Zeeshan Rasool Khan

  HAZRAT SAYYID HAFIZULLAH ANDRABI SAHIB (R.A) After Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and his companions, his descendants, who came to be known as Sayyids, went to great pains to disseminate the message of Islam. They left their native places and travelled to different parts of the world to continue the mission of ‘dawah’. Some settled far away from their birthplaces and later their progeny took surnames based on the places they originated from. It gave rise to various branches of the Syed dynasty like Hamdani, Bukhari, Andrabi etc. emerging from Hamdan of Iran, Bukhara of Uzbekistan, and Andrab of Iran respectively. In Kashmir, the history of Andrabi Sayyids is as old as its Islamization. Available records reveal that a devout Muslim Sayyid Ahmad Andrabi and his son Sayyid Muhammad Andrabi accompanied Mir Syed Ali Hamdani when he visited the valley of Kashmir during the reign of Sultan Qutub-ud-Din -775-792.A.H./1373-89A.D. On the directions of Syed Ali Hamdani, the father and son sta...

 AMEER’E SHARIAT ALLAMA BUKHARI aur UN KAY AQAID Author : SYED ARIF AHMAD QADRI  Review by Zeeshan Rasool Khan Syed Muhammad Qasim Shah Bukhari (1910-2000), (President of Anjuman Tableegul Islam 1960-2000) was an illustrious religious scholar, writer, preacher, journalist, and social activist who colossally contributed to the spread of Islam in Jammu and Kashmir. Syed Qasim Shah Bukhari wrote more than a hundred books on various subjects of Islam. Besides translating and interpreting Quran in Urdu and Kashmiri, he translated literary works of great Sufi scholars cum saints like; Mir Syed Ali Hamdani (R.a), Baba Dawud Khaki, etc. He established Hanafi Arabic College in the heart of Srinagar city. He traveled far and wide with a vision of educating the masses. For that, he successfully started religious seminaries and English medium schools in the length and breadth of the valley. Under his leadership historical religious gatherings took place in every nook and corner of the v...

  Zeeshan Rasool Khan Years ago, Molana Mushtaq Ahmad Khan Sahb gifted me a book ’ Moie Muqaddas Ki Azmat ’ – the grandeur of Prophet’s (Pbuh) sacred hair’ to read. The language, presentation, the art of explaining intricate things lucidly, and frequent mention of Quranic verses and Ahadith to authenticate every point impressed me profoundly. I became eager to know more about its writer – Molana Engineer Nazir Ahmad Pampori Sahb . On the next meet with Molana Mushtaq Ahmad Khan Sahb, I managed to ask him about Er Nazir Sahib. As I uttered Nazir Sahb’s name, Molana was all praises for him. A few years later, when Molana Mushtaq Sahb fell ill, I had the privilege to meet Er. Nazir Sahib at former’s home. However, the meeting was confined just to greetings. Months after that, on instructions of Molana Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, a seminar ‘Niyamat’e Uzma (Pbuh) Conference’ was organized in Kulgam and Er. Nazir Sahib graced the event with his presence as a guest speaker. That time I not on...

  By – Zeeshan Rasool Khan  The discourse of Kashmiri Sufism is incomplete without mention of Aishmuqam town. This town has historical and spiritual significance. When Sheikh-ul-Aalam (R.a) noticed the devotion of his disciple – Zain-ud-din-Wali (R.a), he instructed him to meditate in the thick forest of Aish, now known as Aishmuqam. The influence of Zain-ud-din Wali (R.a) turned this place into a mystic abode with a never-fading spiritual aroma. Aishmuqam produced great personalities from time to time who contributed to the spread of this aroma to distant places and Peer Ghulam Hassan Siddiqui Sahb was one among them. Hassan Sahb was born in 1931. His father Peer Yousuf Sahb was a well-read personality, a poet, a preacher; a mystic associated with Kubravia, Suharwardia, and Owaisi orders of Sufism and had a massive following. His mother Khadijah was hafiza (had memorized the noble Quran). Peer Hassan Sahb got initial guidance from his father and received primary educatio...

  FATIMA (may Allah be pleased with her) – daughter of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and Khadijah (R.a), needs no introduction. No believer can be unfamiliar with this name. However, Fatima is not just a name but an institution from where we can get inspiration change our life for the better. For that purpose, we need to know her more although understanding her to the fullest is not possible. Syeda Fatima, also known as Fatima az-Zehra (Zehra- meaning sparklingly bright and beautiful) was born in 605 in Mecca. Her childhood was different from others. Averse to normal childhood activities, she would spend most of her time with her mother Khadijah, absorbing the best qualities from her. Her habits resembled mostly Muhammad (SAW). According to Aisha Siddiqa, ‘I have not seen anyone the like of Allah’s Messenger in manners, habits, character, and way of sitting and standing more than Fatima, the daughter of merciful Prophet (pbuh) (Abu Dawud and Tirmidhi). She is known by many titles like ...

