Here is the English abstract of Mohammad Javad Shams (Associate Professor at Imam Khomeini International University)'s presentation at the 10^nd pre-con meeting of the conference “Imam Reza (PBUH) and Interreligious Dialogue" which was held in Imam Khomeini International University (Qazvin, Iran) on  December 18, 2023.

The Comparative Method of Studying Religions from the Perspective of Dara Shikoh

Mohammad Dara Shukoh (1615-1659), the famous Mughal prince, is well-known for his mystical tendencies and his interest in the comparative study of Islamic and Hindu mysticism, as well as his translation of important works of Hindu wisdom. Dara Shukoh was committed to the requirements of comparative studies. He became familiar with Islamic mysticism, i.e. the "origin" mysticism, and engaged in practical spiritual journey and theoretical studies, and compiled works on this subject. He also became familiar with Hindu mysticism, i. e. the "destination" mysticism. To this end, he first turned to the study of Sanskrit. Then he studied the main texts of Hindu wisdom and mysticism, including the Upanishads and the Yoga Vasistha, and sometimes translated them. He became acquainted with the icons of Hindu wisdom and learned the philosophical topics sympathetically from their own language. His conversations with Baba Lal Das are one of the most important examples of these interactions. In the course of his studies and communication with the greats of Hindu wisdom and mysticism, he came to believe that the Hindu religion has a divine origin and a revealed source. He considered the Vedas to be books of the ancient prophets, and even believed that the Upanishads are the same as the "hidden book"(ktāb maknūn); and finally came to the conclusion that Islamic and Hindu mysticism have the same foundations and that differences are purely verbal and superficial. His brief book Majmaʿ al-Baẖrain (The Mingling of Two Oceans) in Persian is a sample of his view of comparative religion and the unity of religions. He placed great emphasis on individual and ethical characteristics, especially neutrality, fairness, and understanding, in comparative studies; and he believed that only those who are fair and understanding are capable of studying comparative mysticism.

Translator: Mahdi Qasemi