By Khursheed Dar
Peer Hussain Shah popularly known as Hussain Saeb Kutlari was a prominent Sufi figure blessed with keen insight and eloquence. He is counted among the renouned sufi saints of Kashmir. His shrine at a village called Kutlari is thronged by the devotees round the year.
Kutlari is at distance of 12 km from Handwara town and falls within the jurisdiction of Qalamabad tehsil of Kupwara district in Jammu & Kashmir.This village is not only famous for scenic beauty and trout fish but also for the sufi saint Hussain Saeb.
From available oral sources this author came to know that Hussain Saeb Kutlari was a great sufi saint of his times who worked tirelessly for the welfare his society.
Billions of thanks to Peer Mehraj ud din, grand son , Sajdah Bagam, niece of this mystic and Nisar Azam sahib , a leading poet & translator for providing me vital and useful leads for this column.
Born in 1929 at a small village called Kutlari, Hussain Saeb was admired in the whole area for his generosity and piety.
His father namely Peer Yahiya Shah and mother namely Aziz Ded were known for their simplicity and generosity.
Hussain Saeb had lineage with the eminent sufi saint of Baba family of Dangiwacha ,Baramulla namely Hazrat Afzal Baba RA.
Peer Hussain Shah Kutlari recieved his education upto 8th standard.His spiritual endowments provoked him to seek a guide who could quench his spiritual hunger. For this purpose, he went to Hazrat Qadir seab Hiri RA of Kupwara and became his cherished disciple. He also followed Hazrat Moulana Mohammad Amin Owaisi RA of Kasheera Kupwara. Nisar Azam sahib , a leading poet & translator narrated an interesting event of this mystic to the author of this column.”One day Hussain Saeb went on an excursion at Satbaran caves Kupwara with his school. Suddenly a famous saint of Kupwara namely Qadir Saeb Hiri RA appeared there and gave him a half chewed date. It is said that when he ate that date,he was lost in spiritual wonderments and his heart was filled with heavenly bless”.The teacher recognised his pupil and the pupil recognised his teacher. Thus began his mystic journey.
From the family sources this author came to know that Hussain Saeb did not ever marry but passed his life in the love of Allah,the merciful , through meditation and mystic experience. Hussain Saeb is also reported to have performed 40 days ‘chilla’ in the underground cave Khankah of Shahnagri Mawar Handwara,a village inhabited and named by a towering sufi saint Hazrat Sheikh Syed Abdul Wahab RA 700 years ago.
As per family sources,one day Hussain Saeb left his home and went Ajmeer Sharief and Hazrat Nizam-Ud-Din ,Delhi and stayed there for decades.
The institution of” Langar” influenced him much and he felt the need to start it at his native village Kutlari.In 1995 Hussain Saeb opened a Langar at Kutlari to feed the hungry people irrespective of religion ,caste and creed.
As we know the institution of “Langar” emerged from towering sufi saint Fariduddin Ganjshakar,a sufi saint who lived in the Punjab region during the 13th century.
The concept of “langar” is nice symbol of charity and equality. Unfortunately the “langar of Peer Hussain Saeb of Kutlari stopped to function after his demise.
It is believed that he was the fallower of Suhrawardi silsila of sufism.He would spend days and nights in prayers and meditations. As per Sajdah Bagam;his niece,who served him till his last breath. Hussain Saeb never left his prayer.He advised his followers to pray five times a day.
As per family sources in first 20 years Hussain Saeb was” Jilali Qalandar “but in last 20 years he strictly followed Islamic “shariyah .Never missed any prayer and would go for months without eating or drinking anything.
The personality of this mystic cannot be put into the words.
A number of Karamaats, miracles to say are attributed with this mystic which are beyond the explanation. His grandson Peer Mahraj ud Din Shah narrated one to the author of this column. One day Hussain Saeb said someone to call late Abdul Ahad Kar, the erstwhile member assembly ,when Abdul Ahad Kar reached there this mystic garlanded him and told him that he was going to represent that area ,surprisingly there was no such sign of elections at that time ,just after the few months Abdul Ahad Kar won the elections in 1996 and did great work for the construction of Langer and Masjid Sharief at Kutlari.
One of his Karamat,miracle to say is narrated by Dr.Rafeeq Masoodi saeb,former ADG Doordarshan,I know Hussain Saeb personally ,His sister was married at Dangiwacha . Hussain Saeb often visited her. When there were no rains people of Dangiwacha used to clean “ Nagraad “a group of few natural water springs and this highly spiritual personality, Hussain Saeb would suddenly appear there and it rained. I still remember when he would not appear there, there was no rain. Hussain Saeb used to bathe in the ice water with bare feet in the harsh winters
There are many interesting and strange incidents about him which are beyond explanation.
Hassian Saeb Kutlari had no worldly yearning, lived a simple life and did not receive money from his visitors. What so ever was coming was spent in the Langar,free community Kitchen.As per family sources Hussain Saeb would go for weeks without eating or drinking anything.
Hussain Saeb Kutlari had a galaxy of followers throughout the length and breadth of Kashmir.People from all walks of life used to visit him and get his blessings.
Hussain Saeb travelled all over India. He was great lover of books. From oral sources this author came to know that this mystic preached love and brotherhood and to him simple living and love to mankind is the best way to come closer to Allah, the Almighty and his Prophet, (peace be upon him)
Hussain Saeb Kutlari left for heavenly abode on 03 March 2003 and his funeral prayer was led by Molvi Saif-Ud-Din of Trathpora Kupwara.As per his wishes he was buried at Kutlari.He is counted among the renowned sufi saints of Kashmir. His legacy needs to be shared and preserved.
Khursheed Dar is a veteran columnist and can be reached at khursheed.dar33@gmail.com
