Of the multiple factors behind the emergence and development of Islam, Muslims, Islamic ethos and culture in Kashmir, (that covers a period of seven centuries or so), the role of Muslim Sufis and scholars (both indigenous and foreign) accrues an exceptional significance. With Sayyid ‘Abdul Rahmān alias Bulbul Shah (RA)–the first recorded emigrant Sufi in Kashmir during 14th century –followed by Sayyid Muhammad Isfahāni alias Jānbāz Walī, Sayyid Ahmad Kirmānī, Sayyid Jamāl al-Dīn Bukhārī and others, the mystic valley–Kashmir began to witness the arrival of a long array of Sufis/scholars especially from Central Asia and Persia (14th century onwards). These emigrant Sufi/scholars, known for their expertise in Islamic religious/legal sciences (‘Ulūm al-Dīn) and spiritual discipline (Tasawwuf), played a seminal role in propagating and sustaining the culture of Islamic values, learning and spirituality besides contributing variedly to the social, cultural, ethical, political and economic domains of the society. Such has been their impact that the religious, political and social history of medieval Kashmir would remain deficient without referring to their role and activities in the then Kashmiri society.
Among the leading medieval Sufis/scholars who significantly contributed in reshaping and moulding the society of Kashmir on Islamic religious and cultural pattern was Mir Sayyid ‘Alī of Hamadan (Iran) alias Shah-i Hamadan or Amīr-i Kabīr, considered by the Kashmiri Muslims as an unrivalled benefactor of the valley. He along with his band of (hundreds of) disciples, associates and contemporary Sufis undoubtedly appear as an important reference in every attempt that tries to unveil the social, economic or religious history of medieval Kashmir. Unsurprisingly, numerous attempts have been made at academic level, over the past decades, to unfold and understand the different aspects pertaining the life and activities of Shah-i Hamadan besides his magnanimous contributions to and impact on the society of medieval Kashmir. Exploring and explicating the diverse facets of such a religiously/spiritually and historically important figure (Shah-i Hamadan) is highly relatable in the current scenario for few reasons, like; Primarily, as a reference point, it invites the modern-day technocratic mind, that has been otherwise tied down with undue materialistic pursuits at the cost of ethical and spiritual standards–to explore its latent metaphysical and spiritual faculties for gaining an holistic understanding of the purpose of life and reaching to the Ultimate Reality and thus, to reconsider and revisit the worldview that has gained currency in the modern age. Secondly, it substantially adds to the modern-day academic pursuits of exploring the social, political and religious history of Kashmir with an inter-disciplinary approach, thereby paving ways for an easy understanding of the phenomenon of “spread of Islam in Kashmir.” Furthermore, such attempts of interpreting, re-interpreting or re-stating themes of the medieval/historical epoch with academic approach helps the modern-day researchers and academics to resuscitate their connection with the intellectual, pedagogic, moral and spiritual legacy and derive possible solutions from them vis-a-vis the contemporary problems facing the humanity.
Keeping in view the relevance of this theme, the stature of Shah-i Hamadan and the significance of highlighting his multidimensional role in the medieval Kashmiri society, certain works of considerable academic credibility have seen the light of the day over the recent decades. Among these, the notable works include, Shāh-i Hamadān: Hayāt Aur Kārnāmay (Srinagar:1935) by Prof. Shams al-Din Ahmad, Sayyid Ali Hamadani (Delhi:1987) by Sayyidah Ashraf Zafar, Religious Thought of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani (Delhi:1992) by Dr. Hayat Amir, Mir Saiyid Ali Hamadani and Kubraviya Sufi Order in Kashmir (New Delhi:2003) by Dr. Surayia Gull. With the same intent, Mir Imtiyaz Afreen, a promising writer and intellectual based in Kashmir, has recently brought out his Edited volume (in Urdu), [proceedings of the seminar “Shah-i Hamadan Hayāt Aur Khidmāt”, held on 24th March, 2019 in Budgam, Kashmir by Raza-E Mustafa Foundation] Kashmir Mayn Islāmī Inqilāb Aur Hadrat Shah-i Hamadan (The Islamic Revolution in Kashmir and Hadrat Shah-i Hamadan) [published by: Raza-E-Mustafa Foundation, Budgam, 2021, 370 pages]. This voluminous title embraces a series of forty-three articles apart from some profound preliminary reflections–from accredited researchers, religious scholars, academicians and intellectuals–underscoring the different facets of the life, ideas, role, activities and message of Shah-i Hamadan. The work reflects an attempt to impart his (Shah-i Hamadan’s) character a suitable standing with an all-embracing approach and proper contextualization on the broader canvas of Islamic (intellectual, cultural and religious) history in Kashmir.
