Er.Mohammad Ashraf Fazili
The word Rishi is a word of Sanskrit language. It means the person who abandons the world. In view of this the Rishi people were spending their lives of abandonment all alone in the caves and forests. Hence all the Rishis who have passed before Hazrat Shaikh-ul-Alam (RA), were prevalent in the influence of Buddhism and Hinduism. In Kashmir although Islam was introduced 48 years before Hazrat Amir-i-Kabir Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani but most of the Muslims of this place were not acquainted with Islamic Shariah. Its special reason was that Hazrat Sayyid Sharf-ud-din Abd-ur-Rahman called Bulbul Shah Sahib was a Sufi of great status with the trait of a Qalandar. He blessed the king of Kashmir Renchan Shah with Islam, but people did not get fully acquainted with the Sharia law. After this when in 774 Hijri Hazrat Amir-i-Kabir Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani (QS) and his worthy son Hazrat Mir Mohammad Hamadani (QS) one after the other entered the valley for preaching the religion along with a huge group of the scholars and reformers, and they acquainted people with Sharia way and Islamic laws. It affected the Rishi sect of the time as well.Hazrat Shaikh-ul-Alam (RA) ran the Rishi sect of this place on Islamic way according to these laws and with this the escapism started vanishing from Rishism.
Hence keeping in mind “There is no escapism in Islam”, Hazrat Shaikh-ul-Alam (RA) remained attached to the family life too and partnered with the permitted enjoyments too. There have passed some Rishis even before Hazrat Shaikh-ul-Alam (RA) but on deep study of the history the founder of Islamic Rishism of the honoured Muslim Rishis is considered to be Hazrat Alamdar-i-Kashmir Shaikh Noor-ud-din Rishi (RA). The Rishi movement continued to run equally in Kashmir even after Hazrat Shaikh-ul-Alam (RA), so much so the honoured Rishis of this place took part in the politics of the country as well occasionally. Hazrat Shaikh-ul-Alam had thousands of faithful followers but among these his four khalifas are worth mentioning, due to whom the Rishi movement of this place continued to exist.Baba Bam-ud-din (RA): He was the first khalifa of Hazrat Shaikh (RA). A Hindu Sadhu named Buma Sadh would remain busy in worshipping the idols round the clock in the cave at Booma Zoo. One day Hazrat Shaikh reached near Buma Sadh and asked for food from the Sadh. Buma Sadh replied that whatever was cooked by him all that has been presented to the idols and whatever was left has been eaten by me. There is nothing left with me now. Hazrat Shaikh said, “you are telling a lie, get up and see that your pot is full of rice.” On hearing this Sadhu started telling Hazrat Shaikh, “Oh’ you being a Muslim, whatever have I said the same is the truth, with full of rage he stood up to get the empty pot. As he picked up the pot, he found it full of the cooked rice. There was an impact of the miracle of Hazrat Shaikh on the Sadhu and after much questioning and answering the Sadhu had a bayat on the hand of Hazrat Shaikh and got blessed with Islam. Hazrat Shaikh blessed him with the name of Baba Bam-ud-din (RA)Hazrat Zain-ud-din Rishi (RA): He was the second khalifa of Hazrat Shaikh (RA). He was the resident of Bhandarkote Kishtwar. When Hazrat Shaikh went to Kishtwar, a Hindu woman brought her child in presence of Hazrat Shaikh. This child was named Zia Singh. When Hazrat Shaikh asked the woman about her welfare, she replied that this child is sick, all the hakims are tired of treating him. Hazrat Shaikh told to the woman that if this child becomes a Muslim, I will cure him. The woman promised accordingly, the child got cured by the spiritual sight of Hazrat Shaikh.
