LECTURE 1

ADVENT OF ISLAM IN THE SUB-CONTINENT AND THE INVASION OF

MUHAMMAD BIN QASIM (712-715)
The last Prophet of Islam, Prophet Muhammad (SAW), completely changed the intellectual
outlook of Arabia. Within a span of 23 years he transformed the barbarous and impious Arabs
into a civilized and religious nation. During his life and also after his death, Muslims took the
message of Islam to every corner of the world and within a few years Muslims became the super
power of the era.
Trade relations between Arabia and the Sub-continent dated back to ancient times. Long before
the advent of Islam in Arabia, the Arabs used to visit the coast of Southern India, which then
provided the link between the ports of South and South East Asia. After the Arab traders became
Muslim, they brought Islam to South Asia. A number of local Indians living in the coastal areas
embraced Islam.
During the reign of the great Umayyad Caliph Walid bin Abdul Malik, Hajjaj bin Yousaf was
appointed as the governor of the Eastern Provinces. At that time, Raja Dahir, a Brahman, ruled
Sindh. However, the majority of the people living in the region were Shudders or Buddhists.
Dahir treated members of these denominations inhumanly. They were not allowed to ride horses
or to wear a turban or shoes. Sindhi pirates, protected by Dahir, were active on the coastal areas
and whenever they got a chance, they plundered the ships passing by Daibul.
During those times, some Muslim traders living in Ceylon died and the ruler of Ceylon sent their
widows and orphans back to Baghdad. They made their journey by sea. The King of Ceylon also
sent many valuable presents for Walid and Hajjaj. As the eight-ship caravan passed by the
seaport of Daibul, Sindhi pirates looted it and took the women and children prisoner. When news
of this attack reached Hajjaj, he demanded that Dahir return the Muslim captives and the looted
items. He also demanded that the culprits be punished. Dahir replied that he had no control over
the pirates and was, therefore, powerless to rebuke them. On this Hajjaj decided to invade Sindh.
Two small expeditions sent by him failed to accomplish their goal. Thus, in order to free the
prisoners and to punish the guilty party, Hajjaj decided to undertake a huge offense against
Dahir, who was patronizing the pirates.
In 712, Hajjaj sent 6,000 select Syrian and Iraqi soldiers, a camel corps of equal strength and a
baggage train of 3,000 camels to Sindh under the command of his nephew and son in-law, Imad-
ud-din Muhammad bin Qasim, a young boy of just seventeen years. He also had a ‘manjaniq’, or
catapult, which was operated by 500 men and could throw large stones at a great distance. On his
way the governor of Makran, who provided him with additional forces, joined him. Also, a good
number of Jats and meds, who had suffered at the hands of native rulers, joined the Arab forces.
Muhammad bin Qasim first captured Daibul. He then turned towards Nirun, near modern
Hyderabad, where he easily overwhelmed the inhabitants. Dahir decided to oppose the Arabs at
Raor. After a fierce struggle, Dahir was overpowered and killed. Roar fell into the hands of the
Muslims. The Arab forces then occupied Alor and proceeded towards Multan. Along the way,
the Sikka (Uch) fortress, situated on the bank of the Ravi, was also occupied. The Hindu ruler of
Multan offered resistance for two months after which the Hindus were overpowered and
defeated. Prior to this, Muhammad bin Qasim had taken Brahmanabad and a few other important
towns of Sindh. Muhammad bin Qasim was planning to proceed forward when the new Caliph
Suleman bin Abdul Malik recalled him. After the departure of Muhammad bin Qasim, different
Muslim generals declared their independence at different areas.
The Muslim conquest of Sindh brought peace and prosperity to the region. Law and order was
restored. The sea pirates of Sindh, who were protected by Raja Dahir, were crushed. As a result
of this, sea trade flourished. The port of Daibul became a very busy and prosperous commercial
center.
Results of the conquest of Sindh:
When Muhammad bin Qasim conquered Sindh, the local people, who had been living a life of
misery, breathed a sigh of relief.
 Qasim followed a lenient policy and treated the local population generously.
 Everyone had full religious freedom and even the spiritual leaders of local religions were
given salaries from the government fund.
 No changes were made in the local administration and local people were allowed to hold
offices – particularly in the revenue department.
 All taxes were abolished and Jazia was imposed.
 Everyone was treated equally. Poor people, especially Buddhists, were very impressed by
his policies and many of them embraced Islam.
 A number of Mosques and Madrasas were constructed in important towns. In a short
period of time Sindh became a center of Islamic learning.
 A number of religious scholars, writers and poets were emerged and they spread their
knowledge. The Muslims learned Indian sciences like medicine, astronomy and
mathematics. Sanskrit books on various subjects were translated into Arabic.
 During the reign of Haroon al Rasheed, a number of Hindu scholars were even invited to
Baghdad.
The establishment of Muslim rule also paved way for future propagation of Islam in Sindh and
the adjoining regions. With the conquest of Lahore by Mahmud of Ghazni, missionary activity
began again under the aegis of Sufis who were the main agents in the Islamization of the entire
region.
Role of Sufis in Advent of Islam
In the Subcontinent, the Sufis made untiring, and selfless struggle for the spread of Islam. They
devoted their lives and gave up their homes to champion the cause of Islam in a miraculous way.
It was their affection, sympathy, and fraternity that won the hearts of people. The spread of Islam
stems from the invasion of Muhammad Bin Qasim in the Subcontinent, but roots of Sufism can
be traced to the time when the first Sufi, Muhammad Alfi, came to the Subcontinent.
However, with the passage of time, many Sufis made their way here following the invasions of
Muslim conquerors. They came from Central Asia and the Arabian Peninsula in order to
establish an Islamic society.
Sufism took shape and became an institution in the 12th and 13th century. The two great
pioneers in this filed were Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani and Hazrat Shahabuddin Suharawardy.
Branches of Sufism:
Four branches of Sufism, namely Qadriya, Chishtiya, Suharawardya and Naqshahbandya were
introduced in the Subcontinent by Syed Bandqi Mohammad Ghosh, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti,
Shaikh Bahawaldin Lakariya and Khwaja Mohammad Baqi Billah respectively.

