By Khursheed Dar
The valley of Kashmir had an influx of one thousand syeds from Turkistan whom we call “sadaat” .Hazrat Syed Sharfuddin , Bul Bul Shah or Bulbul-e-Kashmir RA planted the seed of sufiyat in Kashmir by “Tilawat-e-Sura Al-Rehman Of holy Quran” when arrived in the valley, yet the arrival of shah-i- Hamdan RA and his son Mir Mohammad Hamdani RA acted as gardeners to water the plant of Kashmiri sufiyat.Later on the mission initiated by the Persian missionaries was continued by our indigenous Rishis ,Sufis and iconic mystics. Under the care and supervision of the indigenous Rishi movement the tree of kashmiri sufiyat expanded its crown.
The “Jalaali “and “Jamali “mystic powers too appeared on the scene under the supervision of spiritual sky. One of such a Jamaali and Jalaali” Qalandar”was Hazrat Jamal Sahib RA of Pohrupeth Langate . Pohrupeth is a densely populated village in Langate tehsil of district Kupwara.
Hazrat Jamal Saheb RA was a great saint of his time and his lineage continues even today. Many Sufi Silsilas or orders came to Kashmir but Jamal Saab’s lineage or silsila is unique and is not found elsewhere in Kashmir. The family is known throughout the area for its nobility, sincerity and knowledge.
Recently I met a great personality of this family namely Gh.Mohuddin Dar Sahib,a retired Block Development Officer and advocate Noor-Ul Shahbaz, who provided me the information about this” Qalandari “chain. There are innumerable sufi saints in Kashmir Valley who are anonymous and I am trying my best to record the biographies of such anonymous “Awliya Kirams”. As per the family sources the story goes like this…
A sufi saint namely Abdul Wahab sahib from Srinagar was instructed by his spiritual tutor to worship at a place where there is water all around. He reached “Tulmulla” and had chosen a place where there was water all around. He started worshiping there. This place still exists in District Ganderbal. One day a woman came to him and told him that he had no children. She begged him to pray for her. The saint prayed for her and she gave birth to a son whom she named Abdul Qadir . When this child became an adult, he got married. He used to visit the saint daily. One day he asked the saint to teach him “Batni Uloom”. The saint told him to go to Pohropeth and meet there a very famous “zaeldar”namely Jamal Dar. Qadir saheb reached Pohrupeth village. It was winter season,Hazrat Jamal saheb was punishing the lamberdars because they had failed to pay the land revenue at that time. Jamal saheb recognized his “Qalandarana personality”. Hazrat Qadir saheb RA was accompanied by his wife.Hazrat Jamal saheb RA had seven houses at that time. He asked Jamal sahab for a house to live in and Jamal sahab gave him a big house. Now Jamal sahab used to sit with Qadir sahab every evening. One day he insisted Hazrat Qadir sb RA to teach him “Batni Uloom” Hazrat Qadir sahab RA told him a “zaeldar” is not fit for that. Hazrat Jamal sahab RA said that he would resign from “zaeldari” post . Hazrat Jamal sahab RA plead Wazir e Puno “to appoint his brother , Kamal Dar on his “zaeldari post”.In this way his brother got appointed as “zaeldar” .Thus began the spiritual journey of this iconic mystic.
His father’s name was “Sul Dar” and his mother’s name was Raham Ded.No authentic record of his date of birth and date of physical departure is available.Hazrat Qadir sahab RA told him that a great “Qalander”from Arabia would come there and train both of them . After few days a “Qalander” appeared there, guided both of them for seven days and then diappeared.The “Qalander told Hazrat Jamal sahab RA that his chain or “silsila “will continue forever. A number miracles are attributed to him. Hazrat Jammal sahab had chain of “talibs” . Hidayat Ullah Sopori,Malik Saab Pulwama and Yahya Sopori were very famous. It is important to note that Hidayatullah Sopori was the grandfather of “Qalander e Zaman” Ahad Bab Sopori of Noor Bagh Sopore.
One day Hazrat Jamal sahab RA accompanied by his “talib”,went to the nearby forest peak named as “Divnal”. “Devnal” is at a high altitude, there was no trace of water. He asked Hidayatullah Sopori to bring water for his “Jajir” (hubble bubble). The forest was thick enough. Hidayatullah was scared. Hazrat Jamal Sb RA struck the earth with his hand and a spring burst out there. This spring is still present at this height .Jamal Saab was famous throughout the length and breadth of Kashmir.
Qalandar Jamaal sahab was unparallel. and a towering spiritual power of his time.His “Jageer”is still there.Kehte hain ki jageer ke liyay pani hilltop “ Divinal”se har rooz laya jata tha.It is said that once during draught he rained his orchard, A number of miracles are attributed to him. Illuminated the pent up and misery stricken souls with his spiritual charms ,offered goblets of murifat to the mystic lovers of “Maraz” and “Kamraz ”
Before his death, he appointed his son Gaffar Sahab RA as his successor. Gaffar Saab was also a great poet. He wrote poetry in Persian and Kashmiri. Unfortunately, his poetry has been lost.
His grandson namely Ali Mohammad Dar from Ujroo Langate,a famous Sufi saint and poet says that he has completed the incomplete work of Hazrat Gaffar Sb RA . Hazrat Gaffar Sb RA appointed Ahad Saab as his successor. And Ahad Saab appointed Shahbaz Sahib and Shahbaz Sahib appointed Pervez Sahib. People from Delhi and other parts of the country visit Parvaiz sahab .Parvaz sahab is a humble and noble soul.In this way the “Qalandari silsila’ of Hazrat Jamaal sahab RA Pohrupeth still continues. Two days are celebrated here in a year. One is celebrated in May every year. Thousands of people throughout the length and breadth of the valley throng to resting place of Hazrat Jamal sahab RA. Lovers and devotees throughout the valley assemble in the shrine and recite “Aurad e Fateha “and “Darood o salaam “with exuberant gesture .One may watch beggars,the poor and the rich men,women, children and elders sharing the same plate of rice. People of South Kashmir,Budgam and Charar-e-shrief still visit the shrine of this Great Qalandar.Second day is celebrated on every first February .
After Urs pak the Sajaadah Nasheen goes for a chilla for 41 day in the South Kashmir.The tradition set by the Hazrat Jamal Saheb still continues and is now performed by the incharge” sajaadah nasheens”.
Special “Mehfil E Sama “is held on these occasions. The famous sufi singers of Kashmir like Abdul Rasheed Hafiz ,Gulzar Ahmad Ganie,Farooq Ahmad Ganie and many others sing sufyana kalaams on these days. It is important to mention that late Ali Mohammad Shiekh too used to participate and sing in these Mehfil E Samas.
Imam-i-Gazali RA says in Minhaj-ul-Abideen,“This is a property of Auliya kiram that blessings are found in their homes,clothes,breath,resting places and even at a place where they sit for a single day. The resting place of this startling star of mysticism and his “sajadah nasheens” are beautifully maintained and decorated.
“yaha rooh taza ho jata hain,insaan ajeeb u gareeb sakoon mehsoos kerta hain”. yeh sufism ke kis silsile se taluq rakhte thay es ke bare main koi ata pata nahein hain”. ] The grave of Qalandar Shiekh Qadir sahab RA is still unnoticed and untraced .
Visiting unattended and unnoticed sufi shrines of Kashmir and writing research prospective is my hobby. It is a great privilege for me to write and record such prospective for the future generations.
Khursheed Dar is a sufi scholar and can be reached at Khursheed Dar33@gmail.com