When Hazrat Shaikh returned to Kashmir. The intention of the woman changed. The child was taken severely ill again. The mother had a doubt of breaking the promise. She brought the child to Kashmir. On reaching Bumazoo, Hazrat Baba Bam-ud-din acted as their host. When Hazrat Shaikh reached there, the woman recognised him on his arrival. Hazrat Shaikh converted this boy to a Muslim and blessed him with the name of Zain-ud-din. Hazrat Zain-ud-din adopted the Rishi way and started praying to God in the cave at Aish muqam by the order of Hazrat Shaikh. One day Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin went to inspect the excavation of the canal of Shahkul, on his return he went to meet Hazrat Zain-ud-din Rishi (RA). Hazrat Zain-ud-din (RA) had gone out to perform ablutions. The king sat on his seat. When Hazrat Shaikh returned to his place, he found the king seated on his mat. He ordered his servant to wash his mat as it had got contaminated with worldly splendour and did not take the king into any consideration. This fact made the king very angry. On his return he immediately ordered the exile of Zain-ud-din Rishi (RA). On receiving the order Hazrat Zain-ud-din Rishi headed towards Tibet along with his companions. Here thousands of people got converted to Islam by the preaching of Hazrat Zain-ud-din (RA). It was during these very days that Hazrat Baba Bam-ud-din passed away in Kashmir. Zain-ud-din (RA) miraculously arrived here by “tai-makan” to perform the last rites of Hazrat Baba Bam-ud-din (RA) and returned back to Tibet. On his return Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin developed a severe pain in his foot and all the hakims got tired of treating him. At last the king thought about the anger of Hazrat Zain-ud-din Rishi. He sent his son Haidar Khan to Hazrat Zain-ud-din (RA) in Tibet. After a great persuasion, he brought Hazrat Zain-ud-din to Kashmir along with him. As soon as Hazrat Zain-ud-din entered the borders of Kashmir, the king himself came to receive him. Hazrat Zain-ud-din died at Aish muqam and is buried there inside the cave.Baba Lateef-ud-din Rishi (RA): He was the third Khalifa of Hazrat Shaikh-ul-Alam.
One day the chief of Marva Wadwan named Adat Raina came to Kashmir. On hearing the fame of Hazrat Shaikh he went in his presence for getting his blessings. By the influence of the spiritual sight of Hazrat Shaikh, he got blessed with Islam then and there and after entering in to a bayat (agreement), he spent his whole life in the remembrance of God in forests. He passed away in Poshkar village Tehsil Beerwah and was buried there.Baba Nasr-ud-din Rishi: He was the fourth khalifa of Hazrast Shaikh-ul-Alasm (RA) He was the son of a wealthy father. In his childhood he was suffering the sickness of indigestion. His father got him treated a lot but of no use. The child dreamt of Hazrat Shaikh-ul-Alam (RA) in his sleep at night and some saintly person told him in the dream that your trouble can vanish only through this elevated person. In the morning when he woke up, he related his dream to the parents, they instantly left towards Qaimoh village along with the child. There, when Hazrat asked the boy his name, he replied that my name is Utaro and I am suffering from indigestion. Hazrat Shaikh called for food and Utro ate stomach full and at the same time the pain vanished with the spiritual sight of Hazrat Shaikh. The boy bade farewell to his parents and continued himself to stay in the service of Hazrat Shaikh. Hazrat Shaikh blessed him with the name of Nasr-ud-din. He would always remain in the service of Hazrat Shaikh (RA) He was the trustee of Hazrat Shaikh. He did not forgo any instance in serving his preceptor. Before passing away from this world in 855 AD, he appointed Malik Jogi Raina as his successor. He is buried next to Hazrat Shaikh at Chrar-i-Sharif.The shalooks of Hazrat Shaikh were recorded by his one khalifa Kati Pandit inSharda script. Kati Pandit was a great scholar, he would often come in presence of Hazrat Shaikh-ul Alam (RA). His association withHazrat Shaikh impressed him so much that he accepted Islam and entered in to the Rishi circle Hazrat Shaikh and would remain round the clock with Hazrat Shaikh to record his poetry. Shaikh-ul-Alam (RA) blessed Kati Pandit with the name of Baba Qutb-ud-din after accepting Islam. Now-a-days the shalook of Shaikh-ul-Alam (RA) that are available to us in Sharda script, those are in reality the collection of Baba Qutb-ud-din (RA)The Shalook collected by Baba Qutb-ud-din in the time of Hazrat Shaikh-ul-Alam, when these reached among people, the Rishi movement continued with the same force as it was during the time of Hazrat Shaikh-ul-Alam. The arrival of Mir Mohammad Hamadani (QS) during the movement of Rishi sect in Kashmir and his meeting with Hazrat Shaikh and bestowing him the letter of authority (khat-i-irshad), the principles of Kubravi sect got included in the Risi movement of this place and it got influenced by Islamic tasawwuf.After Hazrat Shaikh-ul-Alam (RA) his khalifas promoted the Rishi sect and attracting people towards the religion of Islam, they adopted the Rishi sect as well, whereby there occurred certain changes in the Rishi movement. Hence Bahram Rishi used to grow his own garden and from its income he would feed the needy and poor every Friday.Baba Ghulam-ud-din Rishi was rightly belonging to the Sayyid family. He entered into the bayat (agreement) with Hazrat Mir Mohammad Hamadani (QS) and joined the Kubravia order and adopted the Rishi sect. He spent his whole life in a lonely manner and passed away in 858 AH. He lies buried at Kotilna at the foothills. Baba Hardi Reshi (RA) covered the high stations of salook after getting benefitted by the blessings of Hazrat Mahboob-ul-Alam Shaikh Hamza Makhdoomi (RA). In spite of being a Rishi he tasted meat only once in his life on the orders of his preceptor to follow Sunnah. He passed away in 986 AH and is buried in Islamabad town. After him Rupi Rishi also had a bayat on the hands of Hazrat Mahboob-ul-Alam (RA).
