Syed Ahmed Shaheed Braelvi: Services and Contribution for Muslims

Syed Ahmed Shaheed Braelvi

Basic Biography

1. Syed Ahmed Shaheed Braelvi was born in 1786 AD at Rai Bareilly. 
2. The name of his father is Shah Ilm-Ullah.

Early Education

1. He enrolled in Madrassa-e-Rahimiya in 1806 AD.
2. He received his early education from the son of Shah Walliullah, Shah Abdul Aziz.
3. He studied the Quran, Fiqa, and Hadith.
4. He was a man of action, not words
5. He worked for the reformation and revival of the Muslims of the sub-continent. 
6. He died in 1831 AD in Balakot during the fight against the non-Muslims.

Military Career 

1. At the age of 25, he joined the Militia as a Cavalryman.
2. He was the first person to address people instead of rulers.
3. His first target was Ranjit Singh who was trying to expand his territory.
4. The establishment of Tariqa-e-Muhammadiya (1824) in which he was trying to prepare his army.
5. His intention was to establish a Muslim stronghold on the North-West Frontier in Peshawar.

His Siraat-ul-Mustaqeem Agenda in Peshawar

1. He emphasises on Tauheed. They believe in the oneness of Allah.
2. He wanted to establish the Khilafat and implement the laws of Sharia.
3. Condemnation of Bid’at
4. He advised people to follow the pathway of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) over the path of Sainthood
5. He was against the blind following of one’s cleric, he always criticised it. 
6. He also condemns and denounces intercession
7. He strictly prohibited the Nazar Niaz and strictly advised people not to follow it.

Reaction

1. Pakhtuns initially supported him but interfered in socio-political and economic domains without prior knowledge of that locality after rising to a position of power. 
2. Rebellion formed inside Pakhtuns and as a result, more than 250 army of Syed Ahmed Shaheed were killed.
3. He pressurised the Chief of Hoti and Mardan for usher collection which later formed an alliance with Sultan Muhammad, a governor of Peshawar. 

Contribution to Muslims of the Sub-continent

1. At the time of Syed Ahmed Shaheed, the Muslims were declining and the Marathas and Sikhs were becoming strong.
2. He challenged the increasing role of the non-Muslims (Sikhs) in the subcontinent.
3. Syed Ahmed Shaheed started different moments against the Sikh ruler Raja Ranjit Singh. The movement was called the Mujahid Movement, and he defeated him.

Importance of Syed Ahmed Shaheed’s Movement

1. He was the first person in the sub-continent who fought against anti-Muslim forces and foreigners in the subcontinent.
2. He formed the Jihad Movement which helped in the unification of Muslims in the sub-continent.
3. His efforts were only for the protection of Islamic culture and norms.
4. His Mujahid Movement later gave birth to the Pakistan Movement.