Mir Shamsuddin Araqi: A Shia Sufi Saint of Kashmir Who Promoted Ahl-e-Bayt’s Teachings

By Altamash Ali, New Age Islam 31 July 2025 Mir Shamsuddin Araqi, a Shia Sufi saint, spread Islam and equality in Kashmir, built religious institutions, and promoted Ahl-e-Bayt’s teachings. His tomb in Chadoora remains a revered shrine. Main Points: 1. Born in 1440 in Isfahan, Iran, Mir Shamsuddin Araqi joined the Nurbakhshia Sufi order. 2. Arrived in Kashmir in 1483, promoting equality and Islam, especially among lower castes. 3. Built mosques, madrasas, and imam bargahs, spreading love for Ahl-e-Bayt. 4. Translated Fiqh-i-Ahwat, a key Islamic jurisprudence text by his teacher. 5. Died in 1515 or 1526; his tomb is in Chadoora, Budgam, Kashmir. ----- Mir Shamsuddin Araqi was an Iranian Shia Muslim Sufi saint. Araqi was part of the twelfth Shia Sufi order in Jammu and Kashmir. Araqi was born on Rajab 861 Hijri (September 13, 1440 CE) in the city of Isfahan, Iran. Araqi was born in Kundla village to Darvesh Ibrahim and Firoza Khatoon. Darvesh Muhammad Nurbakhsh Qahistani was a dedicated Sufi, while Firoza belonged to a Sayyid family from Qazvin. In childhood, Araqi first met Nurbakhsh when he arrived in Sulayqan, but Nurbakhsh advised him against joining Sufism due to family responsibilities. Around 1464, shortly after Nurbakhsh’s death, Araqi visited his grave and decided to follow the Nurbakhshia path. He arrived in Kashmir around 1483. Sultan Hasan Shah welcomed him, and he spent eight years in Kashmir. He greatly supported the people of Kashmir, especially those from lower castes and the poor, teaching them that in Islam, all humans are equal, and caste and poverty are worldly issues, not matters of the hereafter. Mir Shamsuddin Araqi built many large mosques, madrasas, and imam Bargahs in Kashmir. He spread the love for Ahl-e-Bayt (the Prophet’s family) among the people. Mir Shamsuddin Araqi was a Sufi saint who established and expanded the Noorbakhshia sect in Kashmir. Mir Araqi significantly advanced the Shia community, and Shia people still hold him in high regard as a pious Shia Sufi saint. Araqi strengthened the foundation of the Shia community in Kashmir and advised them to follow the path of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and Ahl-e-Bayt. Mir Shamsuddin Araqi also invited people of other religions to embrace Islam and its teachings. At that time, casteism was rampant in Kashmir, and lower-caste people were denied their rights. Mir Sahib invited people to Islam, explaining that there is no casteism in Islam, and all are equal, whether rich or poor, high or low caste. Due to Mir Sahib’s teachings, many people from different religions embraced Islam. Shortly after deciding to join the Nurbakhshia order, Araqi spent nineteen years traveling and studying under various khanqah masters in Iran and Iraq. He eventually settled in Durusht near Tehran under the guidance of Master Qasim Fayzbakhsh. When Timurid Sultan Husayn Bayqara invited Qasim to join his court in Herat, Araqi accompanied him. In Herat, Araqi undertook a mission for Bayqara to investigate whether a king from Iraq was planning to conquer parts of Khurasan under Timurid control. Upon returning to Herat after determining the plans were false, Araqi and Qasim were rewarded and given high positions in the court. Mir Sahib contributed greatly to Kashmir and the Shia Muslim community. It is said that after deciding to join the Nurbakhshia order, Araqi travelled for nineteen years across Iran and Iraq to various Khanqahs. He rose in the order and settled in Durusht near Tehran under Master Qasim Fayzbakhsh. When Timurid Sultan Husayn Bayqara invited Qasim to his court in Herat, Araqi went with him. In Herat, Araqi started a mission for Bayqara to check if an Iraqi king was planning to seize parts of Timurid-controlled Khurasan. After finding the plans to be untrue, Araqi and Qasim were rewarded with high positions in the court upon returning to Herat. Mir Shamsuddin Araqi translated the book Fiqh-i-Ahwat, written by his teacher Sayyid Muhammad Nurbakhsh, which is based on Islamic jurisprudence Hidden in the depths of the heart is the light of truth, Erase yourself, and the universe resides within you. Call upon His remembrance with every breath, Walk the path of truth, never falter, never fear. Some poems attributed to Mir Sahib: Keep the light of truth in your heart, break the walls of the world, Choose the path of humanity, cast aside the chains of caste and religion. His tomb in Chadoora, Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, known as the Araqi Shrine or Ziyarat Mir Sayyid Shamsuddin Araqi, continues to be a significant pilgrimage site, symbolizing his enduring spiritual influence. Hold the love for Ahl-e-Bayt in your heart. The light of God resides in every heart, Rich or poor, all are one, none is big or small. His disciple Muhammad Ali wrote a book about him titled Baharistan-e-Shahi, in which he describes Mir Sahib’s life: In the valley of Kashmir, Araqi spread the light, Showed the path of truth, uniting all hearts. Building mosques and khanqahs, he created a world of justice, Instilling the love for Ahl-e-Bayt in every heart. Mir Shamsuddin Araqi passed away in 1515 or 1526. Mir Shamsuddin Araqi’s tomb is located in Chadoora, Budgam district, Jammu and Kashmir, India. It is known as the Araqi Shrine or Ziyarat Mir Sayyid Shamsuddin Araqi. 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