The “Introduction”, by Dr Naushad Alam Chishti (Aligarh) – an expertly and succinct summary of the contents of the book –greatly helps a reader in estimating the subject matter comprising this title. The book receives approbation from some acclaimed academicians (including, Prof(s)–Sayyid ‘Alīm Ashraf Jā’isī, Ghulām Rasūl Malik, Khwāja M. Akramuddin) and religious scholars (like, Mubārak Husayn Misbāhī and Zeeshān Ahmad Misbāhī) in the first section “Tathurāt/Expressions” that precedes the articles/content discussing the main theme. These erudites, in their precise pieces, have tried to elucidate and accentuate the rationale, relevance and significance behind producing academic writings on the multidimensional role and activities of Shah-i Hamadan and the indelible impressions of his movement on the medieval society of Kashmir. Of these briefings that introduce the personality of Shah-i Hamadan and underscore the relevance of his teachings and activities in the current scenario, Prof. Ghulām Rasūl Malik and Mubārak Husayn Misbāhī’s appraisals are worth consideration. The following section, “Awrāq-i Hayāt (Memoir)”, include biographical account (a brief chronological record of his important life events by Imtiyaz Afreen as Shah-i Hamadan Ba yak Nazar; Shah-i Hamadan: Sawānih Hayāt by Nazir Naqashbandi and Shah-i Hamadan: Hayāt Aur Khidmāt by Mufti ‘Abdul Hamid Na‘īmī ) of Shah-i Hamadan, based on the relevant historical sources and drafted in academic style, reflect genuine attempts of formulating the context for the subsequent discussions related to the ideas, activities and teachings of Shah-i Hamadan. Although, the content of these pieces, by major, is repetitive and follows the usual descriptive style, yet, serving as a timely “context” (for the study), imparts its placement a significant function in the text.
The subsequent section as “Afkār-o-Khayālat (Thoughts and Ideas)”, a composition of twenty-three articles/papers, forms a substantial portion of the main discussion unfolding the multidimensional personality of Shah-i Hamadan in light of his ideas, contributions and activities. The opening two piece in this section “Kashmir Mayn Islāmī Inqilāb Aur Shah-i Hamadan” and “Shah-i Hamadan ‘Asr-i Hādir Kay Tanāzur Mayn” by M. I. Afreen (the editor) serve as an exhaustive introduction for this text. The author attempts at narrating (in light of some pertinent sources) the all-encompassing “Islamic revolution” brought about in Kashmir by Shah-i Hamadan with an emphasis on its impact on the religious, political, spiritual, moral, economic and cultural spheres of the society. Besides, the author augments this narration with a discussion on the multi-faceted personality of Shah-i Hamadan, his political ideas, his views on Ihsān or Tasawwuf (spiritual path), his contribution toward the Muslim unity and his impact on the local yet highly influential ascetic/spiritual strand, the Rīshiyya, of Kashmir. The following article, “ Rūhānī Inqilāb Kay Naqīb: Sayyid Mir ‘Alī Hamadānī” by Prof Akhtarul Wās‘I, although a repetitive narration, reflects a precise and an expertly presentation of Shah-i Hamadan’s methodology of popularizing Islam in Kashmir especially his cordial approach toward the Salātīn, the Ruling elite. A meticulous and probably the first thematic discussion in the text “Iqbal Aur Shah-I Hamadan” by Prof G. R. Malik unfolds, in light of Iqbal’s poem on Shah-i Hamadan in Jāved Nāmah, the impact of Shah-i Hamadan on Iqbal as well as the resemblance of ideas/thoughts between them. Prof. Hayat Amir Husayni in his “Shah-i Hamadan Ka Tasawwur-i ‘Ibādat”, has further embellished the section with an exhaustive, academic and explanatory discussion on the concept of worship/Ibādah in Islam and its elucidation as per Shah-i Hamadan. The content has been delivered in a thematic and philosophical tone and the author has attempted to demystify all the related aspects of the theme encompassing the discussion in thirty-four points with an extensive and studious elaboration. Two subsequent articles, “Shah-i Hamadan: Umarā’ Aur ‘Ulāma’-O-Sūfiyā’ Kī Rahnuma’ī Wa Islāh” and “Shah-i Hamadan Ka Maslak-O-Mashrab” by Dr Abdul Quddus Khan considerably extend the ambit of the text. The first article, although with a substantial repetitive narration, brings to limelight the efforts of Shah-i Hamadan in reforming and rectifying the rulers, religious scholars and Sufis of his age. Khan’s subsequent article, an industrious work, provides an analysis of Shah-i Hamadan’s approach and standpoint with regard the different schools of jurisprudence as well as Sufi methodologies and ideologies. He has tried to underscore Shah-i Hamadan’s emphasis on the universal character of Islam and his preference to work for the unity of Muslims than to spreading a specific ideology or school. This write-up depicts him a broad-minded religious erudite with a moderate approach toward the diverse Islamic juridical or ideological schools as well as different Sufi ideologies or methodologies.
(To be continued)
ABOUT THE REVIEWER
Dr Mohammad Irfan Shah is Ex-SRF Candidate, Institute of Islamic Studies, AMU, Aligarh. He can be reached at asadirfan11@gmail.com
