The Consequences of Ignoring Criticism

to return to Delhi. Syed Ahmed reacted strongly to this decision, declaring: “Whoever leaves me and returns to his homeland has abandoned his faith.” (Maulana Ismail Dehlvi aur Taqwiyat-ul-Imaan by Maulana Shah Abu-al-Hasan Zaid Farooqi, pp. 86-87) In some texts, this incident has been portrayed as evidence of Maulana Mir Mahboob Ali’s deviation. Maulana Syed Abdul Hai Hasani (1869-1923), the former principal of Nadwatul Ulama, Lucknow, wrote that Maulana Mir Mahboob Ali was among the eminent scholars of his time. He pledged allegiance to jihad under Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi and travelled to Yaghistan to support him. However, the devil planted doubt in his heart, leading him to abandon Syed Ahmed and return to India. (Nuzhat-ulKhawatir by Syed Abdul Hai, Vol. 7, pp. 406-407) Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi did not consult anyone regarding his decision. He failed to verify reports of the desecration of Islamic symbols in Punjab. Additionally, he did not assess the military strength of Maharaja Ranjit Singh or the capacity of his own untrained followers to face such a formidable force. Driven by blind faith, he entered Ranjit Singh’s territory without a complete understanding of the geography. Unsurprisingly, the result was that Syed Ahmed and most of his Companions were killed by Ranjit Singh’s army. This campaign ended in a unilateral disaster for the Muslims.