Sultan Iskandar and the Sayyid’s rebuke: a reign of glory and critique

Born in the inaugural year of his father's rule, Sultan Iskandar was the progeny of Sultan Muhammad Imaduddeen I, who restored the Maldives’ sovereignty after a period of turmoil. His mother, Kanbaa Aisha Rani Kilagefaanu, had prior unions with former rulers like Hussain Faamuladeyri Kilagefaanu and Ibrahim Farhana Kilagefaanu (Kalaafaanu). Iskandar's upbringing in the opulent royal palace prepared him impeccably for kingship. Ascending the throne at age 28 upon his father's passing, he embodied the ideal monarch: wise, temperate, and virtuous, as per Tajuddeen's chronicles. With a fair complexion and imposing height, he was unmatched in handsomeness and bravery. His patience was legendary; even in the face of disobedience, he refrained from hasty punishment, often extending forgiveness.

Sultan Iskandar's martial expertise further solidified his reputation. He personally instructed citizens in the arts of war, swordsmanship, shield handling, spear throwing, cannonry, and wrestling, transforming the populace into a formidable force. This hands-on approach not only bolstered defense but also instilled discipline and unity.

On the educational front, Sultan Iskandar revered scholars, leveraging them to propagate knowledge across the islands. However, his policy was frugal; he withheld financial aid, fearing it might lure intellectuals abroad. Tajuddeen notes this as a blend of affection for learners and a greedy reluctance to provide material support, such as clothing or funds. Despite this, his encouragement of learning created an intellectual ferment that endured.

Sultan Iskandar’s reign was a golden era for Maldivian trade. Under his rule, the port of Male’ transformed into a bustling commercial hub, attracting ships from India, Aceh, and beyond. His policies promoted free trade, with no taxes or zakat imposed on imported goods, and equal treatment for all traders, from port merchants to small-scale vendors. Ordinary citizens freely sold dried fish, coconuts, coir, and cowrie shells, contributing to a thriving economy. The absence of restrictive oversight by officials like the Bodu Ban’deyri (Chief Treasurer) or Shahbandar (Harbour Master) ensured equality, positioning the Maldives as a key regional trade center.

Yet, Tajuddeen's largely laudatory history also preserves a counter-narrative: the arrival of Sayyid Muhammad Shamsuddin, a Syrian scholar from Hama and a descendant of the grandsons of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Hassan and Hussein. A proponent of the Sufi Qadiri order linked to Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, the Sayyid reached Male' on February 8, 1686, motivated by reports of religious deviations in the Maldives. Accompanied by disciples, he was initially honoured by Sultan Iskandar, who provided lodging and summoned him with pomp to the Gulhakulhey Fasgandu courtyard. An awkward moment ensued when Sultan Iskandar's turban fell during their embrace, but the sultan dismissed it as mere superstition.

The Sayyid's teachings resonated deeply, inducting islanders, including eminent scholars and Sultan Iskandar's nephew, Muhammad Manikfan, into the Qadiri order. He eradicated innovations, curbed vices, and promoted virtue, swelling his following.

However, his influence turned confrontational with a letter to Sultan Iskandar, the contents of which are detailed in Tajuddin's history. The epistle accused the sultan of dereliction: "The Almighty God has created, nurtured, given kingship, and made you the ruler over the affairs of Muslims. However, you have become preoccupied with matters other than their affairs. You have usurped and seized their property, appointed evil people as ministers, and made oppressors your supporters." It decried ignored complaints, desolate mosques from seized endowments, invalidated inheritances, and the exploitation of women, warning of divine reckoning.

This rebuke, sourced directly from Tajuddin's writings, ignited Sultan Iskandar's fury. He distanced himself from the Sayyid's circle, resenting even visitors to his host, Muhammad Manikfan. In a symbolic gesture, the Sayyid once placed his crown on Muhammad Manikfan's head, dubbing him "King Muhammad" and praying for his rule. Indeed, after Sultan Iskandar's son Kuda Muhammad's brief tenure, Muhammad Manikfan ascended as Sultan Muhammad Muhyiddeen Al-Adil. Remarkably, following Muhyiddeen's reign, the Sayyid himself, a foreigner, became king, ruling as Sultan Muhammad Shamsuddeen Al-Hamawi, marking a unique chapter in Maldivian monarchy.

The Sayyid departed after six months, at Ramadan's end in 1686. Sultan Iskandar's death the next year, on February 27, 1687, closed a chapter of paradox. His policies spurred unparalleled progress, yet the letter highlights potential autocracy and moral lapses. Was Sultan Iskandar a visionary or a hmm flawed despot? Tajuddeen's dual portrayal invites nuanced reflection on leadership's burdens. In today's context, as the Maldives navigates modern challenges, Sultan Iskandar's story reminds us that true legacy balances material success with ethical stewardship.