The Mughal idea of kingship based on the divine light or “Farr i Izadi” was first developed in the teachings of which Sufi thinker?

Introduction / Context:
Mughal emperors in India often justified their rule using ideas of divine sanction and special spiritual status. One such concept was Farr i Izadi, meaning the divine light or glory granted by God to the ruler. This idea has intellectual roots in earlier Islamic philosophy and Sufi thought, especially in the illuminationist tradition. This question asks you to identify the Sufi or philosophical thinker whose teachings first developed the notion that influenced the Mughal understanding of Farr i Izadi.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The key concept is Farr i Izadi, the divine light associated with kingship.
• The question connects this concept to a specific Sufi or philosophical figure.
• The options are Shihabuddin Suhrawardi, Nizamuddin Auliya, Ibn al Arabi, and Bayazid Bistami.
• You must link Mughal kingship ideology with its earlier intellectual source.

Concept / Approach:
Shihabuddin Suhrawardi, also known as Suhrawardi Maqtul, was a Persian philosopher associated with the illuminationist school of Islamic philosophy. His writings described light as a key symbol of divine presence and authority. The Mughal notion of Farr i Izadi, divine radiance granted to the king, drew upon this illuminationist idea that legitimate authority manifests divine light. While Nizamuddin Auliya, Ibn al Arabi, and Bayazid Bistami are major Sufi figures, the specific connection to Farr i Izadi and illuminationist kingship is most closely associated with Suhrawardi thought.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognise that Farr i Izadi describes a divine radiance or halo that legitimises a ruler authority. Step 2: Recall that Mughal theorists used this concept to argue that the emperor received divine grace and light, making obedience to him a religious duty. Step 3: Understand that this idea connects to the illuminationist philosophy of Shihabuddin Suhrawardi, who emphasised light as a metaphysical principle. Step 4: Nizamuddin Auliya was a Chishti Sufi saint in India focused on personal devotion and compassion, not specifically on theories of royal light. Step 5: Ibn al Arabi and Bayazid Bistami developed important mystical doctrines, but the systematic illuminationist framework that links divine light to political authority is most clearly associated with Suhrawardi.

Verification / Alternative check:
In discussions of Mughal political thought, textbooks and scholarly works often mention that the idea of Farr i Izadi has roots in the illuminationist philosophy of Shihabuddin Suhrawardi. They trace how Persian political and mystical concepts travelled into the Mughal court and were adapted to justify imperial authority. While Ibn al Arabi doctrine of the unity of existence influenced Sufism more broadly, the specific connection between divine light and kingship is found in Suhrawardi writings, confirming him as the best answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Nizamuddin Auliya: He was a beloved Sufi saint known for his spiritual teachings and service to the poor, but he did not develop the philosophical concept that directly underpins Farr i Izadi.

Ibn al-Arabi: His profound mystical ideas influenced many later Sufis, yet the structured illuminationist theory of light as a basis for authority is not primarily his contribution.
Bayazid Bistami: He is remembered for ecstatic utterances and asceticism, not for a detailed doctrine of kingship grounded in divine light.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes assume that any famous Sufi could be linked with any mystical sounding concept, leading to random guessing. Another pitfall is not distinguishing between illuminationist philosophy and more general Sufi teachings. To avoid this, associate Farr i Izadi and theories of divine light in kingship with Shihabuddin Suhrawardi and his illuminationist school.

Final Answer:
The idea of Farr i Izadi on which Mughal kingship was based was first developed in the teachings of Shihabuddin Suhrawardi.