Qadir Saeb e Kral’s shrine at a village called Hirri in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district is one of the most serene (and possibly cleanest) sufi shrines of Kashmir.This village is at a distance of 5-6 kmts towords the western direction of Kupwara town. This friendly sufi shrine is revered by people of all faiths. Kashmir is full of such small and big sufi shrines.Few of them are known,while the biographies of great many have been lost to history.Being a student of history visiting and writing historical prospectives about such sufi shrines of Kashmir is my interest .Last month, I visited Hirri village of Kupwara. Billions of thanks to Farooq Shaheen, Leading poet and secretary Adbi Markaz Kamraz (AMK) for accompanying me to this village and also providing me some vital inputs to help me to gather the sources. From available oral sources this author came to know that Abdul Qadir Kumar popularly known as Qadir saeb e Kral and reverently as “Kral bab” of Hirri was a situation saint of high calibre. He had a galaxy of disciples and followers throughout the length and breadth of Kashmir. Dotted with a cornucopia of historical evidences, Hirri village not only houses the Shrine of Qadir Saeb e Kral but also the wooden mosque built by this mystic . As per oral sources this iconic mystic sought the assistance of Alama Anwar shah Kashmiri while constructing this mosque.This wooden mosque with a pound of 900 sq. feet approx. and a small spring under the grand Chinar tree has been built and dug by this famous saint in the last quarter of 20th century .This architectural marvel of Kupwara is decaying fast due to wooden moths and has become brittle which needs to be preserved. Qadir Saeb e Kral belonged to Kral family(potter clan) of Kashmir which has seen many sufi saints and poets like Soch Kral etc.So this clan is very revered dynasty.It is believed that he was born in 1885 and his father’s name was Karim saeb e Kral.He was married at an early age and had two daughters -Az ded and Noor ded and a son namely Gafoor Saeb e Kral. As per family sources Qadir saeb e Kral started his mystic journey under the tutelage of a sufi saint namely Khair Saeb of Trehgam Kupwara.Under his tutelage Qadir saeb e kral reached to the great mystic heights. This mystic strictly followed the Suhrawardi silsila of sufism.He spent days and nights in prayers and meditations.Always advised his disciples and folowers to pray five times a day , do good deeds and feed the family members with “halhal”(honest) earnings. From the available oral sources this author came to know that this mystic preached love and brotherhood and to him simple living and love to mankind is the best way to come closer to Allah, the Almighty and His Prophet (peace be upon him). Qadir saeb e Kral started “langar”-free community kitchen, to feed the hungry people ,this langar still functions there. A number of “Karamaats”miracles to say are attributed with this mystic which are beyond an explaination.One is narrated to me by an old pandith woman of Zaloora Sopore that she had no child.One day she and her husband visited the blessed darbar of Qadir saeb e Kral.They plead the saint to pray for them.The saint prayed and a son was born to them .After graduation, the son turned a naked saint. His parents then visited Qadir saeb e Kral .Who gifted him his” pheran” to wear.In this way this Kashmiri pandith became his talib and wore the “pheran” of his “murshid “till his last breath.I know him personally.The only pandith of Zaloora who didn’t migrate to Jammu.I used to visit him during my college days. One more Karamat/miracle is narrated by Mohammad Ramzan Kumar(caretaker of the shrine) He says,”One day I felt very ill . The doctors labelled me a hopeless patient and my mother brought me in the blessed darbar of Qadir saeb Kral who put a sugar cube in my mouth and by the grace of Allah, the Allmighty,I recovered.” One more Karamat, maricle to say is narrated by Dr,Rafiq Masoodi,Patron Adbi Markaz Kamraz, (AMK)”A village called Rengpat now in Qaziabad Handwara had no water to drink, the people of the village approached Hazrat Amma Saeb e Yaroo RA,who directed them to Qadir Saeb Kral of Hirri,when the people reached to his blessed darbar,this situation mystic told them not to take out shoes,instead go back as rain has entered their houses and it turned out to be true.The rain did not stop for days together;The village heads advised the same deligation to approach Qadir Saeb e Kral again and when reached to the blessed darbar the rain had already stopped”. Towering sufi saints of Kashmir like Hazrat Amma Saeb Yaroo RA,Hazrat Syed Merakh Shah RA highly revered Qadir Saeb e Kral.” Qadir saeb e Kral left for heavenly abode on 22th of November 1985 and was laid to rest at Hirri.A habitation called Qadirabad at Hirri is named after him. His shrine was renovated for the first time in 36 years since construction in 1985 by the “Awaam and Jawan initiative.This initiative saw locals from Hirri Kupwara working alongside with Army personnel to restore this shrine. The annual Urs of Qadir saeb Kral is celebrated on 16th and 17th of June every year. Lovers and devotees throughout the length and breadth of Kashmir assemble in the shrine and recite “Aurad e Fateha” and “Darood o Dalaam” with exuberant gesture.One may watch the “langar “(free community kitchen)of this iconic mystic feeding the people of all faiths. Qadir saeb e kral lived an austere life and never took a penny from his devotees .His legacy needs to be preserved.
Khursheed Dar is a sufi scholar and hails from Pohrupeth Langate.He can be reached at khursheed.dar33@gmail.com
Allah informs in the holy Quran( Surah Inam verse 125)that the one whom Allah intends to give guidance (by way of bounty), He broadens his breast for Islam. The renowned Islamic Mujtahid Imam Mohammad Ghazali refers in his world known treatise Kimiya-i S’adat that it is the indication of Allah’s love for a person that He opens the doors of wisdom to him. The quote suits aptly to the well known medieval scholar and Sufi Shiekh Baba Daud Khaki well. He was born in Srinagar in 928 Hijra corresponding to 1521 A.D. Tarikh Hassan mentions his place of birth as Kalashpora whereas a modern writer has identified it as Nowpora, adding that the present progeny of the great saint lived in the same locality. His father was Shiekh Hasan Ganai, a well known Khattat or scribe. G M D Sufi mentions that “the word Ganai comes from gan meaning a pen and the writer is, therefore, called the ganai as he uses the pen. The title of Ganai is believed to have been conferred, in Kashmir, on Baba Usman Uchchap by BudShah, at whose burial the Sultan is said to have been present. Though Shiekh Daud lost his parents in the early childhood, yet he was destined to receive education from veteran religious luminaries like Allama Razi-ud Din, Mulla Baseer Khandabhawani, and Shams-ud-din Paul. Besides, by the grace of Allah, he had the qualities of head and heart. As a scholar he had no parallel among his contemporaries and nobody could match his scholarship in the esoteric or exoteric knowledge. It is interesting to note that most of the Sufis of the medieval times were first the religious luminaries before turning to Sufism. May be the instance of Khawja Nizamu-ud din Auliya(RA), Hazrat Mehboob ul Alam Shiekh Hamza Makhdoom(RA), Sheikh Yaqoob Sarfi (RA), or Shah Qasim Haqani (RA), almost all of them were well versed with the religious tenets. This is in contrast to the modern scenario wherein some of those who claim to be Sufis but are devoid of the knowledge of the shariat. These revered Sufis opened the doors of the house of Shariat, treaded the path of Sufism (Tariaqat) to reach the zenith of the Maurfat, and they were successful in finding the ultimate Truth (Haqiqat). It was their experiences that led them to the vistas of Tasawuf. He was engaged in the royal services as the tutor of Sultan Nazak Shah’s son. Rescinding the court services, the excellent scholar, the courtier of Sultan’s court, became a murid (disciple) of Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (RA). As a disciple, Khaki would tie his belt on his waist, raising his garments, wearing the sleepers made of grass-(pulhur), and would hold the reign of the horse of his spiritual guide as he rode on it. Completing his course in the domain, he was bestowed a _Khirqa_ in the Suharvardi Silsilah. He became one of the seven glittering stars who groomed under the blessed tutelage of Shiekh Hamza Makhdoom. These seven Sufis besides Sheikh Daud included Mir Hyder Tulmuli, Khawaj Hasan Qari, Khawaja Ishaq Qari, Mulla Ahmad Chagli. Besides he also sought the blessings of Syed Ahmad Kirmani (RA), Moulana Shiekh Ahmad Qari (RA), Baba Hardi Reshi. Soliciting the guidance of Mir Ismail Shami, he became enrolled in the Qadri Silsilah (Order).Interestingly he has penned down a _Risala_ (Pamphlet) under the title