A Sage of 17th Century: Hazrat Shah Asrar ud Din Baghdadi (RA): Sadaket malik
Hazrat Shah Asrar-ud-Din’s impact on the spread of Islam was profound. His active involvement in preaching and supporting his father, Shah Mohd. Asrar-ud-Din, demonstrated a deep sense of responsibility and a commitment to sharing the teachings of Islam with the wider community.
Kishtwar – which has a history of communal tensions that have turned deadly in the past – the shrine of Shah Asrar, a 17th-century Sufi saint with roots in Iran, is a unifying force that brings together Hindus and Muslims of this mountainous district in the heart of Chenab Valley.
Hazrat Shah Asrar ud Din Baghdadi (RA) was a Sufi saint who played a significant role in spreading of Islam in the Indian subcontinent. He was known for his deep spiritual insights and teachings that emphasized the importance of love, devotion, and mysticism in the quest for a closer connection with the divine. Sufi saints like Shah Asrar ud Din Baghdadi have had a profound impact on the cultural and spiritual landscape of the region.
He was Born in Bhandarkote in Kishtwar around 1667 AD.
His father Shah Fareed ud Din
Arrival in Kishtwar, from Delhi, he reached Kishtwar via Deeng-Batal. The daughter of the landlord of Deeng-Batal was greatly impressed by the piety of the sage and married him and assumed the name Roshan-Dil. He stayed there for seven days. He consummated his marriage for the second time with the daughter of Shah Noor Ali, the Lumberdar of village Nagori of Doda town and gave her name, Malahat Beg.
From there he traveled via Bhandarkot to Kishtwar. Raja Jai Singh was highly impressed with his character and pious life and had a house built for him near his palace.
Asrar’s father, Farid-ud-Din Baghdadi, is credited for spreading Islam in Chenab Valley. Baghdadi, whose mausoleum is located in the other part of the town, arrived in Kishtwar in 1664 when it was under a Hindu Rajput ruler, Raja Kirat Singh.
Under Farid-ud-Din’s influence, the Raja accepted Islam.
“Kirat Singh was given the name of Sa’adat Yar Khan by Aurangzeb in 1687 …. The chief temple of Kishtwar in the centre of the town was converted into a mosque,” Kashmiri author and first registrar of Delhi University, G.M.D. Sofi, writes in Kashmir: Being a History of Kashmir, an authoritative and in-depth history of Jammu and Kashmir.
From the outset, his life was destined for a profound spiritual journey, as he followed in the revered footsteps of Peeran i Peer Hazrat Syedna Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA). This was a pivotal choice that shaped Hazrat Shah Asrar-ud-Din’s spiritual path. The teachings of Peeran i Peer Hazrat Syedna Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani (RA). emphasized love, compassion, and devotion to God, principles that resonated deeply with the young saint.
Embarked on a journey of self-discovery and enlightenment. His commitment to embodying the values of Hazrat Peraan i peer became a guiding force, steering him through the challenges and triumphs that awaited him on his spiritual odyssey.
Even in his formative years, signs of Hazrat Shah Asrar-ud-Din’s spiritual eminence were evident. His inclination toward religious pursuits and a deep connection with the teachings of Islam set him apart. It is said that his early experiences with prayer and meditation were marked by a profound sense of connection with the divine, foreshadowing the remarkable spiritual journey that lay ahead.
As he grew older, Hazrat Shah Asrar-ud-Din actively engaged in religious studies, absorbing the wisdom of Islamic teachings. His commitment to learning and his innate spiritual sensitivity distinguished him among his peers, marking him as a chosen vessel for divine guidance.
Hazrat Shah Asrar-ud-Din’s impact on the spread of Islam was profound. His active involvement in preaching and supporting his father, Shah Mohd. Asrar-ud-Din, demonstrated a deep sense of responsibility and a commitment to sharing the teachings of Islam with the wider community.
Hazrat Shah Asrar-ud-Din’s unique preaching methods set him apart as a dynamic and influential figure. Writers of the time meticulously documented his daily routines, capturing the essence of his spiritual guidance. It was through these efforts that he contributed significantly to attracting individuals to Islam, fostering a community bound by faith and devotion.
Hazrat Shah Asrar-ud-Din is said to have been associated with numerous miracles, with devotees recounting instances of healing, foresight, and divine intervention. Many claim that he possessed the ability to heal the sick through prayers, and stories circulate about individuals recovering from ailments deemed incurable by conventional means.
There are many accounts of his supernatural knowledge, where he is believed to have foreseen events or provided guidance beyond the scope of ordinary perception. Devotees often speak of their experiences, crediting Hazrat Shah Asrar-ud-Din with inexplicable insights that helped them navigate challenges and make life-altering decisions.
The legend also includes tales of nature bending to his spiritual command, with stories of sudden weather changes or natural elements responding miraculously to his presence. These narratives, passed down through generations, contribute to the mystique surrounding Hazrat Shah Asrar-ud-Din and his perceived connection to the supernatural.
It’s important to note that these stories are deeply rooted in faith and belief, forming an integral pt his spiritual legacy.
Of the miracles borne by the words of mouth were to bring to life the dead only son of a Hindu, to grant eyesight to the born blinds, to make the wall move, and to relieve people of deadly diseases.
The Shrine of Shah Asrar, also known as Darbar-e Asrariya and Astan-e-Payeen, is a revered site in Kishtwar, located in the southeast of Chowgan. Dedicated to Shah Asrar, a saint born to Hazrat Shah Farid-ud-din Bghdadi (RA), the shrine holds significance due to the miracles attributed to him. Despite a short life of eighteen years, Shah Asrar gained popularity for his extraordinary talents, and the legend tells that he was called back by God.
Hazrat Farid-ud-din (RA) hazrat Shah Asrar’s father, recognized his son’s remarkable abilities at a young age. In an attempt to fulfill God’s will, Hazrat Shah Farid-ud-din Baghdadi RA prepared sugar syrup and recited Quranic hymns. On the 25th day of Kartik, he instructed Shah Asrar to drink the syrup, and after doing so, Hazrat Shah Asrar RA passed away, believed to have returned to God. His burial place in Chowgan Kishtwar in J&K is now popularly known as Darbar-e-Asrariya.
The annual urs celebration on the 25th day of Kartik attracts numerous devotees to the shrine, seeking blessings and fulfillment of their wishes. This event has become a major attraction in Kishtwar, commemorating the life and spiritual legacy of Hazrat Shah Asrar sahib. The site is a repository of dozens of precious 17th-century manuscripts written in Persian, Arabic and Kurdish languages which detail the travels of Baghdadi, his poetry and a charter of lineage of Sufi saints who are direct descendants of Prophet Mohammad, Islam’s most revered prophet.
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