Sufism in Kashmir
Sufism is a mystical form of Islam, a school of practice that gives emphasis to the inward search for God and shuns materialism. It has produced some of the world’s most beloved literature, like the love poems of the 13th-century Iranian jurist Rumi. Sufism is a mystical form that Sufis practice and a Sufi is someone who believes in the kind of Islam known as Sufism.
There are different meanings of the word Sufi. Some believe that the word Sufi has been derived from the word ‘Suf’ meaning `the wool’. A woolen garment was a symbol of simplicity of life and renunciation of luxury. Some believe its origin is from “Ahl –us-Suffa” orthe people of the bench. The Sufis are united on the point that Allah is one, Eternal, All Knowing, All Powerful. The Sufis have the characteristics of having a spiritual leader whom they respect and obey with all devotion and dedication. They are also ready to sacrifice everything to be nearer to Allah, and they achieve perfection in everything.
The famous Sufis of Kashmir are Sayyid Bulbul Shah (RA), Sayyid Ali Hamdani (RA), and Mir Mohammad Hamdani (RA). It is claimed that Hindu thought and religion greatly influenced Kashmiri Sufis. The result was that Kashmir produced Sufis with a different outlook. Some people call these sufis “Muslim rishis”. Among the “Muslim rishis”, the most famous rishi is Sheikh-nur-ud-din (RA). Out of love and veneration, the Hindus and Muslims call him Nandirishi. The Kashmiri Pandits also call him Sahzanand.
On their death, these rishis were buried in their ‘ziyaratsi’.Kashmiris have great reverence for these ziyarats and devotedly go there to place flowers on the graves.These shrines are still found in Kashmir. Two well- known shrines are in Aishmukam and Anantnag. Janakrishi lived in Aishmukam, and Rishmol lived in Anantnag. There are three famous shrines in Srinagar. Batmal, Thagbab Sahib, and Rishi Pir lived in these.
Kashmir, before the advent of Islam in the medieval period, was known as the land of Parvati or Rishi bhumi but later came to be called as “Peer Veer” meaning “an abode of Sufis and saints”. The Valley has also provided fertile ground for the emergence of various Hindu (primarily Shaivites saints) and Sufis saints, who happened to play a crucial role in knitting the culture called ‘Kashmiriyat’. Kashmiriyat, which shaped the religious preachers who through their devotional teachings, encouraged with the notion of brotherhood and unity, furnished a solid cultural landscape to the people of Kashmir. It is heartening to see so many courageous and confident women striving to live more fulfilled and independent lives. Let’s celebrate this women’s day to motivate more women of the state to come forward and take forward stride to excel and empower themselves.