of Qasida Shamiya on his association with the Sufi. Sheikh Daud became instrumental in guiding thousands of Kashmiris to the right path. Considering his depth of knowledge in the Islamic studies, he has been rightly called the Imam Azami Sani. He guided the desirous ones to the stages of the spiritual domain and had a number of disciples. The chief among them may be mentioned Haji Daud Balkhi, Mir Nazuk Qadri, Khawja Zain ud Din Rainawari. He travelled far and wide in the valley, relieving people of evils and myths. He was an author of excellence. His books include Wird-ul-Muridin, and its explanation Dastur-us-Salikin, Qasida Jallalya, Qasida Gislya, Risala Zarurya and its explanation Majmua-tul- Fawaid. After returning from his visit to the cities of India, soliciting the company of many Sufis , he fell ill en-route and on reaching Kashmir, he breathed his last on 3rd Safar 994 AH/ 14th January, 1586 AD. ” Initially he was buried in Islamabad (Anantnag) but later his mortal remains were shifted to the shrine of his Murshid ,Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (RA) at Kohi Maran. His chronogram reads خير مقدم “Khair Muqaddam” as also روى جنت بديد شيخ امم “Roui Jannat bideed Shaikh-i-umam”. Sheikh Daud had Khaki as his pen name though some assert that abdicating the royal riches and dashing the noble status along with his wishes to the ground (Khak) entitled him to be Khaki. As a profile writer he has to his credit many works of repute. These include Virdul Murideen, Dastoorul Salikeen, Qasida Jalalia, Qasida Lammiya, Qasida Shamiya, Qasida Gusliya,Risala Zarooriya and its commentary Majmutul Fawaid. His excellence in the religious scholarship may be judged from the fact that, in his Virdul Murideen, he has quoted from over two hundred religious works. Virdul Murideen, still recited in the Khanqhas and Masajid (mosques) of Kashmir on special occasions, is a compilation of 1362 verses in honour (manaqib) of his spiritual preceptor Hazrat Mehboob ul Alam Shiekh Hamza Makhdoom(RA). Dastoorul Salikeen is the commentary of the Virdul Murideen. Besides the significance these works carry in the religious and spiritual circles, they serve an important hagiographic source for the contemporary Kashmir. Dr Ishaq Khan says that “Sufi literature does not merely hold a fascination for seekers after the Truth because of its appeal to the mind, the senses and the emotions, but related ideas that form a continuous series in the social drama. The hagiographical literature, replete with legends, miracles, dreams and spiritual experiences, thus helps us to understand Islam not only intuitively, but also rationally and historically.”
The writer is aardvark retired Principal,associated with Haqani Memorial Trust J@K and can be contacted @bashirahmaddar2012@gmail.com
For a divine mission, Allah selects and blessed only those who are capable of bearing the brunt of such a holy and difficult task. We see this selection in the case of Mehboob Subhani Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Alayh I Rehamah. who descended from noble blood of the “Fonder Of Islam”. Likewise, Hazrat Qayum din Qadri RA of Tailwani Anantnag too was a divine selection of Rab-i-Jaleel. As we know that the valley of Kashmir had an influx of eleven hundred Auliyas from Turkistan.The majority of them are still unidentified.It is important to mention that these Auliya e kirams brought here various Sufi silsilas or orders. One of the prominent orders or silsila is the Qadri silsila with whom the great wali Kamil Hazrat Qayum Din Qadri RA of Tailwani was associated. Hazrat Qaymuddin Qadri RA was a sincere follower and special caliph of Hazrat Sayed Ghulam Shah Azad RA Who was Hazrat Saad Ghulam Shah Azad? Hazrat Saad Ghulam Shah Azad’s father’s name was Sayed Mehmood RA. As a child, he had gone to Peshawar with his grandfather, Hazrat Sayed Shah Mehmood Ghous. Besides, he also benefited from the other towering and high ranked spiritual and mystic personalities of the time. He came to Kashmir and met Shah Ataullah. Got engaged in beneficence and benevolence. Allah had gifted him with unique abilities and knowledge. Azad was his pen name. He was a Sufi poet as well. One day his caliph Hazrat Sayed Qaymu din RA went down to a spring to take a bath. The jinns tried to harm him. Hazrat Ghulam Shah RA was in the bathroom at that time. The condition of Baba Qayum din RA came in front of his eyes. It is said that he dragged him from the spring and saved his caliph by his spiritual powers. Baba Muhammad Qaim was a sincere follower and special caliph of Hazrat Sayed Ghulam Shah Azad RA His spiritual guide was greatly impressed by his pious nature, gave all his disciples to him. Hazrat Qayum din Qadri RA had a chain of caliphs. People in large numbers used to come to him frequently. It is said that once Talib went to perform Hajj. He saw Hazrat Qiyamuddin Qadri RA performing Hajj Baitullah. He told his Talib that it was a matter of secret. Do not tell anyone. The grave of Hazrat Qayum din Qadri RA is at Tailwani , Anantnag . Late Haji Salam Uddin Qadri Salamuddin Qadri built his mausoleum. Syed Zahoor ud Din Qadri says that the shrine of this great wali Kamil of Qadri Silsila was renovated and beautified by his father Late Salam ud din Qadri. The board where the history of this Wali Kamil is written by Late Salam ud din Qadri Sb. Hazrat Qayum din Qadri has written a number of books. Some treatises are still in the possession of Qadri dynasty of Tailwani . No accurate and authentic information on his date of birth and year of demise is available. Syed salam ud din Qadri who hailed from Taiwani (Anantnag) was a Deobandi mufti. He was among the first mufties of South Kashmir. who laid the foundation of many Islamic schools in the south Kashmir. Among them, Islamic school Dialgam is a glaring example. He laid foundation stones of many masjid shariefs including Baba naseeb din Ghazi Masjid at Tailwani Anantnag . He died on 25th February 2014 at the age of 84. zahoor ud din Qadri says that the shrine is managed and monitored by the following members. Peer Qammer din Qadri Mohmmad Ashraf Qadri Kavkab Jameel Qadri Hilal Hussain Qadri The Urs pak of this Wali Kamil is celebrated on 11 Oct every year. On Urs days hundreds of devotees throng to this shrine and offer hamdu Sana and Darood u salaam. What is Qadri silsila Of sufism? Maulana Muhammad Asim Azmi Sahib (may Allah have mercy on him) has described the introduction of Qadri silsila of Sufism in a very beautiful passage with reference to the books Marat-ul-Asrar, Awarif-ul-Maarif, Fatuh-ul-Ghayb, etc. Blessed to present in his words. The founder of this family sect is Mehboob Subhani Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Alayh Rehmat-ur-Rehman Katheera Abda. The Qadriyya dynasty belongs to Sheikh Mohi-ud-Din Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah have mercy on him). Qadriyya silsila is also called Umm al-Salasal. In this family, apart from piety and purity, Shari’ah is strictly followed and there is a keen eye for the adornment of the heart. Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani himself not only taught it but also practiced it in this way. Strict adherence to the Shari’ah process, if there is any contradiction, keep this practice away from the method, that is why the Qadri silsila of command is very careful. In this regard, special attention has been paid to the observance of Shariah, but one has to go through stages of withdrawal from the world, austerity, and struggle, and submission and consent. (It should be noted that Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah have mercy on him) was a follower of the sect of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (may Allah have mercy on him). Hazrat Syedna Ghaus Pak (may Allah have mercy on him) has taught this series in his book “Fatuh Al-Ghayb”. In Chapter No. 75 of the same book, he bequeathed his will to his son Hazrat Syed Saifuddin Abdul Wahab and explained the manual of Arif Kamil. Says …. “I enjoin you to be pious and obedient to Allah, to abide by the rules of sharee’ah, to keep your chest free from treachery, to keep your soul alive, to be generous, to give what you are able to give.” , Keep an eye on etiquette_friendship, keep caring for the greatness of the elders, be kind to the equals, keep advising the younger ones, do not fight with your friends, make loyalty obligatory on you. Beware of stockpiling. ” Guided for ordinary Muslims, These three things are essential for the believer in every situation; “One is to be content with the divine command, the other is to abstain from prohibitions, and the third is to be content with the divine judgment … so at least for the believer, it is not to be free from these three things.” (Fatah ul Gayab.Abdul Qadir Jilani (may God have mercy on him)) Thanks to my university batch mate Syed Zahoor ud din Qadri for gifting me the rare pics.
