Explore the Wahabi/Walliullah Movement, its origins, political impact, and its significant role in the 1857 Revolt against British rule in India.

Key Teachings and Ideals

• Inspirations: The Wahabi/Walliullah Movement drew inspiration from Abdul Wahab of Arabia and Shah Walliullah (1702-1763), focusing on reviving Islam.
• Revivalist Response: It was a revivalist response to Western influences and the moral and cultural degeneration among Indian Muslims.
• Two-Fold Ideals of Shah Walliullah:
  • Emphasis on harmony among the four schools of Muslim jurisprudence.
  • Advocacy for the role of individual conscience in matters of religion.

Spread and Political Perspective

• Popularisation: The teachings of Shah Walliullah were further spread by Shah Abdul Aziz and Syed Ahmed Barelvi.
• Political Objectives: The movement evolved a political agenda, emphasizing the return to pure Islam and the rejection of un-Islamic practices.
• Dar-ul-Harb to Dar-ul-Islam: Syed Ahmed Barelvi considered India to be a dar-ul-Harb (land of non-believers) that needed transformation into dar-ul-Islam (land of Islam).
• Initial Targets: The movement initially targeted the Sikhs in Punjab, later redirecting its focus against the British after the annexation of Punjab in 1849.
• Role in the 1857 Revolt: The Wahabis were instrumental in spreading anti-British sentiments during the 1857 Revolt, contributing to the growing resistance against colonial rule.
• Decline of the Movement: The movement gradually declined in the 1870s due to extensive British military suppression and legal measures.