Nand Rishi (Sheikh Nuruddin Nurani) A Great Sufi Saint And Poet Of Kashmir, A Symbol Of Hindu-Muslim Spiritual Unity

By Altamash Ali, New Age Islam 2 August 2025 Life and back ground Nund Rishi (1377–1438), also known as Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani or Nund Lal, was a Kashmiri Sufi mystic, poet, and preacher born in Khee Jogipora, Kulgam Main Points: 1. Life and Background: Nund Rishi (1377–1438), also known as Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani or Nund Lal, was a Kashmiri Sufi mystic, poet, and preacher born in Khee Jogipora, Kulgam. Influenced by Lal Ded, he renounced worldly life for asceticism, shaping his inclusive spiritual outlook. 2. Rishi Order: He founded the Rishi order, a syncretic Sufi tradition blending Islamic principles with Kashmir’s Hindu and Buddhist ascetic practices, emphasizing austerity, vegetarianism, and social service. 3. Hindu-Muslim Unity: Nund Rishi promoted religious harmony, with verses like, “We are children of the same parents, why this divide of Hindu and Muslim?” His teachings attracted both Hindus (as Nund Lal) and Muslims (as Sheikh-ul-Alam), symbolizing Kashmiriyat. 4. Poetry and Literary Impact: His shruks in Kashmiri, compiled in works like Noornama are among the earliest Kashmiri literary works. They address social equality, environmentalism, and religious tolerance, remaining culturally significant. 5. Legacy: Revered as Alamdar-e-Kashmir Nund Rishi’s teachings shaped Kashmiri identity. His influence persists through translations, books like Nund Rishi: Poetry and Politics in Medieval Kashmir (2023), and his credited Kashmiri Quran translation. Over 900,000 attended his funeral in Charar-e-Sharif. ----- Nand Rishi, also known as Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani, Alamdar-e-Kashmir, or Nund Lal, was a revered Sufi mystic, poet, and Islamic preacher in Kashmir, living approximately from 1377 to 1438. He founded the Rishi order, a unique Sufi tradition that blended Islamic principles with Kashmir’s ancient spiritual practices. His teachings and life symbolize Hindu-Muslim unity, emphasizing humanism, religious tolerance, and social justice. Below is a detailed exploration of Nund Rishi’s philosophy and influence, particularly in the context of Hindu-Muslim harmony.Birth and Family Nund Rishi was born in 1377 in Khee Jogipora village near Kulgam, Kashmir. His father was Salar Sanj, and his mother was Sadra (also called Sadra Moji or Sadra Deddi). His grandfather, Sheikh Salahuddin, hailed from a royal Rajput family in Kishtwar, reflecting his inclusive worldview. Popular legend states that Nund Rishi refused his mother’s milk after birth until Lal Ded (Lalleshwari), a 14th-century Kashmiri Shaivite poetess and mystic, fed him. Some scholars believe he was her disciple, inspired by the Bhakti movement, though this is debated. Lal Ded profoundly influenced his spiritual growth.As a teenager, Noor-ud-Din was apprenticed to merchants. He married Zai Ded from Dadasara village in Tral, with whom he had two sons and a daughter. However, he later renounced worldly life to embrace asceticism. Nund Rishi was a staunch advocate of religious unity. One of his famous verses states: “We are children of the same parents, Why then this divide of Hindu and Muslim? Worship only God; We came into this world as partners.” This reflects his belief in the spiritual unity of all religions. Rishi Order Nund Rishi founded the Rishi order, a syncretic Sufi tradition that integrated Islamic principles with Kashmir’s Buddhist and Hindu ascetic practices. The order emphasized austerity, vegetarianism, and social service. Hindus revere him as Nund Lal or Sahajanand, and many Kashmiri Pandit families are connected to his teachings. His rejection of idol worship and caste appealed to Hindu ascetics and Shaivites. Muslims honour him as Sheikh-ul-Alam (“spiritual guide of the world”) and Alamdar-e-Kashmir (“flagbearer of Kashmir”). Muslim scholars like Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani’s son and Sayyid Hussain Simnani engaged with him. Poetry and Legacy Nund Rishi’s poems, known as Shruks, are among the earliest examples of Kashmiri literary tradition and remain popular in oral tradition. They strengthened Kashmiri identity and fostered religious tolerance, forming the foundation of Kashmiriyat—the syncretic spirit of Kashmiri culture. His poetry addressed themes like social equality, environmental conservation, and religious harmony. Examples include: “We are children of the same parents, Why this divide of Hindu and Muslim? Recognize the truth before God, The Lord of Hindu and Muslim is one.” And: “Grain will survive only if forests survive, Else what will become of the world?” His Shruks are compiled in texts like Noor Nama or Sheikh-ul-Alam. In 2015, the University of Kashmir translated around 300 Shruks into Urdu. His verses remain relevant for their focus on social justice, environmentalism, and interfaith unity. Nund Rishi is central to Kashmiri identity and Sufism. He is traditionally regarded as the founder of the Rishi order, a syncretic Sufi tradition blending Islam with Kashmir’s pre-Islamic mysticism. Alongside Lal Ded, he is celebrated as one of Kashmir’s greatest saints, pioneers of a local devotional culture. Scholar Abir Bazaz notes that Kashmiris honour Nund Rishi as Alamdar-e-Kashmir and Sheikh-ul-Alam. His life stories transcend religious boundaries—Hindus affectionately call him Nund Lal, and many Kashmiri Pandit families trace oral traditions linked to him. His message attracted followers from diverse faiths. Biographers note that local Hindu ascetics, yogis, Pandits, and Muslim missionaries were drawn to him. Bazaz observes that notable figures like Mir Mohammad Hamadani and Sayyid Hussain Simnani developed ties with him. Hindu ascetics and Kashmir Shaivites also became his followers. The title “Rishi,” derived from the Sanskrit term for sage, reflects his inspiration from both Islamic and Hindu mystical traditions. As an ascetic, he subsisted on a cup of milk daily and later survived on water alone. Cultural and Literary Impact Nund Rishi’s Kashmiri poetry is renowned for its spiritual and philosophical depth, emphasizing inner devotion and the unity of religions. His works hold enduring cultural and religious significance in Kashmir. Several books explore his legacy. A notable work is Kalam-e-Sheikh-ul-Alam. In 2023, academic Abir Bazaz published Nund Rishi: Poetry and Politics in Medieval Kashmir, focusing on his life and poetry. In 2024, poet and professor Shafi Shauq released Nund, discussing Nund Rishi’s poetry with English translations. Nund Rishi is also credited with translating the Quran into Kashmiri, enhancing its accessibility. His poetry’s aesthetic beauty and philosophical depth are analysed in depth in these works, which also explore his influence on Kashmiri society and his engagement with medieval Kashmir’s political dynamics. Through meticulous research and engaging prose, authors have woven a complex tapestry of history, mysticism, and poetry that defines Nund Rishi’s legacy. Death and Legacy Nund Rishi passed away in 1438 at around 63 years of age. Local tradition holds that over 900,000 people gathered in Charar-e-Sharif for his funeral over two days, reflecting his widespread reverence. His teachings continue to inspire Kashmir’s syncretic culture, making him a timeless symbol of unity and spirituality. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/nand-rishi-nurani-sufi-saint-kashmir-hindu-muslim-spiritual/d/136378 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