The Reformers

Question 1

Shah Waliullah (1703-1761)

Answer 1

• Real name; Qutb ud Din, was given that afore mentioned, due to piety.
• His father was Shah Abdul Rahim, founder of the Madrass-e-Rahimiya, & a religious advisor to Aurangzeb.
• He was a scholar.
• Had a vision of the Prophet(S), in Arabia, which inspired him to spiritually lead the Muslims.
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• He believed that; Islam should direct every aspect of life.
• He wanted to revive Islam in the subcontinent as;
  1) There was a lack of knowledge(Quran & Sunnah)
  2) Unislamic Practices( due to Hindu influence)
  3) Sectarianism
  4) Difficulties for Muslims.
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• He influenced people through writing and education;
• He wrote 51 books(Khilafat-e-Khulfa)
• Translated the Quran into Persian.
• His dons translated it into Urdu.
• Emphasised the importance of Social Justice
• Wrote letters time rulers, to govern according to the Shariah.
• Promoted harmony & gave muslims an Identity.

Question 2

Syed Ahmed Bareilvi (1786-1832)

Answer 2

• Religions scholar
• Wrote the Sirat-e-Mustaqeem
• Influenced by Shah Waliullah
• Man of Action
• Received training from the Nawab of Tonk (Amir Khan)
• Went for Hajj, studied under Sheikh Abdul Wahab.
• Returned with the Idea of Jihad
• Wanted to setup and Islamic State
• He constantly planned.

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• NWFP, was ruled by Sikhs, who oppressed Muslims by, banning Azaan & prayers, & desecrating holy sites.
• Their leader was Ranjit Singh
• SAB, gathered an army of 80,000, weavers, craftsmen, known as the Mujahidin.
• They weren’t skilled fighters, but wanted to take a stand against the oppression.
• They fought the battles of Okara & Hayzrou
• Temporarily captures Peshawar, but had trouble setting up a state, and collecting taxes.
• There were arguments over military tactics;
  This led to Yar Mohammed & Sultan Mohammed, betraying him.
• SAB, was ambushed and killed at Balakot.

Question 3

Hajji Shariatullah (1781-1840)

Answer 3

• From East Bengal
• Poor, Religious family of farmers
• Muslim Farmers were oppressed by the Zamindars & the British, and collected large sums from them in tax.
• He studied for 20 years under Sheikh Abdul Wahab.
• Upon his return founded the Faraizi Movement. (Explain meaning of name)
• He urges Muslims to follow their faith and oppose the oppressors.
• He urges them not to pay tax.
• He declared Hindustan as Dar-Ul-Harb, and declared Jihad against the British.
• These moves surprised the British and the Hindus, and they had him exiled to Nawab Ganj, where he died.
• His son continued the movement, and tried to mirror the actions taken by his father, but upon his death it ended. (Dadu Mia/ Mohsin ud Din)

Question 4

Titu Mir

Answer 4

• Mir Mithar Ali
• Religious Scholar
• West Bengal
• Desciple of SAB
• Man of Action
• Provoked the British and the Hindus
• Krishna Deva Rai, imposes a tax on beards, on poor farmers, which caused controversy, spite, uproar.
• Titu Mir, urges them not to pay this heinous tax.
• He setup a bamboo fort in Narkel Baria.
• Gathered a miniature force to defend the community.
• The British detached 100 soldiers, supported by 300 sepoys, to counter the threat he posed.
• He was killed in 1831