Haji Shariatullah

Aims: He wanted Muslims to return to his ideal way of proper observation of Islamic duties called "Faraiz"

Contributions: He started the Faraizi movement to restore the lost status of Muslims and cleanse Islam from Hindu ideologies merged with the religion

He encouraged private prayers for the forgiveness of sins. He made reforms so that people follow the religious obligations of a Muslim.

Impact: His son continued his work and made many land reforms in east Bengal for local Muslims

The Faraizi movement helped moralize Muslims who had been demoralized due to religious oppression

Islam in Bengal was cleansed from Hindu ideologies

Inspired the Bengals to revolt against the Hindus and British, resulting in the Pakistan movement

Details:

1. He was the son of a farmer

2. Enjoyed learning

3. Wanted to change the status of Muslims in East India (Bengal)

4. Went to Arabia for further studies

5. Returned to India to revive Muslims and Islam

The situation in Bengal:

West Bengal was a Hindu-majority area, while the east was a Muslim-majority area

In east Bengal, Muslims were highly taxed. They were paid less, with no political freedom. They weren't given an education

Image Source: Govt of Bangladesh

Notes by Miss Iram Caleb (2021), compiled by Rayyan Jamil Khan of Class IX-G Karachi Grammar School - Middle Section

This topic is a part of the Cambridge Pakistan Studies Paper 1