"Zikri Religion: Disputes Regarding Its Founder and an Analysis of the Scholarly and Spiritual Roles of Its Prominent Scholars"

This paper examines the founder of the Zikri faith and the biographical accounts of its prominent scholars, while critically analyzing the long-standing historical misconception regarding its origins. The study highlights that most historians, without proper verification, have continuously repeated the claim that Syed Muhammad Jaunpuri, the founder of the Mahdavi movement, was also the leader and founder of the Zikri faith. However, this assertion lacks credible evidence and is not supported by historical or factual data. Furthermore, although traditional historiography often merges Mahdavi and Zikri traditions, this research demonstrates that there exists a clear doctrinal and ideological distinction between the two. The theological and ritual framework of the Zikri faith cannot be traced back to Syed Muhammad Jaunpuri. Instead, historical and textual evidence confirms that the true founder of the Zikri religion was Muhammad Atki (or Utki), whose teachings represent an independent intellectual and spiritual development, distinct from Mahdavi principles. Additionally, the study reveals that regional politics, juristic rivalries, and polemical writings over time have distorted historical realities, resulting in false accusations and misrepresentations of key religious figures. The research also emphasizes the importance of conducting ethnographic field studies on contemporary Zikri communities to promote an objective and evidence-based understanding of this complex religious phenomenon. Moreover, it includes an analytical overview of the biographies of notable Zikri scholars, shedding light on their intellectual and spiritual contributions.