Sufi Hamadani and his Covenant for Hindus

Sufi Hamadani and his Covenant for Hindus

Dr. Vivek Arya

Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani (1314–1384) was a Persian Sūfī of the Kubrawiya order, a poet and a prominent Muslim scholar. He was born in Hamadan, and was buried in Khatlan Tajikistan. Hamdani came to India and settled in Kashmir. His Dargah in Srinagar, Kashmir is located in Babdem- Kahan Kah Road, Shamswari. Many Hindus visits his Dargah seeking Blessings of Hamadani. But very few knows the reality about him. 

Mir Saiyid Ali Hamadani (founder of Kubrawiyya Sufi order of Kashmir) emphasized a covenant to sultan of Kashmir on his relation with Hindus. Covenant is as follows:

1.      They (the hindus) will not bid new idol temples.
2.      They will not rebuild any existing temple which may have fallen into disrepair.
3.      Muslim travelers will not be prevented from staying in temples.
4.      Muslim travelers will be provided hospitality by Zimmis in their own houses for three days.
5.      Zimmis will neither act as spies nor give spies shelter in their houses.
6.      If any relation of a Zimmi is inclined towards Islam, he should not be prevented from doing so.
7.      Zimmis will respect Muslims.
8.      Zimmis will courteously receive a Muslim wishing to attend their meetings.
9.      Zimmis will not dress like Muslims.
10.  They will not take Muslim names.
11.  They will not ride horses with saddle and bridle.
12.  They will not possess swords, bows or arrows.
13.  They will not wear signet rings.
14.  They will not openly sell or drink intoxicating liquor.
15.  They will not abandon their traditional dress, which is a sign of their ignorance, in order that they may be distinguished from Muslims.
16.  They will not openly practice their traditional customs amongst Muslims.
17.  They will not build their houses in the neighbourhood of Muslims.
18.  They will not carry or bury their dead near Muslim graveyards.
19.  They will not mourn their dead loudly.
20.  They will not buy Muslim slaves.

Hamadani considered all Hindus as Zimmis.
 
Saiyd Athat Abbas Rizvi in History of Sufism in India writes Hamadani was talking like a Alim instead of Sufi in this Covenant. tHE Dargah of Hamdani was built by destroying Kali Temple. The pundits of Kali temple refused the stay of soldiers of Saiyyad Ali in temple. According to Hamadani it was disobey of his Covenant. Thus Hamadani ordered the destruction of Kali Temple. No history books mentions this great honour and respect favoured by Hamadani to Hindus. If they will say truth the Hindus will learn How well their forefathers were treated by Sufis.