Dar al ulum of Deoband: an education, propagation, and Islamic political movement in India

This paper, by using the historical method, qualitative approach, and literature review, describes the history of “Dar al-Ulum” (House of Sciences) of Deoband in its role and development as an educational, propagation, and political movement of Islam in India. The movement was brought to life from the awareness in the side of the Mughal kingdom in the wake of Islamic decline in the midst of the British colonialism and the Muslim-Hindu conflicts. The figure in focus, especially in the related history of renewing Islamic thought, is Shah Waliyyullah. In Shah Waliyyullah’s thoughts, there are several salient aspects responsible for making the sublime teachings of Islam turn to bad shape, including the change of the system of government or the Caliphate into an absolute monarchy system; the divisions among Muslims; and blind imitation (taqlīd) to the interpretations of the past generation of ‘ulamā (Islamic scholars). Shah Waliyyullah's successor, Sayyid Ahmad Shahid, founded the “Mujahidin” (Struggle) movement. Upon its subsequent spread of popularity among people, this movement finally split into two groups: the first one preferred “jihād” physically, while another “jihād” in intellectual form or through thought. The last-mentioned group was under the command of Mawlana Muhammad Qasim, Maulana Muhammad Iqbal, and Maulana Muhammad Ishaq. They realized their movement’s aspirations by establishing the “Madrasah (Islamic modern school) Dar al-Ulum” of Deoband. This “madrasah” produced ‘ulamā, who were aware of the Indian Muslims’ life that they should master knowledge and technology to the farthest extend in order to become solid and undivided. In its development, “Dar al-Ulum” of Deoband has not only been the most important traditional educational institution in India, but also has played a significant role in Islamic propagation and political so influential a movement promoting composite nationalism and representing the interest of Indian Muslims.