The 'Mahzar' (1579), which gave Akbar the authority to decide religious disputes, was drafted by:

The "Mahzar" (declaration) of 1579, which gave Akbar the authority to decide religious disputes, was drafted by Shaikh Mubarak, a learned scholar and the father of Abul Fazl and Faizi.

About the Mahzar:

• It was issued in September 1579.
• It declared that Akbar was the "Imam-i-Adil" (just ruler) and "Amir-ul-Mominin", and that his rank was higher than that of a "mujtahid" (an interpreter of Islamic law).
• It stated that if there was a difference of opinion among the religious scholars (ulema) on any question of Islamic law, the emperor could choose any one of the interpretations.
• His decision would be binding on all, provided it was in accordance with the Quran and was for the welfare of the people.
• It was signed by the leading ulema of the time, some of them unwillingly.

Purpose and effects:

• It reduced the power of the orthodox ulema, especially the Sadr and the chief Qazi, who had opposed Akbar's policies.
• It strengthened the authority of the emperor in religious matters.
• Some historians wrongly called it an "infallibility decree", but it did not claim that Akbar could never make mistakes.
• The orthodox ulema strongly opposed it, and it was one of the causes of the revolt in Bengal and Bihar in 1580.
• Badauni, an orthodox historian, criticised Akbar's religious policies in his writings.

About Shaikh Mubarak:

• He was a scholar of great learning and liberal views.
• He had faced persecution earlier from the orthodox ulema, such as Shaikh Abdun Nabi (the Sadr) and Makhdum-ul-Mulk.
• His sons, Abul Fazl and Faizi, became Akbar's close friends and supporters.

The road to the Mahzar:

In 1579, Akbar also read the khutba himself at the Friday prayers.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Abul Fazl was Shaikh Mubarak's son.
• ✗Badauni was a critic of Akbar's policies.
• ✗Shaikh Abdun Nabi was the orthodox Sadr who opposed Akbar.