Jammu Kashmir is called the land of saints, while Allama Iqbal referred to it as Iran-e-Saghir. These titles were given to Kashmir in its unique spiritual and academic context, but today Kashmir is being recognized worldwide for its extremist activities.
Extremism, especially among British Pakistanis, is being seen in this context. The article under review examines the great Sufis of Kashmir and their teachings, highlighting that there was no extremism here in the past. If extremism is emerging now, it needs to be understood in the background of the current situation.
The Sufis in every age had a profound influence on the imaginations and actions, character and beliefs of the people. They attracted many distinguished personalities with the best hearts and minds, setting inspiring examples of the purification of hearts and minds that amazed human intellect.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) said:
Translation: There will always be a group in my ummah who will remain on the truth and good until the Day of Resurrection.
If the hadith is considered, then the group of Sufis is the group that will continue to propagate the truth until the Day of Judgment. The process of spreading formal Sufi education in Pakistan was started by Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh in the 5th century Hijri, converting thousands, if not millions, of people to Islam.
These rays of knowledge also reached the Kahsars of Kashmir. The land of Kashmir has been very fruitful in terms of saints and Sufis. In every era, there have been such servants of God who lit the lamp of knowledge and guidance in the hearts of people through the teaching and preaching of Sufism. They enlightened all of Kashmir with the eternal blessings of Islam through religious love and eliminated immoral customs and practices from the region.
Ali Hamdani: The Sage of Kashmir
Ali Hamdani was born on 12 Rajab al-Marjib 713 AH, corresponding to 12 October 1313, in Hamadan, Iran. He received his initial education from his uncle, Syed Alauddin Samnani, and esoteric knowledge from Sheikh Taqiuddin and Sheikh Mahmood Mazdaqani. Following Sheikh Mahmood Mazdaqani’s instructions, he traveled the world three times on foot.
In the 8th century AH, the famous conqueror Amir Timur destroyed Iran brick by brick, perceiving Ali Hamdani’s influence as a threat. Consequently, Ali Hamdani was exiled. He arrived in Kashmir in 761 AH with some companions during the reign of Sultan Shamsuddin. After staying for some time, he returned to Iran but came back to Kashmir in 774 AH, bringing with him seven hundred Sadats.
Ali Hamdani played a significant role in mediating between two Muslim rulers and converting 37,000 non-Muslims to Islam. He promoted knowledge and literature, building a unique platform for guidance and enlightenment in Srinagar. A writer and poet, Ali Hamdani did not believe in sectarianism; reforming society was his primary goal. He trained and reformed the ruling class, writing 170 books.
His most famous work, “Khozakul-ul-Muluk,” explains a thousand principles of religion and politics. This book, a wealth of knowledge, is useful for Sufi scholars, common people, and rulers alike and has been translated into many languages.
Mian Muhammad Bakhsh: The Sufi Poet of Arif-e-Kara Sharif
Mian Muhammad Bakhsh was born in 1830 in Chak Thakra near Arif-e-Kara (Mirpur). He received his early education at home and at the religious school of Samwal Sharif. At the age of 15, his beloved father passed away. Mian Muhammad Bakhsh studied Hadith from Hafiz Ghulam Hussain and Persian from Hafiz Muhammad Ali, while he continued to take guidance in poetry and literature from Hafiz Ghulam Nasir.
Throughout his life, he dedicated himself to Sufi poetry, worship, sports, and service to the people. He remained unmarried and became a celebrated poet of the Punjabi language. He authored over a dozen works, including “Sohni Mahinwal,” “Tahfa Meeran,” “Qasa Sheikh Sufan,” “Shireen Farhad,” “Mirza Sahiban,” and “Hidayat al-Muslimin.” However, his most famous work is “Saiful Muluk.”
“Saiful Muluk,” written between 1800 and 1862 while he stayed in Panjati Sharif near Mouza Khoi Ratta in Kotli district, is a masnavi that tells the love story between a beautiful princess from Staristan and Saif al-Muluk, the prince of Egypt. The allegory includes a thought-provoking parable where an innocent dove (Fakhta) is caught between two enemies. Through divine intervention, the dove is saved as the hunter’s arrow backfires, killing both the hunter and the falcon. Mian Muhammad Bakhsh used this parable to symbolize Kashmir, predicting that it would eventually be freed from oppression.
