Anwar Shah Shopiani, also known by the honorary titleMawlawi Anwar Shah Shopiani, was a Kashmiri Islamic preacher, scholar and poet. He was the founder of Ahl-i Hadith movement in Jammu and Kashmir, and is also credited for establishing the Ahl Al-Hadith Masjid at Zaldagar, the first Ahl-i Hadith mosque of the Kashmir Valley built in 1897. He also served as Imam at Jamia Masjid, Srinagar. He wrote Islamic poetry in Persian and Kashmiri languages such as Taleem Sunnat, Basharatul Mumineen, and later publications include Dewan Anwar and Guldasta Anwari, a Kashmiri poetic collection.
Biography
He was born in Shopian district of Jammu and Kashmir. He received his uncertain education outside the state, and is believed student of Hafiz Abdul Manan Wazirabadi, a Muslim scholar of that time.
Lectures and debates
After completing his education, he returned to the valley and travelled across the multiple regions, including Kishtwar and Ladakh to propagate Islam.
Criticism and controversy
He was criticised by the religious leaders for propagating his views towards the leaders after claiming "mullahs are misleading people". He had several cases filed against him, and was subsequently charged under blasphemy law for allegedly insulting the religion. He was later released.
First period 1857-1890
Jammu & Kashmir was ruled by Maharaja Ranbir Singh who succeeded his father Maharaja Gulab Singh in 1857 AD. The Wahabi movement began to influence the valley during his rule but he kept a strict vigil on the activities of puritans as mentioned by Sir Walter Lawrence in his famous book, "The Valley of Kashmir". It shows that Maharja was worried about the move of puritans and strongly curbed their activities by jailing the activists from time to time. Since the India was influenced by mutiny of 1857, the ruler Maharaja Ranbhir Singh tried to save his kingdom from any outer disturbance. During this period Anwar visited Punjab in quest of further studies which was a turning point in the life of Anwar after meeting the Islamic scholars of Bengal including Molana Yaqoub of Dinajpur who was an admirer of Shah Ismail Shaheed Dehelvi who guided and trained him. After returning from Punjab, Molana Anwar began to preach a puritanical form of Islam, which raised the ire of the locals due to his opposition of reverence at graves and shrines, which he derided as "worship": asthana wa qabar parasti. Several attempts were made by the opponents to kill him, without success. Akhtar Mohiuddin, a literary figure of Kashmir, mentioned in the book entitled, "Indian Literature" published by Sahitya Academy Delhi as under:
A significant poet preacher of the period is Molvi Anwar Shah of Shopian. He belonged to the wahabi sect of muslims. His poetry is therefore, devoted to the subjects relating to religion and more especially to his creed. While he versified hadith and muslim code of social conduct he denounced the grave worship and forms of superstition. He exhorted the people to rise above the world of petty gains and fear none but Allah. He wrote better satires against outmoded customs. His target were mullahs who he thought preached superstition instead of true religion
Second Period 1890-1939
During this period Molana Anwar gained some level of support for his movement, and in 1912 the first Ahle-hadith mosque was built at Zaldagar Srinagar. During this period Molana Anwar visited Qadiyan city of Punjab and met Mirza Ghulam Ahmad Qadiyani, the founder of Ahmadiyya Movement, and opposed his claim of being a Prophet or Maseehe Mauoud. After returning from Qadiyan, Molana Anwar started his mission against the "Qadiyanis". Molana Mohammad Sayeed Masudi has acknowledged the services of Molana Mohammad Anwar in the following words: "Had Molana Anwar not been active in Kashmir the southern part of valley would have professed Qadiyani faith. It was his spirit and endevour which blocked the activities of Qadiyanis" Anwar was several times jailed on the allegations that he had spread hatred among the Muslim sects and preached against the Muslim clergymen whom he alleged encourage innovations and superstitions in Islam.
Works
Dewan-e-Anwar published in 1935 in Lahore.
Taleem-e-Sunnat.
Guldaste-Anwari first published in 1937 or 1942.
Usool-e-Hadith.
Salam-e-Anwar Mae Kalam-e-Anwar first published in 1938.
