Hagiographic Works. Materials on the History of the Kyrgyz and Kyrgyzstan

Hagiographic works can serve as a valuable supplement to historical sources for studying various aspects of the internal life and existence of the population. Relevant excerpts are included in the collection "Materials on the History of the Kyrgyz and Kyrgyzstan." Vol. I. Moscow, 1973.

“Ziya al-Qulub” (“The Radiance of Hearts”)

This anonymous work from the 17th century contains information about the spread of Islam among the Kyrgyz. Translation from Persian by Z. N. Vorozheikina.

Text: A clear proof of the greatness of spirit and perfection of Hazrat-i Ishan1 is that he went to the region of the Kyrgyz and Kalmyks, destroyed 18 idols, and converted 180 thousand infidels and idolaters to Islam.

His highness, along with all his disciples and household, went to the region (settlement) of the Kyrgyz, arrived there, set up tents, and lived there.

The account is from Hafiz Kalama and Hafiz Araba, i.e., the chosen leader of the servants, who were companions of his highness: “Once, when we were in the retinue of his highness at the foot of the same mountain, suddenly a horseman appeared on the road in great distress. He dismounted, respectfully greeted his highness, and said: ‘Oh, my saint! Lulum Kyrgyz, our padishah, is coming here with the intention of killing your highness, but I have managed to warn you.’

Khoja Ishak said: ‘Let everything happen as the Almighty wishes!’ And, turning his holy face towards the qibla, he sat down.

And then these misguided warriors arrived, and, drawing their sabers from their sheaths, rushed towards Khoja Ishak. But there was no change in his highness; only the cries and moans of his disciples rose.

Khoja Ishak bowed his holy head and entrusted himself to God. Suddenly, both front legs of Lulum Kyrgyz's horse collapsed, Lulum Kyrgyz fell from the horse and died. The 400 men who had come with him, seeing this, dismounted, threw away their idols, vowed to serve his highness, and accepted the faith in Allah, the Almighty, and repented before Khoja Ishak.”

The account of the aforementioned Hafiz Araba:
“Once, while I was in the retinue of Khoja Ishak at the same foot of the mountain, one of the Kyrgyz padishahs came to pay his respects to his highness. He brought many gifts and said: ‘Oh, my saint! You have manifested yourself as an intercessor for us, the downtrodden, and have prayed to the abode of the Almighty God. If by the blessing of God, the Almighty, a source of water were to appear, how wonderful it would be—indeed, due to the lack of water, our affairs, the unfortunate ones, have completely fallen into decline. In the times of our fathers, water once appeared in this place, but then it went away, and no matter how hard we tried, we could not find water.’

His highness uncovered his head, gathered his white mustache and beard in his hand, and turned to the bright spirit of the high messenger—may Allah bless and greet him!—and asked for help from the spirits of his ancestors. And all his companions uncovered their heads and raised their cries to the throne of the Almighty God... And suddenly, by the mercy of the great and Almighty God, water flowed from the foot of the mountain.

Immediately, the padishah and his followers repented to Hazrat-i Ishan, and now this area is called Nazargh-i Hazrat-i Ishan; buildings were erected there, and people built many homes.”

The account of the aforementioned gentleman Hafiz Araba:
“A few days later, this same Kyrgyz padishah (again) came to pay his respects to his highness and brought many people with him.

Everyone expressed their respect to Khoja Ishak and, dismounting from their horses and camels, laid out rich gifts before his highness with the request: ‘Oh, my saint! There is no salt in our region. If your highness would deign to pray, perhaps salt will appear in these places.’ After this, Khoja Ishak raised his hands for prayer and offered a prayer. And suddenly, during the prayer, a man appeared in the distance, loaded his camel with goods, and approached. When he came closer, he made the camel kneel and opened a bag—inside the bag was salt!

The people were astonished and said: ‘There has been no salt in our region. Where did you bring this salt from?’ The man replied: ‘I was walking along the road and saw this very camel circling at the foot of the mountain. I approached closer and saw that the whole mountain had turned to salt.’

The account of the gentleman Mullah Hikmat, who narrated: ‘Once, I went with several disciples of the sheikh to the region of the Kyrgyz.

Suddenly, a group of Kyrgyz, having taken to the path of banditry, blocked our way, and with drawn sabers in their hands (they) seized us with the intention of killing.

We cried out to the Almighty God, and also called upon Khoja Ishak in our prayers... And suddenly these villains dismounted from their horses and began to rub their faces against our feet. We were surprised and asked: ‘What has happened to you that you bring apologies and show such tenderness?’

The Kyrgyz replied: ‘As soon as you mentioned the name of Khoja Ishak, we suddenly saw his highness, riding a white horse, dressed in all white, shaking a spear, threatening us with death; and if we had delayed dismounting, it would have gone badly for us. Out of fear of his highness, we dismounted and obeyed.’

After this, when we returned to Khoja Ishak; his highness said: ‘This is the Almighty God who showed you such mercy that you were not touched by the bandits.’ And we acknowledged our imperfection (before God).