The author researches on anonymous sufi shrines and sufi poets of Kashmir and can be reached at khursheed.dar33@gmail.com
ShrineKhurshed dar -research scholar and Govt teacherSyed zahoor ud din qadri
One among the influential Suhrawardi Sufis of Kashmir during the sixteenth century was Khwajah Tahir Rafiq ‘Asha’i, who was a contemporary of Makhdum Shaykh Hamzah, the leading Suhrawardi Sufi of Kashmir. He was son of a cloth merchant namely Khwajah Ibrahim ‘Asha’i, along with whom he often used to visit Lahore for the business purpose. Khwajah Tahir became a disciple of Shaykh ‘Abd al Shakur, a descendant of Baha al-Din Zakariyya Multani r.a . Having enlightened him with the guiding principles of the spiritual path, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Shakur bestowed him with Ijazat Namah (formal permission to enrol disciples), a rosary and a Khirqa. Later on, he received guidance in the Naqashbandi, Kubrawi and Qadiri orders as well. Initially Khwajah Tahir used to carry the business of his father but later on abandoned it and earned his livelihood by cultivation of land at Wanigam. He travelled most parts of the valley and remained in seclusion for almost nine years. He had established close relations with his contemporary Sufi scholars like Shaykh Y’aqub Sarafi and Baba Dawud Khaki, the noted disciple of Makhdum Shaykh Hamzah. Owing to the antipathy of Suhrawardi’s against the Shiite traditions in the valley, most of the Suhrawardi Sufis had to face persecution and exile during the Shiite rule in Kashmir. Thus, while Kashmir was ruled by Y’aqub Shah Chak, the Shiite ruler (of Chak dynasty), he remained out of the city and returned only after the Mughals started to rule over Kashmir in 1586 C.E. Khwajah Tahir stayed with an eminent Brahman of Verinag namely Adar Suh, who finally embraced Islam. “^ He resided in the area known as Fatah Kadal in Srinagar, where he established a Khanqah, known as Khanqah-i Rafiqi, along with a Langar (Public charity kitchen). Khwajah Tahir was an eminent and influential Suhrawardi Sufi, who was bestowed with great expertise in the spiritual knowledge. During his travels within the valley, he attempted to spread the Suhrawardi order and guided enormous number of people in the spiritual path. He left behind a multitude of great Sufi scholars as his disciples, including Shaykh Musa Zahgir, Shaykh Mir ‘All, Mawlana Hasan Lankar, Shaykh Yusuf, Shaykh Muhammad Sharif etc. They kept the Suhrawardi chain of Khwaja Tahir alive for at least next two generations. Khwaja Tahir died in 1001 A.H / 1592- 93 C.E. and was entombed at Fatah Kadal in Srinagar.
The Muslim Rishi movement shares much with its pre-Islamic counterpart in terms of certain beliefs, practices, and techniques. Both upheld the belief that ‘knowledge of God’ (Ma’rifat-e-Haqiqi) could be had through true ‘knowledge of the self’ (Ma’rfiat-e-Nafs). Like the pre-Islamic Rishis, Muslim Rishis, too, adopted stern austerities and often retired to the mountains and caves to meditate. This shift from a concern with individual salvation that could easily transform itself into a form of escapism to a concern with the welfare of ordinary people is one of the distinctive features of the Rishi order. Baba Daryidin RA was one of the prominent and high-ranked saints of this Reshi order who lived during the reign of Zain-Ul- Abideen Badshah. This iconic Reshi saint came under the influence of two pious and known personalities of Reshi lineage viz. Nund-Reshi (Shaikh-ul-Alam) RA and Hazrat Zainudin Reshi RA. It is believed that Shaikh-ul-Alam RA entrusted Baba Daryidin RA to his Caliph- Hazrat Zainudin Reshi RA for spiritual guidance. After attaining true perfection in the world of spirituality, he was ordered by his mentor to conduct an extended visit to the valley of Kashmir; disseminate the message of oneness (Tawheed) to the general public. He acted upon the advice of his mentor and started his spiritual journey. While traveling from one area to another, he finally reached to Elaqi-Phag. There, he met with another Sufi saint of his time namely Baba Faqru-Din Wali RA who was meditating in a cave at the mountain top which is situated between Nagbal and Khalimula, tehsil Ganderbal. And the name of the village is attributed to this glorious personality as “Dariya Din” which is 10 km. away from district headquarter Ganderbal. After spending quite some time in and around this particular area, he finally selected the same place as the permanent place for his mediation. It is said that his place of meditation was surrounded by wild animals like bears, lions, snakes, etc but they never did any harmful act against him.
Histories who had penned down the biographical sketches of various Sufi saints of Kashmir like Mohammad Azim Dedmari RA, Hassan Shah Khuhami RA, Sheikul Islam Hazrat Baba Dawood Mushkati RA did mention of his name with a brief life sketch in their writings. There is no as such any written record that endorsed his exact date of birth or birthplace but as per the verbal tradition, he was from Rainawari-Srinagar. He had no formal education. Like other Muslim Rishis, he strictly adhered to the Reshi principles, led an extremely simple, single life, remain forever engrossed in the remembrance of Almighty Allah (Zikr-Allah), subjecting himself to considerable hardship and at the same time he facilitated those who were in need. So far his day-to-day needs, he was surviving on just water and dry wild edibles like leaves of Dandelion flower (Haand), Dipsacaceous leaves (Wopul Haak). Like his predecessors, he never stored any foodstuff for himself for the next day. Apart from that, he also enjoyed the company of contemporary Rishis like Baba-Shukur-Din Reshi RA, Baba Payam-Ul-Din RA, Baba Hanif-Ul-Din Reshi, and Sheikh Sham-Ul-Din Reshi RA. There are many miracles attributed to his life. One of the popular miracles is: “Once he was busy in meditation just a few yards away from his cave, a few buglers looted his utensils, from the Cave. Just a day after those group of looters lost their eyesight and when they came to know that the things that they had looted were the assets of the saint, they returned the martial, begged before him. Hazrat raised his hands for special prayer and their eyesight returned”. His disciples that include prominent figures like Baba Sangee Reshi RA, Baba Fatha Reshi RA Baba-Hasti Reshi RA used to fetch water for his day-to-day needs and ablution from nearby villages because there was no water facility available there. One day, they brought that matter to his Master who recited the name Allah and then struck his hand with stick (Asa) on the ground and water oozed from there. That sources of water became the lifeline for the later residents who made this place as their permanent settlement. During the final stage of his worldly life, he went for forty days seclusion in the cave leaving the instruction to his followers that they wouldn’t disturb him because he got the divine order to go for that special prayer. After the due date, when they removed the front stone of the cave, his body was disappeared from there. That news spread like a world fire and the people across the valley rushed there. When that news touched the ears of then Emperor- Zain-Ul-Abideen Bud Shah, he visited there along with his ministerial staff. He issued an immediate order to construct a Mausoleum at the cave and mosque there. He also donated a few kanals of land in favor of the Ziarat Sharief. One can see an awesome view of Dal- Lake from there.
