Region and Religion
There is for sure a lot to brag about the Great Mughal Empire, ruled over the sub-continent for centuries. Going for the thing, let’s have a quick review of what can be boasted.
1. Architectural acclaim
2. Miniature art
3. Rich cuisine
4. Biographies:
Babarnama and Padshahnama
Babarnama and Padshahnama
5. Majestic gardens
6. Largest economic power
7. Koh-I-Noor diamond
8. Linguistic legacy
For now, lets just not celebrate this and point out something else: the variety of Islam developed by the Great Mughals.
Indo-Islamic civilization
Actually, when Muslims invaded this region, which now is known as South Asia, there developed an Indo-Islamic civilization. This civilization cultivated its own variety of Islam, which was based on Sufism: more regard for the preachers and Sufis of Islam and their shrines.
Islamization and the fifth pillar of Islam
Research shows that although all other pillars of Islam were more or less there was one major pillar which was compromised and that was Hajj.
A French political scientist, Christophe Jafferlot, writes about this Islam that gradually developed during the Islamization process that began in the eighth century in his iconic book “The Islamic Connection: South Asia and the Gulf”. Below are some interesting facts from this masterpiece:
· There were no subsidies for the pilgrims of Hajj
· People were more told to visit shrines and Sufi spots than they were to perform Hajj
· Mughals used to have not so many peaceful terms with Arabia
· People were sent to Mecca and Madinah when exiled
· Aurangzeb, which was rather pious of the others, sent a present to the rulers of Arabia, which was rejected!
Akbar and his inclination towards Hinduism
Akbar even went so far to develop his own Din e Ilahi, which was a variant of Islam but with severe modifications of his own! In fact, many historians have gone far enough to declare him a non-Muslim because he did not believe in the five fundamentals of Islam. Akbar had accepted Hindu practices, all the festivals were celebrated in his court and he also believed in theories of karma and transmigration of the soul.
The Intolerant Aurangzeb
On the other hand, Aurangzeb went so far in being a “MUSLIM”, he destroyed Hindu temples and persecuted those who weren’t Muslims. He forced people to convert to Islam. For those who didn’t get the satire, THIS isn’t Islam in any way.
He imprisoned his father, killed his brothers, and had a single mission: convert India into Dar al Islam (the realm of Islam). He was the first rigid emperor and the most intolerant of all.
CRUX
Pursuing of Islam the way it was pursued by the Sahaba could not be seen. There is something wrong with this colorful region, colors of culture, language, and religion.
Winds of this region say, forget yourself and mix up. But Islam stands apart and distinct, blending is not its nature!
0 Comments