Jamaat Ali Shah

He was a leader in the Shaheed Ganj Mosque movement, which opposed British rule in Lahore. He presided over the first session of the Conference to organize protests. He was appointed the Chief and “Shaheedganj Day” occurred on 20 September 1935 under his leadership.

His appointment as leader of this movement garnered support from other Sufi scholars. Fazal Shah of Jalalpur and Ghulam Mohiuddin of Golra Sharif, from Multan, Zainulabedin Shah of the Gilani family and Anjuman Hizb-ul-Ahnaf from Lahore offered support to Shah’s leadership. This consensus created a religious and political base which reduced urban-rural differences. The struggle continued for several years. [7][8]

Between 16 and 19 March 1925, three hundred Sunni scholars met at Jamia Naeemia Moradabad and established Jamiyyat-e-Aliyah-al Markaziah, commonly known as All India Sunni Conference (AISC).[9]

Shah was elected its president with Naeem-ud-Deen Muradabadi as General Secretary.[10][11][12]

The inaugural session discussed political and social transformation, extremist Hindu movements Shuddhi, the unstable political situation of Muslims, the Khilafat movement, and the possibility of migration.[13] The definition of Sunni was given and policies of Deobandi organisation Jamiat-Ulem-a-Hind and Congress were criticized.[14]

Shah gave the keynote address.[15] He spoke against Wahhabism and in favour of Islamic unity and cohesion.[16]

At the following All India Sunni Conference, held in Badaun during October 1935, he was declared Ameer-e-Millat or leader of Muslim community.[15] In his address, he highlighted the need for unity among the Muslim scholars and common Muslims Ummah. He condemned the Ibn Saud’s policies in Arabia, and demanded to maintain the honor of the Holy and sacred places of the Muslims.

The Third All India Sunni Conference which was held on 27–30 April 1946 at Benaras was attended by five hundred Mashaikh, seven hundred ulema and around two lac people under his president-ship. In this session leaders supported the demand for Pakistan and vowed to make every sacrifice for the establishment of an Islamic government. When some nationalist Ulema criticized the Jinnah. Pir Jamat Ali Shah took his defense by saying. “ Think of Jinnah Sahib whatever you like, but I say that Jinnah Sahib is Waliullah.[17][13] [15]

Shah supported the Aligarh Movement and contributed funds to it.[18]

Shah toured throughout the country to get the support of Muslim League and Pakistan. After the passage of Lahore Resolution he supported Mohammad Ali Jinnah’s vision for Pakistan. He told his followers to join and work for the League and declared that he would not lead funeral prayers unless his followers supported the Pakistan Movement.[18] His election campaign in 1945 and 1946 resulted in the success of Muslim League candidates. He also visited the North-West Frontier Province during the referendum of 1947 to strengthen support for the Muslim League. [13] [15] [19]

• Malfūẓāt-i Amīrulmillat : ʻAlá ḥaz̤rat Pīr Sayyid Jamāʻat ʻAlī Shāh Muḥaddis ʻAlīpūrī, teachings.
• Amīr-i Millat aur Āl Inḍiā Sunnī Conference, speeches delivered at various Sunni Muslim conferences held in India during 1925-1946, supporting the Pakistan Movement.
• Z̤arūrat-i Murshid : Irshādāt, Islamic views on the need for a spiritual head of a religious order.

• Fidāyān-i Amīr Millat by Muḥammad Ṣādiq Qaṣūrī, biographical sketches of some noted disciples of Jamāʻat ʻAlī Shāh.
• 'Makātib-i Amīr-i Millat by Muḥammad Ṣādiq Qaṣūri, correspondence of some disciples.
• Iqbāl aur Amīr millat by Muḥammad Ṣādiq Qaṣūrī, relations with poet-philosopher Muhammad Iqbal.
• Sīrat-i pāk Ḥaz̤rat Pīr Sayyid Jamāʻat ʻAlī Shāh Lās̲ānī by Sayyid Irtiz̤á ʻAlī Kirmānī and K̲h̲ālid Yūsuf ʻAbīdī, a biographical study.