Every year, the day and night annual celebration is being celebrated on 10th Rabil-Awwal that extends up to 12th Rabil Awal- the same day marks the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). People from district Ganderbal and the adjoin districts visit the shrine, special prayers are organized to give tribute to the great saint. A Community kitchen/langar is set for devotees. Locals prepared traditional dishes especially Dipsacaceous leaves (Wopul Haak) to commemorate the simple lifestyle of Reshee’s. Special thanks to Farooq Ahamad Reshee-Imam Jamia Masjid Babadriydin and Mohammad Akram Chopan-caretaker of the Shrine who facilitated me during my research work. Inspired by Nisar Ahamad Bhat from Tulmula, Ganderbal.
Haroon Rashid Bhat is a teacher by profession, presently posted in district Ganderbal, can be reached at minamharoon123@gmail.com
Kupwara is among those few districts of Jammu and Kashmir that are blessed in many ways. Apart from the sheer natural beauty that Kupwara district possesses, the district also has a rich heritage and culture. The diversity that this district possesses in the form of various tourist sites, pertaining to different facets of history, religion, and culture is phenomenal. One aspect of this diversity can be seen through a large number of Sufi shrines that are spread all over the district. One can spot a sufi shrine in almost every village of this district. Keeping in mind the large number of devotees that these shrines attract, I bring you this column on the famous Sufi Shrines in Kupwara.
• Shrine of Hazrat Zati Shah wali R.A
One of the most sacred destinations in Kupwara, the shrine of Hazrat Zati Shah Wali (RA) holds a prominent place in the sufi culture of Kashmir; it is revered by people of all faiths. It was built in 16th century AD in a beautiful village called Muqam e Shahwali,Drugmulla. This village is at a distance of 5 kms from the southeastern direction of the district headquarters.The shrine of Hazrat Zati Shah Wali is a symbol of syncretic sufi culture of Kashmir. The shrine is co-located with Jamai masjid and includes tombs of saint’s sister and brother also. Every year, in the month of May, an Urs or annual fair is observed for three days which is attended by devotees from all faiths including Hindus and Sikhs.
•Shrine of Hazrat Shiekh Syed Abdul Wahab RA.
This shrine is located at a village called Shahnagari which falls within the jurisdiction of Qalamabad Tehsil of district Kupwara J&K. Shahnagari was given the name by Hazrat Shiekh Syed Abdul Wahab after he settled in the village. The Holy Shrine of Hazrat Shiekh Syed Wahab, having devotional linkage to Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jeelani r.a , is surrounded by thousands of Devdaar trees.There is huge rush of devotees round the year. If you want to see the cool sweet springs, the murmuring waters, and the waterfalls from the heights, there is hardly a better place than this in the valley.
•First underground cave Khankah of Kashmir
This historical and spiritual site is located in the evergreen conifer woods of Shahnagari. Shahnagar means the city of kings in Kashmiri language. The 700 years old first underground seven room cave Khankah is just a few hundred meters away from the holy shrine of Hazrat Shiekh Syed Abdul Wahab (RA). From its internal structure and style of construction, it is clear that the dervishes used to meditate and had “chilla” there. There is also a spring at a short distance from the cave, which has now dried up. The approximate length of this cave is 30 ft., it’s 2.5 ft wide, and its height is 6 feet approximately. Although the cave is crumbling yet a corridor and 7 strange rooms can be seen. The recent reopening of this underground cave-khankah is a reminder of harmony that is deep rooted in the Kashmiri civilization.
•Shrine of Hazrat Shiekh Ahmad Chogali RA.
Mulla Ahmad, better known as Sheikh Ahmad Chogali (RA), and reverentially as “Sheikh seab” was a sufi scholar and a saint of the Suhrawardiyya order. Owing to his command on Islamic literature, Hadith, Fiqah etc., he is known as – Mohiuddin al Arabi Thani. His shrine at Chogal, Handwara is visited by people of all faiths. Chogal village is located in Handwara Tehsil of Kupwara district in Jammu & Kashmir.The Shrine of Hazrat Sheikh Ahmad Chogali is one among the venerated sufi shrines of district Kupwara and witness huge rush of devotees round the year.
•Three Religous entities at Trehgam
Trehgam village of district Kupwara symbolises communal harmony and coexistence of different faiths.The three religious entities-400 years old shiv temple,The grand masque and the shrine of Hazrat Syed Ibraheem Bukhari RA stand in a row and in front of them is a famous pond.This pond is believed to be thousand year old and is the main source of drinking water for almost half a dozen villages. Sir walter lawrence mentions in his book “the valley of Kashmir. The pond of Trehgam indicates the utmost beauty of Kashmir.The foundation of the grand masjid near the Shiv temple was laid by Hazrat Syed Ibraheem Bukhari RA who is believed to have come form the middle east along with Mir syed Ali Hamadani RA vis Hindu Kash mountains. The shiv temple too is symbol of unity. Although no Kashmiri Pandith family lives in this village but many of them revisit their roots and offer puja in the shiv temple from time to time.
• Shrine of Hazrat Mohammad Amin Owaisi RA
This iconic mystic was born around 1900 AD at Surgan (Drawa), near Sharda in Kishan Ganga valley. According to popular belief, Hazrat Mohammad Amin Owaisi was a steadfast Sufi and was associated with the Owasi Silsila of Sufism. The Owaisi Silsila was raised to its pinnacle of popularity in Kashmir by this towering mystic.He was like a star guiding so many. He may be considered as a Perfect Wali who created a large following, not just a crowd but highly disciplined and enlightened group to bring the people on the right path. Even today many true seekers are guided by his followers. traveled to various parts of the subcontinent and then finally resided in the area which is known today Kasheera .His shrine at Kasheera Kupwara is adorned not only by Muslims but Hindus as well.
•Hazrat Haji Bahram sb r .a
Hazrat Haji Bahram sb was a great sufi saint of Bonagome Langate .He was one of the prominent disciples of “Bab Ul Faqur” ,Baba Abdullah Gujriyali RA of Guzriyal Kupwara.His urs pak is celebrated on 23th January every year.His shrine at Bongom and wahipira langate is thronged by the devotees round the year.
•Hazrat ama saeb yaar. R.a
Shrine of Hazrat Ama saeb Yaroo Langate
This shrine is located at a village called Yaroo in Langate Tehsil of District Kupwara.Hazrat Amma Saeb RA was a towering mystic of his times.A number of karamaats are attributed with this mystic.Thousands of devotees pay visit to his shrine.
•Hazrat Jamal saeb r.a Pohrupeth.
The shrine of Hazrat Jamal saeb RA is at a village called pohrupeth.Pohrpeth is at a distance of 8 kmts from Handwara.Hazrat Jamal Saheb RA was a great saint of his time and his lineage continues even today. Many Sufi Silsilas or orders came to Kashmir but Jamal Saab’s lineage or silsila is unique and is not found else where in Kashmir. Thousands of devotees from all parts of Kashmir visit his shrine.
•Shrine of Hazrat Peer Khan wali RA
This shrine is located on Sopore Kupwara National high way at a place called Koh i watyeen ,Hazrat Pirkhanwali is believed to be a part of the missionary of Hazrat Mir syed Ali Hamadani RA.His shrine is visited by people of all faiths.
To be continued…. Khursheed Dar is a leading columnist and author of Kashmir. khursheed.dar33@gmail.com
Shukur lillah Haale mann har lahza Neiko tar shud ast Shaikhe Shaikhan Shaikh Humzah ta maraa rahbar shud ast (Allamah Khaki)
Kashmir being famous in the world for its picturesque beauty that nature has bestowed her abundantly led it to be known as paradise on earth Gar Firdows barr roye zameen ast, hameen ast o hameen ast o hameen ast. Its environs full of serenity has produced and attracted lots of personalities who were in search of Absolute Truth & Reality and wanted to dissolve their existence with the nature’s ecstatic dance. This perseverance was so much passionate that this region became a hub for spiritual experiences by the Sufi saints to unravel the secrets and mysteries of the Truth and therefore, evolved to be known as Pir waer (The Garden of Saints).
