Salam to all........Hope you are doing well...


I am going to start 'Question attempting exercise for Pakistan Affairs' for the CE-13's attempt. I will be posting the concerned questions according to the CSS syllabus of Pakistan Affairs or some time from Past Papers' paper till exam inshALLAH........

Note: In this thread anyone can attempt the concerned question in order to get it prepared and checked by the forum members for the upcoming attempt. And InshALLAH It will certainly be helpful for us.

Note:
1-One question has 15 Marks. (some times 7.5+7.5=15 Marks in notes form etc..)

2-After attempting a question any one can check it down and can point out mistakes, even grammatical errors, outline mistakes, topic need, irrelevancy etc..

3-Any one can rate the attempting in order to give marks.


Therefore, all the members of this forum including respected Mods, CSPs, seniors, and new aspirants are requested to take part in this vital exercise:....

Thanks

Regards

Date: August 07, 2012

Q: What Influence Shaikh Ahmed Sirhindi has left on the history of Muslims of India? Discuss critically. (15 Marks)(2008) Attempt it with outlines tx...

Q: What Influence Shaikh Ahmed Sirhindi has left on the history of Muslims of India? Discuss critically. (15 Marks)


SYNOPSIS

Introduction

His Early Life

Condition of India during his time period

His Revival efforts

His influence

Conclusion



Ans:
There are many Muslims mystics, scholars, and revivals who are mentioned in the history of Indo-Pak owing to their amazing services, contributions and glorification of Deen e Islam. Among them Shaikh Ahmed Sirhindi is one, He has an outstanding importance in the History of Indo-Pak owing to his amazing services for the cause of Islam and Islamic society glorification. He was the person who dared to stood against the anti-Islamic culture during the 17th century. He worked for the innocent people who were being demoralized during the era of Akbar to Jahangir. He worked for the glorification of Islam exclusively and left his name with the golden words in the History of Indo-Pak with outstanding influence for the upcoming years.

He was born in 1664 in Sirhind in east Punjab, India. He belonged to a noble and respected family and was decedent of Hazrat Umar. His father name was Shaikh Ahmed Ahad.

In the beginning of his early life, got education from his own father in the field of Haidth, Fiqh, Tafsir and Maqul (Philosophy) exclusively. After that he also got prepared in several disciplines especially in spirituality from Khawaja Baki Billah. Khwaja Baki Billah trained him and became inspired his intellectual and mentioned him the best of his disciple.

Khuwaja Baki Billah mentioned him:
"Sheikh Ahmed, an individual from Sirhindi, rich in knowledge and vigorous in action. I associated him for few days and found marvelous things in his spiritual life. He will turn into a light which will illuminate the world."

Religiously, the people of India had become deficient because they relied on karamts or Miracles and did not pay attention and importance to Ulemas, Sufis or Saints, on the other hand, they considered the Holy Quran and Sunnah also Hadith just for as an Islamic Knowledge. Actually, emperor Akbar's policies of Deen e Illahi and amalgamation of the Hindus and Muslims victimized the people effectively. As a result, Indian People believed the anti-Islamic philosophies.

Socially, the Muslim people had been influenced by the Bhagti Movement and was acting according to it, In those circumstances, Shaikh Ahmed Sirhindi was trying to revive the misguided Innocent people from the un-Islamic components.

Politically, Akbar's concept of sovereign such as ZIl e Illahi and the practice of prostration to the emperor made an attack to Islamic concept of sovereignty and demoralized the Islamic concept of supremacy of God.

He prepared a number of his disciples in the Quran, Hadith, and Shariah and sent his disciples in all direction of India also abroad to spread the Islamic teachings, the Oneness of God's Islamic concept and other Islamic teachings.

He presented the philosophy of Whadat ul Shahood in order to encounter the philosophy of Wahdatul wajood. Actually, the philosophy of Wahdat ul Wajood was of Akber's era. It meant that there were no differences between the creator and the creators because according to this philosophy God was present everywhere in the Universe. So, according to them to preach any thing in the the world would have been preaching of God. However, Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi presented the philosophy of Wahdat ul Shahood and explained it extensively and rejected the philosophy of Wahdat ul Wajood. According to his philosophy that there was difference between the creator and creates because God has created all things for the human being and its comfort. The Sun gives the light but it is not God because it is created by God in order to give the relief to His creators. So, therefore, God is One to be preached.

