Rishi Sufi Order in Kashmir: Roots, Legacy, and Impact

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 26 November 2024 The Rishi Sufi Order Of Kashmir, Established In The 15th Century By Shaikh Nūru’d-Dīn (Nund Rishi), Blends Hindu And Islamic Ascetic Traditions. Revered For His Poetry And Environmental Awareness, Nund Rishi Championed Hindu-Muslim Unity, With His Teachings Influencing Generations Of Saints And Mystics In The Valley. Main Points: 1. Origins of the Rishi Order: Rooted in Hindu ascetic and Buddhist traditions, the order was later infused with Islamic principles by Shaikh Nūru’d-Dīn. 2. Shaikh Nūru’d-Dīn's Life: Known as Nund Rishi, he renounced worldly life at 30, spreading his teachings through poetry called Shruks. 3. Hindu-Muslim Unity: Nund Rishi emphasized interfaith harmony, drawing inspiration from Hindu poet Lal Ded. 4. Environmental Legacy: His verse "Ann Poshi Teli Yeli Yeli Wan Poshi" underscores the interdependence of nature and sustenance. 5. Shrine at Charar-e-Sharif: His tomb, a symbol of communal respect, attracts visitors of all faiths and hosts annual Urs celebrations. ------ In the beginning of the fifteenth century, an indigenous Sufi order arose in the Valley, known as the Rishi order. This order developed amidst the traditions of Buddhist renunciation and Hindu asceticism. In fact, the very term Rishi is derived from Sanskrit. Some medieval Muslim scholars of Kashmir attempted to Islamize the term, preferring to trace its origin to the Persian word Raish or Rish, which means "the feathers of a bird, plumage; a wide garment; abundance of means of life; the beard." Baba Dawud Mishkati asserts that Rishi was derived from the Persian word Raish or Rish, meaning the feathers or wings of a bird. He explains that a bird whose feathers are removed has no control over its movements and depends entirely on the wind. To whatever direction the wind blows, the bird is carried by it. Similarly, a Rishi, according to Mishkati, is alienated from the world and lives alone, buffeted by fate. ‘Abdu’l-Wahhab (This is not the same ‘Abdu’l-Wahhab who is associated with the founding of the Wahhabi movement) provides another interpretation, stating that Rishi signifies "warmth" (Haraarat), which, he argues, can describe a Sufi, as the warmth of his heart helps him reach his spiritual goal, attaining, through devotion, the object of his desire. These and similar explanations seem fanciful and forced. In reality, like many other Sanskrit words, the term Rishi was assimilated into medieval Kashmiri. In the Rig-Veda, Rishi refers to a "singer of sacred hymns." Later, it came to mean a legendary sage "to whom parts of the Vedic hymns were revealed." Gradually, the term was applied more broadly to mean a "saint or sanctified sage." Among Hindus, the term generally signifies an ascetic or anchorite of great reputation for sanctity. Kashmiri Muslim scholars of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, such as A‘zami and Hasan, did not endorse the derivations given by earlier scholars and accepted the Sanskrit origin of the term. The available sources reveal very little about the origins of the Rishi movement in Kashmir. Baba Nasib relates a story of three Rishi brothers—Khalasman, Plasman, and Yasman—who supposedly existed in pre-Islamic times in Kashmir. However, this appears to be a retelling of a Hindu mythological tale. For example, Khalasman is said to have lived 1,600 years, Plasman 1,200 years, and Yasman 800 years. Baba Dawud Mishkati states that Hindu Rishis existed in Kashmir long before the advent of Shaikh Nūru’d-Dīn, who is widely recognized as the founder of the Rishi order. According to Mishkati, Shaikh Nūru’d-Dīn revitalized the ancient traditions of the Rishis while omitting their monastic practices and Brahmanic beliefs. In doing so, he adopted Hindu ascetic traditions and infused them with Islamic principles. ‘Abdu’l-Wahhab offers a different perspective, claiming that the Prophet Muhammad himself was the founder of the Rishi order. However, this claim lacks evidence, as it is based on a general statement that the Prophet once emphasized the virtue of a faithful Muslim fighting selfish desires. This explanation, while symbolic, is hardly conclusive. Based on the surviving sources, it can be said that the Rishi order flourished from the first half of the fifteenth century. Shaikh Nūru’d-Dīn, also known in Kashmir as Nand Resh, played a pivotal role in the growth and popularisation of the order. He was assisted by his four notable disciples: Bāmn’d-Dīn, Zainu’d-Dīn, Latīfu’d-Dīn, and Nasru’d-Dīn. The Life of Shaikh Nūru’d-Dīn The life of Shaikh Nūru’d-Dīn Rishi, whose original name appears to have been Nand, is shrouded in myths and legends. Nund Rishi—also spelled Nund Reshi and known as Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani, Sheikh-ul-Alam (Spiritual Guide of the World), and by the title Alamdar-e-Kashmir (Flag Bearer of Kashmir)—was a Kashmiri Sufi saint, mystic, poet, and Islamic preacher. He was a great saint held in high esteem by both Hindus and Muslims of Kashmir and is revered by all communities, cutting across religious affiliations. Nund Rishi was among the founders of the Rishi order, a Sufi tradition of the region. He influenced many spiritual teachers and saints, including Hamza Makhdoom, Resh Mir Saab, and Shamas Faqir. Noor-ud-Din was born in 1377 in Khee Jogipora village, in today’s Kulgam district of Kashmir, to Salar Sanz and Sadra, also called Sadar Moji or Sadar Deddi. His grandfather Sheikh Salahuddin hailed from Kishtwar. Legend has it that he refused to be breastfed by his mother after birth, and it was Lalleshwari who breastfed him. In his teenage years, Noor-ud-Din was apprenticed to a couple of traders. He was married to Zai Ded, who hailed from the village Dadsar Tral, and had two sons and a daughter with her. She renounced the world after the death of her children and became a hermit. Noor-ud-Din renounced worldly life at the age of 30 and retired to live a life of meditation in a cave, which is still shown in Qaimoh and is about ten feet deep. During his last days, he survived by drinking a cup of milk every day, and later, he survived by drinking only water. Noor-ud-Din spread his teachings or messages through poems, commonly known as Shruks. His poems, consisting of four to six lines each, revolve around religious themes, highlight moral principles, and often call for peace. He strived for Hindu-Muslim unity. One of his prominent poems is Ann Poshi Teli Yeli Yeli Wan Poshi, which translates as "Food will thrive only as long as the woods survive." This reflects his respect and reverence for the environment—a vision so advanced that it eclipses even modern-day environmentalists. Kashmiri poet Lal Ded was Noor-ud-Din’s contemporary and had a significant impact on his spiritual growth. Some scholars argue that he was her disciple and associate his poetry with the Bhakti movement, although others disagree. Noor-ud-Din witnessed several transitions between Hinduism and Islam in the valley throughout his life, although he was actively involved in philosophical work and in writing Kashmiri poems. In his verses, he recalled events such as the arrival of Mir Sayyid Hamadani to Kashmir. Noor-ud-Din is also credited with translating the Holy Quran into Kashmiri. He died around 1438 at Charar-e-Sharif, where a magnificent shrine dedicated to his memory stands tall. His tomb is situated there, frequently visited by people of all faiths. The Urs of this great saint is celebrated on both his birth and death anniversaries. ------ 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/rishi-sufi-kashmir-legacy/d/133820 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