Biography of Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir

Muhammad Aurangzeb Alamgir, [meaning “Conqueror of the World,”] was the revered Sultan of India and hailed from the illustrious lineage of the renowned Timur. He is distinguished as one of the most scholarly Muslim kings in history.

 

 A formidable ruler, he expanded his dominion by conquering numerous territories. Historians often laud him not just as a mujahid and scholar, but also as a devoted Sufi.

 

 In his early years, he dedicated himself to memorizing the Qur’an and is noted for his exquisite calligraphy. A testament to this is the Qur’an manuscript in his own handwriting, a cherished relic that he graciously sent to the Prophet’s Mosque.

 

Aurangzeb consistently sought guidance from scholars. Recognizing the need for clear Islamic rulings, he commissioned Hanafi scholars to compile a comprehensive collection of fatwas. This compilation, known under his patronage as “Fatawa al-Hindiyyah,” was later published in four expansive volumes [in India and six in Egypt]. It is also popularly referred to as “Fatawa al-Alamgiri.”

 

His reign spanned an impressive fifty years. Upon his passing, he was laid to rest in Deccan, in the hallowed grounds of his forefathers.[1]

 
For excerpts from Fatawa al-Alamgiri, click here.

[1] Fawa’id al-Irtihal: excerpt from the second part of the first volume.

Silk al-Durrar: 4:113.

Sarkis: p. 497

Al-A’lam by Al-Zirkili, with slight additions between [brackets].