Sufism and Krishna Devotion: The Unique Creations of Muslim Poets
By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam
14 October 2024.
This Article Explores the Deep Connection Between Muslim Poets and Krishna Devotion, Highlighting How Sufi Mysticism and Bhakti Traditions Merged to Create Unique Literary Expressions of Love for Krishna Across Religious Boundaries
Main Points
1. Muslim poets like Amir Khusro and Ras Khan composed Krishna-inspired poetry.
2. Sufi mysticism and Bhakti poetry share a common theme of love and devotion.
3. Krishna devotion transcended religious boundaries, influencing Muslim poets deeply.
4. Prominent poets like Rahim and Nazir Akbarabadi also praised Krishna in their works.
5. The democratic nature of the Bhakti movement welcomed poets from all backgrounds.
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The history of the widespread influence of Islam in India dates back several centuries. It is during this period that the seeds of Krishna devotion among Muslim poets began to sprout. Once this stream of Krishna love started flowing through the poetry of Amir Khusro, it created ripples that have continued for generations, and it still endures today.
Around the 14th century, the Bhakti movement began to rise in Indian poetry, marking a pivotal era. Almost concurrently, Sufi poetry started to take shape. Sufi poets were, in essence, poets of love, and their works were steeped in mysticism. Their poetry, while portraying worldly love on one level, also revealed an experience of spiritual love on a deeper plane.
One famous anecdote connects Amir Khusro, a beloved disciple of Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, to Krishna devotion. It is said that Auliya once had a vision of Krishna in his dream and thereafter asked Khusro to compose something in honor of Krishna. Inspired by this, Khusro penned the timeless composition, “Chaap Tilak Sab Cheen Li”—a piece where, although Krishna’s name is not explicitly mentioned, the imagery evokes a strong connection to Krishna. The verse "रीसखीमैंजोगईथीपनियाभरनको, छीनझपटमोरीमटकीपटकीमोसेनैनामिलाइके" ("O friend, as I went to fetch water, he snatched and broke my pot, locking his gaze with mine") carries vivid Krishna-like connotations.
In his comparative study of Sufism and Vedanta, former Governor of Odisha, Gandhian Vishwambhar Nath Pandey, noted that the poet Sayyid Sultan wrote a book called Nabi Bangsh, where he bestowed upon Krishna the title of a prophet in accordance with Islamic beliefs.
Pandey also mentions a poet named Ali Raza, who wrote extensively about the love between Radha and Krishna. Sufi poet Akbar Shah, as well as Bengali rulers like Sultan Nazir Shah and Sultan Hussain Shah, initiated the first translations of the Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana into Bengali.
In search of inner peace amidst the turmoil of Delhi, Ras Khan (Sayyid Ibrahim) made Vrindavan and Mathura his home, completely immersed in Krishna devotion. Many scholars and critics have compared Ras Khan's poetry to that of Surdas. It is said that Ras Khan even translated the Bhagavad Gita into Persian. Commenting on Ras Khan's works, the German Hindi scholar Dr. Lothar Lutze remarked during an essay on the Surdas quincentenary celebrations that the Bhakti movement was inherently democratic. Though it was centred around Hindu deities, it never veered into narrow communalism. Had that been the case, it would have been nearly impossible for a Muslim poet like Ras Khan, born around 1558, to compose such exquisite Vaishnava poetry in Braj Bhasha.
Another poet from the Riti period, Alam Sheikh, composed works like Alam Keli, Shyam Snehi, and Madhavanal-Kamakandala. In his ‘History of Hindi Literature’, Acharya Ramchandra Shukla mentions that Alam was originally a Hindu who converted to Islam. Shukla also likens Alam's intense devotion to that of Ras Khan.
Lord Krishna, a revered figure in Hindu mythology, is a divine incarnation known for his multifaceted persona and profound teachings
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Abdul Rahim Khan-i-Khanan, a close friend of Tulsidas, is primarily known for his moral couplets, but he too composed verses dedicated to Krishna. One of his notable lines reflects his reverence for Krishna:
"Jih Rahim Man Aapno, Keenho Chatur Chakor; Nisi-Basar Lagyo Rahe, Krishna Chandra Ki Or"
("Rahim's heart, like a clever partridge, remains constantly fixed on Krishna.")
As the Riti period drew to a close, the Krishna devotion of Nazir Akbarabadi stands as a shining example. Nazir’s love for Krishna is often compared to Ras Khan’s devotion, with his works drawing favourable parallels. One of Nazir’s well-known Krishna poems is:
"Tu Sabka Khuda, Sab Tujh Pe Fida, Allah Ho Gani, Allah Ho Gani;
Hai Krishna Kanhaiya, Nand Lala, Allah Ho Gani, Allah Ho Gani."
For Nazir, Krishna appeared almost like a prophet. He not only wrote about Krishna’s life and his Raas Leela but also composed Baldev Ji Ka Mela, a poem centered around Krishna’s elder brother, Balarama. His poem titled Kanhaiya Ka Balpan (The Childhood of Krishna) remains popular.
Wajid Ali Shah, the last ruler of the fading Lucknow kingdom, is also counted among Krishna’s devotees. Although a Nawab, Wajid Ali Shah was a poet and artist at heart. In 1843, he organized a play on Radha-Krishna, making him the first Muslim king to direct such a performance. As Rosie Llewellyn-Jones notes in her book The Last King of India, Wajid Ali Shah’s admirers often referred to him with various names, one of them being “Kanhaiya.”
Other prominent poets such as Hasrat Mohani, freedom fighter, poet, and thinker or renowned Urdu poet Ali Sardar Jafri also acknowledged Krishna's devotion. Jafri once wrote:
"Agar Krishna Ki Taleem Aam Ho Jaye,
To Fitna-Garon Ka Kaam Tamaam Ho Jaye;
Mitaaye Brahman-Shaikh Tafarruqaat Apne,
Zamana Dono Ghar Ka Ghulaam Ho Jaye."
(“If Krishna’s teachings become widespread, the mischief-makers will cease to exist. Let Brahmins and Sheikhs eliminate their divisions, and the world will become a servant of both households.”)
Besides them, poets like Maulana Zafar Ali, Shah Barkatullah, and Taj Mughlani have also contributed to Krishna-inspired poetry. The philosophy of Krishna devotion transcends religion and presents an unparalleled path to love in every form.
If one were to delve deeper into the history of literature, many more poets who crossed religious boundaries to compose Krishna-inspired poetry would come to light.
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Sahil Razvi is an Author and Research scholar specialising in Sufism and History and an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia.
URL: https://www.newageislam.com/interfaith-dialogue/sufism-krishna-devotion-muslim-poets/d/133429
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