The surroundings laid a great impact on the psyche of the people of Kashmir to make them subtle and humane. The onset of Islam to this region was welcomed by the then Buddhist ruler Rinchen Shah (who was in search of Truth)when one of the great Saint of Suhrawordi order namely Hz.Sayyid Sharf ud Din Bulbul was meditating on the bank of river Jehtum and Rinchen Shah along with his wife were overwhelmed by the spiritual impact of the saint and embraced Islam. History bears testimony to the fact that the people of Kashmir embraced Islam primarily by experiencing its spiritual manifestations which were transmitted by the Sufi Saints who had come here mostly from Central Asia- the then treasure of spiritual movements and orders.
The process continued and within a short span of time majority of the population in Kashmir was attracted towards islam and embraced it as the way of experiencing their lives in enlightenment, certainly with the untiring efforts of the Saints such as Hz. Shah e Hamadon, Hz. Soyyid Husain Simnani and Hz, Mir Muhammad Hamadani, predominantly, by the influence of their moral & spiritual character. To mention a few more Sayyid Muhammad Rufal at Asfahani, Sayyid Ahmad Quraishi, Sayyid Muhammad Quraishi, Shaikh Noor ud Din Reshi, Baba Nasr ud Din Reshi, Sayyid Ali Aali Balkhi, Baba Boom ud Din Reshi, Baba Zain ud Din Reshi, Babo Lateef ud Din Reshi, Baba Nawroze Resh|, Baba Shakoor ud Din Reshi, Sayyid Muhommad Madani, Shaikh Baha ud Din Kubrawi, Sayyid Jomal ud Din Bukhari, Sayyid Mansoor, Sayyid Hassan Mantagi, Sayyid Muhammad Amin Owaisi, Mir Mirak Andrabi, Shaikh Homzahh Makhdoom; Mir Sayyid Ahmad Kirmani,
Shaikh Yaqoub Sarfi, Makhdoom Haji Ahmad Qari Al-Quraishi and Khwaja Tahir Rafiqui. As the list is endless to be mentioned and there has been a tremendous contribution of these personalities not only in grooming the collective character of the people of Kashmir but also by creating a treasure of knowledge & literature that exists both in published and unpublished forms. The literature expounds various dimensions of knowledge & wisdom which includes numerous dimensions of Tasowwuf as well, wherein, the secrets of Sufi experiences and observations have been recorded. Since last more than six hundred years now, our Patron saint Alamdaer e khitaye Kashmir, Hz. Shalkh-ul Aalam has soothed the generation after generation by his teachings recorded in Shruks which had a great impact on the people from all walks of life irrespective of cast, colour and creed. History bears witness to the fact that Shaikh-u/ Aalam carries a distinct and iconic status for this region. He not only played a very significant role in awakening the people against the tyranny but also influenced all the then existent ideologies and dogmas by the fundamentals of Tawheed, Tassawuf and Gnosticism.
Likewise, Hz. Sultan-ul Aarifeen Shaikh Hamzah Makhdoom carried on the mission of his predecessors and strictly practiced the Shariah. Hz. Makhdoom was bom at Tujar Sharief in 900 A.H. In his infancy his mother suffered from the scarcity of milk to feed him, so a nurse was called but astonishingly he didn’t accept her milk for many a days and ultimately it was unrevealed that the nurse had come to feed Hz. Mokhdoom without the permission of her husband, Keeping in view the spiritual inclination Hz. Makhdoom was brought to Srinagar by his grandfather Zaitee Raina, where, he imbibed Quranic knowledge from Baba Fatehullah within a record time. Then Hz. Makhdoom was advised to join renowned and prestigious Madrassah Dar-ush Shifa located near the foothills of Kah-i Maran.
“After elementary study of the Quran in Tujjar, his village, Shaikh Hamzah was sent to Baba Ismail Kubrawi, a well-known scholar of his time, who enrolled him in the college known as the Dar-ush-Shifa at the foot of the Koh-l-Maran. Besides the Quran, its exegesis,Traditions and the Fiqh, Shaykh Hamzah (r.a) studied Sufism and allied sclences One of his noted teachers was Akhund Mulla butfullah, Another was Mulla Fathullah Haqqani, the san of Baba Ismail Kubrawl.” (G.M.0. Sufl, Kashir- Being a History of Kashmir, Vol |, All Mohammad & Sons, 1970, 2008, p. 112}
Hz. Makhdoom used to go to Khangoh e Shamsi Chek for performing Dhikir to satiate his spiritual quest. The book Asrar-ul Abrar mentions that Hz. Makhdoom said that he was bestowed with knowledge from Gaib (unseen), moreover Allama Khaki says in the masterpiece Wird-ul Mureedeen:
Chu Khuda ime ludini kard taileemash ze mehor
Bahre osror-i ilighl aalimay amhar shud ast
Knowledge to him was bestowed by the Creator Himself Thus in the mysteries of creation he acclaimed Mastery
Furthermore, Khwaja Azam Dedmari mentions in Woqiyate Kashmir that Hz. Makhdoom was initially guided from Gaib and thereby, points towards his association with Uwaisi silsilah and then, once Hz. Makhdoom in a dream saw Prophet (PBUH) wherein, he ordered him to take Bayah (oath) on the hands of Hz. Sayyid Jamal ud Din Bukhari who would reach to him very scon. And the same thing happened and Hz Makhdoom took Bayah on the hands of Hz. Sayyid and entered into the Suhrawardi silsilah, as Allamah Khaki says: Gam na bayad khurd maoraan rowze hashr az tishnagi Mumbaye een silsilah chu Saqiye Kawser shud ast Let us not be worried about the thirst on the doomsday As the origin of this silsilah is the holy Prophet (PBUH) {Saqi-e-Kousar) himself
Hz. Makhdoom throughout his life practiced and transmitted the secrets of spiritual enlightenment, ecstasy and frenzy amongst the hundreds and thousands of disciples along the lengths and breadths of this region in order to know and go nearer to the Absolute Reality and achieve purification, as the holy Quran proclaims, “But those will prosper who purify themselves (87:14).
Prof. Syed Mohi ud Din Habib who translated a book of Abdul Majeed Raina’s Sultan-ul Aarifeen Spiritual Epitome of Kashmir writes:
Allah had favoured Hz. Mahboob-ul Aalam Sultan-ul Aarifeen with such high status and unlimited blessings that in every word and action and in happenings and events a clear glimpse of his intuitions, miracles and manifestations were reflected. There is no limit to his spiritual events and manifestations. Baba Daud Khaki writes once an idea came to my mind that | shall write a bit about the miracles and the manifestations of my guide which | saw with my own eyes and heard with my own ears. The time came when by the Divine help and favour of God | decided to write an eulogy about him and produced in me the power to present his miracles, his status and spiritual manifestations”.
It is a well established fact that the people of Kashmir embraced Islam under the influence of Sufis and the impact is so strong that they by and large for the last 700 years adhered to Islamic faith and practices associated to Sufi culture of tolerance, accommodation, togetherness and harmony without any apparent serious difference or conflict among sects or religions. Kashmir is an unique place in the world where Islam was spread through spiritual (Sufistic) influences exhibiting great degree of forbearance, love and peace amongst the masses, which unfortunately at present is diminishing every day in and day out.
