Srinagar, Jan 08 (KNO): Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq Wednesday paid glowing tribute to the highly revered Sufi saint and Wali-e-Kaamil of the Indian subcontinent, Sultan-ul-Hind, Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Ajmeri (RA), on the occasion of his 813th passing away anniversary.
Mirwaiz in a statement issued to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the remarkable services of this great saint in spreading and promoting Islam in the Indian subcontinent, along with his profound spirit of serving humanity, form an inseparable part of history and an unforgettable chapter.
Renowned Orientalist Professor Arnold, who was a special teacher of the great Islamic thinker Allama Iqbal (RA), writes in his monumental book ‘The Preaching of Islam’ that through the efforts of this Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (RA), 9 million people directly embraced Islam in the subcontinent.
He said this great Sufi saint not only played a pivotal role in spreading Islam in the subcontinent but also in promoting Sufism and spiritual conduct, which are the soul of Islam, and in encouraging selfless service to humanity, which connects the Creator with His creation.
Mirwaiz said there is a need to rise above traditional rituals and spread the teachings of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (RA), which are based on peace, security and human brotherhood. “By embracing these great teachings and mission, we can overcome the current atmosphere of intolerance, narrow-mindedness and suffocation. This would be the greatest tribute to this exalted saint,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mirwaiz paid tribute to the first Mubaligh (preacher) of Islam in Kashmir, Hazrat Abdul Rehman Bulbul Shah (RA), on his passing away anniversary. He hailed his sincere, tableeghi and reformist efforts, saying it was through the efforts of Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA) that the foundations of Islam were laid in Kashmir. The then king, Rinchan Shah, accepted Islam along with thousands of his followers and took the name "Sadruddin", thus paving the way for the spread of Islam in Kashmir, he said.
He urged the people to sincerely follow the teachings of the saints and friends of Allah, which are essentially a summary of the Quran and Hadith, and express their deep reverence for these great spiritual figures. “By doing so, Kashmiri society, which is currently facing numerous challenges, can overcome its problems,” he said—(KNO)