COMPARISONS OF RELIGIOUS THINKERS

COMPARISONS OF RELIGIOUS THINKERS

Islam was widely spread in subcontinent by Shah Wali Ullah, Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi and Haji Shariat Ullah.

Shah Wali Ullah was a religious scholar. He taught Islamic teachings in the Madrassa Rahimya. This produced a number of scholars in the sub-continent and therefore increased spread of Islam. Shah Wali Ullah also translated the Quran in Persian. Arabic was not very much understood in the sub continent so translating Quran revived Quranic teachings in the subcontinent because Muslims and also other people could understand Quranic teachings. Shah Wali Ullah also wrote to all Muslim leaders in the subcontinent to unite and defeat the Marathas it was partly due to his persuation that Ahmed Durrani came to subcontinent and defeated the Marathas. Thus by writing letters he decreased the non Muslim influence of Marathas and united Muslim leaders which revived Islam in subcontinent. Shah Wali Ullah wrote several books about 51. These books were extremely popular. These not only converted many people to Islam and increase understanding of religion for Muslims of Islam but also united the different Muslim sectarian such as the Shias and Sunnis.

Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi also played part in reviving Islam. He started the Jihad Movement. The Jihad Movement was a Movement started by Muslims to defeat the non Muslim oppressors. The Movement united all the different Muslim against one common enemy. This showed the power of the Muslims and united the Muslim community which spread Islam.

Haji Shariat Ullah started the Faraizi Movement. It indicated tht Muslims should return to their religious teaching and perform their religious obligations. This particularly became popular in Bengal and Muslims were revived back to their religious teachings. His movement also united the Muslims of Bengal.

However there were failures

Shah Wali Ullah was not able to bring Muslim power back to subcontinent and Muslims were still being oppressed by Marathas who prevented them from obeying there religions law.

Syed Ahmed eventually failed to defeat the British and the oppressing Sikhs and Muslims once again returned to their torturing lives.

Haji Shariat Ullah could only bring rejuvenation in Bengal and so could not reach the entire subcontinent. The failure of the Jihad Movements discouraged Muslims to rise up against the enemy which weakened Islam.

●      CONCLUSION:

Although every religious thinker was quite successful in spreading the message amongst the people, Shah Wali Ullah through writings, Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi through his Jihad Movement and Haji Shariat Ullah through his Faraizi movement, yet in my opionion Shah Wali Ullah was most successful as his work was ever lasting and sowed a seed for the later "Pakistan Movement".

COMPARISON OF THEIR WORKS

There were many Muslims reformers at that time. SWU was one of them. He believed that the Muslims were not able to understand Islam because they weren’t able to understand the Holy Quran because it was in Arabic. He translated Holy Quran from Arabic to Persian. Later it was translated to Urdu by his sons. He wrote 51 books .They include Hujjatullah-ul Baligha and Izalat al Akhfa. He also wrote an account on the four Caliphs of Islam to decrease differences between Sunnis and Shias.(he also fought against the Marathas)

Another reformer was SASB. He was a man of action. He was a great Muslim warrior. He gathered an army of mujahideen to fight against the Sikhs and Ranjit Singhs forces. He did Jihad against the Ranjit Singh army at many times. Although many people left him he still continued the fight against the Sikhs. He fought the Battle of Balakot in 1831. It was the first example of a movement formed to free Muslims from non Muslims leaders. It was a uniting force for the Muslims and inspiration for future Muslims.

Another reformer was HSU. He believed that the country was now Dar-Ul Harb where non Muslims ruled. He also believed that the Muslims had moved away from true Islamic practice so he started a movement called the Faraizi Movement. It supported the idea of Jihad Movement. The Faraizi Movement was started to restore the pride of Muslims and remove non Muslim practices in Islam. This Movement encouraged the Muslims. It brought a spiritual revival. It also had much economic impact. The Bengal peasants became united in opposition to the British and became aware of their rights and unity became to grow between them and they realised their rights that should have been given.

Conclusion

SWU was the most important reformer because he was one of the first persons to realise the main thing of Muslims problems. He did the major thing of translating Holy Quran to Persian so that more people could understand it.