Hz. Makhdoom as a missionary with great zest and zeal travelled along length and breadth of the region to disseminate the real message & teachings of Islam. He was instrumental in setting up a large number of masjids all over the region and a galaxy of disciples of highest intellect were groomed by Hz. Makhdoom who in turn vehemently worked on the ground amongst the common masses both individually and collectively to spread the real message of islam. The prominent disciples are Hz. Mir Baba Haider Tulmuil, Hz. Baba Dawood Khaki, Hz, Shaikh Ahmad Chogii, Hz Khwaja Hasan Qari, Hz Khwaja Ishaag Qari, Hz. Khwaja Sikandarpuri, Hz. Baba Ali Raina, Hz. Meeram Bazaz, Hz. Shaikh Rupa Rishi, Hz. Shaikh Babs Harde Rishi, Hz, Sayyid Mir Khan, Hz, Mullah Feroz Ganai, Hz. Mullah Shams ud Din Pal, Hz. Khwaja Attar Ganai, Hazrat Mubarak Khan Baihagi, Hz. Khwaja Usman Kout, Hz. Mutlah Soff Baba, Hz. Mullah Sofi Ahad, Hz. Mir Abdullah Qazi, Hz. Khwaja Bahram, Hz. Mian Manik Shah, Hz. Khwaja Dawood Tusi, Hz. Regu Dar, Shaikh Behram Gortengoo, Maulana Mir Muhammad Afzal, Hz. Shaikh Bayazid, Hz. Shaikh Hassan Baba Mutawalll, and Majzoob Zeeti Shah Dragmullah. Later on the mission was continued by the great missionaries like Hz. Baba Naseeb-ud Din Gazi and Hz. Shaikh Dawood Batmatoo and the Silsilah is still in continuum and having deep roots in unrevealing the complexities of the knowledge and wisdom to know the Absolute Reality. Moreover, the endeavours put forth by Hz. Makhdoom in institutionalizing the integrated holistic system of education by introducing the concept of Taleem and Tarbiyat. Hz. Makhdoom then became the Muhtamim-e Aala {rector) of Dar-ul Shifa and also developed a library in the vicinity of Hz. Sayyid Belaad-e Rumi’s shrine.
Few masterpiece literary works written by the disciples of Hz. Makhdoom are:
Wirdul Mureedin and its interpretation Dastur~ul-Salikeen — Baba Dawood Khaki, Risalae Sultani- Shaikh Ahmad Choguli, Hidayat-ul Mukhliseen – Baba Haider Tulmull, Chilchilat-ul Aarifeen – Shiakh Ishaaq Qari, Tazkirat-ul Murshideen — Khwaja Meeram Bazaz, Tazkirat-ul Aarifeen — Baba Ali Raina, Ramooz ul Talibeen – Maulana Jafar. And the later contributions are Noornama — Baba Naseeh ud Din Gazi, Asrar-ul Abrar — Baba Dawood Mishkati, Sultani — Mullah Baha- ud Din Mattoo etc. Almost every historian and chronicler of Kashmir has mentioned the role and contribution of Shaikh Hamzah with high reverence. Most of the poets especially Mathnavi writers and sufi poets of Kashmir have composed eulogies of this reversed saints.
Notwithstanding that, from the later part of last century differences among sects or religions have surfaced vehemently and the culture of tolerance and accommodation diluted with adverse effects on peace and harmony, has led the people of Kashmir towards a Moral & Spiritual vacuum. In fact, to undermine and trivialize the real message and philosophy of Tasawwuf there is a type of critical incompetence, alas, too frequent, that tries to hide its native sterility behind a barrage of fine and impressive words. Vague thinking, ill-formed generalizations, diffusive and rambling developments of half baked ideas often acquire a deceptive appearance of exactness and solidity by the well-known trick of camouflaging words.
Those people who claim to have understood the problems of ailing humanity should study the life and works of the great saints like Hz. Makhdoom to re-evaluate and re- access their claims, as the Ziyarah stands out, even in this era of materialistic predominance, for those who are In the quest of the Divine search.
As Allah says, “Whosoever shows enmity to someone devoted to me, | shall be at war with him. My servant draws not near to Me with anything loved more by Me, the religious duties have enjoined upon him and My servant continues to draw near to Me with supererogatory works so that | shall love him. | am his Hearing with which he hears, his Seeing with which he sees, his Hand with which he strikes and his Foot with which he walks. Were he to ask (something) of, | would surely give it to him and were he to ask Me for refuge | would surely grant him. | do not hesitate anything as much | hesitate about (seizing) the soul of My faithful servant … he hates death and | hate hurting him” (Hadith e Qudsi, Sahih Al. Bukheri). To conclude, in the present chaotic upheaval of global happenings the fundamentals of human values have come under a severe disqualification and amongst these values the most strived for is the peace of mind, which has often been breached on one pretext or the other but if one turns the leaves of history it becomes evident that individuals even in messy times generally enjoyed a peaceful orientation but in our times the most severely hit segment of serenity is an individual which results in restless family and a reactive society. It is thus very important to ravish a way out which can at least bring human beings together under the overwhelming Influence of an atmosphere of tranquility. In such an unpleasant atmosphere spirituality is the only tool which can gradually grow and will take the shape of soul for every aspect of life. To conclude | quote the words of Mirza Kamal-ud Din Shaida says: Aap ki seerat soraapaa jazbaye Islam hai Aap ki sawaaz may tawheed ka paigaam hai Khoke pag say aap kay Khaki bhi Afiaki hua Baarokaliah keemlyah woh paykare khaki hua
(Dr. S. Iqbal Quraishi)
HEAD, international Centre for Spiritual Studies, Islamic University of Science & Technology
Peer Hussisn Shah popularly known as Hussian Saeb Kutlari was a prominent Sufi figure blessed with keen insight and eloquence.He is counted among the renouned sufi saints of Kashmir.His shrine at a village called Kutlari is thronged by the devotees round the year. Kutlari is at distance of 12 km from Handwara town and falls within the juresdiction of Qalamabad tehsil of Kupwara district in Jammu & Kashmir.This village is not only famous for scenic beauty and trout fish but also for the sufi saint Hassian Saeb. From available oral sources this author came to know that Hussian saeb Kutlari was a great sufi saint of his times who worked tirelessly for the welfare his society. Billions of thanks to Peer Mehraj ud din, grand son , Sajdah Bagam, niece of this mystic and Nisar Azam sahib , a leading poet & translator for providing me vital and useful leads for this column. Born in 1929 at a small village called Kutlari, Hussian saeb was admired in the whole area for his generosity and piety. His father namely Peer Yahiya Shah and mother namely Aziz ded were known for their simplicty and generosity. Hassian Saeb had lineage with the eminent sufi saint of Baba family of Dangiwacha ,Baramulla namely Hazrat Afzal Baba RA. Peer Hassian Shah Kutlari recieved his education upto 8th standard.His spiritual endowments provoked him to seek a guide who could quench his spiritual hunger. For this purpose, he went to Hazrat Qadir seab Hiri RA of Kupwara and became his cherished disciple. He also followed Hazrat Moulana Mohammad Amin Owaisi RA of Kasheera Kupwara. Nisar Azam sahib , a leading poet & translator narrated an intresting event of this mystic to the author of this column.”One day Hussian Saeb went on an excursion at Satbaran caves Kupwara with his school..Suddenly a famous saint of Kupwara namely Qadir Saeb Hiri RA appeared there and gave him a half chewed date. It is said that when he ate that date,he was lost in spiritual wonderments and his heart was filled with heavenly bless”.The teacher recognised his pupil and the pupil recognised his teacher.Thus began his mystic journey. From the family sources this author came to know that Hassian saeb did not ever marry but passed his life in the love of Allah,the merciful , through meditation and mystic experience. Hassian saeb is also reported to have performed 40 days ‘chilla’ in the underground cave Khankah of Shahnagri Mawar Handwara,a village inhabited and named by a towering sufi saint Hazrat Shiek syed Abdul wahab RA 700 years ago. As per family sources,one day Hassian saeb left his home and went Ajmeer sharief and Hazrat Nizam ud Din ,Delhi and stayed there for decades. The institution of” Langar” influenced him much and he felt the need to start it at his native village Kutlari.In 1995 