain Akbri) is fourteen. The following 4 Silsilah /Order are the most prominent in the Indian sub continent 1, Chishti Order founded by Khwaja Abdul Chishti in Heart. Kwaja Moin Uddin Chishti implanted this Silsilah in Ajmer, India 2, Suharwardi order, founded by Sheikh Shahbudin Umar Suharwardi at Baghdad 3. Naqshbandia order popularized in India by efforts of Khwaja Baqi Bilah. 4. Qadira Order founded by Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jillani in Baghdad ORIGIN of Ulema The word “Ulema” is the plural of ‘alim’ means in Arabic“religious scholar”. In early period Holy Prophet Muhammad(BPUH) were appointed imam to led the prayers and as Qazis or Judge to rule according to Shariah The emergence of Ulema as a class which has a specialization took hold, religious functionaries became distinct in the society. The Muslim scholars played a vital role in organizing the Muslim society in India. 7  3/29/2021 Role of Ulema in Organizing the Muslim Society When the Muslim Society was established, the scholars from the Muslim states of Central Asia entered India in a large number. These scholars of Islam played a decisive role in making Lahore and Multan in Punjab, Deebal and Mansoura in Sindh and Ajmer and Delhi in Northern India the centers of Islamic culture and civilization in India. Services of Ulema During Colonialism The Islamic clerics however, kept the movement alive through institutional Islamic movement and founded Islamic institutions after failure of war 1857,like (1)Darul-Uloom, Deoband (1866) (2) Anjuman Himayat-e-Islam, Lahore (1884) (3) Sind Madressah-tul-Islam, Karachi (1885) (4) Nadwatul-Ulema, Lucknow (1898) (5) Madressah Manzar-ul-Islam, Barely (1904) (6) Islamia College, Peshawar (1913) and (7) Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi (1920. 8  3/29/2021 Muslim Society in Subcontinent Role of Ulema in Organizing the Muslim Society * Hazrat Mujajdid Alf Sani * Services rendered by Shah Wali-ullah * Syed Ahmed Shaheed * Haji Shariatullah Sheikh Ahmad Sarhindi (Naqshbandi) (26 June1564 - 15 December 1624) “Mujaddid-e-Alf-Sani” (the reformer of the second millennium)born in Sirhind, a city of East Punjab. He was educated at home and was inducted into mysticism by his father, Sheikh Abdul-al-Ahad, who was himself an eminent Sufi. At the age of 36 he went to Delhi and there he met Khawaja Baqi Billah who introduced him to the Naqshbandi Silsilah. Sheikh Ahmed was not new to Sufi discipline as he had made remarkable progress and soon reached the sublime heights of experience and beatific vision. 9  3/29/2021 Mujaddid's Reforms 1. Successful Jihad against Deen-e-Elahi During his period the Muslims in India had become so lacking in the knowledge of true Islam that they had more belief in Karamat or miracles of the saints than Islamic teachings. The Ulema and theologians of the time had ceased to refer to the Quran and Hadith in their commentaries, and considered jurisprudence ( ‫ ) فقہ‬the only religious knowledge. Akbar, had started his own religion Deen-e-Elahi, an amalgamation of Hindu and Muslim beliefs. In these circumstances, His aim was to rid Islam of the accretions of Hindu Pantheism and succeeded in his efforts at last and Jahangir cancelled all those orders of his father which were against the spirit of Islam and thus Deen-e-Elahi came to an ignoble end. 2. Refusal to prostrate before Jahangir After Akber’s Death, Sheikh Ahmed Sarhindi came out to reform and to do away with all Un-Islamic practices and beliefs initiated by Akbar among the Muslims. Sheikh Ahmed Sarhindi never entered into any political conflict directly. He wrote letters to all the nobles' of Jahangir's court. Most of them were the same who were present in Akbar's court. The opponents of Sheikh also came out and he was dubbed as an atheist ( ‫ )ملحد‬by them. So Sheikh was summoned to the court of Jahangir and was asked to bend down. He was so rigid in his approach towards Islam that he did not bend before the emperor as per the prevalent custom. His plea that bending down before anyone except Allah was un-Islamic annoyed Jahangir, who ordered for his imprisonment in the Fort of Gawaliar for two years due to discourteous behavior of his court. 