Zain-ul-Abidin has been described as “The Akbar of Kashmir", on account of his religious policy. Some writers even opine that Zain-ul-Abidin was more enlightened and tolerant than Mughal Emperor Akbar. According to Sir Wolsey Haig, "Zain-ul-Abidin's views were more enlightened than the emperor's and he practised a tolerance which Akbar only preached.” Similarly G.M.D. Sufi remarks that without compromising his religion, or having recourse to any such measures of policy, he was able to command as much love and respect from his Hindu subjects, perhaps more than Akbar did.”R.K. Parmu considers his policy of religious toleration as “more unique example in history.” J.N Ganhar and P.N. Ganhar go so far as to say that “so far as tolerance and Catholicism go, he is perhaps the greatest ruler that has ruled India or any part of it.”
But while making an estimate of the religious policies of Zain-ul-Abidin and time, in the history of the Muslim rule in India, gave complete Emperor Akbar, as Dr. M.L. Kapur remarks, we must take into consideration the circumstances under which the two formulated their religious policies and a few traits of their personal character. In the first place, Dr. M.L. Kapur observes, Akbar adopted a religious policy which was different from the early Muslim rulers of India. It was a complete break with the past. The Muslim rule was established in India in the 12th century. Since then the Muslim rulers had been very intolerant towards their Hindu subjects. Even during the rule of Sher Shah Suri, the most liberal of all the Muslim rulers who preceded Akbar, the Hindus were treated as second class citizens. Sher Shah did not remit Jazia or Pilgrimage tax. Only a few Hindus were appointed to positions of trust and responsibility in the state services. There were no restrictions on cow slaughter. But it was Akbar, who for the first religious freedom to the Hindus. But on the other hand, in case of Kashmir, during the early years of the rule of Muslim Sultans, the Muslim rulers had been tolerant towards the Hindus and made no distinction between their Muslim and non-Muslim subjects. They had established a tradition of toleration towards their Hindu subjects. It was only under Sultan Sikandar and Ali Shah that the Hindus were persecuted for the first time. When Zain-ul-Abidin, adopted a liberal and tolerant policy, he was merely reviving the traditional policy of the Muslim rulers of Kashmir. Zain-ulAbidin did not initiate any new concept of politics.” Thus, in case of religious policy, Akbar was an innovator whereas Zain-ul-Abidin was a mere reformer.
Secondly, Akbar followed a policy considerations. It was essential for the political stability of the state that both the Hindus and Muslims must have good relations. The new body politic must consist of both the Hindus and Muslims and both must contribute to its welfare. To achieve this object, the unjust and offensive distinctions between men and men on the ground of faith, sect or community must be wiped out. Besides the contribution of Akbar's wives in particular was also quite notable. Akbar's association with his Hindu relatives enlarged his symapthies for the Hindus in general and impressed upon him the advantage that could flow from his liberal policy towards the Hindus. But the policy of religious toleration followed by Zainul-Abidin was not motivated by political considerations. The main cause which urged the Sultan to treat the Hindus well was that he needed their help in reconstructing the state administration that had broken down due to the misgovernment of Sikandar and his minister Suha Bhatta. Secondly, he adopted a policy of toleration towards the Hindus because during the early period of his rule, a Hindu physician had saved his life. It is said that once during the early period of his rule, Zain-ul-Abidin fell seriously ill. Famous Muslim physicians could not cure him. Then, a good Hindu physician named Shiva Bhatta was found who cured the Sultan. In reward, the Hindu physician damanded nothing but equality and freedom for his co-religionists. The grateful Sultan readily obliged him by accepting his demand.
Despite the differences in the motives and personal traits of their characters, Zain-ul-Abidin like Akbar occupies a high place among the liberal and tolerant rulers not only of India but of the whole world.