Nazir Jahangir
Scholars are regarded as the heirs to prophets and they hold a significant position in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said that the scholars inherit the wisdom of prophets and that knowledge is a legacy left behind. When scholars fade away, knowledge diminishes, leading to ignorance and darkness. The absence of guidance causes confusion, as uninformed individuals try to fill the role of scholars. It’s crucial to value and learn from scholars, as they are the source of blessings. Allah doesn’t remove knowledge from people directly but through the loss of scholars.
Jinab Khurshid Ahmed Kanoongov Sahib is a well known and a devout Islamic preacher, religious writer, a very good orator, scholar and an excellent administrator as well. He played a vital role in reshaping the shrine of Hazrat Mirza Kamil Sahib and improved its condition and facilities before it was taken over by ‘Waqf Board’. It is he who established “Bait-ul-maal” to support the needy, especially widows, orphans and destitute. His contributions extended beyond the shrine, as he share his wisdom at various famous pulpits of the valley and give his thought provoking lectures.
Jinab Khurshid Ahmed Kanoongov Sahib hails from Srinagar’s Hawal area. He comes from a deeply spiritual family with ties to the revered Sufi and Ally of Allah, Hazrat Mirza Kamil Sahib. The shrine of Hazrat Mirza Kamil Sahib is situated in Hawal, Srinagar. According to elders, one day Hazrat Mirza Kamil Sahib visited the head of the Kaanoongov family of that time, who warmly welcomed the “Wali of Allah.” During this visit, Hazrat Mirza Kamil Sahib inquired about food, as he hadn’t eaten for three days. Unfortunately, the Kaanoongov family also had no food available. In response, Hazrat Kamil Sahib transformed a copper penny into a gold coin using certain words, and instructed Kaanoongov Sahib to sell it for sustenance. He also imparted a set of “kalimat” that could convert a copper coin into gold if needed in the future.
It is said that after a few years had passed, Hazrat Kamil Sahib once again visited Kaanoongov Sahib’s house. He said, “For the past three days, I have not had anything to eat. Is there anything available here that I could have?” Kaanoongov Sahib offered a meal to Hazrat. Once the meal was finished, Hazrat Kamil Sahib inquired, “Have you been using the ‘kalimat’ that I granted you permission to recite?” In response, Kaanoongov Sahib stated, “Since the day you blessed me with the “wazifa” to recite, there were instances where I faced hunger, but only for two days, not three. You had instructed me to use these ‘kalimat’ if there was a lack of food for three days, so I refrained from employing this ‘wazifa’ and never used it.”
Jinab Khurshid Ahmed Kanoongov Sahib belongs to the same devout and God-fearing lineage, with a heritage deeply connected to piety and spirituality.
It is worthwhile to mention that Hazrat Sheikh Akmaluddin Kamal Beg Badakhshi (Rehmatullahi alaih) was an eminent Sufi sage. He was a scholar, adept in the knowledge of mysticism, Sharia, and Sufism, as well as a knowledgeable and eloquent poet. His ancestral homeland was Tashkent. Later, he migrated from there to Badakhshan and then from Badakhshan to India during the era of Jalaluddin Akbar. His illustrious grandfather, Malik Muhammad Beg Khan, served as “Deevan” (equivalent to the post of chief secretary) in the court of Shah Jahan in Kashmir. Sheikh Akmaluddin was a “Walī Kamil”, a perfect saint. Under the guidance of his mentor, the accomplished Khwaja Habibullah Attar (may Allah have mercy on him), he traveled through various regions of India for three continuous years. After thirteen years of devoted service, Khwaja Habibullah appointed Khwaja Mirza as his authorized “Khalifa”, passing on the spiritual mantle to him and elevating him to this spiritual authority. As a revered Sufi, for fifty equal years, he occupied the seat of guidance from his mentor. Khwaja Mirza has also many literary works and he was a treasure trove of divine knowledge and spiritual insight.
This write-up pays homage to Jinab Khurshid Sahib’s exceptional qualities, granted by Allah, highlighting his contributions as a scholar, social reformer and his connection to the spiritual legacy of Hazrat Mirza Kamil Sahib. While I differ on certain matters from Khurshid Sahib’s viewpoints, I still want to express my appreciation for the commendable efforts he puts into religious and social endeavors.
Nazir Jahangir is a journalist and columnist.