10  3/29/2021 3. Preaching of Islam during the Imprisonment in Gwalior's Fort Hazrat Mujaddid continued preaching of Islam during the imprisonment in the Fort of Gwalior. Due to his efforts thousands Non-Muslims accepted Islam. After a year however, Jahangir released him from jail and offered huge gifts to him. The king befriended and respected the Sheikh. He listened to his advices. After Maghrib prayers the king would grant him special audience where Sheikh would talk about religious affairs to Jahangir. He asked his son Shah Jahan to become a spiritual disciple of the Sheikh. 4. Wahdat-al-Shuhud The philosophy of Wahdat-al-wajud was presented by some Sufis of Akbar's time. They believed that the entire universe is the symbol of Almighty God and a source of revelation of God's sovereignty. He strongly opposed the Sufi doctrine of Wahdat-al-Wujud which maintained, that real Being is Allah and we are all His manifestations. he gave his philosophy of Wahdat-al-Shuhud. Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi emphasizes superiority of people of one religion on the other and for that reason that religion should be kept pure and divested of all other influences. 11  3/29/2021 5. Maktubat-e-Imam Rabbani Shiekh Ahmed adopted an effective method of persuasion (‫ )ترغیب‬by writing letters to the leading nobles of the royal court. His letters are known as “Maktubat-e-Imam Rabbani” Through preaching, discussions and his maktubat addressed to important nobles and leaders of religious thought, he spread his message amongst the elite in particular. Letters and messages were sent to them exhorting to serve the cause of Islam. He also requested the scholars to show the right path to the people, and the King. He enforce the saints to give up their Un-Islamic practices and beliefs. 6. Books and Magazines (Risala) Rejecting the heterodoxies of the great Mughal Emperor Akbar, this well-known Islamic mystic of this time and a hardcore Sunni Muslim strongly refuted the shia point of view in his writing entitled Risala Tahliliya and made a major contribution towards rehabilitation of orthodox Islam in India. He wrote many books, including his famous works, Isbat-ul- Nabowat and Risala-e-Nabuwat. In these works the need and importance of prophet hood was described. His greatest work on Islamic philosophy was the “Tauheed-i- Shuhudi.” Sheikh Ahmed continued preaching Islam till the end of his days. He urged peopled to the accepted and clearly laid down path of Islam. 12  3/29/2021 7. Two Nation Theory Mujaddid Alif Sani cleared on the Muslims that they were the separate nation from Hindus and nothing was common in them. Therefore, the Muslim should keep themselves distinct from Hindus with reference to food, dress, social custom and way of life. He founded the first stone of Two Nation Theory in Indo-Pak subcontinent which led to the success of Pakistan Movement and establishment of Pakistan. That's why Hazrat Mujaddid was rightly called First Founder of Pakistan. Hazrat Mujaddid Alf Sani was the most powerful religious personality who opposed Akbar but he got an opportunity in a liberal atmosphere in Jahangir's reign to use his powerful pen to denounce Akbar's religious innovations. He is considered as a pioneer of Muslim self-assertion by denouncing Un-Islamic practices Services rendered by Shah Wali-Ullah (1703-1762) Hazrat Shah Waliullah’s real name was Qutbud-Din Ahmed. Born to a noble learned family of Delhi on 21st February 1703. His father Shah Abdur-Rahim was a renowned scholar of that period. Shah Wali-Ullah showed great potential at an early age. By the age of fifteen he had completed the learning of Holy Quran, Hadith and Fiqha. Then after the death of his father in 1719 he started delivering lectures in Madressah Rahimyah at the age of seventeen. Then in 1730 he performed Hajj again. In 1733 he returned to Delhi and took over the charge of Madressah Rahimyah. There he wrote many books and rendered many political, religious and national services. He died in 1762. The contributions of Shah Wali-Ullah can be summarized as under: 13  3/29/2021 1. Religious Services He translated the whole Holy Quran in Persian in 1738. Later on his sons Shah Rafi-ud-Din and Shah Abdul Qadir translated the Holy Quran in Urdu. He termed the Hadith collection by Imam Muttah where he arranged the Hadith in respect of their topics. most authentic (in Arabic and Persian) He trained students in different branches of Islamic knowledge and entrusted them with the teaching of students. He recommended the application of Ijtihad against blind Taqlid He adopted an analytical and balanced approach towards four major school-of-thought of mysticism. In order to create a balance between the four schools i.e. Hanafi, Malaki, Shafii, Hambali he wrote “Al-Insaf- fi-bayan-sabab-al-Ikhtilaf. He worked out a system of thought, beliefs, and values, on which all but the extremists could agree. He thus provided a spiritual basis or national solidity. 