  Aishmuqam – A town in Anantnag district is a well-known place in Kashmir. Its fame is attributed to a great saint and one of the successors of Shaykhul Aalam Shaykh Noor u Din Noorani Sahb (R.a) namely Hazrat Sakhi Zain-uddin Wali sahb (R.a) who performed divine meditation there. In this scenic and spiritually fertile area is settled a devout ‘Siddiqui dynasty’ – descendant of Hazrat Abu Bakar Siddiq (R.a) that gave birth to spiritual-greats from time to time, who contributed considerably in promotion and propagation of true Sufism. One among them is Peer Rafiq-ul-Aalam Siddiqui who made a place in the millions of hearts owing to his extraordinary character. Like begets like, this saying suits well in case of Peer Rafiq Sahb. Rafiq Sahb’s father Hazrat Peer Ghulam Hassan Sahib was not an ordinary person. He was a mystic having his own identity and overwhelming influence over the masses. Thus, we can safely say that Rafeeq Sahb’s spiritual greatness had something to do with in...

  By - Zeeshan Rasool Khan In Kashmir 3 rd Safar ul Muzzafar (2 nd month of Islamic calendar) is observed as Urs of Sufi saint Baba Dawood Khaki (R.a). Besides being a saint, Baba Dawood Khaki earned repute for his scholarship. Owing to his command on Islamic literature, Hadith, fiqh, etc, he is known as – Imam e Azam Sani . He was a calligrapher, a writer, and a poet. For composing poetry of high merit, he is regarded as ‘King of poets’. Baba Dawood Khaki was born in 1521 A.D (908 A.H) in the Ganai family of Kailashpora Srinagar. Parents named him Daulat Dawood and ‘Khaki’ was his pen name. He lost his parents at an early age and had to face a lot of miseries. Against all odds, he received initial education at a local school, took classes in calligraphy to learn and earn. By dint of efforts and hard work, he mastered this art. Later he had the privilege of receiving guidance from great religious personalities like – Mullah Basheer Aami, Molana Razi-Ud-din, Mulla Shamsudin pa...

Zeeshan Rasool Khan* Kashmir is famous for being Resh-waer ; meaning the ‘alcove of Sufis and Saints’ .It is considered as the cradle of Sufism and spirituality. In every era, one or the other personality dominated the spiritual landscape of the valley. These people exerted an immense influence upon the masses and became everliving. When the name of these personages comes into mind, no one could pretermit Syed Mirak Shah Kashani (R.a). Kashani, widely known as ‘Faqeer-i-Millat’ was born in Syed Family at Saraf Kadal Srinagar on 6 September 1895. His parents left for heavenly abode during his infancy and he was fostered by his brothers. Formal education started in the local seminary. His elder brother Qadir Sahb entrusted him to a teacher but his studentship did not last long. It is said; Sheikh Saadi’s ‘Bostan’ fascinated him greatly and once he asked his tutor to interpret the following couplet – Jamal-e-Humnasheen dar mann asar kard; Wagarna mann hama khaakam ki hastam (I...

India’s struggle for freedom involved people of every hue. Despite the British divisive policy, people from all sections of society contributed to it. There could be a difference only in the means that the different people adopted. Religion, caste, creed, and color barriers were ineffective in hindering the people’s participation in the independence movement. However, only a few historians have done justice, others have framed the Indian history in a way that we see only a particular community’s contribution. Others have been ignored as if they were British collaborators. At present as well, history is being distorted in the fashion that Heroes are presented as villains and vice-versa. In this situation, the Muslims — who constitute the second largest population of India, are primary victims. Acknowledging their sacrifices is another question; they are yet to be recognized as citizens. Let alone the concession of their role in the freedom struggle, they are looked down upon and are of...

On 19th February 2019, a man peerless in every aspect, a flawless son, a wonderful father, a great friend, a compassionate mentor, and above all a man true to himself and to others passed away leaving a void never to be filled. Molana Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, born on 19th April 1951 in Seer Hamdan, was known to masses for different reasons. He rose to fame as a religious scholar, an orator, and a poet. But his personal life equally deserves due consideration. He was a perfect example of being a human, holding all the attributes that one ought to hold. His life can serve as a guide for all and any. I had the opportunity to stay alongside for a fairly decent period of time. When seen as a son, we find him dutiful and humble.  As a paterfamilias, he serves as a responsible person who sacrificed his comfort for his family. He never allowed materialistic pursuits to overshadow his conscience but at the same times provided his family everything they needed. As a father, we again find ...