Hassian opened a Langur at Kutlari to feed the hungry people irrespective of religion ,caste and creed. As we know the institution of “Langar” emerged from towering sufi saint Fariduddin Ganjshakar,a sufi saint who lived in the Punjab region during the 13th century. The concept of “langar” is nice symbol of charity and equality.Unfortunately the “langar of Peer Hussian saeb of Kutlari stopped to function after his demise. It is believed that he was the fallower of Suhrawardi sisila of sufism.Spend days and nights in prayers and meditations.As per Sajdah Bagam;his niece,who served him till his last breath.Hassian saeb never left his prayer.He advised his fallowers to pray five times a day. As per family sources in first 20 years Hassan saeb was a wondering “Darvash” “jilali Qalandar “but in last 20 years he strictly fallowed islamic “shariyah .Never missed any prayer and would go for months with out eating or drinking any thing. The personality of this mystic can not be put into the words. A number of Karamaats,maricles to say are attributed with this mystic which are beyond the explaination.His grandson Peer Mahraj ud Din Shah narrated one to the author of this column.One day Hassian Saeb said someone to call late Abdul Ahad Kar, the earstwhile member assembly ,when Abdul Ahad Kar reached there this mystic garlanded him and told him that he was going to represent that area ,surprisingly there was no such sign of elections at that time ,just after the few months Abdul Ahad Kar won the elections in 1996 and did great work for the construction of Langer and Masjid Sharief at Kutlari. One of his Karamat,miracle to say is narrated by Dr.Rafeeq Masoodi saeb,former ADG Doordarshan, I know Hussian saeb personally ,His sister was married at Dangiwacha .Hassian saeb often visited her.When there were no rains people of Dangiwacha used to clean ” Nagraad “a group of few natural water springs and this highly spiritual personality, Hassian saeb would suddenly appear there and it rained.I still remember when he would not appear there, there was no rain.Hassian saeb used to bathe in the ice water with bare feet in the harsh winters There are many interesting and strange incidents about him which are beyond explaination. Hassian Saeb Kutlari had no worldly yearning,lived a simple life and did not recieve money from his visitors. What so ever was coming was spent in the Langar,free community Kitchen.As per family sources Hassan saeb would go for weeks with out eating or drinking any thing. Hassian Saeb Kutlari had a galaxy of followers through out the length and bredth of Kashmir.People from all walks of life used to visit him and get his blessings. Hassain saeb travelled all over India.He was great lover of books.From oral sources this author came to know that this mystic preached love and brotherhood and to him simple living and love to mankind is the best way to come closer to Allah,the Almighty and his prophet,(peace be upon him)
Hussian saeb Kutlari left for heavenly abode on 03 March 2003 and his funeral prayer was led by Molvi Saif ud Din of Trathpora Kupwara.As per his wishes he was burried at Kutlari.He is counted among the renouned sufi saints of Kashmir.His legacy needs to be shared and preserved.
HUSSAIN SAEB KUTLARI R.A
Khursheed Dar is a vetron Columnist of Kashmir and can be reached at khursheed.dar33@gmail.com
Visit to Zaingair Sopore without paying visit to the shrine Hazrat Khawaja Hassan Qari RA is incomplete.Recently I visited this shrine .The mystic beauty of the shrine prompted to write this column.
While writing this column, my heart and soul is wandering in the mausoleum of this great saint.Being a student of history visiting the anonymous sufi shrines of Kashmir and writing prospectives is my interest.My interaction with the care takers of this shrine proved very helpfull.They provided me some vital and valuable inputs to gather the written sources.As per written sources I came to know that Hazrat Hassan Qari RA better known as Khawaja Hassan Qari (RA), and reverently as “Khawaja seab” was a member of Suhrawardiyya sufi order.Under the tutelage of Hazrat Shiekh Hamzah Maqdoomi RA, Hazrat Khawaja Hassan Qari RA reached to the great heights.Owing to his commond over seven melodious recitations of the Quran, he is known as Qari.Qari is a person who recites the Quran with proper rules of recitation,tajwid. His resting place in the evergreen woods of a village called Hardu shiva is thronged by the devotees round the year. This village is at a distance of 10 KM from the apple town Sopore . From the availabe written sources this author came to know that Hazrat Khawaja Hassan Qari RA learnt the fibre of’ tasawuf ‘from a towering sufi saint, Hazrat Sheikh Hamzah Makdhoomi (RA).
Hazrat Khawaja Hassan Qari RA was born in a noble and lettered family of Baldimar in Srinagar.Nothing is known about his birth year.As per written sources,his mother, a devoted disciple of Hazrat Sheikh Hamzah Makhdoomi (RA), played a vital role in his spiritual as well religious education. She urged him to fallow Hazrat sheikh Hamzah Makdhoomi (RA).
Hazrat Khawaja Hassan Qari RA taught the recitation of the Quran and other “ulooms”to large number of people. He had his cloth business in srinagar.This probably is the reason that this mystic is famous as Khawaja.
How Hazrat started his mystical journey
His brother Isaq Qari mentions in “Chilchilat al Arifin”that one day Khawaja Hassan Qari felt unconscious.His parents lost all hopes of his recovery. His father went to the masjid to plea the “imam “to pray for the speedy recovery of his son.He saw a man offering prayer there. Some one told him to relate his matter to that man, who went along with him to that man solve the problem. With his miraculous prayers ,Hasan Qari recovered from the unconsciousness and began to feel sound.Latter on his parents came to know that the man was a towering sufi saint of Kashmir namely Hazrat Sheikh Hamzah Makdhoomi (RA).whom they invited to their home and offered their allegiance to him.In this way Khawaja Hassan Qari (RA) became a disciple of Hazrat Shiekh Hamzah Makdhoomi (RA).Thus began his mystical journey.
The author of “Tazkir ul aslaf”writes that his mother who was a devoted disciple of Hazrat Sheikh Hamzah Makdhoomi( RA) played a vital role in his spiritual education and urged him to fallow Hazrat Sheikh Hamzah Makdhoomi (RA.) . From the written sources this author came to know that the personality of Hazrat Khawaja Hassan Qari is beyond explanation.Under the tutelage of his spiritual mentor,Hazrat Khawaja Hassan Qari RA shunned all worldy comforts and luxuries and spend days and nights in “zikir e Allahi” and prayers .As per written sources he would meditate for months with out eating any thing.
Baba Dawud Khaki(ra) refers to him in his “Wird al-Muridin” while saying that under the instructions of Sheikh Hamzah Makdhoomi( RA, ) Khwajah Hasan tasted the flavour of the remembrance of Allah that illuminated his heart and soul. The love of Almighty Allah,the gracious and mercifull, had penetrated the inner depths of his heart and soul.On the instructions of his mentor,he settled at a village called Hardu Shiva Zaingair Sopore.There he guided a large number of people in the Sufi path.He did not accept gifts or money from the people who used to visit him to get his blessings.What so ever reached to him was distributed among pover and destitutes.
Hazrat Khwaja Hassan Qari (RA) was a good scholar too.His “Rahat ul Talibeen”is one of the master pieces.This book besides dealing with the life of his mentor,Hazrat Sheikh Hamzah Makdhoomi (RA), explores a number of mystical facts and principles of Tasawwuf. what is more ” Rahat al-Talibeen” is a fine exploration of the different ways and practices followed by the seekers in the Sufi path. The author of” tazkir ul afireen” writes that his spiritual mentor assigned him a duty to carry water for his kitchen.This kitchen was serving the food for two hunderd sufi saints.Among them Hazrat Mir Baba Hadar Tulmuli (RA) deserves a special mention.From whom Hazrat Khawaja Hassan Qari (RA) benefited much.It is said that he liked The book “saluk ul murqabat” of Hazrat Baba Haider Tulmuli (RA) very much,and used to kiss the every page of that book daily.
