ER.MOHAMMAD ASHRAF FAZILI
(Translator)
The surface of Kashmir has remained the cradle of Sufis and Awlya for centuries together. In the environment of this valley there is always ingrained the fragrance of tasawuf, servitude of humanity and clearance of the hearts. Among these unsung dervish type saints there is a significant name of Hazrat Faqir Abdul Karim Mir who enlightened Dalipora town of district Pulwama with his spiritual references and education. His life is a living example of love, humility, sincerity and the servitude of the people.
Family background and initial training:
The father of Hazrat Faqir Abdul Karim Mir namely Hazrat Mohammad Ramzan Mir was a pious, religious, and hardworking farmer. He was an embodiment of simplicity and piety and would often participate in Sufi gatherings and get -together. In his house there would be often seen people connected to Allah, whereby the environment would remain filled with love, brotherhood, and spirituality. Helping the poor and the needy was a part of his temperament. In this pious environment occurred the auspicious birth of Hazrat Faqir Abdul Karim.
On his birth the preceptor of his father Hazrat Hasan Saheb had predicted that this child shall be the manifestation of special blessings of Allah and will cover great stages of spirituality; along with that he advised that his face should never be slapped. This divine inspiration was upheld always by his father in letter and spirit.
His spiritual journey and bayat:
From the very childhood Hazrat Faqir Abdul Karim Mir was of good nature and served people. In his youth he was mostly attracted towards tasawuff. He attended in presence of a great dervish of his time Hazrat Laasi Saheb Nalorah and entered in to a bayat on his hands. This relation was a turning point of his life. He was highly obedient and sincere disciple of his preceptor and his very company made him reach the spiritual heights.
This verse of Allama Iqbal proves fully befitting on his state:
Nigah-e-Mard-E-Moman Se Badal Jati Hain Taqdeerain
Jo Ho Zoq-E-Yaqeen Paida Tu Kat Jati Hain Zanjeerain
After the bayat Hazrat Abdul Karim Mir made the routine of his life the ‘zikr-o-fikr’-(remembrance of allah), and serving people.
Sufi companionship and relations:
Hazrat Faqir Abdul Karim Mir got benefited by many Sufi saints of his time, among whom were included Hazrat Sona Sahib Puchal, Hazrat Rahim Saheb Kral, besides his attachment with the shrines of Hazrat Shaikh Nooruddin Noorani RA (Chrar-I-Sharif) and Hazrat Sultan-ul-Arifin Shaikh Hamza Makhdum RA. Often he would walk barefooted from Pulwama to Chrar-i-Sharif and to Makhdum Saheb for visiting there.
He had also close contacts with the saints of his time like Hazrat Abdul Ghani Bhat RA, Hazrat Lateef Saheb RA, Hazrat Abdurrashid Shah Saheb and other respectable saints. All these saints would attend his gatherings of zikr and sama.
Miracles and beneficence:
By the favors of Hazrat Abdul Karim Mir RA, thousands of people got benefited. Many miracles of him are famous.
Once he told a disciple of Pulwama that I am receiving the wind of fire, go to office at once. Just after some time the information was received that a fire had erupted in Shopian and this news was found correct.
Once a poor family had arranged food for one person only but when about sixty persons stayed there, all ate to their full and there was no dearth of food felt.
A patient who was suffering from the kidney trouble, got cured on urinating near a tree on his directions.
All these events are the shining examples of his spiritual power and beneficence.
Poetry and bouquet of poems:
Hazrat Faqir Abdul Karim Mir RA was not only a Sufi but also a poet too. His poetry is full of the message of Allah’s love, monotheism, and humanity. His complete poetry has not come in public view as yet rather a major portion of it is yet to be explored. His close student Khali Abdul Aziz Mir Saheb is busy in the search of this lost poetry so that the future generations get benefited by this spiritual wealth. This poetry is a treasure of Sufi poetry in Kashmiri and Urdu languages.
Service to people and foundation:
After the death of Hazrat an organization was formed to promote ahead his favors namely “Hazrat Faqir Abdul Karim Mir foundation Dalipora Pulwama” under the chairmanship of Haji Abdul Aziz Mir Saheb. This foundation is engaged in the promotion of human rights, service to humanity, and tasawuff. Here not only the poor are helped but also the young generation is acquainted with Sufi knowledge. This foundation is providing a practical shape to the mission of Hazrat Abdul Karim Mir RA.
His death and celebration of Urs-i-mubarak:
Hazeat Faqir Abdul Karim Mir passed away in October 1995. His anniversary is celebrated every year with great arrangement which is called Youm-i-Karim Saheb. On this occasion the gathering of zikr, sama and assembly of urs is organized, when thousands of devotees attend to acquire the spiritual favours.
The auspicious life of Hazrat Faqir Abdul Karim Saheb RA teaches us the lesson that the true spirituality is not contained only in praying but also in humility, love, service to humanity and the unity of humanity. He was not only a Sufi saint but also a poet, reformer, and a true servant of humanity as well. His message is alive in our hearts even today and will continue to throw light to the future generations.
May Allah taala provide divine guidance to us to follow the footsteps of these Awlya Allah. Aameen!
Every morning is a new revelation of noor.
Every breath is hidden with the manifestation of the Nourisher
May today’s morning descend on your heart in the shape of the rays of noor.
May your interior become bright, and your soul get busy in zikr.
May Allah embrace you with His closeness, His love and His pleasure. Aameen!
Author Zaffar Ahmad Bhat translated by Er. Mohammad Ashraf Fazili