2. Political Services Shah Wali-Ullah tried to trace the causes of the decline of Mughal Empire. In the middle of the 18th century Marathas had become a great political power. They were threatening to occupy the crown of Delhi. At this critical juncture Shah Wali-Ullah in order to check their advance prepared Najid-ullah (Rohilla Chief) and Shuja-ud-Daulah (Nawab of Oudh) for Jihad. Moreover he wrote a letter to Ahmed Shah Abdali. King of Afghanistan requesting him to save the Muslims from the highhanded-less of the Marathas. Consequently in the Third Battle of Panipat (1761), Ahmed Shah Abdali inflicted a crushing defeat on the Marathas. 14  3/29/2021 He wrote “Izalat-al-Akhifa” and “Khilafat-al- Khulafa” in order to remove misunderstanding between Shias and Sunnis. He refused to denounce Shias as heretics( ‫)ملحد‬. After Mujaddid Alf Sani, He worked for unity of Muslims and to develop separate National identity and convinced them to fight for their rights. Shah Sahib rejected Combine Unity and ensured Religion as only identification of Muslims. His religious-political ideology made a permanent crack in Hindu-Muslim relation in this sub- continent 3. Social Services He strongly opposed to integration of Islamic culture in the cultural race of the sub-continent and wanted the Muslims to ensure their distance from it. He wanted them to keep alive their relation with rest of the Muslim world so that the spring of their inspiration and ideals might ever remain located in Islam and tradition of world community developed by it." In his opinion, the health of Muslim society demanded that doctrines and values inculcated by Islam should be maintained in their pristine purity unsullied by extraneous influences. 15  3/29/2021 Shah Wali-Ullah directed his teachings towards reorienting the Muslim society with the concepts of basic social justice, removing social inequalities, and balancing the iniquitous distribution of wealth. He established several branches of his school at Delhi for effective dissemination of his ideas. He pinpointed the causes of anarchy and disintegration of Muslim society In his book "Hujjat-ullah-il-Balighah". These were 1. Pressure on public treasury, the emoluments given to various people who render no service to the state. 2. Heavy taxation on farmers, merchants and workers, with the result that tax evasion was widespread. According to Shah Wali- Ullah, a state can prosper only if there were light and reasonable taxes. Conclusion Shah Wali-Ullah was responsible for awakening in the community with moral values favor and maintain its purity. To rescue a community's conscience, belief and faith from destruction was no small achievement. Even after his death in 1762, his sons and followers carried on his work and noble mission. Many future Islamic leaders and thinkers were inspired by his example. In short the Muslim Renaissance Movement launched by Shah Wali-Ullah was the forerunner of all the future freedom movements of Indo-Pakistan. Maulana Mohammad Qasim Nanotvi founder of Madressah Deoband and Sir Syed Ahmed Khan were among his followers. Later on his son Shah Abdul Aziz founded the Jihad Movement which was carried forward by Syed Ahmed Shaheed 16  3/29/2021 Syed Ahmed Shaheed (1786-1831) Born at Rai Barailly on 29 November 1786. His father Shah Ilm-Ullah was pious religious scholar. He was a well built young man and took interest in manly sports. He was inspired spiritually by Shah Abdul Aziz. In 1810 he joined the army of Nawab Ameer Khan of Tonak in order to take part in Jihad against the British. He fought against the English forces and displayed his skill in the art of fighting. Syed Ahmed Shaheed was an outstanding orator. His religious and political sermons won him many companions which included Shah Ismail and Shah Abdul Haye. Battles Against Sikhs In the first half of the nineteenth