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APRIL, 1910.)
SARMAD: HIS LIFE AND EXECUTION.
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SARMAD: HIS LIFE AND EXECUTION.
BY MAULAVI 'ABDU'L WALI, M.R.A.S.
Mirza Muhsin-i-Fäui, author of the Dabastan, met Sarmad in 1057 A, H. (1647 A. D.) at Haidarabad (Deccan). Other facts about him can be gleaned from the chronicles of the reign of Aurangzib and from tradition. Sa'id, whose takhallus or nom-de-plume was Sarmad (everlasting), was born at Käshan in Persia, of Jewish parents, and brought up as a Rabbi, but went over to Islam. He read science and metaphysics in Irān with Mullā Şadrāl and Mirzā Ābu'l Qāsim Fandarsakit and other eminent scholars of the time, and came to India by sea as & trader. He set up in business at the town of Thath, (Tatta) in Sindh, where he contracted a close friendship with a Bania by name Abhai Chand, gave up all clothing and developed peculiar opinions. The following distich by Abhai Chand is quoted regarding the views of the two friends :
ربي يهودا لم کافرم مسلمانم
:
هم مطيع فرقانم هم کشیش ورهبانم
"As I am a follower of the Forqān, so am I a priest and a monk. A Rabbi of the Jews, an infidel and a Masalmen."
Sarmad and Abhai Chand came to Delhi, during the reign of Shāhjabān, and Prince Dārā Shikoh was one of their constant visitors.
It was Dārā Shikōh who brought to the notice of the Emperor the miraculous powers of the saint. The prudent Emperor deputed 'Ināyat Khān, one of the 'Omarā of his court, to ascertain the real facts. "Inayat Khan visited the naked saint, and while reporting, recited the following Persian distich to the Emperor by way of illustration :
. کشفي که ظاهرست ازو کشف عورت است
بر سرمد برهنه کرامات تهمت است
" To ascribe mirecles to naked Sarmad is to accuse him. The only miracle ( kashf) which is visible is the nudity (kashf) of his private person."
When Aurangzib-Alamgir seized the reins of Government, and Dūra Shikõh was execated, he ordered Mulla Shaykh Abdu'l Qavi, a scholar holding the rank of Panjhazari with the title of I'timad Khan, to direct Sarmad to cover his nakedness. The Mullā said to him "Tryan chira mibashi? Why do you remain nude ? " Sarmad gave a witty reply: "Shaitan qavist, Satan is powerfal (qavi )" and recited the following rubai :
، چشمی بدر جام برده از دست مرا : دزدی ممبی برهنه کرد ست مرا
بالای خوشی کرده چنین پست مرا او در بغل من است و من در طلبش
A lovely height (figure ) has made me so low. A two-cupped eye has taken me out of hands. He is at my armpit and I in quest of him.
A wondrous thief has made me naked." In order to understand Aurangzib's conduct, one must go back to the time of his great grandfather. The religious toleration inaugurated by Akbar-call it by whatever name you pleasewas, according to the opinion of the public, quite antagonistic to the established church of Islam. Akbar's son and grandson did not pay any attention, while on the throne, to those questions ; but their indifference produced very bad effects on the morale of their Courts and of the public. Prince Dārā Shikõh openly countenanced those beliefs. The fire of disgust and