Other notable figures of the 13th century Sufi movement in Indo-Pak were the four friends
known as ‘Chaharyar’ — Hazrat Fariduddin Masud Ganj Shakar of Pakpattan (1174-1266);
Hazrat Syed Jalaluddin Bukhari, ulma of Uch Bahawalpur (1196- 1296); Hazrat Bahawaldin
Zakariya of Multan (1170-1267); and Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalendar of Sehwan (1177-1274). It is
said that 17 leading tribes of the Punjab accepted Islam at the hands of the Sufis.
Achievements
The Sufis were well-read, widely travelled and spiritual leaders of the masses. They succeeded in
their mission because they had both the strength of character and the courage of conviction, and
were selfless and devoted to their cause. Their movement made inroads in the Subcontinent and
it grew powerful and successful for a number of reasons.

Firstly, before they started preaching, they set noble and brilliant example through their behavior
and conduct.
Secondly, Islam was preached by them in a simple, pragmatic and flexible way, contrary to the
ulemas who laid much emphasis on the rigidity of rules.
Thirdly, they highlighted Allah’s positive and merciful attributes to ignite a love of God in
people’s hearts.
They disliked formalities and ceremonial acts, preferring to lead simple lives, and their lofty and
admirable principles became guidelines for the people. They were against suppressions and
social evils, condemning the use of force to gain power. Then their khanqahs were always open
for everyone, and those with money had to donate generously to the needy. People flocked from
time to time to the Sufis for solace and comfort.
The Sufis were triumphant because of their noble deeds and the marvelous examples they set.
They never imposed their beliefs on non-Muslims. The khanqas provided protection to
wanderers, institutions for those who wanted to quench their thirst for knowledge, food to the
needy and love to all. People rallied round the ideology of Sufism which was simple to digest,
practicable to exercise.