It is impossible to discuss the history of Muslims in India without mentioning the shrine of Hazratbal, one of the most significant Islamic sites in the region. This sacred place stands as a testament to the deep reverence Indian Muslims hold for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
The very name “Hazratbal” reflects the veneration and love associated with it, as it translates to “The Respected Place” or “The Sacred Place”. Located in Kashmir, the shrine is a focal point for millions of Indian Muslims, who gather there for prayer and religious observances. Throughout history, it has also been a center of protest and resistance, as Indian Muslims have fiercely defended its sanctity. Foreign diplomats often consider visiting Hazratbal a crucial step in understanding the Islamic identity of the region.
What is the story behind this shrine? And why is it often called the “Kaaba of Muslims in India”?
How the Prophet’s Sacred Hair Reached India
According to classical Indian historical sources, the relic of the sacred hair of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ arrived in India in 1635 CE. The story begins with a descendant of the Prophet, Sayyid Abdullah, who left Madinah due to a dispute with the Ottoman Caliph. He settled in Bijapur, a city in southern India, where he publicly announced that he possessed several strands of the Prophet’s blessed hair.
After Sayyid Abdullah passed away, his family fell into financial hardship, prompting his son, Sayyid, to sell the sacred hair to a Kashmiri merchant, Nooruddin Ishai, in order to repay their debts.
The relic remained under Nooruddin Ishai’s protection until his death, after which his daughter, Begum, became its caretaker. She later built the Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, and instructed her male descendants to dedicate their lives to protecting and preserving the sacred relic. The blessed strands of hair were placed inside a glass case, stored in a special room that is only opened on specific religious occasions.
To this day, the Pandit family, descendants of Begum, continue to serve as guardians of the relic. The current caretakers, Mansoor, Ishaq, and Muhyiddin Pandit, display the sacred relic to the public on significant Islamic occasions, such as Mawlid an-Nabi (the Prophet’s birthday) and the month of Ramadan.
The Reverence for the Prophet’s Hair in Islamic Tradition
Throughout Islamic history, the blessed hair of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has been a source of spiritual reverence and devotion. The Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) cherished the Prophet’s hair and sought blessings from it.
One of the most well-documented instances occurred during the Farewell Hajj when the Prophet ﷺ had his hair cut. The Companions rushed to collect strands of his hair, believing in its barakah (blessings).
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- Abu Talhah Al-Ansari gathered the strands of hair and distributed them fairly among the people.
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- Khalid ibn Al-Walid, the legendary Muslim general, kept a strand of the Prophet’s hair in his helmet and considered it a source of divine protection in battle.
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- Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan, the first Umayyad Caliph, instructed that upon his death, the Prophet’s hair be placed on his eyes and nose before burial.
This deep veneration for the Prophet’s sacred relics is what has made Hazratbal a site of immense significance for Indian Muslims, to the extent that they have been willing to sacrifice their lives in its defense.
The Arrival of the Sacred Hair in Kashmir
When the blessed hair first reached Kashmir, it was welcomed with great honor and devotion. Thousands of Muslims gathered to witness the relic, many weeping and offering prayers as it was carried in a glass container.
This historic moment was captured by the Sufi poet Mirza Qalandar Baig, who famously wrote that “Kashmir has become like Madinah today.”
The relic’s authenticity was tested by the Mughal Emperor, who reportedly subjected it to various examinations:
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- It was exposed to the sun but cast no shadow.
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- It was placed in fire but did not burn.
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- It was submerged in honey, but no insects gathered around it.
These miraculous signs strengthened the belief in the sacredness of the relic and further elevated its status among the Indian Muslim community.
The Influence of Indian Culture on Islam
According to scholar Pirzada M. Amin, in his research “The Psychological Understanding of Shrine Visits in Times of Conflict: A Case Study of Hazratbal Shrine”, the spread of Islam in India was deeply influenced by local cultural elements.
Due to geographical distance from Makkah and Madinah, many Indian Muslims sought local sites of religious significance where they could connect spiritually with the legacy of the Prophet ﷺ.
Shrines, such as Hazratbal, became a link between Indian Muslims and their Islamic heritage, reinforcing their devotion to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. This cultural fusion is evident in the architecture and rituals surrounding Hazratbal, which resembles the Golden Temple of the Sikhs, a site of immense importance to Sikhism.
Even Mughal emperors recognized Hazratbal’s significance and invested in its upkeep. Emperor Shah Jahan converted the original building into a mosque in 1634 CE, and in 1699 CE, additional enhancements were made. The current structure, a blend of Kashmiri and Mughal architecture, was rebuilt between 1968 and 1979 under the supervision of the Islamic Waqf Trust.
The Day India “Burned” Over the Prophet’s Hair
On December 27, 1963, the sacred relic mysteriously disappeared from the shrine. This shocking event triggered widespread outrage among Indian Muslims, leading to mass protests across the country.
The crisis escalated so severely that Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru was forced to address the nation, pleading for the return of the relic. He also ordered a special investigation into the theft.
The situation worsened when violent riots erupted in several Indian states, leading to the deaths of many Muslims and Hindus. To contain the crisis, Nehru released Sheikh Abdullah, a prominent Kashmiri leader, who had been imprisoned for 10 years due to his separatist stance.
After an extensive security operation, the Indian government announced the recovery of the relic on January 4, 1964. However, many Kashmiris refused to credit the police, instead believing that the relic returned by divine intervention because it was a part of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Hazratbal: A Symbol of Kashmir’s Political Struggle
Over the years, Hazratbal has remained at the heart of Kashmir’s turbulent history.
After India and Pakistan became independent in 1947, both nations fought multiple wars over Kashmir. Despite being under Indian control, Hazratbal became a symbol of resistance, with separatist groups frequently using it as a base for their movements.
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- In 1993, Kashmiri separatists occupied the shrine, prompting the Indian army to lay siege. Fearing public backlash, the army avoided storming the shrine, instead negotiating a surrender.
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- In 1996, a similar standoff occurred, resulting in a deadly battle outside the shrine, leaving 22 people dead.
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- In 2002, an Indian politician falsely claimed that the sacred hair belonged to a Hindu saint, further escalating tensions and sparking nationwide riots.
Due to these events, the Indian government imposed heavy security restrictions on Hazratbal to prevent it from becoming a rallying point for anti-Indian protests.
Yet, despite these restrictions, Hazratbal remains a sacred site, where Kashmiri Muslims gather in large numbers during Ramadan and Eid, often using these religious occasions to renew their calls for independence.
Even today, whenever tensions escalate in Kashmir, the first action taken by Indian authorities is to shut down Hazratbal, fearing that it will become the center of massive anti-government demonstrations.