On the instructions of his mentor Hazrat Sheikh Hamzah Makdhoomi (RA) he spent his last days at Hardu Shiva zaingair sopore. The author of “chilchilat ul arifeen ” writes that he performed forty “chillas” in solitude”in the forests of zaingar Sopore. Khawaj Hassan Qari RA has wriiten sufi poetry also. The author of “tazkir ul murshadeen’ writes that Khawaja Hassan Qari RA has written history of Kashmir. Being a student of history I first time came to know that a sufi saint has wriiten history of Kashmir. Historian Hassan writes that this.. history is not avilable here.It’s pen script is preserved in Oxford University of UK.
A number of karamaats,miracles so to say are attributed with this mystic which are beyond the words. The author of “tazkir ul Aafreen writes that one night I went to his home.There I saw few strange men.who left at midnight .I asked Khawaja Hassan Qari (RA )about them. He said that one among them was Hazrat Owais Karni (RA ).This author mentions one more karamaat, (a mirracle to say, that once a disciple was walking with him.Meanwhile ,a snake bites him.The disciple cried with pain.On seeing this Hazrat Khawaji Hassan Qari (RA) ordered the snake to present itself before him. The snake came and was asked to took away the poison from the leg of the victim.The snake obeyed him and in this way his servent recovered. Historian Hassan writes that Khawaja Hassan Qari RA was a great saint of his times. As per authentic sources Khawaja Hassan Qari RA left for Heavenly abode in 999 hijri and was burried at Hardu Shiva zaingair in Sopore.The shrine hoists annual urs of this saint on 27th of Safar.
To conclude with the beautiful lines of Professor.Mohammad Ishaq Khan former HOD history university of Kashmir ; “While Hasan Qari regards strict adherence to Shari’ah as a necessary condition for gaining the ma ‘rifah of Allah, he argues the salik(spiritual seeker) to create self-confidence by way of purifying his soul and heart … In his estimation, equal treatment to the ‘high’ and ‘low’ is humility and doing good to the friend and enemy alike is sincerity.”
Khursheed Dar is a sufi scholar and vetron columnist and can be reached at
Habib ullah Lone popularly known as Hazrat Habb saeb Hatlangoo RA was a towering mystic of his times.Hathlangoo previously known as Hasmatpora is a village in Zaingair Sopore of Baramulla district in the Indian union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.This village is at a distance of 8 km from sub-district headquarter Sopore and 22 km from district headquarters Baramulla. It is one of the largest villages in Zaingair . The Hathlangoo village has Janwara Village in the South, Magraypora in the North, Botingoo in the Northwest, Malmapanpora in the West and the wulur in the east.This village is famous for a towering mystic Hazrat Habba Saeb RA. The name of this village ‘hatlangoo”is a Kashmiri word made of two words:”Hath means (hundred) and Langoo means (branches).The author of this column came to know that there was a chinar tree in the village which had hundred branches and then the elders of the village used this as a secondary name for the village.That chinar tree is still present in the cementery of the village. Billions of thanks to Mr. Bashir Ahmad Mir lecturer english from Goripora,Sopore for accompainying me to Hatlangoo and helping me to gather the information about this mystic. The locals as wells as the grand children of this high ranked mystic have no knowlwdge of his early life and birth year. Although Professor Abdul Gani Bhat has mentioned his association with Habb saeb Hathlango RA in his book “Beyond Me”in a picturesque way ,yet he too has not mentioned his birth year . From available family sources the author of this column came to know that hazrat Habba saeb Hathlangoo RA was a simple man who did not show off his saintliness.His father namely Mohammad Ismael lone was a saintly person and his mother Zeb ded was a virtous woman. Nothing is known about his eduation and schooling. Habba saeb RA worked as laborer. After day’work Habb saeb used to visit a faqeer namely sul saeb.One evening Sul saeb gave him a mystic touch and he lost his consciousness then slowly his senses restored.He started walking barefooted .His parents began to worry, and started to look for his treatment. First, Hazrat Habb Saeb was almost chained he broke the chains .Later he was treated by doctors. But nothing helped. All doctors labelled him as a hopeless case. One day his father took him to the blessed darbar of a great saint Hazrat Qadir saeb Hiri RA of Kupwara .Hazrat Qadir saeb Hiri RA told his father to leave Habba Saeb to the mercy of Allah. In this way Habb Saeb Hathlango RA became a wandering “Darvash’ thus began his mystical journey. From the available oral sources this author came to know that Habba saeb RA did not ever marry but passed his life in the love of Allah through meditation and mystic experience. To those who came to him, he was guide, philosopher and friend. His ‘mureeds’ were both muslims and pandiths . He had adopted a girl namely Taj ded. A number of “karamaats ‘are attributed to this mystic which are beyond explaination .His grandson Haji Ali Mohammad Lone narrated few such “Karamaats” to the author of this column. “One day a woman from Logri pora Sopore came to him along with her two sons.Hazrat Habba saeb RA pointed towords his younger son that he will sow maize crop and the elder one will extract teeth.This prophecy came true after decades when the elder son of that woman beacame a dentist and the younger one became district gricultural officer”. Once flood waters created panic in the area, the people visited Hazrat Habba Saeb and plead him to pray to Allah,the most compassionate and the most mercifull, Habba saeb went into the flood water and drank three sips of flood water looked towords the sky and prayed to Allah , the Beneficent , meanwhile the flood stopped. As per family sources Habba saeb used to respond the call of his family members from miles away.
One “Karamaat” is narrated by Dr.Rafeeq Masoodi sahib,formar ADG Doordarshan.”One day a girl suffering from chicken pox was brought to Habba saeb’s darbaar.Habba saeb RA applied some thing on her face and she recovered in his presence.Dr.Rafeeq Masoodi Sahib narrated an intresting incident to this author. ” My College teacher namely Professor Habibullah Wani took me to this mystic,I was deeply moved by his spiritual self. Then I used to visit this mystic frequently.My subject stream was tough at Govt.Degree college Sopore.I had opted Hindi as one of my subjects.But I was not good in Hindi.One day I accompained Professor Habibullah wani to Habba saeb RA ,I still remember ,I told Habba Saeb,main doctor banna chehta hu’ but hindi is one of my subjects.On hearing this Habba saeb raised his index finger high in the air.I didn’t understand this.Then Professor Habibullah wani told me that this means you will touch the heights of the sky.I realised this when I did my PG in Hindi in the prestigous Jawharlal Nehru University Delhi .I am still astonished how Hindi subject changed my future”. One more “karamat” of this mystic is narated by Dr.Mohammad Amin Para sahib;” 1n 1975 his father’s hands were not functioning properly in Habb saeb’s blessed darbar the hands of his father recovered by the grace of Allah. Habba saeb RA had sharpened some fingers of his hands with his a knife. Whenever there was a calamity in the area of Zeenagir, people used to visit Habba Saeb’s darbar for for prayers and blessings .The saintly personality of this mystic is beyond explaination. Habba saeb lived a simple life. He used to wear a long kurta or “pheren”.People through out length and bredith used to visit him and get his blessings. The author of this column felt astonished to see simple wooden hut of this mystic still in good condition. Habba Saeb’s grass mats,grass pillows,earthern pot and many other such things are still found there. Thanks to his grand son Haji Ali Mohammad Lone and his family for their hospitability and love to the author of this column.Thanks to Waseem Nasir Wani, a brilliant student of Hathlango,for love and concern. Habba saeb left for heavenly abode on 22th of December 1982.The annual Urs Of Hazrat Habba saeb RA is celebrated on 22th December every year.Lovers and devotees through out length and bredith of the valley assemble in the shrine and recite “Aurad e Fateha “and “Darood o salasm “with exuberant gesture.One may watch beggers,the poor snd the rich men,women,children and elders sharing the same plate. The shrine of this Habb saeb Hathlangoo RA at Hathlangoo zaingair Sopore witness a huge rush of devotees round the year.
The author researchs on anonymous sufi shrines and sufi poets of Kashmir and can be reached at khursheed.dar33@gmail.com
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