Therein you find lessons of spirituality and enlightenment, comments Khurshid Bhat
Shaikhul Alam (RA) was against the Rehbaniyat (Seclusion) and favoured and preached the observance of a family life as is revealed in his Shruks. He did his best to rejuvenate the society from the social evils which had crept in it and tried to show the right path to the ignorant people of Kashmir. He stood against the evil practices of caste system, idol worship, rituals and other vices. He fulfilled the need of the hour by developing an understanding among the ignorant people about the tenets of Islam and basic teachings of Quran and Hadith through his Shruks. He traveled far and wide to propagate the message of Peace (Islam).
Shaikh Nooruddun Noorani (RA) is the most revered saint of the Kashmir and a living symbol of the Kashmiri culture. He is popularly known by the various names as Shaikh-ul-Alam (the leader of the world); Nund Ryesh (the pious and beautiful saint) and Alamdar-i-Kashmir (the upholder of the banner of Kashmir). His poetry is considered as the "Koshur Quran" just as the Mathnavi of Maulana Rumi is considered as the Persian translation of the Quran. He was born in Kaimoh on 10th of Zilhaj in 779A.H. (1377A.D.) His fathers name was Salar Sanz. Sanz in Kishtiwri means Brave. G.R.Hassan claims that Salar Sanz, son of the Gurza Sunz accepted Islam at the hands of the Yasman Reshi. His mother’s name was Sadra. At the age of twenty Shaikh-ul-Alam (RA) married Zai, who belonged to a zamindar family of Dadsara. Her fathers name was Akber Din and from her the Shaikh had three sons, one of his sons died in infancy and later, the other son Haider and the daughter Zoon died under mysterious circumstances. At the age of 32 he went to Fikir Teng (Mount of Meditation)and spent about 7 years in an elevated cave in the outskirts of village Kaimoh Tehsil Kulgam in order to meditate in the cave. He was given the Khati Irshad (Letter of Authority) by Mir Muhammad Hammadani authenticated by Sultan Sikander in 1408. Shaikh had four dedicated disciples among them Baba Nasser-ud-din was the most revered disciple. Shaikh Nooruddin prompted the people to break their ties with traditional religion or culture and follow a path of Sharia bound structure of Islam. Islam welcomes meditation which leads to truthfulness, piety and love for God but not at the cost of renouncing the world affairs, and he opposed seclusion vehemently. He wants people to live a family life and at the same time they should realize Almighty God.
Shaikhul Alam (R.A.) himself opposes the Rehbaniyat (Seclusion) by saying:
"Naser babe janglas khasun ghi khamie Me dup tei aes beid ibadat
wachti ye ase bed badnami se aes karen kuni kath"
(Guldasta Shaikhul Alam (R.A.) 202)
"Wannan pienz tei wander aasan Gager gafhan parein waas
Yeim pashan waqtan agmal kasan nishe aasan baeshan temmeiy che khas" (Guldasta Kalam-i-Shaikhul Alam).
He was against the caste system and discrimination made on the bases of colour, sex, religion and creed.
"Hazrati babeh Adam(A.S.) mouloo Amei Hawah(A.S.) tatie aawoo
Adekath dapan doomb shroolo Kalas hamkal kiyah hindewo (Guldasta 204)
He speaks against the Mullas of that time who deviated from the right path. They were grinding their own axe by exploiting the illiterate masses.
"Shidad Firawoon lagith roodie Apuz dewan darwaish noaw
Tim soori trawith ras batas moodiy Yeim drawukh suon narie draow"
(Guldasta -302)
The crux of the sayings of the Shaikh is to persuade people to give up their vices and control their evil self (Nafs). He believes in Universal brotherhood and abhors too much attachment towards worldly affairs. In 1809, the Afghan Governor, Atta Mohammad Khan rebelled and declared himself as the sovereign ruler. He minted his coins in the name of the Shaikhul Alam(R.A.).
Shaikh-ul- Alam (R.A.) died at the age of 60 on 26 Ramzan, 842A.H.(1438). His Asthan is at Chare Sharef which was built in 1438 under the patronage and guidance of Sulatan Zainulabidin, who was one of the pall bearers in the morning procession of Shaikh. Still people of not only Kashmir but outsiders respect him. His Shruks are still full of guidance particularly for the Kashmiris to have the blessings of Almighty God and to lead a life of purity, selflessness and meditation.
(The writer is post graduate in History from Kashmir University)
[Greater Kashmir]
