Hazrat Shah Wali Ullah

Introduction Shah Wali Ullah Muhaddis Dehlvi was born on February 21, 1703 at Delhi, just when the reign of Aurangzeb was nearing its end. He was named Qutb-ud-Din, but is better known by his title of Wali Ullah, given to him by virtue of his goodness and piety. His father, Shah Abdul Rahim, was a sufi and theologian of great repute. He was the founding member and teacher of the Madrasa-i-Rahimiyah in Delhi. Shah Abdul Rahim was associated with the completion of the famous Islamic legal text, Fatawa-i-Alamgiri.

Early Life Shah Wali Ullah received his academic and spiritual education from his father. He memorized the Holy Quran and gained knowledge of Tafseer, Hadith, spiritualism, mysticism, metaphysics, logic, and Ilm-ul-Kalam while still in his boyhood. After mastering these subjects, he turned his attention to the Sahih Bukhari and Islamic Jurisprudence. He also studied medicine and tibb. After acquiring this knowledge, he taught at his father’s Madrasa for 12 years.

He left for Arabia in 1730 for higher education He left for Arabia in 1730 for higher education. During his stay in Arabia, he was influenced by Sheikh Abu Tahir bin Ibrahim, a renowned scholar of the time. He studied in Medina for 14 years, where he obtained his Sanad in Hadith. It is believed that while Shah Wali Ullah was in Arabia, he was blessed with a vision of the Holy Prophet (SAW), and tidings that he would be influential in organizing the reform of Muslims in India.

Political Situation of Indo Pak Sub Continent By the time he returned to Delhi in July 1732, the decline in Mughal fortunes had started. The social, political, economic and religious conditions of the Muslims were very poor. On his return to India, he not only identified the causes for the decline of the Muslims, but also pointed out the remedies. Political decline had made the country virtually bankrupt, exploitation of the rich, life of luxury and ease, Jagirdari system, heavy taxes and political anarchy collapsed the country economically. Middle class, that has always been bone of a country, had been extinct virtually. For an improved and reformed economy, Shah Waliullah thought it necessary that the basic necessities of life should be provided to the people. That state would be considered a welfare state where this is done.

Corrupt Government “A corrupt government, which neglects satisfying the basic needs of life, ‘says Shah Waliullah’, should and must be overthrown by every hook and crook. If it is allowed to continue, its corruption will spread like a cancer first in some members of the administration, which, if it is not cut out from its very root, will go on spreading till the whole body will disintegrate.

Religious Conditions of Muslims of Sub Continent Shah Wali Ullah believed that the various problems Muslims faced were due to their ignorance about Islam and the Holy Quran. No research and investigation was made by the learned in the affairs of religion as to solve the problems emerging from time to time. Sufis were hollow, and had no knowledge of the Holy Qur’an and the Traditions. He, therefore, personally trained a number of students who were entrusted with the task of spreading Islam.

In order to promulgate the teachings of Islam and make the Holy Quran more accessible to the people, he translated the Quran to Persian, the main and common language of the people at that time. He also tried to reduce the various differences of many a sectarian group prevailing at that time. Shah Wali Ullah was a prolific writer and wrote extensively on Fiqh and Hadith. He eventually wrote 51 books; 23 in Arabic and 28 in Persian. Among his famous works are the Hujjat-ullah-il-Balighah and Izalat-ul-Khifa.

Struggle for Political uplift of Muslims Shah Wali Ullah also made efforts for the political uplift of Muslims of India. He wrote to Ahmad Shah Abdali to help the Muslims of India in crushing the Marhattas, who were a constant threat to the crumbling Mughal Empire. In 1761, Ahmad Shah Abdali, in response to Shah Wali Ullah’s call, inflicted a crushing defeat on the Marhattas at Panipat. Shah Wali Ullah was responsible for awakening in the community the desire to regain its moral fervor and maintain its purity. He was laid to rest in 1762. His sons and followers ably continued his work and noble mission.

Economics Reforms He presented some of the economic principles for governing a state: Economic prosperity depends upon the hard worker of its laborers. These laborers are the backbone of our economy. He advised Mughals to be conscious of their duties and not to indulge in the accumulation of wealth. He underlined the importance of Economic Equality. He said that such economic system is dangerous for the development of country where laborers, artisans and peasants failed to get their basic rights.

As a Social Reformer Shah Waliullah directed the his teachings towards reorienting the Muslim society with the concepts of basic social justicse, removing socilal inequaliliteis and balancing the distribution of wealth. In his book, Hujjat-ullah-il-Balighah, he pinpointed the causes of chaos and disintegration of Muslim society. Following are the reasons: Pressure on public treasury, the emoluments given to various people who render no service to the state. Heavy taxation on peasants, merchants and workers with the result that tax evasion was rampant. He also requested Mughal rulers to stop their corrupt activities and advised not to give lands to those who were not loyal to the state.

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