Moreover, Sheikh Ahmed's philosophies, thinking, ideologies alarmed to the other areas and he was going well in order to protect the Muslims from the anti-Islamic practices. Consequently, Once, he was invited to the Jahangir's court where he did not perform prostrate and was jailed by the Jahangir for three years. But, at later on after three years was released and got opportunity to carry on his mission and spread Islam. However, Shaikh Ahmed Sirhindi carried on his mission to teach the importance of Islam, the Oneness of God, the importance of Islamic Faraiz. Furthermore, he urged the people to not practice any unethical and immoral activities which is against the Islam. Besides, he urged the people that they would not obey any order that was against the Islam.

On the other hand, he was the first person, who realized and drew a line between the Hindus and the Muslims. He observed and justified that the Hindus and the Muslims are two different nations and they were different in all major aspects socially, religiously, politically. Therefore, they could not live and practice their beliefs collectively.

Thus, He was the first personality, who realized the Muslim nationalism in the sub-continent of South Asia and revived the Islam in the second millennium also paved the way for other personalities like Shah Waliullah, Alama Iqbal and for others. His great spiritual efforts for future would have been far reaching in the Sub-Continent of South Asia.

Dear forum members you may crisis and point out mistakes as much as you can, I will be thankful to you...........


Thanks

Regards

Before the emergence of Shaikh Ahmed Sirhindi as a great reformer and sufi scholar, Indian society was ridden with a number of un-Islamic activities. Mulsims had almost become ignorant to the true Islamic principles and fake ulemas were boastfully denouncing the Shriah. There was number of false sufis who began to hoodwink the people on the name of 'karamats', and there was no one to stop such activities. The then emperor, Akbar, was also in support of un-Islamic practices. He created new religion by amalgamating the beliefs of Islam and Hinduism which further aggravated the situation. It was actually an act of distorting Islam as after this a number of Muslims started deviating from the real Islamic teachings. Those who adopted this new creed were rewarded by Akbar. Such anti-Islamic practices created a hostile environment in which adherence to and preaching of Islam was retarded.

Sheikh Ahmed sirhidi undertook the responsibility of purging the Muslim society from such wrong beliefs. He vehemently opposed Akbar and directed the Muslims to follow the true Islam. He made it clear that without Shriat any act of 'karamat' is misleading. Shaikh Ahmed argued with those, and proved his point with assertion, who were misguiding the Musims by inculcating in them the belief that Sunnah is not necessary to follow. He asked Muslims for 'itabat -e- sunnah' (following the practices of Holy Prophet s.a.w). He taught the knowledge of Quran and Sunnah to the number of his disciples and send them in different directions to preach the light of Islam.

Moreover, he sought to settle dispute between different ulemas and he asked the Muslims to live a life of brotherhood. In all his teachings the cardinal point was that the Muslims should follow what Holy prophet has preached through Quran and sunnah. He worte letters to the leading ulemas and leaders and urged them to contribute their part in reviving Islam.

Many sufis in order to preach Islam had given the idea of wahdat-tul-wajood, everything is connected with same entity, or there is nothing real except God. These kinds of notions posed a threat to the Muslim nationality and identity. He explained it in a straightforward manner that this notion is not true, rather it is misleading. He was of the view that it would have adverse effects on Muslims' identity. Shaikh Ahmed gave another notion to dispel the impinge of wadaht-tul-wajood. He maintained, through the idea of wahadat-tul-shahood, that everything that is present is true and is the prove for the presence of God. In this way he advocated the ideology of two nation, and to few historians, he was the first man to present such a belief.

