Syed Ahmed Barelvi

1786-1831
Who was Syed Ahmed Barelvi ?
Give Brief Introduction of Syed Ahmed Shaheed?

Born: Lucknow (India in 1786), Early Life: Lucknow, spent there from 1786-1806
Enroll in Madarsa I Rahemiya in 1806 for education and become the student of SHAH WALI ULLAH’s
son Shah abdul Aziz.
He stayed in Delhi from 1806 to 1811AD.
Joined Army of “Amir Khan” in 1811 AD. Serve in Khan’s army till 1817 until he become British allied
and signed friendship treaty, Syed Ahmed become angry desperate and unemployed and went to
Delhi and joined by two other fellows named “Shah Ismail Shaheed” and “Molvi abdul Haee”
In 1821 AD, He went to “ Haj” . In 1823 AD he return with clearer vision of Jihad. In 1826 AD
Mujaheedeen militia” attack Sikhs near OKARA(Punjab). In 1830 AD Peshawar was captured and
Islamic state was established.
In 1831 AD He was martyrdom by Sikh army near Balakot.
He was reformist, Islamic scholar.
Time line:
Born in Lucknow: 1786 AD
Join Madarssa I Rahimya 1806 AD
Resident in Mardarsa till 1811 AD
Join Amir Khan’s Army: 1811 to 1817AD
Return to Delhi 1817 AD
Joined Syed Ismail and Molvi Hae 1818 AD
Went to Haj 1821 AD
Return and formed jihad movement 1823 AD
Start Jihad 1826 AD
Defeat Sikh in 1827-1828
Establish Islamic state 1831 AD
Martyrdom 1831 AD
Books
Syed Ahmed Shahhed wrote many books but two are famous and remained
left. Shah Ismail Shhaeed compile SIRAT I Mustaqeem in 1819. Another
famous masterpiece was “Taqwi utul Imaan”
Syed Ahmed Shaheed’s Ideology
Syed Ahmed Shhaeed’s visit to Arabia made him inspired by the
teaching of “Abdul Wahab Najdi” but in his madarssa life he was
clearly envisioned by the teachings of Shah Wali ullah. He emphasize
on following paths
MONOTHESIM
Syed Ahmed Shaheed was preacher of Monotheism and against of
polytheism. He believed that all heresies and innovations in Islam are
unclean and must be avoided. Bowing on Sufi Shrines and asking them
assistance is sin. Allah is the only one can assist not Sufis or any other.
Celebrating Ashura day and other ceremonies are innovations.
2. Stop Blind Following !
Syed Ahmed Shaheed insisted his fellows to not to follow rituals,
ceremonies and ancestral traditions blindly and should understand
QURAN and Hadith themselves. Blind following of Imams, Religious
leaders and sufi priests should be discourage. He consider
Blind following is the main cause root
Leading to all heresies, sectarianism,
Misguidance, ignorance.
 FALLING OF MUGHAL EMPIRE
(CAUSES)
This idea came into being soon after he felt that Mughal empire is too
week and not able to protect Muslim Rule in Sub continent.
Syed Ahmed was realizing closely how political changes taken place.
British, Portuguese, French, Dutch were weakening Mughals as external
enemies and Sikh, Marathas and Nawabs are internal foes of Mughals.
Q. Give your response after seeing this
picture
3. Establishing Islamic Government
Due to weakening of Muslim’s central power in Delhi Syed Ahmed with
his fellow members take long route visit to the areas located in Pakistan
today. His journey began in 1823 AD from Delhi. He stayed many
villages in Punjab and visited Multan. From Multan he marched to
Sindh and establish friendly relations with “Pir Pagara” of Huurs. He
preached many people and continue his missionary work in remote
areas and visited Hyderabad and later to Quetta and from there to
Kandahar (Afghanistan) to Kabul. He defeated small Sikh army near
Okara and finally reached Peshawar where he was welcomed by Pathan
tribe leader.
Land route of Syed Ahmed (Missionary
Work)
Silent features of Islamic Government established by Syed Ahmed Shaheed
5 . JIHAD MOVEMENT
Reasons
1. Sikh leader ( Ranjit Singh) captured Punjab in 1829 AD and
extended his rule till Attok, Okara, and Balakot. He banned
Azan (Muslims calling of pray), Slaughtering of Cows, Offering
congregational prays in Mosques and committed atrocities
against Muslims.
2. He looted villages, destroyed Mosques and killed many people.
3. Syed Ahmed Bralvi believed that Sikh empire in Punjab is
threat to both Mughal rule and Islam in India.
4. Human right violation and crimes of Rajit Singh provoke him to
begin Jihad movement against Ranjit
Planning for Jihad
He made “ militia” in 1826 AD. Most of people joined him initially
were people joined his missionary preach during his visits to their local
territory.
His former master “Amir Khan” and Nawabs of Tonk, Gwaliors and
Rampur supported him with British Consent as British wanted to
weaken Sikh power. But Amir did not joined him against his enemies
He also persuaded rulers of Peshawar and near by villages. 8000
poorly trained tribal troops were acquired.
Time line of Jihad
In 1827First internal conflict appear when tribal leaders began to disliked his policies and felt threat
their powers to decline.
Objections of Tribal leaders to Syed
Ahmed
Syed Ahmed Shahed ‘s Replied !
Widow are not Curse, Islam bestow them rights and they have share in property which is
mandatory to be given.
Syed Ahmed also critized tribal traditions and oppose tribal rituals.
• Syed Ahmad tried to explain that his aim was not this-worldly but to lead a jihad
against the infidels.
In one of his letters, he writes:
• "We thank and praise God, the real master and the true king, who bestowed upon his
humble, recluse and helpless servant the title of Caliphate, first through occult
gestures and revelations, in which there is no room for doubt, and then by guiding the
hearts of the believers towards me. This way God appointed me as the Imam (leader)"
1828-1830 AD
Syed Ahmed Shaheed successfully captured remaining areas of Punjab
and till 1830 AD he got position in Abbottabad and Hazara division.
But as his power began to weaken in Peshawar and sawabi he left the
city and marched to Balakot where information was given that Sikh
soldiers were gathered.
Martyrdom in Balakot 1831 AD
In 1831 AD syed Ahmed Shaheed was killed during battle with Sikh
Army of 10000 soldiers while he was leading 600 poorly trained
mujaheedins.