Imdadullah Muhajir Makki
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Hadrat Imdadullah Mahajir Makki (1817-1899) was a great Muslim saint of the Chishti Order in nineteenth century India. It is widely known that he led the Ulema during 1857 in the War of Independence. There is conflicting evidence of his involvement in the war.
Maulvi Ashiq Ali of Deoband states in relation to Maulvi Rashid Ahmad Gongohi of the Nidawatul Ulama: (Ali, Maulvi Ashiq. Tadhkirah al Rasheed, pp. 74/75)
'During these days (of Mutiny), he had to fight the gangs of miscreants who roamed the country. He used to carry a sword with him to protect himself and he would attack like a lion amidst a barrage of bullets. Once, while in the company of Maulana Qasim al Uloom, Hadhrat Haji Sahib Haji lmadullah Makki and Hafiz Zaamin, the Maulana and his companions were confronted by a gang of Hindu rebels. However, this small group of patriots were not prepared to either run or surrender to the mutinying traitors of their Movement.
According to the above passage, it appears that Deoband scholars under the leadership of Haji Makki were not involved in the widespread disturbances. On the contrary, they considered the Hindu elements of the War as "Traitors".
Deobandi leaders in post 1857 India seem to condemn the war as Mutiny.
It is stated in Arwah e Salasah, pp. 445/446. Marginal Note. Revised by Maulvi Ashraf Ali Thanvi published with notes and commentary by the Deobandi leader Maulvi Ashraf Ali Thanvi:
'Many a divine of India were against the Mutiny. They did not accept the rebellion as Jihad and Meer Mehboob Ali Sahib was one of those divines who was opposed to the revolt. He dissuaded the Muslims from participating in the disturbances.'
'They stood before the rebels like a rock and prepared themselves to sacrifice their lives for their Government. The courage shown by these people under such heavy odds was incredible. The situation could have easily caused fright in the hearts of the bravest of men. But, this small band of ascetics stood their ground and fought against the rebels. They were fired upon by the enemy and Hadhrat Hafiz Sahib was hit by a bullet. He died as a result of the wound sustained by him
Also, in Qaisar a' Tawreekh, vol.2, p.351
'After the suppression of the Indian mutiny, the Sultan ul Ulama, Syed Muhammad Ahmad, a leading divine of Lucknow was also among those generously rewarded by the British. He was granted a pension of Rs. 800 per month and this pension was subject to inheritance by his succeeding generations
