Hazrat Syed Jamaluddin Bukhari RA: The Sufi Luminary Who Bridged Delhi, Madinah, and Kashmir’s Spiritual Renaissance

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 6 March 2025 Hazrat Syed Jamaluddin Bukhari RA, a distinguished Sufi saint of the Suhrawardiyya order, emerged as a pivotal figure in Kashmir’s spiritual history during the 16th century. A descendant of the revered Hazrat Makhdoom-e-Jahaniyan Syed Jalaluddin Bukhari RA of Uchh, his brief yet impactful sojourn in Kashmir laid the foundation for the Suhrawardiyya order’s enduring legacy in the Valley. Screengrab from JK LIVE KASHMIR YouTube channel. ------ Syed Jamaluddin Bukhari RA hailed from a lineage deeply rooted in Sufi traditions. His ancestry traced back to Hazrat Syed Jalaluddin Bukhari RA (1308–1384), a towering spiritual figure of the Suhrawardiyya order known as ‘Makhdoom Jahaniyan-i Jahan Gasht’ (“The Global Traveller”) for his extensive missionary journeys. Born into this illustrious heritage, Syed Jamaluddin RA inherited a legacy of piety and scholarship. His early spiritual training unfolded in Delhi under the guidance of Shaikh Haji Abdul Wahhab Dehlavi, a disciple of the Suhrawardiyya Silsila linked to Makhdoom Jahaniyan. This phase honed his mastery of Islamic theology and Sufi practices. Later, he embarked on a pilgrimage to the Haramain Sharifain (Makkah and Madinah), a journey that would profoundly alter his spiritual trajectory. During his stay in Madinah Munawwarah, Syed Jamaluddin RA experienced a transformative dream in which the Holy Prophet Muhammad commanded him to travel to Kashmir and mentor Hazrat Sheikh Hamza Kashmiri RA. This vision marked a divine assignment, positioning him as a spiritual reformer tasked with nurturing a successor who would institutionalize the Suhrawardiyya order in the region. Upon arriving in Srinagar in the early 16th century, he took residence at the Khanqah-e-Malik Ahmad Yattu, a Sufi hospice. His presence quickly attracted spiritual aspirants, including Hazrat Mahbub-e-Aalam RA (later known as Sultan-ul-Arifeen). According to historical accounts, Mahbub-e-Aalam RA pledged allegiance to Syed Jamaluddin RA after a revelatory dream that likened spiritual mentorship to a “grafted tree bearing sweet fruit”, a metaphor for the transformative power of indirect guidance. Syed Jamaluddin RA’s teachings emphasised ascetic discipline, inner purity, and the pursuit of esoteric knowledge. He critiqued the ‘Ulama-i Zahiri (scholars fixated on literal interpretations of religious texts) for neglecting the deeper, mystical dimensions of faith. Instead, he advocated for ‘ilm al-batin (esoteric wisdom), urging disciples to transcend superficial rituals and cultivate a direct connection with the Divine. Central to his spiritual practice was the regular recitation of dhikr (invocations) and Quranic verses, which he viewed as pathways to spiritual awakening. These practices not only fostered individual devotion but also strengthened communal bonds among his followers. The cornerstone of Syed Jamaluddin RA’s legacy in Kashmir was his mentorship of Sheikh Hamza Makhdum RA (1494–1576), later venerated as Mahbub-e-Aalam. Through formal initiation, he conferred upon Sheikh Hamza the ‘Silsila-Nama’ (a charter affirming his spiritual lineage) and ‘Ijazat-Nama’ (authorization to induct disciples). This act institutionalised the Suhrawardiyya order in Kashmir, with Sheikh Hamza emerging as its foremost exponent. Syed Jamaluddin RA’s guidance shaped Sheikh Hamza’s ascetic practices and inclusive approach, enabling him to bridge social divides and attract followers from all strata of Kashmiri society. After a mere six months in Kashmir, Syed Jamaluddin RA prepared to return to Delhi (India). When Sheikh Hamza expressed a desire to accompany him, he declined, prophesying: “Through you, countless people in Kashmir will find guidance.” This statement foreshadowed Sheikh Hamza’s future role in popularising the Suhrawardiyya order, which became synonymous with spiritual egalitarianism and communal harmony in the Valley. Unlike Suhrawardiyya saints in Multan and Uchh, who actively shaped regional politics, Syed Jamaluddin RA epitomised Kashmir’s tradition of apolitical Sufism. His focus on seclusion, asceticism, and esoteric practices distinguished him from his northern counterparts, reflecting the Valley’s unique socio religious ethos. Though his stay in Kashmir was brief, Syed Jamaluddin RA’s contributions left an indelible mark. By empowering Sheikh Hamza, he ensured the Suhrawardiyya order’s institutional stability and spiritual relevance. His emphasis on dhikr and inner purity influenced devotional practices across the Valley, while his critique of literalism encouraged a balanced engagement with both exoteric and esoteric Islamic knowledge. Moreover, his mission bridged Persianate Sufi traditions with Kashmir’s indigenous spiritual heritage, fostering a syncretic culture that resonated deeply with the local populace. Today, his legacy endures in the Khanqahs of Srinagar and the collective memory of Kashmir’s Sufi tradition. Hazrat Syed Jamaluddin Bukhari RA’s brief yet transformative presence in Kashmir underscores the Suhrawardiyya order’s adaptability across diverse cultural landscapes. By prioritising spiritual mentorship over political engagement, he cultivated a tradition of inward-focused piety that aligned with Kashmir’s spiritual aspirations. His legacy, perpetuated through Sheikh Hamza Makhdum RA, remains a testament to the enduring power of Sufi principles in fostering unity, humility, and divine love. ---- M. Ishaq Khan, Kashmir's Transition to Islam: The Role of Muslim Rishis (New Delhi: Manohar, 2020), 145. Suraiya Gull, Development of Kubraviya Sufi Order in Kashmir with Special Reference to Suraiya Gull, Development of Kubraviya Sufi Order in Kashmir with Special Reference to Mir Saiyid Ali Hamadani (, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi, 1999), p. 13, supervised by Professor Akhtarul Wasey. Rayees Ahmad Kumar, "Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom: Our Great Saint," Daily Good Morning Kashmir, accessed September 18, 2023, https://www.dailygoodmorningkashmir.com/sheikh-hamza-makhdoom-our-great-saint/. Kashmir Uzma, “تذکرہ حضرتِ محبوب العالمؒ” [Memorial of Hazrat Mahbub Al-Alam], Kashmir Uzma, https://kashmiruzma.news ---- 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/bukhari-sufi-delhi-madinah-kashmir-spiritual-renaissance/d/134796 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