His efforts for the renaissance of Islam enabled him to receive the title: Mujadid-e-alf sani(the reformer of the second millennium). The worked which he carried out for Islam had far-fetching effects on Muslim society. He dispelled the illusion created by the anti-Islamic creeds of Akbar. He brought down all evil efforts which was aimed at injuring Islam. Shaikh Ahmed accentuated the causes of the difference between Islam and Hinduism. Certainly, it was due to his sincere efforts for which Allama Iqbal called him 'spiritual guardian' of Muslims. Those who came after him and did services for the cause of Islam considered him as an examplary personality.

Mujadad Alf Sani (Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi
Introduction
 Birth 26th June 1564, Sirhind in East Punajb.
 Named Ahmed and title was Badr-ul-Din and Kunniyat was Abu-al-Barkat S/o Sheikh Abdul Ahad up to Hazrat Umer Farooq.
 Memorized the Holy Quran, Hadith and Fiqh from father and Ulama Kamal ud Din and Sheikh Yaqub Sarfi Kashmiri.
 Educated at Sailkot and Sirhind
 Wrote book on Isbat-un-Nabuwwat. (Affirmation of the Prophethood)
 Journey to Agra and met with Akbar‘s Darbari Ulema Abu-al-Fazal and Faizi
 During return from Agra married with daughter of Sheikh Sultan
 Journey to Delhi and met with Hazrat Khawaja Baqi Billah Bairang
 After the death of Hazrat Khawaja Baqi Billah became head of Silsala-e-Naqshbandia
 Died in 10th December 1624 in Sirhind
“ Shiekh Ahmed is an individual from Sirhind, rich in knowledge and vigorous in action. I associated him for few days and found truly marvelous in his spiritual life. He will turn into a light which will illuminate the world.” (Khawaja Baqi Billah)


Services to Islam (Efforts to Purify Muslim Society of Unislamic Practices



1By sending his Disciples.
2 Emphasize on Ittibat-i-Sunnat (examples of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and commandments of sharia in the sermon and preaching.
3.Origin of Concept of Wahdat-ul-Shahood against Mohayyudin Ibn-e-Arabi‘s concept of Wahdat-ul-Wajood.
4. Work for restoration of teaching Islam emphasized on the concept of Tauheed.
5. Denounced Bhakti Movement and Akbar‘s Deen-e-Elahi.
6. The Bhakti movement is a Hindu religious movement in which the main spiritual practice is loving devotion among the Vaishnava saints.
7. Revealed importance of Namaz and Fasting.

Reformation Efforts:

1. To face Hindu Hostility
2. Opposition of Akbar‘s Religious Policy
3. Din-e-Elahi in 1582 under influence of Faizi, Abu-al-Fazl and Hindu Ranis

• • Policy of Sulh-e-Kul and Secularism
  • Sajda-e-Tazeemi, Blaze & Solar Worship
  • Negation of Pillars of Islam, Miraj Incident and Prophethood
  • Opposition of Cow Slaughtering, Promotion and Participation in Hindu Customs with Hindu Ranis.

1. Stress of Shariat
2. Concept of Tauheed

• Wahdat-e-Adyan – the core of all religions is same
• Ram Rahim and Rehman Bhagwan are two sides of same picture.
• Reforms of Mujadis Alif Sani

• Ram and Krishan were creation of Almighty Allah. Then. how creator and his creation could be one
• Ram was Seeta‘s husband and even if he couldn‘t protect his wife how he would help others.
• Rehman is immortal was present before the birth of Ram and would remain after his demise

• Connections with Dignitaries
• 

  Specially with Ameer Nawab Jahan Khan

•  Three ways

• 1. Leave the state and nation on its fate like other Sufis.

• 2. Rebel against the so-called Muslim State of Hindustan
• 3. Reformation of the religious thoughts of the elite class and promotion of Naqshbandia Chain among them.

