The
Dīn-i Ilāhī (
Persian: دین الهی "Divine Faith")
[1][2] was a
syncretic religious doctrine propounded by the
Mughal emperor
Jalālu d-Dīn Muḥammad Akbar ("Akbar the Great"), who ruled the
Indian subcontinent from 1556 to 1605, intending to merge the best elements of the religions of his empire, and thereby reconcile the differences that divided his subjects.
[2] The elements were primarily drawn from
Islam and
Hinduism, but some others were also taken from
Christianity,
Jainism and
Zoroastrianism.
Akbar promoted tolerance of other faiths. In fact, not only did he tolerate them, he encouraged debate on philosophical and religious issues. This led to the creation of the
Ibādat Khāna ("House of Worship") at
Fatehpur Sikri.
From the discussions he led there in 1575, Akbar concluded that no single religion could claim the monopoly of truth. This inspired him to create the
Dīn-i Ilāhī in 1581. Various pious Muslims, among them the
Qadi of
Bengal and the seminal
Sufi personality Shaykh
Ahmad Sirhindi, responded by declaring this to be
blasphemy to Islam.
Dīn-i Ilāhī appears to have survived Akbar according to the
Dabestān-e Mazāheb of
Mubad Shah (Mohsin Fani). However, the movement never numbered more than 19 adherents.
[3]
Din-i-Ilahi was more of an ethical system. It prohibits lust, sensuality, slander and pride, considering them sins. Piety, prudence, abstinence and kindness are the core virtues. The soul is encouraged to purify itself through yearning of God.
[2] Celibacy is respected and the slaughter of animals is forbidden. There are neither sacred scriptures nor a priestly hierarchy in this religion.
[4]
