Hazrat Lala Aragami, A Mystic Poet And Saint Of Kashmir

By Altamash Ali, New Age Islam 19 September 2025 Hazrat Lala Aragami (1923–1988), a Kashmiri Sufi poet from Bandipora, mastered Qadiriyya and Chishtiyya orders. His thousands of poems on love, truth, and unity, published in 2008, are sung at his shrine’s Urs celebrations on March 11 and August 27. Main Points: 1. Hazrat Lala Aragami, born 1923, Bandipora, poor family, limited education, learned Quran. 2. Guided by Hazrat Shaban Solur and Hazrat Amma Kawa, mastered Qadiriyya, Chishtiyya Sufi orders. 3. Wrote thousands of Kashmiri Sufi poems on love, truth, unity, published in 2008. 4. Promoted unity, respected for simplicity, poetry sung in Sufi gatherings. 5. Died 1988, shrine in Chattibande Aragam, Urs celebrated on March 11, August 27. ----- Lala Aragami, also known as Al Malik, was born on March 11, 1923, in a poor family in the Chithibandi village of Bandipora district. His father’s name was Daud Malik, and his mother’s name was Daulat Deddi. Malik received only primary education. At the age of 17, he got the opportunity to learn about Sufism from Shaban Solur. After Shaban Solur’s death, he was guided in Sufism by Amma Kawa, a Sufi from Charari Sharif. Malik married a woman named Gasha from the same village. They had one daughter and three sons. He worked as a labourer, milkman, and imam. Hazrat Lala Aragami was born into a family known for its simplicity, honesty, and truthfulness. His father, Daud Malik, and mother, Dulat Ded, were respected individuals in the village. From a young age, he displayed extraordinary intelligence and spiritual inclination. Although he received formal education only up to the 8th grade, his parents ensured he gained profound knowledge of the Quran, Fiqh, and Hadith. Hazrat Lala Aragami married Gasha Bibi, a virtuous and respected woman from the village. They had one daughter and three sons. To support his family, he worked as a milkman, labourer, and eventually as an imam in a mosque. Despite his humble status, he remained dedicated to his spiritual practices. At the age of 17, Hazrat Lala Aragami began his spiritual journey under the guidance of Hazrat Shaban Sayeb Slura. After the death of his first guru, he was deeply affected, but later he dreamt that Hazrat Shaban Sayeb entrusted him to Hazrat Amma Sayeb Kawa of Charar-e-Sharif. Hazrat Amma Sayeb Kawa was a highly respected mystic, known for his rigorous tests, and Hazrat Lala Aragami was his only disciple. Under his guidance, Hazrat Lala Aragami mastered the knowledge of Shariat, Tariqat, Haqiqat, and Marifat. Hazrat Lala Aragami followed the Qadiriyya and Chishtiyya orders of Sufism. He spent his days and nights in deep meditation and prayer, renouncing worldly pleasures and living a life of simplicity and devotion. Hazrat Lala Aragami was a renowned Sufi poet who composed thousands of mystical verses in the Kashmiri language. His poetry, deeply spiritual and philosophical, explored themes such as divine beauty, truth, love, and the mystic’s quest for ultimate truth. His works also included praise for prophets, Sufi saints, harmony, and unity. His poems are still sung in Sufi gatherings and are available on platforms like Wynk Music. His literary contributions are documented in the collection ‘Kuliyati Lala Aragami’ (2008). Through his poetry and teachings, Hazrat Lala Aragami promoted unity and brotherhood in Kashmiri society. His works praised prophets and Sufi saints and expressed the quest for the ultimate cause of the universe. His simplicity and impartiality earned him respect in the local community. His poetry and lifestyle became a symbol of Kashmir’s rich Sufi tradition, aligning with the legacy of saints like Lal Ded and Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din. His poems are emblematic of the rich tradition of Kashmiri Sufism and are still sung during Urs celebrations (March 11 and August 27) held at his shrine. Keep the Lord in your heart, forget the colours of illusion, Follow the path of unity, erase discrimination Hazrat Lala Aragami introduced a unique style to Kashmiri Sufi poetry and elevated it to great heights. He used a rich blend of Kashmiri idioms along with Persian, Arabic, and Sanskrit words. His poetry continues to be sung in Sufi gatherings, inspiring generations of Sufi singers and poets. Light the lamp of love, dispel the darkness of the mind, Walk in search of truth, attain union with the Divine. Leave the world, seek yourself, wander through the village, The one Lord resides in all, never forget this truth. Hazrat Lala Aragami’s influence spread across Kashmir, where his disciples, including renowned poets, carried forward his message of love, unity, and simplicity. His teachings were meant for all, emphasizing brotherhood and unity. In his poetry, Hazrat Lala Aragami depicted divine love, beauty, and truth. He praised prophets and Sufi saints and expressed the quest for the ultimate cause of the universe. His poems, adorned with Kashmiri idioms and Persian, Arabic, and Sanskrit words, elevated Kashmiri Sufi poetry to new heights. His followers narrate stories of many miracles, such as healing the sick or providing spiritual guidance. These miracles are still recounted by his disciples, testifying to his divinity. His disciples were spread across various regions of Kashmir, many of whom became prominent Sufi poets and gurus, such as Hazrat Kamal Sahib Konan Bandipora, Hazrat Mam Sahib Pushwari, and Hazrat Khazir Sahib Kandi Kupwara. He passed away at the age of 63 on August 27, 1988, leaving a profound impact on Kashmiri Sufism. Hazrat Lala Aragami was buried in his ancestral graveyard in Chattibande Aragam, Bandipora district, Jammu and Kashmir. A beautiful shrine has been built at his grave, maintained by a dedicated committee. This committee manages the upkeep of the shrine, provides food for visiting devotees, and organizes events. ----- Altamash Ali is a Sufi writer and a student at IFTM University._ URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/hazrat-lala-aragami-mystic-poet-saint-kashmir/d/136896 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