How does an ordinary grave become a mazar in Tree Without Roots

Answer

Question: How does an ordinary grave become a mazar in “Tree Without Roots?”

Syed Waliullah (1922-1971) represents the traditional religious fanaticism of the Muslim society of Bangladesh in his famous novel “Tree Without Roots” (1967). Muslim society believes in many religious superstitions. The protagonist of the novel, Majeed, is a fraud. His home village is poverty-stricken.Majeed is the muezzin of a mosque of Madhupur in Garo Hill. One day, he learns about Mahabbatnagar from a government official. Then, he feels this place is not sufficient for his existence. So, he leaves Garo Hill for the betterment and feels his existential crisis. He leaves with: 

A Kurta, a couple of old Lungis, two thin towels, and a small, much-thumped Koran,

He comes to Mahabbatpur and scolds the villagers for leaving the mazar of Saint Shah Sadeque neglected. Actually, it was not a mazar but an age-old grave of an unknown person. As the people of Mahabbatpur were ignorant and fanatical, they believed what Majeed said. Majeed tells them that one night, Saint Shah Sadeque tells him to go to Mahabbatpur in a dream. He tells the villagers, showing his hypocritical attitude.

 You are all blind. You are ignorant men, men without understanding. How could you left the Mazar of Saint Shah Sadeque unattended like this?

He also asks him to tell the villagers to take care of his Mazar and to honor him. So, Majeed leaves Garo Hills and comes to Mahabbatpur. But actually, he leaves Garo Hills to change his fortune. At the attempt Majeed, the unknown grave is turned into a mazar by covering it with red cloth and lighting incense sticks on all sides and candles at its head. Khaleque, the landowner, contributed most of the money to transform the unknown grave into a Mazar. Thus, Majeed is able to create a false Mazar to achieve prosperity because of the religious fanaticism of the villagers.