Both Hazrat Baba Hardi Rishi (RA) and Hazrat Baba Rupi Reshi (RA) were followers of the Suhrawardy order and ran the Rishi movement on this sect. Rupi Rishi passed away in 997 AH. His mausoleum at Habbakadal is an attraction for all. The head of Shangli Rishi was got crushed by Mirza Haidar Dughlat by “moosal” because Shangli Rishi had entered in to the bayat with Baba Ali Najar the khalifa of Mulla Ismail Zahid (RA), who had later on turned to be the follower of Shia belief. The people doubted him to be a Shia, on which Mirza Haidar got him killed. The leaders of the Shia sect of Kashmir decided in a meeting that until the Rishis side with us and follow the Shia sect, our mission will not succeed. After deciding this they tried to attract the Rishis towards their sect. Baba Last Rishi (RA) who was the leader of Rishi sect at the time rold the followers of Shia sect that you tell your religious leader to sit in seclusion with me for forty days and after remaining on fast for the full day break the fast by eating resin. We will have to live by that only. Then whoever of the two comes out safe and sound from the seclusion, his sect shall be worth following. The religious leader of Shias refused to take part in this competition. Baba went himself into seclusion and would break fast every day with resin.
The Shias laid a siege around him during those days.After 40 days Baba came out of seclusion hale and hearty. On seeing this the Shias had a full belief in the spiritual excellence of Baba and from that time onwards stopped to tease the Rishis.Baba Gangi Rishi repaired bridges and mosques. One day Gangi Rishi was ploughing the land. While digging the earth a pot full of coins was found buried under ground. Baba got worried as how to spend these coins correctly. At last Baba would go to Thana to get salt from there and distribute it free among the poor and needy. Baba planted fruit trees along the routes and endowed these to common people. Baba cut timber in forests and built bridges along common routes. He would distribute bread freely among the poor and needy people. In short Baba was besides an elevated pious and God-fearing person, busy in the social work to the maximum extent. He passed away in 1017 AH and is buried in Wanigam village.Suha Rishi was the disciple of Hazrat Baba Naseeb-ud-din Ghazi. Besides being an elevated abstinent and prayerful, he would work on agricultural field to feed the poor and the needy people. He passed away from this world in 1047 AH.Naji Rishi was a close khalifa of Khwaja Masood Pampori (RA). His real name was Najm-ud-din. He was the follower of the Qadri order under the guidance of Khwaja Masood (RA). He promoted the Qadrya order in the Rishi sect. He built pucca the embankment of Qazizada on his own expenses for the benefit of people. Baba Mahda Rishi (RA) was the close disciple of Mir Mohammad Baqir Naqshbandi (RA). He introduced Naqshbandi order in the Rishi sect. He passed away in 1099 AH and was buried in Kakapora village.The Rishi sect started in Kashmir in 8th century Hijri and it ended in 12th century Hijri. The last link of this chain was Lala Rishi. He passed away from this world in 1105 AH. In Kashmir Rishi secr was the only sect in the beginning of Islam, which was adopted by the scholars of this place. But when the preachers arrived here from outside, among these were the followers of Suhrawardy, Kubravi, Qadri and Naqshbandi orders. They cast their influence on the Rishi order of this place, whereby the Rishi order did not remain as it was in the initial Islamic period. It got influenced greatly by the way of worship and salook of these four orders, till the Rishi order vanished from this place.The place of Rishis was occupied by honoured Awlya. After bidding goodbye to sitting in caves and seclusion, the honoured Awlya became the attraction of people. They continued to promote God’s way among people along with teaching them the way of praying and worship, the principles of religion while living in the busy cities and villages. Some honoured Awalya along with praying and worship were active in social reformation and country politics. They took every permitted eatables as per Prophet’s Sunnah instead of self grown wild vegetables of forests and continued to earn their living by their own hands for looking after their families instead of living a lonely unmarried life. Besides praying and preaching of the religion, they would feed the people and eat themselves too. In short, in spite of being busy in worldly affairs they would think about the hereafter too. *******
A Chapter from the book “Some Great Personalities of Kashmir” translated by Sayid Ashraf Shah.
