ZEESHAN RASOOL KHAN
Seer Hamdan is a socially progressive, politically conscious, economically viable, and spiritually fertile town of District Anantnag. Politicians would consider it the heart of the Pahalgam constituency; the seers, savants, and religious scholars have also adored it. Shah-i-Hamdan Ameer Kabeer Mir Syed Ali Hamdani settled here, though, temporarily. Shaykhul Aalam Hazrat Noor Uddin Noorani is said to have visited this hinterland. Since then, it has been a religious and literary center of the district. It emerged as the base of Dawah under the auspice of scholars like Syed Qasim Shah Bukhari, Qazi Ghulam Muhammad, Dr. Qazi Nisar, Syed Ahsan ul Haq Naqshbandi, etc.
It has been the abode of many influential people, who because of their abilities made a splash. While Hazrat Faqeer Munawar Sahb (a Sufi), Molana Mushtaq Ahmed Khan (a religious scholar), and their ilk boosted its spiritual character; writer and translator Peer Ghulam Hassan, a novelist and journalist Basharat Peer, and a few others rejuvenated its literary aspect. Continuing this legacy, Muhammad Nayeem Khan has recently shone on the literary horizon and dreams of illuminating young minds through his pro-Islamic, reformative, and revolutionary ideas.
Muhammad Nayeem Khan, a teacher by profession belongs to a well-versed family of Seer Hamdan, where religion, knowledge, morals, and ethics are preferred to worldly possessions. After completing graduation, Nayeem yielded to his inner zeal and followed the course of Urdu literature without disregarding his mother tongue.
Before joining the Government Education Department in 2008, he served in a private school, where I was a student, for some time. Once in the morning assembly, a meaningful and poignant naat was recited in a melodious voice. As would have been the case with others, a splendid scene of Madina conjured up in my mind, when the reciter recited; Taiba ko Jaaney Waley Mujh Ko be saath ley Chal: Mushkil Huwa Hai Jeena Mujh Ko Be Saath Le Chal (O, the pilgrim visiting Taiba, take me with you; It has become hard to live (in separation), take me with you). Everyone around me was in tears pleading for a pilgrimage to that sacred land.
At the close of the recital, we were amazed by the fact that the naat’s creator was a young, reticent, diffident, and humble gentleman Muhammad Nayeem Khan. The assembly ended with the principal’s appreciative note and a round of applause from students and teachers for him.
Almost a decade later, in 2017, Nayeem came up with a self-published book on Seerah (Biography of Prophet Muhammad Pbuh) — ‘Azmat e Muhammad SAW ‘. As the book reached into the hands of readers, he earned acclamation for his excellent authorship. Referring to the book, one of the erudite religious scholars told me in person that ‘Nayeem Sahib is doing far better work than religious clerics’.
Nayeem concentrated on the same subject again, which resulted in another biographical account ‘Azmat e Rasool SAW’. This successful endeavor has been approved by the Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Academy but is yet unpublished.
In 2020, he stepped into the literary world as an active member and published his first anthology of Kashmiri poetry (containing poems in praise of Allah and His Messenger pbuh). Prominent writer, poet, critic, and researcher Ghulam Nabi Aatash has titled this anthology ‘Hubb Te Hubab’ and writes in its foreword: ‘I can see the splendor of a creative literary creator in Muhammad Nayeem Khan. God willing, he will radiate out enlightening radiations in the future’. Nayeem composes poems in Urdu as well. A linguist, poet, and author Dr. Rehmat Aziz Khan Chitrali in a critical review of Muhammad Nayeem Khan’s Urdu ‘Hamdia- Shairi’ (devotional poetry) comments that ‘the main theme of Nayeem’s Hamdia-poetry revolves around the expression of gratitude and praise to Allah, the Exalted. It emphasizes the idea that none is worthy of worship except God. It urges the readers to value humanity, to reflect on the blessings bestowed by Allah, and to thank Him. The poetry focuses attention on the role of prophets in guiding humanity and instils devotion and love for them. It is structured as a series of stanzas, each containing deep thoughts, reflections, and praises’. Furthermore, he writes, ‘the use of symbolism, mention of historical figures such as Noah, Nimrod, Solomon, and Ibn Maryam (Jesus) and symbolical representation of divine intervention, grace, and guidance, adds depth to the poet’s narrative’ (https://www.mukaalma.com/184687/)
In 2023, Nayeem floated a literary organization ‘Bazm’e Shair o Adab’ and convened several cultural programs and poetic symposiums in different districts of the valley. However, Bazm has recently been merged with ‘Lidder Valley Adab o Saqfat Kashmir’ to expand its domain and amplify its outreach.
Multiple cultural forums like Bazm’e Adab o Saqafat Srinagar, Bamburun Bhag Ramban, Gulshan-e-Urdu Kashmir, Kashmir Writers’ Forum, Aakash Adbi Sangam, Cultural Forum Kupwara, etc have recognized Nayeem’s work and have awarded him certificates of appreciation.
In addition to all this, Nayeem is a columnist and writes for various daily newspapers. His favourite themes are contemporary issues of the Muslim world, Islam and science, moral development, nature, the role of youth in society, etc. His incisive Urdu columns and poems appear in Tameel-e-Irshad, Srinagar Jang, Shehar-Been, State Reporter, Kashmir Express, etc.
His unshowy dynamism is steadily and quietly encouraging a new breed of youth to actively engage in the revival of literature, research, cultural, moral, and ethical reformation of society. If such creative minds are supported, time is not far off when we will reclaim our past glory.
Writer: Zeeshan Rasool Khan is a Student, Tutor, Columnist, and Independent Researcher. He can be reached at mohdzeeshan605@gmail.com
The author can be reached at mohdzeeshan605@gmail.com