Embedded Files
Stamp: Haji Shariat Ullah
Bangladesh (Issued 1993)
Haji Shariat Ullah
(1770-1839)
Biography
Born in 1781 in Faridpur district in East Bengal (today part of Bangladesh)
Father was a farmer and his family was not very-well of
In 1799 he travelled to Arabia on pilgrimage and stayed there for the next nineteen years
Became greatly influenced by the beliefs of Sheikh Muhammad Abdul Wahab
On his return to East Bengal he started his own reform movement designed to purify Islam of the Hindu influences
Died in 1840
His work was carried on by his son Mohsin-ud-Din
Beliefs
India as Dar-ul-Harb
Hajji Shariatullah believed that the miserable condition of the Muslims in India led to the country being Dar-ul-Harb
This meant an area where non-Muslims ruled
Haji Shariatullah said that in such areas Friday and Eid prayers should not be offered.
Muslims have forgotten true Islamic Principles
He also believed that the Muslim community had moved away from true Islamic practice
Reasons for launching Faraizi Movement
He wanted them to return to what he thought was the proper observation of Islamic duties called Faraiz. This was why his movement was called the Faraizi Movement.
The Faraizi Movement supported the idea of jihad against the non-Muslims who were undermining the true principles of Islam.
Reasons for reviving Islam in the subcontinent
Believed that Muslims of the sub continent were leading miserable lives because they had started following Hindu practices due to their interaction with them, thus they started the Faraizi Movement to purify the Islamic society
Muslims in Bengal were surprised by the Hindu landlords. Hajji Shariatullah wanted to end this tyranny. Thus he started the Faraizi Movement to create a sense of Jihad in Muslims so that they could fight for their rights
Muslims had forgotten the basic principles of Islam and did not practice religious obligations like Faraizi prayer and fasting. Thus he started the Faraizi movement to insist upon them to follow the pillars of Islam
Work - The Faraizi Movement
He began his socio-religious reform initiative known as the “Faraizi Movement” aimed at reviving Islamic practices among Muslims in Eastern Bengal
It was started as a reaction to the anti Islamic policies of British and Hindus
The movement emphasized adherence to Islamic obligations (Farz) and eradicated un-Islamic practices.
His followers came to be known as the “fairizis” on account of their insistence of the fulfillment of one’s duties
Founded in 1818, the movement became a symbol of resistance against British oppression and exploitation by landlords. It also advocated for the protection of tenant rights and significant social, spiritual, and political reforms.
Faraizi Movement Objectives
The Faraizi Movement aimed to:
Reinforce Islamic Principles: Promote adherence to Farz and eliminate practices contrary to Islam.
Uplift Peasants: Organize farmers to resist exploitation by zamindars and indigo planters.
Counter British Policies: Challenge the socio-economic impact of British rule on Muslims.
Empower Marginalized Communities: Create an alternate governance system rooted in justice and unity
Faraizi Movement Significance
The movement played a pivotal role in:
Tenant Rights: Protecting peasants from exploitation.
Religious Revival: Promoting Islamic values amidst colonial oppression.
Social Equality: Encouraging unity among the oppressed, irrespective of caste or creed.
However, internal disagreements, lack of organizational structure, and leadership challenges eventually led to its decline. After Dudu Miyan’s death in 1862, the movement lost momentum and was relegated to history as a minor agrarian uprising
Legacy of the Faraizi Movement
Despite its decline, the Faraizi Movement left a lasting impact by:
Strengthening the voice of marginalized communities.
Influencing subsequent reformist movements.
Highlighting the potential of grassroots mobilization against injustice
Reaction of Hindu Zamindars against success of Hajji Shariatullahof Quit India Movement – Significance/What it achieved?
Until the 1750s, Muslims were the ruling class, but everything changed after the British took over.
The British were working with the ‘Zamindars’, who were the landowners and tax collectors.
By 1800s, nearly all Zamindars were Hindus.
The Muslims were mistreated by their British Rulers and oppressed by the Zamindars.
Haji Shariatullah regarded British domination in Bengal as detrimental to the religious life of Muslims.
The Hindus were troubled by the unity of the Muslim peasants and opposed Haji Sahab.
The Hindus put false allegations against him and forced him to leave Dhaka.
Haji Sahab returned to Faridpur and continued his fight.
He categorized East Bengal into areas called circles, with their own Khalifa, who was responsible for their wealth.
The success of Haji Shariatullah’s movement caused great concern among the Hindus of East Bengal
The landlords did not want Haji Shariatullah creating difficulties for them and were very alarmed that the Muslim cultivators were uniting in a desire to improve their lives and purify their religion
They drove Haji Shariatullah out of the region Nawabganj in Dhaka district, where he died in 1840
Mohsin ud din, his son
Hajji Shariatullah’s work was carried on by his son, Mohsin-ud-Din
He continued to work to improve the position of Muslims in East Bengal and introduced important economic measures
Questions
What was the Faraizi Movement? [4]
2. Why did Shah Waliullah translate the Quran into Persian? [4]
3. Was the work of Syed Ahmad Barelvi the most important factor in the revival f Islam in the period 1700-1850? Give reasons for your answer. [14]
4. What did Hajji Shariatullah mean by Dar-ul-Harb?
5. Why his movement was called the Faraizi Movement?
6. How influential was Hajji Shariatullah and the Faraizi Movement?
7. Why did Hindu landlords drive Hajji Shariatullah out of East Bengal?
8. Why did the British imprison Mohsin-ud-Din?
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