Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi and Jihad Movement

Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi and Jihad Movement

Q. Explain the reasons why did Syed Ahmed Shaheed start Jehad movement in Punjab and NWFP?

Beginning of the movement

Syed Ahmad Shaheed Barelvi started jihad movement to develop the true sense of Islam and jihad in the Muslims of Punjab and NWFP. Same way he believed that Sikh government of Ranjit Singh in Punjab was constantly forcing Muslims to change the religion and to become Sikh it could be countered only in case if Muslims themselves would become strong in Jihad against Ranjit Singh. He trained Punjabi Muslims to fight against the Sikh government with weapons discipline. He developed the source of Jihad in Muslims. He convinced the Muslims that they must depend upon themselves to fight against the Rising non-muslims power. Under his leadership a force of 80000 Muslims was most successful to fight against Sikh region of Ranjit Singh. Syed Ahmed Shaheed had the idea that Muslims of subcontinent must not depend upon the foreign forces like Afghans. Foreigners could come to help Muslims of subcontinent for a short period of time while the success of Jihad movement was a permanent solution of the constant threats faced by Muslims.

The reason of beginning of Jihad movement was to unite Muslims and to make them according to Islam too. Muslims forgot their sectarian differences, became brothers and started following the Quranic orders. This caused an overall moral reform in a better society. It was important to develop unity and brotherhood in the Muslims of Punjab and NWFP to practice their religion freely. Save where it was to train Muslims to become self-sufficient in their defence. It was also started to activate Muslims to increase the sense of responding to the injustice in the society and working for self-safety, that is why it was started.

 Q. Explain the reasons of failure of Jehad movement. 

Failure

Jihad movement failed due to variety of reasons. The most major reason was the martyrdom of Syed Ahmed Shaheed and his companions at Balakot. Syed Ahmad Shaheed and his companions were sent to fight against the British Sikh force by Ahmad Yar Khan at Balakot. It was a conspiracy to kill Syed Ahmed and his future leaders in a land locked valley of Balakot. Ahmad Yar Khan ( the conspirator) and rest of the force of Syed Ahmed had to come to support their leader but they did not come can everyone in the group of Syed Ahmed Khan was shot Dead By the hidden forces. In result there was no leader left away to lead the movement. This caused the end of the leadership and the beginning of clashes so the movement ended in a short time.

Some other reasons of end of jihad movement were the lack of funds, lack of modern communication and lack of modern training of war techniques. All those followers who are trained by Syed Ahmed Shaheed were from far off areas, they went back to their houses after the death of Syed Ahmed and the movements scattered due to the lack of Fighters.  Rest of the group was divided into sections as Shias, Sunnis, Punjabis and Pathans because there was no leader to unite that large Army. Even if this movement failed but it still helped Muslims to get rid of Sikh domination forever.

Lack of cooperation between Pathans and Punjabi groups also caused most of the movement workers going back to their areas leaving Peshawar headquarter. Sikh Army of Punjab was used by the EIC which was large in number to attack Balakot and kill Syed Ahmed and his companions. These were the main reasons which caused such a strong movement to end.