Sheikh Ahmed Sarhandi (26.5.1564 – 30.11.1624), the son of Sheikh Abd al-Ahmed, was born at Sirhind. He joined Naqshbandi sect in 1599. He wrote several treatises and articles about Naqshbandi approach to Islam and soon became very popular among the Muslims. He did not like liberal policies of emperor Akbar. He opposed abolishing of Jizyah (tax) by Akbar. He wanted the land to be ruled according to Shari’aht (the religious laws of Islam). He was opposed to the Sufi movement too. It seems that he was influential in the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Sahib. He wrote a letter (no. 193 in his Maktubat) expressing his joy over the martyrdom of Guru Arjan Sahib. He won a great respect from the Muslims of various parts of the world. In 1619, when Jahangir, the Mogul emperor fell foul of him, he was imprisoned in Gwalior Fort Prison for about one year. In 1620, he was released and after this he remained in the court of the Mogul emperor. He died at Sirhind. He is considered as a great religious personality among the Muslims. It seems that Aurangzeb too was partly under the influence of his writings. He is also known as Mujaddid-i-Alif-i-Sani (the re-newer of the second millennium of the Islamic Era).
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)