Sufi Saints of Kashmir

The gist from the age-old manuscripts presented in the three volume book provides insight into many aspects of our rich cultural heritage that has shaped our thoughts and beliefs over the centuries. The first volume, makes a startling assertion that about the first introduction of Islam in Kashmir in the very time of the Prophet Mohammad (PBH), when two of his companions (Sahabis) visited Kashmir and King Rana Dutta adopted simplicity and fixed one tenth of his revenue (ushur) for the poor. It carries an introduction by late Mubarak Shah Fitrat – a versatile scholar. The subjects like introduction of Islam in Kashmir and the details of the fourteen orders (silsilas) that sprang from the Prophet (PBUH) and the orders that became popular in Kashmir like Suhrawardya, Qadirya, Kubravya,Chishtya and Naqshbandya, are covered in the book. A brief life sketch of Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (RA), Baihaqi Sayids, and the details of descendants of Suhrawardy,Kubravi, Chishti, Naqshbandi, Qadiri and Rishi orders have been included.The second volume, covers various topics with introduction from the compiler. The book is based on the Urdu translation of the Persian poetry - MAJMOOA MASMOOA - the related stories written by Pirzada Ghulam Rasool Shaiva Zunimari ( migrated later to Gamroo Bandipora), father of the renowned historian of Kashmir Pir Hasan Shah Fazili Khoihami. The Urdu translation was accomplished by late Kh. Nazir Ahmad Kashtwari (Retd. Under Secretary General Department J&K Govt.). The subjects cover praises of Allah, Prophet Mohammad (PBUH), the four Khalifas (RA), Hazrat Sulta-ul Arifeen Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom Kashmiri (RA), conversion of Ganesh Koul the Qanoongo to Islam at the hands of Sheikh Hamza (RA), and the miracles of the disciples and their descendants. It has also an advice by the author to his sons. The Persian poetry of the manuscript has been ranked as parallel to the Masnavi of Maulana Rumi (RA) The third Volume of the book, contains topics with introduction by Dr. A.R.War. It covers brief biographies of the Sufi Saints referred in the second volume, besides their descendants. It also contains the spiritual lineage (Shajras) of Suhrawardya, Qadirya, Shazilya, Madinya, Chishtya, Naqshbandya orders – copied from the original handwritten manuscripts of Sheikh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlavi (RA), Sheikh Murad Naqshbandi (RA) - the preceptor of the historian Kh. Azam Dedamari, Sheikh Baba Daud Khaki, etc. The lineage of Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi from Hazrat Umar(RA) to his descendants who migrated and settled in Kashmir with a life sketch of Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi Mujaddid Alf Sani (RA) is also covered in the book.The compiling of the material for the three volumes has called for a sustained effort on part of the compiler for decades together, and is an effort to bring to limelight the prevalent Sufi culture in Kashmir, which has shaped the humble, tolerant, hospitable and peace-loving nature of its inhabitants over the past few centuries.