Global Advanced Research Journal of Educational Research and Reviews (GARJERR) ISSN: 2315-5132

December 2015, 4(11): pp. 196-211

Copyright © 2015 Global Advanced Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Intellectual Modernism of Shāh Walīullah: An Exposition of his Socio-political Thought

Abul Kalam Muhammed Shahed

Associate Professor of Islamic Studies Center for University Requirement Courses (CENURC) International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) 154/A, College Road Chittagong Bangladesh

Email: drakmshahed@gmail.com

Accepted 04 December, 2015

Abstract

Shāh WalÄ«ullah (1703-1763) ranked among the great leaders of Islamic history who by virtue of their knowledge and activities helped reconstruct the socio-political thought in Islam. Shāh WalÄ«ullah formed a bridge between the medieval and modern Islam in India and pioneered an Islamic revivalist movement during the 18^th century in the subcontinent. He dedicated his whole life in disseminating the knowledge of the Qur’an and Sunnah to revive Islamic faith and true Islamic spirit among the Muslims. This study seeks to analyze and evaluate the socio-political thoughts and activities of Shāh WalÄ«ullah. It is believed that most of the successors of Shāh WalÄ«ullah are greatly influenced by his intellectual modernism and hence many of them have adopted his thought and program of action. The overall objective of this study is to point out the thought and socio-political contributions of Shāh WalÄ«ullah towards reawakening of the Muslims in his contemporary society and how his contributions have shaped and molded Islamic revivalism respectively.

Keywords: ‘Ulama’, Sufis, Ummah, Mogul Empire, Irtifaqat.