century Punjab was under the rule of Sikhs who were very painful to the Muslims. They were showing disregard to the Muslim culture, customs and religious places. On hearing about these cruelties Syed Ahmed Shaheed decided to launch Jihad against the Sikhs. For this purpose he founded Jihad Movement. The Muslims of Indo-Pakistan responded to his call and thousands of Muslims got themselves enrolled in the Jihad Movement. He launch Jihad from North West Frontier region of the country on 17th January 1826 he started his journey along with thousands of Mujahideens. He reached Sindh via Gwalior, Tonak, Ajmer and Marwar. Then he went to Afghanistan through Baluchistan. From Afghanistan he arrived at Nowshera after nine months journey. 17  3/29/2021 Battles Against Sikhs On his arrival in the Frontier province the fighters of Yousaf Zai tribe, local Muslims joined the Jihad Movement. Syed Ahmed Shaheed declared war against Sikhs. Ranjit Singh the Sikh ruler of Punjab sent Budh Singh at the head of ten thousand soldiers to meet the challenge of the Mujahideens. On 21st December 1826 a strong contingent of Mujahideens attacked the Sikh army at night. As a result thousands of Sikh soldiers were killed and Budh Singh had to retreat with heavy losses. Later on after several fights the Sikh army was defeated in the battle of Hazru. After these successes Syed Ahmed Shaheed decided to organize the local administration. He established an Islamic state in the area and announced his caliphate on January 11, 1827. These victories and successes of Mujahideens disturbed Ranjit Sikh very much. He decided to decline the Mujahideens through diplomacy. He reached Peshawar and won the sympathies of two local chiefs Yar Mohammad Khan and Sultan Mohammad Khan by pointing them the ruler of Peshawar. Thus the Muslims were divided into two camps. However Syed Ahmed Shaheed succeeded in conquering Peshawar in November 1830. Through mistake Syed Ahmed Khan appointed Sultan Mohammad Khan the ruler of Peshawar. Unfortunately Sultan Mohammad turned a trailer and hatched a conspiracy against Syed Ahmed Shaheed. Thousands of Mujahideens were murdered treacherously at Peshawar and other places. In the meantime Sikh army under Sher Singh advanced against the Mujahideen. Syed Ahmed Shaheed gathered ail of his forces and encamped at Balakot which was a very secure place. 18  3/29/2021 Sardar Sher Singh too arrived at Balakot at the head of 20 thousands soldiers. The Sikh army besieged the area. The famous battle of Balakot was fought on 6th May 1831. The Sikhs emerged victorious. Almost all the Mujahideens including Syed Ahmed Shaheed were martyred. Reasons of Failures of Jihad Movement 1. Ranjeet Singh acquired the military services of the Western generals Ventura and Elite who imparted training upon the soldiers of Ranjeet Army and the battle was also fought with the modern war weapons from the side of Ranjeet Singh. Mujahideen on the other side was ignorant of War Strategy. 2. They were sufficient financial sources with Ranjeet Singh but Mujahideen were facing the lack of financial resources. 3. Ranjeet Singh was aware of the fact that so long there unity of thought and action in amongst Mujahideen, it was not possible to defeat them. Therefore, he infiltrated his agents among Mujahideen who created misunderstanding amongst them. 4. Ranjeet Singh exploiting the human weakness, attracted pathans by bribe ( ‫ )رشوت‬luring and sometimes pressurizing who committed spying , revolt, dissimulation and slaughtered Mujahideen. 19  3/29/2021 5. According to Islamic System Syed Ahmed after establishing Islamic rule collected Zakat (Islamic tax) from the rich Muslims but he could not arrange the proper distribution of Zakat amongst the needy poor people. Consequently, the lower class (majority of the masses) became the victim of pessimism, depravity and the sense of inferiority. The poverty suffering class. In this way refused to accept Islamic system and started the move against this government. 6. Syed Ahmed Shaheed, dominated by feelings of reformation, wanted to implement the Islamic laws even during the period of war. For instance, compulsory marriage of girl and widows. The sentiments of Pathans, in the manner, injured and they started to kill the government officials in nights. 