Jewish Sage, Muslim Sage, Hindu Sage : Sa?id Sarmad and the Problem of Multiple Religious Belonging

A critical study of this highly venerated yet religiously complex mystic. Sa'id Sarmad (c. 1590–1661), sometimes referred to as Sarmad Kashani, was a Sufi mystic-poet of Jewish Persian origin. He was active in India, had dealings with royalty, and was executed as part of political power games in the Mughal empire. His memory is venerated by many, especially in India, and some consider him an outstanding and exemplary mystic. This book is a critical study of his life and works. It offers the first-ever comprehensive analysis of all his writings, and those attributed to him, in an attempt to gain a balanced historical view of the person. It is based on newly discovered manuscripts that add vital information to Sarmad's story and answer key questions that were previously left to speculation and religious exaggeration. Sarmad seems to have had dealings with Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism, and these are explored through the contemporary lens of multiple religious belonging. This is the first time Sarmad has been viewed through this lens. The case study provides an important contribution to the theoretical literature on the subject. The fruit of a collaboration between a Jewish and a Muslim scholar, this brings to light complementary, as well as competing, theoretical perspectives on Sarmad who, at the end of the day, emerges as more of a spiritual seeker of love divine than an accomplished spiritual master.