Amir Abdul Qadir Algeri: A Role Model for Modern Sufi Movements
Abstract
In this paper, an attempt has been made to elaborate the personality and character of Amir Abdul Qadir of Algeria as a Sufi freedom fighter. Amir Abdul Qadir’s personality is a combination of religion and politics as evident in the early days of Islam, and in personality of the exalted Prophet (ﷺ). The prophet was an epitome of religiosity and mundane knowledge, he combines the religious and worldly affairs. In this paper the relation between tasawwaf and struggle in the view of current socio-political scenario is discussed. The struggle of Amir Abdul Qadir Algeri is analysed as a Sufi, freedom fighter, statesman and reformer. Different tools of methodology are used: comparative method, internal and external criticism of different sources, and fusion of horizons for reliable findings. It is found that Amir Abdul Qadir Algeri was not only a Sufi or scholar fighting for his personal interest rather he was the man who not only defended his territories from imperial occupation but also resisted for long time and established state and system. Modesty and broadness of thought of Amir Abdul Qadir and his behaviour to other religions earn the fame from all over the world not only as the leader of Muslims but also as the survivor of humanity without any religious discrimination. Some steps have been proposed to counter the modern socio-religious issue in the view of Amir Abdul Qadir Algeri’s struggle.