Akbar and the Sheikh

By Malik A. Rashid

Akbar, the Mughal emperor of India (1556-1605) is regarded as one of the most enlightened rulers of medieval ages. He abolished ‘Jezia’, a tax on the non-Muslims. He married Hindu women, inducted Hindu courtiers and initiated a new religion.

Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1564-1625), was a scholar of Islam. He bears the title ‘Mujaddid Alf-e-sani’, which means reviver of the second millennium. He received education in Arabic and Islam from his father and became a member of the Naqshbandi sufi order. He revived Islam, a thousand year old religion when Akbar devised his own.

Akbar’s aim for longevity and security of his kingdom, and his innate search for truth, are the two identifiable motives for his creation of a new religion. Deen-e-Elahi, a religion without any scripture or priestly hierarchy was a mixture of mysticism, reason and nature worship.

This new religion presented an ethical system which forbade lust, sensuality, slander and pride and encouraged piety, prudence, abstinence and kindness. Sufi/mystic practice to purify the soul through yearning for god was prescribed and slaughter of animals was forbidden. Worship of Sun by reciting one thousand Sanskrit names of the sun was recommended.

Akbar continued the Taimur tradition of brutality by building tower of skulls of the slain enemies. Pillage and sacrilege of temples and butchery of Akbar’s army was exemplary. Still, Akbar’s Deen-e-Ilahi grabs the attention of history readers because it attempts at creating an ever-elusive Hindu Muslim harmony in India.

Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi had learnt Arabic. He could read the Quran. The complete Quran had not been translated yet. The Muslims in India, mostly illiterate, followed the rituals of Islam but adopted customs of the Hindus. Sheikh Sirhindi made it his mission to educate Muslims of the teachings of Quran and insulate them from local cultural influence that contradicted Islamic belief.

The ascension of Hindus to high positions of power in Akbar’s kingdom caused concern to the Muslim elite, and the King’s deviation from ancestral religion made the clergy angry. Some military commanders and courtiers were the followers of Sheikh Ahmed Sirhindi.

The Sheikh demanded that Jezia-tax must be imposed on the non-Muslims, slaughtering of cow must be allowed and the custom of ‘Sijda’(prostrate) before the King, abolished. “The object of levying Jeziya on them is to humiliate and insult the Kafirs. Jehad against them and hostility towards them are the necessities of Mohammadan faith.” Maktubat-e-Imam Rabbani Mujaddid Alf-e-Sani Vol. I- part iii, Letter # 193.

Jahangir, the son of Akbar declared himself ‘defender of faith’ and attempted to overthrow the king. Akbar reconciled with his son by declaring him the successor to his throne. Akbar died of slow poisoning and Jahangir became the ruler of India.

Sheikh Sirhindi commented: “On hearing the news of death of the denier of authority of Islam, and of the happy accession of the Badshah-e-lslam, the followers of Islam consider it important to pledge their support to the king and to work for propagation of Islam and the reinforcement of religion.” Maktubat-e-Imam Rabbani, vol. 1 page22 letter # 47.

Sheikh rallied the nobility around his demand for implementation of Islamic sharia. Jahangir grew suspicious and summoned him. Sheikh refused to do ‘Sijda’ and he was imprisoned. There was a rebellion and the troops of Mahabat Khan, the governor of Kabul, captured Jahangir on the battle field. It is believed that Emperor Jahangir was released on the advice of Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi who kept preaching his creed from prison.

Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi was called the reviver of the second millennium. He promoted the knowledge of Quran, spreading literacy among the Muslims of sixteenth century. His movement for the rule of Islam in India found its strength among Muslim elite serving the mughal rulers. His political struggle and teachings alienated the Muslims of India from the majority of Indians who did not profess Islam as their religion.

The notable muslim religious personalities in India before Sheikh Sirhindi were known for their indiscriminate service to the poor. Peers and Sufis shared food and shelter with everybody. Moinuddin Chishti, Nizamuddin and many others are still loved and revered by both, Hindus and the Muslims.

Centuries after Mujaddid Alf-e-sani, Muslim leaders held his manifesto close and distrust of Hindus closer. Modern educated intellectuals and professionals participated in the cause of establishing a Muslim rule and India was partitioned.

The war for imposing Islamic sharia still continues in the Islamic Republic of Pakiistan. Generations in India and Pakistan had to go through death, destruction and migration. Akbar’s effort to bring Hindus and Muslims of India closer could have redeemed him despite murder and plunder, had he been successful.

Communal hatred is not a one way process. Famous revolutionary and humanist M.N. Roy wrote, “No civilized people in the world are so ignorant of Islamic history and contemptuous of the Mohammedan religion as the Hindus.” Historical role of Islam: An essay on Islamic culture.