• a) Lessen the hostility of Akbar‘s Religious Policy

• b) Enthronement of Jahangir instead of Khussro
• c) Forced Jahangir for promulgating Islamic Policy
•  Enthronement and Transfer of Kingdom to Prince Saleem (Jehangir)
•  Enthronement of Jahangir instead of Khussro on the recommendations of Islamic Dignitaries of Naqshbandia Chain
• “The position of a king is the same as that of the heart in the body, if the heart is pure the body will be pure and if the heart is not pure how an the body be pure.”
•  Prohibition of Unislamic customs and
•  Titled ―King of Islam‖ by Mujadid Alif Saani in a letter to Sheikh Farid
•  Refusal to Prostrate (Sajda-e-Tazeemi) Befoore Jahangir
• Allegations of rebellion and he was dubbed as an atheist by his opponents.
• Summoned to the court of Jahangir and was asked to bend down
• 

• Imprisonment in Gwaliar Fort for one year to discourteous behaviour.
•  Sunnat-e-Yousafi in Prison
•  Later on summoned by Jhangir on the advice of Asaf Jah. (Prime Minister) received Khilat-e-Fakhira and 1000 rupess
•  The Opposition of Ulema-e-Sou
•  Two Nation Theory
•  Opposition of Innovation (Biddat)
  
  Shiekh Ahmed and Two-Nation Theory:
   Liberal point of preaching resulted the joint nationalism.
   Demanded destruction of temples and separate identity.
   Openly negated Hinduism and wanted to impose Jaziya again.
  
  “If Muslims want to live as a nation than they have to quit the talk of Shirk and Bidat and stay separate from Hindus. If the awareness of separate national identity is not awakened in Muslims than it is feared that they would be swept away with the flood of combined nationhood. Islam would become observed in the soil of and would be destroyed like Buddhism and other religion which have been observed in Hinduism.”

Literary Works of Hazrat Mujadid Alif Sani:
"Moving to Allah is a vertical movement from the lower stations to the higher stations; until the movement surpasses time and space and all the states dissolve into what is called the Necessary Knowledge (Talim-ul-wajib) of Allah. This is also called Annihilation (fana').
"Moving in Allah is the stage in which the seeker moves from the station of Names and Attributes to a state which neither word nor sign can describe. This is the State of Existence in Allah called Baqa.
"Moving from Allah is the stage in which the seeker returns from the heavenly world to the world of cause and effect, descending from the highest station of knowledge to the lowest. Here he forgets Allah by Allah, and he knows Allah with Allah, and he returns from Allah to Allah. This is called the State of the Farthest and the Nearest.
"Moving in things is a movement within creation. This involves knowing intimately all elements and states in this world after having vanished in Annihilation. Here the seeker can achieve the State of Guidance, which is the state of the prophets and the people following the footsteps of the Prophet . It brings the Divine Knowledge into the world of creation in order to establish Guidance.
Hazrat Mujaddid Alif Sa'ani was a great writer but his letter proved more popular than his books. These letters translated in Urdu, not only express his opinion on various issues but are also fine pieces of language and style. Besides them following are some of the titles of his books:

• Maktubat (Letters) of Imam Rabbani
•  Collection of 536 letters, consists of three volumes. An elaborate printing of the book was accomplished in 1973 in Nazimabad, Karachi, Pakistan.
•  It was reproduced by offset process in Istanbul, Turkey.
•  Copy of the Persian version exists in the library of Columbia University.
•  Maktubat was rendered into the Arabic language by Muhammad Murad Qazanî, and the Arabic version was printed in two volumes in the printhouse called Miriyya and located in the city of Mekka.
•  A copy of the Arabic version occupies number 53 in the municipality library in Bayezid, Istanbul. It was reproduced by offset process in 1963, in Istanbul.
• o Isbat-un-Nubuwwat and Risala Isbat-ul-Nabuwwat. In these works the need and importance of prophethood was described.
• o Tauheed-i-Shuhudi – was his greatest work on Islamic philosophy was.
• o Interpretation of Rubiyaat-e- Khawaja Baqi Billah
• o Mobada-o-Ma'ad.
• o Ma'arife-Ladqiya.
• o Makashifaat-e-Ghebia.
• o Sharah Rubaeyat-e-Hazrat Khawaja Baqi-Billah.
• o Risala-Telilia.
• o Risala Basilsila-e-Aha'dis.