7. His government punished people severely even on every minor mistake. For instance, heavy punishment to the liar woman and people who were not offering namaz. These were not Islamic punishments. 8. The Mujahidin Movement is also called the WAHHABI Movement because of its strict puritan beliefs. Syed Ahmed condemned “Bida’t or innovations” as well as Wahadatul-wajood, adulation of Pirs, polytheism(‫ ) شرک‬and appealing to God through holy personage. Some points in Jihad Movement resembled with the Wahabi Movement while pathans were against of Wahabi Movement. 20  3/29/2021 Conclusion Jihad Movement, no doubt failed but this movement played a decisive role in creating and establishing an Islamic State (Pakistan) in future because this movement created unity of thought and act amongst the Muslims of Indo-Pakistan subcontinent. Although Syed Ahmed Shaheed failed to finish Sikh rule in Punjab yet his Jihad Movement Kindled a flame of freedom in the Sub-Continent. Jihad Movement gained strength by Sayed Ahmed Barelvi, aided by Shah Ismail Shaheed (d.1831) who was Shah Waliullah’s grand son. The Pathans of the Frontier province were greatly inspired by the brave deeds of the Mujahideens, The tribesmen continued the Jihad for freedom against the British. Similarly the Mujahideen spread the spirit of Jihad throughout the length and breadth of Sub-Continent. The spirit of freedom led to the war of independence in 1857. In addition the Jihad Movement imbibed in the Muslims the spirit of Islamic nationalism which ultimately led to the Two Nation Theory and establishment of Pakistan Haji Shariat Ullah (1768-1860) The first half of the 19th century witnessed a movement known as Faraizi Movement in East Bengal. The founder of this movement was Haji Shariatullah. At this time the condition of the Bengali Muslims in the Sub-continent was very miserable. The British policy of distrust and oppression towards the Muslims rendered them economically and educationally crippled; and the oppression of the Zamindars made their lives unbearable. Haji Shariatullah went to Mecca on the Pilgrimage. He returned to his country after 20 years and started his reform movement known as the Faraizi movement. His movement basically targeted the most depressed class of the Muslims. He asked them to give up un-Islamic customs and practices and to act upon the commandments of the religion called Faraiz or duties. Hence his followers came to be known as Faraizi. He forbade Tazia on the occasion of Muharram and singing and dancing at the time of wedding ceremonies. His movement was also directed against the oppression of the Zamindars. He declared the country Dar-ul-Harab, as Eid and Friday prayers could not be offered there. 21  3/29/2021 The movement infused new life into the lives of the Muslims of Bengal. It wrought great agitation among them, especially the farmers who were imbued with his doctrines. Thus, he sowed the seeds of independence in Bengal. His son Muhammad Mohsin, known as Dadhu Mian, popularized and strengthened the movement by organizing it in a systematic way. He acquired great influence amongst the Muslim farmers and craftsmen of Bakerganj, Dhaka, Faridpur and Pabna districts. He appointed Khalifahs who kept him informed about everything in their jurisdiction. Dadhu Mian vehemently opposed the taxes imposed by the landlords on Muslim farmers for the decoration of the image of Durgah. He asked his followers to settle in lands managed by the government. During the revolt of 1857, he was put under arrest for organizing the farmers of Faridpur districts against the British government. Mir Nasir Ali, known as Titu Mir(1782-1831) his movement in Bengal against the cruel acts of Hindus landlords against Muslim tenants. After returning from Pilgrimage, Titu Mir devoted himself to the cause of his country. He made Narkelbaria, a village near Calcutta, the center of his activities. Many oppressed Muslim farmers gathered round Titu Mir in their resistance against the Hindu landlord, Krishna Deva Raj. Titu Mir was able to defeat Krishna Deva and set up government. The British aiding the Hindu landlords sent an army of 100 English Soldiers and 300 sepoys to Narkelbaria. In 1831, Titu Mir died fighting the British forces. The death of Titu Mir did not dishearten his followers. His example rather served as a source of inspiration for them in the years to come. 22 3/29/2021 23