Syedi Khawj bin Malak QS Urus 6 Zilhaj, 997 AH / 1589 AD, Kapadwanj

This has been taken from Mazoon-e-Dawat Syedi Dr. Abdeali Bhaisaheb Saifuddin's AAB biographical encyclopedia article

We are pleased to present a short biography of Syedi Khawj bin Malak written by Mazoon-e-Dawat Syedi Dr. Abdeali Bhaisaheb Saifuddin's AAB. This is an excerpt from the article

“Khawj bin Malak – a historian, scholar and senior dignitary in late 16th-century Mughal Gujarat, author of the well-known Sett Rasa’il.

One of Khawj b. Malak’s most notable achievements is that of chronicling a perceptive, eyewitness account of his time centering around the 26th and 27th Tayyibi Dais, Syedna Da’ud bin Ajabshah (d.997/1589) and Syedna Daud bin Qutub Shah (d.1021/1612). He was a trusted and close confidant of both Dais, who often summoned him to Ahmadabad from his hometown Kapadwanj, where he and his brothers were prosperous traders. He received extensive tutelage from both Dais. His learning, loyalty, and forceful personality stood him in good stead when he was called upon to debate with dissenters from the community.

In his writing he shows a deep understanding of the politics, personalities, and social dynamics of his time. He throws new light on the relations and tensions between the 16th-century rulers of Gujarat and their subjects on a micro-level, highlighting the chaos of the early years of Mughal rule there. He views the liberal religious policies of the Mughal emperor Akbar (d.1014/1605) as having brought to the Tayyibi community much-needed respite from years of persecution, allowing it finally to practice its faith openly.”