The Mystical Tapestry of Kashmiri Sufism

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 13 October 2025 Kashmiri Sufism blends Islamic mysticism with Hindu traditions, fostering Kashmiriyat. Through poetry, shrines, and teachings of saints like Hazrat Nund Rishi, it promotes spiritual unity, devotion, and cultural richness in the Valley. Main Points: 1. Kashmiri Sufism merges Islamic mysticism with Hindu traditions, creating Kashmiriyat. 2. Sufis like Hazrat Nund Rishi inspire devotion through poetry and teachings. 3. Shrines like Chrar-e-Sharief unite Hindus and Muslims in reverence. 4. Sufi poetry enriches the Kashmiri language and culture. 5. Muslim Rishis reflect a syncretic spiritual identity unique to Kashmir. ------ Sufism in Kashmir reflects a unique blend of Islamic mysticism and local spiritual traditions, deeply shaping the region's cultural and religious landscape. Sufis in Kashmir hold firm to the belief that Allah is One, Eternal, All-Knowing, and All-Powerful. They follow a spiritual leader with utmost devotion, ready to sacrifice everything to draw closer to God, striving for perfection in all aspects of life. Their unshakeable faith and dedication lead to profound spiritual and mystical experiences. Kashmir, often called the "land of Sufis," owes much of its moral and spiritual enlightenment to these revered figures. Their teachings have dispelled ignorance, fostering devotion to Allah and the Hazrat Prophet Muhammad. Sufis also enriched the Kashmiri language by composing poetry, ensuring its growth and preservation. This mystical branch of Islam emphasizes a personal connection with God through rituals and spiritual practices, distinguishing it from mainstream Islamic practices. “We belong to the same parents. Then why this difference? Let Hindus and Muslims(together) Worship God alone. We came to this world like partners. We should have shared our joys and sorrows together.” ~Hazrat Nund Rishi The harmonious coexistence of Hindus and Muslims in Kashmir has led to a shared cultural identity known as Kashmiriyat. This is evident in unique practices, such as Kashmiri Muslims adopting surnames like "Pandit" and "Bhat," and the mutual influence of Hindu and Muslim traditions. Kashmiri Sufis, often called "Muslim Rishis," reflect this syncretic ethos, shaped by Hindu thought and local traditions. Prominent Sufis like Hazrat Syed Bulbul Shah, Hazrat Syed Ali Hamdani, and Hazrat Mir Mohammad Hamdani played key roles in spreading Sufism in Kashmir. Among the Muslim Rishis, Hazrat Sheikh Nur-ud-din, fondly called Hazrat Nund Rishi by both Hindus and Muslims, stands out. His shrine at Chrar-e-Sharief, a village near Nagam, attracts devotees from both communities who offer flowers in reverence. Though his birth is debated, some claim he was born in 1377 in Kaimuh and was nursed by the mystic poetess Hazrat Lal Ded. Stories about his life vary, some describe his parents as thieves, causing him distress, while others portray his father, Salar Sanz, as a pious man. At thirty, Nund Rishi is said to have meditated in a forest cave for twelve years, surviving on minimal sustenance, before spreading his teachings. Tanni Gom Rabaab Ragan gayam taare Zeer o Bum th’hovth’hum Cheero lo My body, now a Rabab veins, the strings From these you cleave out notes high and low ~Hazrat Rahim Saeb Sopori Nund Rishi’s disciples, both Hindu and Muslim, embraced asceticism, renouncing worldly pleasures, abstaining from meat, practicing celibacy, and dedicating themselves to meditation in ziyarats (shrines). After their death, these rishis were buried in their ziyarats, which remain sacred sites visited by devotees. Notable shrines include those in Aishmukam (Janakrishi), Anantnag (Rishmol), and Srinagar (Batmal, Thagbab Sahib, and RishiPir). Nund Rishi’s sayings continue to resonate deeply with Kashmiris. Alim Gaw Alim-e-Ludni Tchalim Shakh Aam Badni Porum Na Kaseh Nish Toosh Karis Aarasteh Yaari (Knowledge is divine knowledge Doubts vanished, and it became practical I didn’t bow for the sake of knowledge My beloved guide blessed me) ~Hazrat Samad Mir Before Islam’s arrival in the medieval period, Kashmir was known as Rishi Bhumi (land of sages) or the abode of Parvati. Later, it earned the title Peer Veer (abode of Sufis and saints). The region nurtured both Hindu Shaivite saints and Sufi mystics, who fostered Kashmiriyat, a culture of brotherhood and unity. Among Hindu mystics, Utpaladeva (circa 900 AD) was a profound philosopher whose devotional poems shaped the Trika system of Kashmir Shaivism. Bhagwan Gopinath (20th century), a reclusive saint called Aghoreshwar and Jivanmukta, attained a spiritual state akin to Shambhavi avastha, comparable to Shri Ramakrishna Paramhansa and Shri Aurobindo. Lalded (born 1355 in Pandrethan), revered as a poet, Sufi, yogi, or devotee of Shiva, is a cultural icon known as Mother Lalla or Lallayogeshwari. Her sayings permeate Kashmiri language and consciousness. Rupa Bhawani, a 17th-century mystic poet, blended Kashmir Shaivism and Islamic Sufism in her work, guided by her father, Pandit Madhav Joo Dhar. Abhinavagupta, a prolific philosopher and mystic, authored over 35 works, including the monumental Tantrāloka, a cornerstone of Kashmir Shaivism. This fusion of Hindu and Islamic mysticism has given Kashmiri Sufis a distinct identity, often termed "Muslim Rishis," whose teachings and shrines continue to inspire spiritual unity and cultural richness in the Valley. ----- 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-society/mystical-tapestry-kashmiri-sufism/d/137214 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