A glance to the martyrdomof Qazi Nurullah Shushtari

Qazi Nurullah Shushtari, the renowned jurisprudent in the 10th century (A.H.), known as Shahid Thalith (the third martyr), left Mashhad due to unsuccessful political conditions in the government of Sultan Muhammad Khuda Banda and moved to India. During his education in Mashhad, he gained considerable knowledge in the Shiite jurisprudence and moreover, in the jurisprudence of Sunni sects; so, the emperor Jalal uddin Akbar, the third Sultan of the Timurid dynasty of India, paid due attention to him and appointed him as the Qazi ul Quzat (the supreme authority in justice). Akbar’s opposition to bigotry in religion and his particular religious policy which involved lenience with other religions, let Qazi reveal his beliefs and compile valuable works in the defense of Shia principles. In addition to writing several works in defense of Shiism, Qazi played a significant role in introducing Shiism to Indian Subcontinent and used his knowledge in the propagation of this religion. After some years, Akbar lost his trust in Qazi, under the influence of those who opposed him, and his son, Jahangir, was pessimistic towards him from the beginning of his kingdom. Eventually, under the influence of the scientists in the court, he ordered Qazi to be flogged to death. Apart from explaining the role of this Shia scholar in India, this paper was intended to investigate the reports of his death and the main reasons of imposing punishment on him. Most biographies and translations considered the reason why Qazi Nurullah was martyred in the government of Jahangir, the successor of Jalal uddin Akbar, his prudence and writing controversial books. Nevertheless, his martyrdom was due to more important reasons which were usually dismissed. This analytical-historical research clarified the principal factors raising anger and opposition in the judges of the court of Jahangir which led to Qazi being flogged to death.