The Quadri Order’s Legacy in Kashmir: Saints and Spiritual Foundations

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 3 December 2024 An Exploration Of The Quadri Sufi Order’s Introduction To Kashmir, Highlighting Key Saints Like Syed Nematullah, Shaikh Mirak Mir, And Mir Nāzuk, Who Shaped Its Spiritual And Cultural Impact Main Points: 1. The Quadri Sufi order, founded by Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, was introduced to Kashmir by Syed Nematullah Shah Qadiri in the late 16th century. 2. Syed Nematullah, Shaikh Mirak Mir, and Syed Ismail Shami played pivotal roles in establishing the Quadri tradition in Kashmir through their piety, teachings, and discipleship. 3. Mir Nāzuk Neyazi, a disciple of Syed Ismail, became a central figure in propagating the Quadri order, rejecting practices like Sama‘ and maintaining strict spiritual discipline. 4. Mir Nāzuk’s sons, particularly Mir Muhammad Ali, continued to expand and popularize the Quadri order in Kashmir despite challenges, including the early death of Mir Yusuf. 5. The Quadri order, established through devotion and scholarly influence, left a lasting imprint on Kashmir’s spiritual and cultural landscape. ----- The Quadri order was originally founded by the celebrated Saint of Baghdad, Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (471–561 AH / 1078–1165 CE). He was a renowned Sufi, prolific writer, and scholar whose works became the cornerstone of Quadri doctrine and practices. During his lifetime, Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani attracted a large following, and his disciples spread his teachings to regions such as Syria, Egypt, and Yemen. In subsequent generations, these teachings reached even more distant parts of the Islamic world. The Quadri order was introduced in Kashmir sometime in the latter half of the sixteenth century by Syed Nematullah Shah Qadiri, who claimed direct descent from Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani. Before arriving in Kashmir, Syed Nematullah resided in India, most likely in Punjab, where he was a disciple of Shaikh Muhammad Darvesh Qadiri. According to Muhammad Husain Qadiri, the author of Futuhat-i-Quadriya, Syed Nematullah was a prolific writer, though none of his works are named in the records. Notably, he avoided association with the ruling classes and devoted much of his time to the practice of Sama‘ (Sufi music and spiritual gatherings). Syed Nematullah’s stay in Kashmir was brief, after which he returned to India. Among his disciples in Kashmir was Shaikh Mirak Mir, the son of Syed Shamsu’d-Din Andrabi, whose family had migrated from Andrab during the reign of Sultan Sikandar. Despite encouragement from relatives holding high positions in the Sultanate to join government service, Shaikh Mirak chose a life of piety, dedicating himself to meditation at Khānaqāh-i-Andrāb in Srinagar, a Sufi centre established by his ancestors. Shaikh Mirak’s ascetic practices included abstaining from meat for forty years. He married late in life, following a dream in which the Prophet advised him to do so. Initially, Shaikh Mirak pursued Sufism independently, claiming direct inspiration from the Prophet, until Syed Nematullah arrived in Kashmir and initiated him into the Quadri order. Shaikh Mirak was revered for his spiritual status and the guidance he offered to many. He passed away on 5 Ṣafar 990 AH (1 March 1582 CE) and was buried at Mallāratta, Srinagar. Another prominent Quadri saint, Syed Ismail Shāmī, arrived in Kashmir in 992 AH (1584 CE) from India. He too claimed descent from Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani. After receiving his early education from his father, Syed Sulaiman, Syed Ismail was initiated into the Quadri order by Syed Muhammad Qāsim. Syed Ismail was warmly welcomed by prominent saints in Kashmir, including Bābā Dawud Khākī, with whom he developed a close friendship. Syed Ismail’s piety and spiritual zeal were widely acclaimed. Baab Dawud Khaki praised his simplicity, virtuous character, and spiritual achievements in a poem. Although Syed Ismail stay in Kashmir was short, he laid the groundwork for the Quadri order through his disciple, Mir Nazuk Neyazi. Mir Nazuk, initially a disciple of Baba Dawud Khaki in the Suharwardy order, transitioned to the Quadri order under Syed Ismail, who conferred upon him the Khirqa (cloak) and Ijazat-Nama (authorization letter) to enrol disciples. Unlike Syed Nematullah, Mir Nazuk disapproved of Sama‘ and is even said to have refused to meet a Darweshi who practiced it. Mir Nazuk passed away on 9 Zil-Hijjah 1022 AH (20 January 1614 CE) and was buried at Qāzikadal in Srinagar. The leadership of Mir Nazuk’s Khanqah at Khanyar in Srinagar was taken over by his eldest son, Mir Yusuf, who had received his education and initiation in the Quadri order from his father. Unfortunately, Mir Yusuf died young in 1027 AH (1617 CE) due to the plague. Subsequently, it was Mir Muhammad Ali, the third son of Mir Nazuk, who effectively popularized the Quadri order in Kashmir. Mir Muhammad Ali passed away on 17 Zū’l-Hijja 1071 AH (24 August 1660 CE). 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 ---- 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-society/quadri-order-legacy-kashmir-saints-spiritual/d/133907 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