Qazi Nurullah Shustari - Jahangir's Period and Charges Leading To His Execution

Jahangir's Period and Charges Leading To His Execution

Under Jahangir's reign he continued to hold the same high position as in Akbar's time. But his position was now threatened because of Jahangir's more orthodox nature. Other groups which had tried to malign his position during Akbar's reign had once again become powerful and influential. More over he had made enemies from his involvement in settling of disputes in Kashmir and Agra. His book Ahqaq-ul-Haq (Justification of the Truth) was brought as an evidence against him. A fatwa was passed declaring him a heretic. Thus Jehangir was made to issue death orders for the Qazi. 'The Empire of the Great Mughals' mentions this incidence, "However, he had both the Sikh guru Arjan and the Shi'i Qadi Nurullah Shushtari executed, which demonstrates how different he was from Akbar. ..."

Qazi Nurullah Shustari was executed for his Shi'ism by Jahangir. He was flogged to death because of his writings, he was seventy years old at the time of his execution. Qazi Nurullah Shustari was executed in Jumada II 1019/September 1610.

Qazi Nurullah is known since that time as Shaheed-e-Salis (also Shahid al-Thalis)or the Third Martyr. Muhammad ibn Makki is considered Shaheed-e-Awwal (Shahid al-Awwal) or the First Martyr, and Zayn al-Din al-Juba'i al'Amili is as Shaheed-e-Sani (or Shahid al-Thani)or the Second Martyr.