Mian Muhammad Bakhsh’s work has left a significant impact, with many of his poems becoming proverbs in the daily speech of people in Kashmir and Potohar.
Lilla Arefa
Born in 1330 AD in the village of Duriya Nadhun, near Srinagar, Lilla Arefa was a revered figure in Kashmiri spirituality. Known by various names like Lilla Ishwari, Lilla Did, and Lilla Maja, she embodied the values of wisdom, knowledge, and philanthropy.
Married at the age of seventeen to a cruel Hindu Brahmin, Lilla Arefa endured abuse from her husband and mother-in-law. Seeking solace, she retreated to the deserts where she immersed herself in Sufi gatherings, learning and reciting mystical poetry that resonated with people.
Lilla Arefa advocated for brotherhood, equality, and justice, embodying the philosophy of philanthropy in her teachings. Legend has it that she even nursed the great Sufi sage Sheikh Nooruddin Wali when he was an infant, offering him her milk when he refused to nurse from his own mother.
As the first female Sufi poet of the Kashmiri language, Lilla Arefa’s words became a treasure trove of wisdom. Upon her death, Hindus and Muslims disputed over her burial, but when her shroud was removed, it revealed nothing but flowers, symbolizing her spiritual purity. Though her final resting place remains unknown, her legacy continues to inspire generations.
Sheikh Nooruddin Wali
Sheikh Nooruddin Wali, known as Nanda Rishi and Sheikh Alam, was born in 779 in the village of Kumho. Revered as a great spiritual leader of Kashmiris, he played a significant role in popularizing Islamic teachings through his poetry. Despite lacking formal training, he received divine knowledge through special grace.
Hazrat Sheikh’s legacy lives on through his tomb in Charar Sharif, serving as a reference point for spiritual seekers. His teachings are immortalized in compositions like “Rishi Nasir,” which encapsulate his profound Sufi wisdom.
Sakhi Sain Saheli Sarkar – Muzaffarabad
In the sacred land of Muzaffarabad, the shrine of Hazrat Sakhi Sain Soheli Sarkar stands as a beacon of spirituality. Embracing the Qalandarana life, Hazrat Soheili Sarkar traversed from place to place, embodying the essence of mystical devotion.
Legend has it that despite facing hardships at the hands of British contractors, Hazrat Sakhi Sain Soheli Sarkar’s divine intervention led to miraculous events, showcasing his spiritual prowess. Today, his shrine in Muzaffarabad attracts thousands of devotees daily, seeking solace and guidance on their spiritual journey.
Qazi Fathullah Gulhar Sharif
The shrine of Qazi Fathullah Sahib in Gulhar Sharif, Kotli, radiates with religious and spiritual fervor, attracting devotees from far and wide. Khawaja Muhammad Sadiq, hailing from a lineage tracing back to Madinah Sharif, Egypt, and Afghanistan, illuminated the valleys of Kashmir with knowledge and awareness. Today, the spiritual legacy of Hazrat Khawaja Muhammad Sadiq continues to thrive, with devotees spanning across Pakistan, Kashmir, and even overseas, particularly in the United Kingdom.
Pir Syed Nik Alam Shah: The Poetic Saint
Known as Pir Syed Nik Alam Shah, this revered saint possessed a profound poetic sensibility, infusing Quranic verses, Hadith, and Sufi wisdom into his compositions. His teachings transcended mere scholarship, as he imparted knowledge and bestowed the mantle of caliphate upon his students, embodying the essence of Mujadadiyya.
Baba Shadi Shaheed: Champion of God-Fearing Equality
In Bhambar, the name of Baba Shadi Shaheed echoes through the annals of spiritual leadership. Throughout his life, he preached god-fearing devotion and advocated for human equality, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts of his followers.
Hazrat Shah Hussain Al-Bukhari (Pir Chinasi): Guardian of Spiritual Retreat
Nestled amidst the lush forests of Cheil and Diyar lies the Durbar Pir Chinasi, the resting place of Hazrat Shah Hussain Al-Bukhari. Seeking solace from the worldly clamor, Hazrat Shah Hussain Al-Bukhari retreated to Pir Chinasi in the 8th century A.H. While it has evolved into a tourist destination, devout seekers still embark on the arduous journey to Pir Chinasi from Muzaffarabad, traversing 20 kilometers to immerse themselves in spiritual contemplation.
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