Haji Shariatullah was born in 1781 in Faridpur, Bengal. His father was an ordinary farmer.

At the age of 18-year, he went for Haj in 1799.

He stayed in Saudi-Arabia from 1799-1818 and received his religious education there. Muslims living in poor conditions in Bengal were
greatly influenced and motivated by his leadership. During his stay in Arabia, he was greatly influenced by Sheikh Mohammad Abdul
Wahab who had initiated the Wahabi Movement in Arabia. 
He believed that the Muslim community had moved away from Islamic practice and were taking influence from other religions such as
Hinduism. He wanted the Muslim community to return to the Faraizi i.e. the proper observation of Islamic practice. He realized that the
miserable conditions of Muslims have led the country being Dar-ul-Harb (Area where non-Muslims rule). He supported the idea of Jihad
against the non-Muslims who were undermining the true principles of Islam.

Muslims were living in poor conditions and they were given fewer opportunities for jobs. He wanted to restore their Pride. He started a
movement, in the nineteenth century named as the Faraizi Movement for Muslims in Bengal. The movement was targeted to restore the
Pride of the Muslims and remove what he thought were the Hindu practices. Haji Shariat Ullah urged from his followers to adopt ‘Tauba’
for past sins and a pledge to lead a righteous that is in accordance with Islam and its teachings. The Faraizi Movement provided a
platform to Muslims to work together and fight the bad treatments of Hindu Zamindars. 

Until the 1750s, Muslims were the ruling class, but everything changed after the British took over. The British were working with the
‘Zamindars’, who were the landowners and tax collectors. By 1800s, nearly all Zamindars were Hindus. The Muslims were mistreated by
their British Rulers and oppressed by the Zamindars. Haji Shariatullah regarded British domination in Bengal as detrimental to the
religious life of Muslims. The Hindus were troubled by the unity of the Muslim peasants and opposed Haji Sahab. The Hindus put false
allegations against him and forced him to leave Dhaka. Haji Sahab returned to Faridpur and continued his fight. He categorized East
Bengal into areas called circles, with their own Khalifa, who was responsible for their wealth. He died in 1840. After his death, his son,
Mohsin-ud-Din carried his legacy.

Q Why did Haji Shariat Ullah start his Faraizi movement? [7]
Ans: [To reform Bengali Muslims] Haji Shariat Ullah wanted Muslims to follow Islamic duties. He believed that due to growing non-Muslim rule in
different parts of India, Muslim’s had moved away from the teachings of Islam. Therefore, he wanted them to return to the Islamic teachings. For this,
he advised the Bengali Muslims to fulfill Islamic duties or Faraiz to purify Islam from Hindu customs (way of life).
[Cruel Hindu Landlords] Muslims of Bengal were living under cruel rule of Hindu and British landlords known as Zimindars. Muslim farm workers
(peasants) were paid less. Unjust (unfair) tax was collected from Muslims even on keeping beard. Hindu landlords were collecting funds (money) by
force from Muslims to set up Hindu temples. Haji Shariat Ullah wanted to unite Muslims to force Hindu landlords to improve their dealing with
Muslims that’s why he started Faraizi movement.

Q How successful was Hajji Shariat Ullah in revival of Islam in Bengal? [7]

Ans: 1) [Faraizi movement] (a) Hajji Shariat Ullah was the founder of Farazi movement in Bengal. (b) Hajji Shariat Ullah believed that Muslim of
Bengal had moved away from Islam. He wanted that Muslims should offer Islamic duties known as Faraiz. He advised Muslims to offer Prayer, fasting,
Zakat and Hajj. Due to which his movement was known as Faraizi movement and his followers were called ‘Faraizis’. (c) He believed (thought) Bengal
as Dar-ul-Hareb because Muslims of Bengal were ruled by non-Muslim. In such area Friday and Eid prayers should not be offered.
2) [Reform society] (a) He wanted that Muslims should not follow Hindu customs like singing, dancing at the time of wedding and Hindu caste system.
He advised his followers to pray for their past sins and lead right path in future. (b) The Faraizi movement supported the idea of Jihad.
3) [Muslim peasants] (a) He united Muslim farm workers (peasants) against Hindu and British landlords (zamindars). (b) Muslim farm workers were
paid less by Hindu land lords and they were collecting many unfair taxes from Muslim workers like beard tax. Hindu landlords were collecting funds
from Muslim by force to set up Hindu temples. Haji Shariat Ullah forced Hindu landlords to improve treatment (dealing) with Muslim farm workers.
4) [Dudhu Mian] (a) Hindus Landlords were upset by the unity of the Muslim farm workers. Hajji Shariat Ullah was arrested (jailed) so his son Dudhu
Mian became leader of the Faraizi movement. (b) He divided East Bengal in circles and appointed (placed) Khalifas in Bengal to help poor and for
prayers. (c) After death of Dudhu Mian movement declined (ended) in Bengal. It can be said that some seeds of Pakistan Movement were sown by
Faraizi movement.