Imam Shamil was born on June 26, 1797, in the mountain village of Gimry (modern-day Dagestan). Shamil’s father and mother were devout muslims. Initially, the newborn was named Ali, but because the boy was often ill, he was given a new name in the hope that it would bring him health (Shamil translates from Arabic as “complete”). Despite his weak health, Shamil was a very intelligent youth. In his youth, he studied Arabic grammar, logic, and rhetoric under the guidance of a sheikh from a Sufi order.
At the age of twenty, Shamil went to Damascus, where he continued his theological studies. It is believed that his classmates became jealous of him, and one day they attacked Shamil, severely injuring him. Shamil managed to crawl to the forest and heal himself with herbs. Upon emerging, he decided to start training until he became the most enduring among his peers.
Later, as eyewitnesses said, no one could run or swim any distance faster than Shamil.
Tsar Nicholas I sent Shamil a letter proposing that the imam stop uniting the Caucasian peoples against Russia, offering in exchange ranks, titles, and treasures. The imam’s response to the tsar became historic: “I am Shamil who is the lowest of those muslims who struggle for the independence and freedom of the Caucasus! I am an honest muslim who swears not to exchange the protection of Allah for the lordship of the Tsar. Thus, even if I knew that my mortal body would be cut into pieces and that this land that I live in would be destroyed, I would not change this absolute decision.
This is my response. Nicholas and his slaves should know it is thus!”