ER.MOHAMMAD ASHRAF FAZILI
History is witness to the fact that the Valley of Kashmir has from the very beginning remained the cradle of knowledge, awareness, besides a centre of social and political activities. The distinctive serene environment for prayers and meditation of this place has been attracting from the earliest days, the Rishis, Munnis, Zahids, Aabids and pious people. Even some research scholars have tried to prove that some great prophets have also blessed the soil of Kashmir with the honour of kissing their feet. The traditions reveal that prophets of such a profile as Hazrat Sulaiman (AS), Hazrat Musa (AS) and Hazrat Isa (AS) have placed their auspicious steps on the soil of Kashmir. Besides the process of the arrival of Prophets, Rishis, Munnis and Awlya-Allah followed by their temporary or permanent settlement here, has continued for centuries together. The life of piety and abstinence of Awlya-Allah and great religious and spiritual scholars has bestowed purity to the environment of Kashmir which is pregnant with natural beauty. It has added to the wealth of the culture and civilization of this place with high religious, spiritual, moral, and social values.
Due to the persistent efforts of these great personalities, with improving of high moral, spiritual, and religious traditions, this paradise like region is named as “Rishi-waer” i.e., the habitation of ‘pious people.’ Among these very great men, perfect Awlya, and Qalandars adored with purity was Hazrat Sayid Mohammad Hussain Simnani (RA) who belongs to the Sayids of Simnan and is from the progeny of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS). He was born on 11th Shaban 701 AH/1302 AD at Simnan on the outskirts of Iran and he passed away in 792 AH/1390 AD and was buried at Kulgam where a beautiful shrine exists today. Hazrat Simnani was a great personality as an abstainer, pious, aarif-billah, equipped with miraculous powers. He bade good-by to his native country of Simnan as he had three times the vision of the Prophet (SAWS) in dreams, directing him to travel to Hindustan. In compliance of which he left Simnan to reach Hindustan. From Iran he travelled to Multan, here he met Shah Rukn-ud-din Multani (son and khalifa of Hazrat Baha-ud-din Zakaria Multani the founder of Suhrawardy order in Hindustan) and had a bayat with him. On the invitation of Sultan Feroz-ud-din Taghluk he reached Delhi along with his preceptor and in compliance to the orders of his preceptor he stayed at Delhi to guide people on the straight path. Sultan Feroz-ud-din Taghluk bestowed him the city of Saman as a ‘jagir’ where he chose to reside along with his companions. In 1351 AH he went on Hajj pilgrimage, where he had a vision of Prophet Muhammad (SAWS) who directed him to travel to the country of Kashmir, besides conveying him the blessings of the birth of a ‘Wali’ in Kashmir namely Hazrat Shaikh-ul-Alam (RA). His name was suggested to be Noor-ud-din and he was directed to impart him the spiritual training. After performing Hajj, he returned to Delhi. During this period the Sultan of Kashmir Shahab-ud-din was continuing with the conquest of other areas and had attacked Delhi. It was Hazrat Mir Mohammad Hussain Simnani who played a key role in making peace in the war field between Feroz-ud-din and Shahab-ud-din. On being impressed by his spiritual magnanimity, grace of a Qalandar and all-over imposing personality, Sultan Shahab-ud-din extended his invitation to him to come to Kashmir.
In 760 AH Hazrat Sayid Mohammad Hussain Simnani entered Kashmir along with a group of Sayids and made Kulgam in south Kashmir the centre of his ‘dawah’ activities. He conveyed a useful message to Kashmiris through his versatile faith, Sufi behaviour, far-sightedness, and spreading love. All his life he was a symbol, full of true love, determination, and high morale. By his intelligence, spiritual greatness, esoteric achievements and power of thought and action, he transformed the very direction of Kashmir’s history. He left such an indelible mark on the history of Kashmir that will serve as the ever-lasting torchlight for Kashmiri people. Whole of his life consisted of leading the people on right direction, setting right their affairs and remaining in the service of people. He freed people of Kashmir from superstitions and innovations and filled them with the light of faith. Many miraculous powers are attributed to him. He benefitted one and all with knowledge of Shariat, Tariqat, Haqiqat and Marifat and made the town of Kulgam the centre of spreading the light. He introduced Lalla Ded with the intricacies of true Kalimah and trained Shaikh-ul-Alam in his mental and spiritual education. In fact the father of Shaikh-ul-Alam accepted Islam on the hands of Hazrat Simnani and so did the ancestor of Dr, Iqbal the famous poet. After fourteen years of preaching and for the sake of spreading the movement of truth throughout the valley, he invited his own cousin-brother Hazrat Amir-i-Kabir Mir Sayid Ali Hamadani (RA) in 774 AH, which reflects his insight, intelligence and foresight.
(This is a page from the biography of Hazrat Mir Sayid Hussain Simnani RA originally written in Urdu by Jenab Mohammad Yaqub Shah Kulgami-the caretaker of the shrine of Hazrat Simnani RA compiled from hand-written age-old manuscripts, historical records and translated in to English by me and published by City Book Centre Srinagar in 2018)
Er.Mohammad Ashraf Fazili is a former chief engineer.
