While turning the pages of history, we came to know that the valley of Kashmir always remains a place of attraction for historians, travelers, and those who are seekers of truth. This place always proved a calm and serene shelter for them. They took their abodes in the remote corners of the valley for purposes of seclusion and meditation. This land welcomed the great scholars of Islam like Abdul Rahman Bulbul Shah (RA), Sayyid Ali Hamadani (RA), Mir Mohammad Hamadani (RA), Syed Jalal Uddin Bukhari (RA), Baba Ji Sahab (RA), Syed Taj Uddin (RA), Syed Hussain Samnani (RA), etc. A few of them spent some time here and stepped back to their native places but some made this place their permanent resting place.
Kausar Ali Shah Afghani (RA) was one of them who visited the valley in the early nineties from Afghanistan and stayed here till his last breath. He was a great Sufi saint and a knowledgeable soul who spent some time in seclusion in the village known as Hari-Pora Harwan (New Theed Harwan Srinagar) at Sharasbal. This particular place is 30 km away from Srinagar. After staying there for a brief period, he moved to Chek-i-Reshipora Banidpora in 1957 and stayed there till the last. He did not have any formal education but right from his childhood days, he got ample opportunities to sit in the company of saints and scholars to acquire the true knowledge of life. During his lifetime, he traveled extensively to Iran, Iraq, Syria, Palestine, and Jordan. He visited the shrine of Shahi-Jeelan (RA) in Baghdad. He also visited Makkah and Madina and performed Hajj.
According to “Al Hayat-ul-Kausaria”, a biographical sketch written by Moulvi Aziz-Ulla Akhoon, he mentioned that the personalities like Abdul Hassan Ali Nadvi (great Islamic scholar) Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah (Ex-PM/CM of J&K State), Qurat-Ul-Aain Hyder (renowned Urdu writer/poetess), Professor Qazi Ghulam Mohammad (famous Mathematician, Kashmir University), Ghulam Rasool Nazki (prominent scholar and broadcaster), Mohammad Rahmatullah Qasimi, (founder of Darul Uloom Raheemiya Bandipora) were highly influenced by his lifestyle and philosophy. They paid the occasional visits to Bandipora and spent many hours under his great company.
A young man of 34 years old research scholar from Holland, Mr. Raan Giri had been directed by his spiritual master to search for his spiritual guide in India for further guidance and enlightenment on the path of spiritualism. Being the seeker of the truth and the staunch believer of spiritualism, he visited Kashmir in 1970 through the mountains of Hindukush and met Hazrat Kousari Sahab (RA) requesting for spiritual guidance. As this whole region was supposed to be the central location of Silsila Naqshbandiya, Shah Shab welcomed him with an open heart. Shah Sahab not only enlightened him with the teachings of Islam but also acquainted him with the Sufi orders of Islam. When Shah Sahab first time recited the verses from 1st to 16th from the glorious Quran (Surah Baqarah) with an extensive explanation before the visitor, he got so impressed and showed his willingness to accept Islam and took allegiance.. As soon as he uttered Kalima Shahadat, Shah Sahab changed his name from Raan Giri toAbdullah. After spending three days under his guidance and supervision, he left for his native land Holland with special instruction/Zikir – a repetition of names of “Allah”.
According to his disciples, Shah Sahab never missed offering Tahjud prayer (a special prayer offered in the last part of the night). He was against all kinds of self-created practices/bidat. He always stood against social evils like drug addiction, dowry, bribery, etc. Whenever any matter was brought under his notice for any guidance or solution, he sorted out that particular matter in the light of the teaching of the Quran and the traditions of the beloved Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). It was a routine practice on his part to arrange frequent meetings to enlighten the general public about the teachings of Islam.
His contribution towards general and religious education is exemplary. He motivated a few of his disciples to invest in the education sector. They constructed many mosques and educational institutions in various places. One of his disciples, the prominent Islamic scholar and ex-HOD of the Arabic Department, University of Kashmir, Professor Abdul Gani Azhari established the institution, Daru Uloom Kousaria, after his name at New Theed Harwan 1990. Shah Sahib left this world on 24 February 1982 at the age of 86. He spent 25 years of his life at Banidpora. Before leaving this world, he left the following assets: Shalwar Kameez, a piece of cloth that Hazrat used to put on his shoulder, a handkerchief, a standing stick, (Assa Sharief), Jai Namaaz (prayer mat), and books like Tafseer Ibn Abbas (RA) and Mishkaat Sharief. His annual day (Urs) is observed every year at Chekreshipora on 29 Rabi-ul- Sani – the fourth month of the Islamic calendar. May Allah bless his noble soul! It is a great privilege for me to introduce such a great personality to our younger generation through this brief write-up.

Haroon Rashid Bhat is a teacher and columnist. Feedback at [email protected]

Haroon Rashid Bhat