Effect of Teachings:

•  Drew a distinction between Islam and Atheism (Ram and Rahman, Kaaba and Kaashi, Quran and Paran)
•  Restored dominance of Shariah and Islam
•  Opposing United Nationhood
•  Advise on Shariat
•  Jhangir ordered Khutabah (Holy sermon) to be recited.
•  Cow slaughter to be carried out.
•  Agreed to construct the mosque.
•  Shariat‘s superirority to Myticism

“Kashf and revelation get value through the book of Allah and Sunnah and not through wajd”

Conclusion:
The efforts of Sheikh Ahmed to purify the religious and practical life of the Muslims left an indelible impact on the history of Muslim India. Hazrat Mujaddid Alf Sani was the most powerful religious personality in the history of sub-continent who opposed Akbar and thereby invited his wrath. He was a widely read scholar and a magnetic orator. He got an opportunity in a liberal atmosphere in Jahangir's reign to use his powerful pen to denounce Akbar's religious innovations. He is considered as a pioneer of Muslim self-assertion by denouncing Un-Islamic practices

__________________
Always do what you are afraid to do
Saqib Riaz(TIPO KHAN)

This is a good strategy to solve the Pak affairs paper in this way..

To me your work deserves: 10/15 marks.. The question which you sent needed the explanation of impacts of Shaikh Ahmed's efforts on Muslim society. I think it was not necessary to mention about his educational background and so. Well, your overall effort is good.

I will be grateful to you if you critically evaluate my attempt and give me the marks by pointing out mistakes.

Regards

Dear Saqib..
You have really done a diligent effort, but really it is not easy for someone to read your entire topic, for it is too long to read meticulously. It is, indeed, a topic contains a lot of useful information, but it is hard to relate it with the requirement of question. The question was that: What Influence Shaikh Ahmed Sirhindi has left on the history of Muslims of India? Discuss critically. It is hard to find specificity in your answer in accordance with the asked question.
I need you to assess my written work critically. Act of pointing out mistakes will be acknowledged and appreciated.

Regard

You have directly hit the question. From the beginning of your answer it can can be assumed that you have pretty good grasp over the topic. I think It is the best way to attempt the question. However, for the coming question if you sketch your outline it would be the best answer. Hmmm... I give you 11/15 Marks.....Because you have good vocabulary, attractive presentation.

Thanks Regards....

Yes shakeel I agree with you. However, Saqib attempt it according to the need of question. First, read the question carefully that what is asked? than divide your answer in points/outlines, and then write down your answer accordingly, in this question first of all we have to see that what is asked? it is asked about shaikh ahmed's influence on the history?

First write down about some thing Shaikh Ahmed's Biography? may be it is bit additional but I think it is the best way to present from intro to con, nevertheless, analyze his contribution ????? yes his contributions and services are the arguments of our answer......In last after presenting his revival efforts. We have to see the results, impacts on the history.....Thus, we have to conclude and support our arguments critically that what his revival efforts has left the influence on the history of Muslim India .........

If I am wrong Please criticize it as much as you can. Because it would be beneficial for you.......



Shakeel thanks for giving me marks and analyzing And yes Saqib please you may read my answer and point out mistakes also criticize as much as u can...


If I am wrong Please criticize it as much as you can. Because it would be beneficial for you.......

and dears keep in touch with this exercise, tomorrow will be another question......and respected other members are highly requested to take part in this exercise. It will certainly be beneficial for all aspirants of upcoming attempt which is CSS-2013.....


Thanks.....

I agree with the method you mentioned to deal a question. I have too recognized those loopholes in my attempt which you implied.
Thanx a lot for scrutinizing my attempt and giving me the marks. Next time I will try it in still more diligent way by justifying the need of questions you are going to present. I will urge you to keep this practice continue as it will be highly beneficial to the improvement of our Pak affairs preparation.
I think you should send a topic at least after 2, or 3 days so that as most members could send their material on under discussion topic as possible. If you will keep up sending the topic on daily basis not many aspirants will be able to share their comments. Think it again, nevertheless if you send it on daily basis too, I will try my utmost to contribute my part for the endeavor you have initiated.

Regards.