Hazrat Baba Shukuruddeen RA: The Torchbearer of Kashmir

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 23 December 2024 Hazrat Baba Shukuruddeen RA, A Kashmiri Saint, Is Known For His Devotion, Miracles, And Spiritual Teachings. His Legacy, Enshrined At Watlub, Sopore, Continues To Inspire Faith And Unity Among Devotees. Main Points: 1. Hazrat Baba Shukuruddeen RA was a revered Kashmiri saint born during Sultan Qutbuddin’s reign. 2. His spiritual journey began with guidance from Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Alam and Hazrat Zainuddeen Wali RA. 3. He meditated in a cave near Wular Lake, performing miracles and spreading faith. 4. Notable miracles include aiding a Hindu Pandit and blessing a barren cow. 5. His Urs is celebrated annually, and his shrine remains a symbol of faith and unity. ----- The shrine of Hazrat Baba Shukuruddeen RA, located on the serene Sharikot hilltop at Watlub, Sopore, is a spiritual marvel that continues to inspire countless devotees. This sacred site is a testament to the saint’s extraordinary life and enduring legacy. Early Life and Spiritual Awakening Hazrat Baba Shukuruddeen RA was born during the reign of Sultan Qutbuddin. From his early years, he displayed remarkable qualities of truthfulness, piety, and unwavering devotion to Allah and His Prophet (peace be upon him). His childhood was marked by prayers and recitation of the Quran. As he grew, he worked in the fields, embodying humility and dedication. An incident involving his mother became the turning point in his spiritual journey. One day, while carrying food for him, his mother encountered two pious men. They instructed her to advise her son to recite a specific Quranic verse, “Bismillah,” before eating and to reduce the size of the food basket daily. Following their guidance, significant changes began to appear in Baba Shukuruddeen RA’s demeanour, marking the beginning of his spiritual transformation. When he learned of this encounter, he sought out the pious men, which led him to Charar-i-Sharief. There, he met Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Alam, also known as Alamdar-e-Kashmir, the founder of the Rishi movement. After narrating the episode, he was directed to Ashmuqam to learn under the guidance of Hazrat Zainuddeen Wali RA. Years of Spiritual Training Hazrat Baba Shukuruddeen RA spent several years at Ashmuqam, absorbing the mystic teachings of Hazrat Zainuddeen Wali RA. He was later instructed to meditate in a cave atop a hill near Watlab, overlooking the Wular Lake, once Asia’s largest freshwater lake. Today, the Wular Lake is a shadow of its former glory, but its connection to the saint remains profound. During this period, a noble and devoted assistant, Hazrat Baba Payam-ud-Din Reshi RA, joined him. Baba Payam-ud-Din RA served tirelessly, carrying water on his shoulders. His dedication impressed Baba Shukuruddeen RA, who prayed for him and directed him to Tangmarg, where he stayed and became a revered saint in his own right. Miracles and Legacy Numerous miracles are attributed to Hazrat Baba Shukuruddeen RA. A government-employed Hindu Pandit once sought his blessings to resolve a financial crisis. Upon returning home, the Pandit found a government letter granting him financial relief, an event he attributed to the saint’s blessings. Another famous miracle involved a barren cow that visited the saint daily. When the cow’s owner discovered this, he demanded calves. Baba Shukur-ud-Din RA assured him of Allah’s mercy, and upon returning home, the man found his cowshed filled with calves. Even after his passing, the shrine continues to be a place of miracles. In 1996, a girl from Malangam, Bandipora, with a paralyzed hand, reportedly regained full function after touching the mystical door of the shrine. Eternal Rest and Urs Celebration It is said that in 870 Hijri, Hazrat Baba Shukuruddeen RA dug his own grave and entered it. The grave miraculously covered itself, marking the saint’s union with the Divine. His Urs is celebrated annually on the 27th of Jamadi-us-Sani, attracting devotees from various backgrounds seeking blessings and spiritual solace. Symbol of Faith and Unity The shrine is adorned with votive rags tied by devotees, each representing heartfelt wishes and prayers. These rags, ranging from shimmering fabrics to simple cloth, symbolize the unwavering faith of those who visit. Kashmir’s reputation as “Jannat-e-Benazeer” (Heaven on Earth) is not solely due to its natural beauty but also because of the towering spiritual figures like Hazrat Baba Shukuruddeen RA. Their lives and teachings continue to illuminate the region, making it an abode of mystical and spiritual excellence. Also Read: Sultan Darvesh: The Sufi Healer of Kashmir and His Timeless Teachings Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom: The Saint of Kashmir Rishi Sufi Order in Kashmir: Roots, Legacy, and Impact Islam's Early Roots in Kashmir: A Historical Account The Suharwardy Order: Foundations of Sufism in Kashmir Baba Zain-ud-Din Wali: Illuminating Kashmir’s Spiritual Path The Naqshbandi Order in Kashmir The Quadri Order’s Legacy in Kashmir: Saints and Spiritual Foundations The Kubravi Order and Its Spread to Kashmir Hazrat Qayumuddeen Qadri RA: A Sufi Saint of Kashmir Builders of Faith: How Syed Ali Hamadani’s Disciples Shaped Kashmiri Society ----- A regular contributor to New Age Islam, Sahil Razvi is a research scholar specialising in Sufism and Islamic History. He is an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/hazrat-baba-shukuruddeen-kashmir/d/134110 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism