Ibrahim ibn Adham of Balkh attended by angels

Ibrahim ibn Adham (died approx. 777-778), one of the most prominent Muslim mystics of his time, was celebrated for his adherence to a life of strict asceticism. The story of Ibrahim's life became embellished in romantic legends, dating from the eleventh century and later, that claimed he was the ruler of the Central Asian kingdom of Balkh and had abdicated his throne in order to pursue an ascetic life. As Ibrahim's life story became more widely known in the Persian world, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, it began to gather even more fanciful additions. It is to such sources that paintings like this one can be traced. Many Indian paintings of Ibrahim ibn Adham depict him as a frail man attended by angels. According to the version of his life story that became known in India, Ibrahim was fed by these heavenly beings. Because asceticism and renunciation were such prominent aspects of the Indian religious landscape, it is no surprise that legendary Muslim ascetics were appealing as pictorial subjects.