History of Aurangzib, Based on Original Sources v5.c84.s5.t1.34

v5.c84.s5.t1.34

About 1698—99 an event happened which roused the religious fervour of the Muslims to the point of overflowing. This was the bringing into the country of the reputed hair of the Prophet Muhammad which Khwajah Nuruddin had secured in Bijapur, and which was sent after his death to Kashmir along with his corpse. The entire Muslim population poured out into the streets and open spaces, to behold the blessed relic, chanting the praises of God and His Prophet. "Men and women flocked together in perfect amity as if a flood of human beings was sweeping through every lane and bazar, rendering them hard to cross. A great noise filled the air. Scholars, saints, theologians and religious mendicants vied with one another, in passionate earnestness, to get a turn in placing on their shoulders the poles of the litter in which the relic casket was carried," and they considered themselves blessed when with the greatest effort and difficulty they could once touch it. [*Azami*, 140a.]