Q.2 How the reform movement of Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi influenced the history of Muslim India? (20)  2020

Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi was a renowned Sufi scholar who lived in the Mughal Empire during the 16th and 17th centuries. He was a prominent figure in the reform movement that aimed to revive Islamic orthodoxy and counter the perceived influence of Hinduism on the Muslim community. His teachings and actions had a profound impact on the history of Muslim India in several ways.

1. : Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi was a strong advocate of the orthodox Sunni school of thought and was critical of the more liberal interpretations of Islam that were gaining popularity at the time. He believed that the true Islamic faith had been corrupted and that it was essential to return to the principles of the Qur’an and the Sunnah (the sayings and actions of Prophet Muhammad). His teachings emphasized the importance of observing religious rituals, following the shariah (Islamic law), and rejecting all forms of innovation and deviation from the established doctrines of Islam.
2. : Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi was deeply concerned about the influence of Hinduism on the Muslim community, particularly in the realms of culture and social customs. He saw Hindu practices as a threat to Islamic identity and sought to counter their influence through his teachings and writings. He was also critical of the Mughal Emperor Akbar’s policy of religious tolerance and saw it as a betrayal of Islamic principles.
3. : Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi was not only a religious scholar but also a political activist. He believed that it was the duty of Muslims to resist the encroachment of non-Muslim powers and to work towards establishing an Islamic state. He actively supported the Mughal emperor Jahangir in his campaigns against the Sikh rebels and was instrumental in the suppression of the Qadiri Sufi order, which he saw as a threat to Islamic orthodoxy.
4. : Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi’s teachings and legacy had a lasting impact on the history of Muslim India. His followers, known as the Mujaddidis, continued to promote his teachings and played a significant role in shaping Islamic revivalism in the 18th and 19th centuries. The Mujaddidi movement contributed to the rise of the Deobandi school of thought, which is still influential in South Asia today. Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi’s emphasis on Islamic orthodoxy also influenced the development of the Wahhabi movement in Arabia and the Tablighi Jamaat in South Asia.

In conclusion, Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi’s reform movement had a significant impact on the history of Muslim India. His promotion of Islamic orthodoxy and opposition to Hinduism helped shape the identity of the Muslim community in South Asia. His political activism and legacy continue to influence Islamic revivalism and religious movements in the region today.