my-server
← Wiki

Mushtaq Ali Shah

Mirza Mohammad Torbati (), better known as Mushtaq Ali Shah () was an Iranian Sufi mystic and musician who was martyred for playing his instrument in 1792.

Biography

Shah was a member of the Nimatullahi Order of Sufis, and a majdhoub, who attracted Ismailis and others when he sang and played his setar.

Majdhoubs were "spiritual men whose mental faculties are as it were paralyzed or confused by the effect of the Divine attraction" and got "divinely intoxicated" when they performed.

Shah disregarded the social conventions of his day. He was accused of "singing and playing the call to prayer at the Jum'ah Masjid on 27th Ramadan (19 May) 1792, and was stoned to death.

In another account, he was accused of "reciting the Qur'an with the sound of a setar" by Mullah Mohammad Taqi (), a mujtahid."

Music

In addition to his historical role as a martyr, Mushtaq Ali Shah is remembered for his association with the setar. The setar had three strings until the 19th century when it became customary to add a fourth string. Shah is credited with having added a fourth string to his instrument before his death in 1791.

Memorial

He is buried in the Mushtaqieh Square of Kerman, known as the Mushtaqieh Dome (The Dome of Desire) or the Three Domes.

See also

References