Reviving Ijtihad

the right outcome. The significance of this principle is so great that even when a differing opinion is expressed in a direct or forceful manner, it should be met with tolerance and a positive attitude. The Consequences of Ignoring Criticism In 1831, Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi (1786-1831) led a jihad against Maharaja Ranjit Singh with a Muslim army. This campaign took place in Balakot (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa). In the ensuing battle, Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi and most of his Companions were killed by Ranjit Singh’s forces. Ultimately, this fervent jihad ended in complete failure from a practical standpoint. Most of the individuals in Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi’s army were his devoted followers. Among them was Maulana Mir Mahboob Ali Dehlvi (d. 1280 AH), a distinguished scholar of his time. He joined Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi’s army and travelled with them. The group camped at a location called Charsadda (now in Pakistan). Upon reaching there, Maulana Mir Mahboob Ali had a disagreement with Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi. Maulana Mir Mahboob Ali documented this disagreement in his Arabic book, Tareekh-ul-Aimma fi Khulafa-ulUmmah, which is preserved in the library of Jamia Hamdard (Tughlaqabad), Delhi. According to this account, Maulana Mir Mahboob Ali had a private meeting with Syed Ahmed Shaheed Barelvi at Charsadda. During their discussion, he asked Syed Ahmed on what basis he had decided to launch a jihad against the Sikhs. Syed Ahmed replied that his decision was based on divine inspiration