The Kubravi Order and Its Spread to Kashmir

 

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam

07 November 2024

The Kubraviya Order, Introduced To Kashmir By Syed Ali Hamadani, Originated From Najmuddin Kubra’s Teachings And Spread Through His Disciples. Syed Ali's Migration Was Influenced By Timur's Oppression.

Main Points:

1.    The Kubraviya order, founded by Najmuddin Kubra, spread widely across the Muslim world.

2.    Najmuddin Kubra's disciples played a vital role in propagating Sufi teachings.

3.    Syed Ali Hamadani introduced the Kubraviya order in Kashmir.

4.    Syed Ali was trained under renowned Sufi masters, including Shaikh Muzdaqani.

5.    The cruelty of Timur led Syed Ali to seek refuge in Kashmir.

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Among the Sufi orders introduced in Kashmir, the Kubraviya order gained the most widespread popularity. It was founded by Ahmad bin Umar al-Khayūqi, popularly called Najmu’d-Din Kubra, born in Khwarazm in 540/1145. He spent most of his youth traveling to various Islamic countries.

During one of his sojourns in Khurasan, he came into contact with Shaikh Isma‘il Qasri, a disciple of Shaikh Abi’l-Najib Suharwardy. After some time, Shaikh Isma’il advised him to go to Shaikh ‘Ammar Yasir, who initiated him into Sufism and later sent Najmu’d-Din to Shaikh Ruzbihan for further education.

Impressed by Najmu’d-Din’s spiritual progress, Shaikh Ruzbihan sent him back to Shaikh ‘Ammar Yasir, who ultimately asked Najmu’d-Din to settle in his native place, Khwarazm. In accordance with his preceptor’s direction, Najmu’d-Din made Khwarazm the centre of his activities.

Najmu’d-Din soon became an outstanding personality of his time. He was a prolific writer, and his works were recognized as standard textbooks of advanced Sufi theories. "The Sufi writings of Najmu’d-Din," writes Berthels, "form a transition from the older Sufism of the first theorists (the Nishapur school of the Xth–XIth centuries) to the later Sufism of Ibn al-Arabi and his successors."

During Najmu’d-Din’s lifetime, Central Asia and Persia were in turmoil. Changez Khan (1206–1227) had begun his campaigns of conquest. Khwarazm was also sacked by the Mongol army. Changez Khan offered protection to Najmu’d-Din, but he declined the offer and perished along with thousands of others in 1221 during a battle with the Mongols.

The teachings of the Kubraviya order were spread widely in various parts of the Muslim world, especially in Central Asia and Persia, by the disciples of Najmu’d-Din. Eminent disciples included Majadu’d-Din Baghdad (d. between 609/1209 and 616/1219), Raziu’d-Din ‘Ali Lala (d. 642/1244), Sa‘du’d-Din Hamawi (d. 650/1253), Najmu’d-Din Razi (d. 654/1256), and Baba Kamalu’d-Din of Jand. All of them, according to Jami, were unparalleled among the Sufis.

Syed ‘Ali Hamadānī, who introduced the Kubraviya order in Kashmir, was linked with it through Raziu’d-Din ‘Ali Lala. After traveling to many Islamic countries, Raziu’d-Din had settled in Turkistan.

Among Raziu’d-Din’s principal disciples was Shaikh Ahmad Jauzqani (d. 669/1270), an eminent Sufi of his time, who in turn initiated Shaikh Abdu’l-Rahman Isfara’ini (born in 639/1241) into the Kubraviya order. Shaikh Isfara’ini attracted a large number of disciples, the most distinguished being Ruknu’d-Din Abū’l-Makārim, generally known as ‘Ala’u’d-Daula Simnānī (659–736/1261–1336).

‘Ala’u’d-Daula Simnānī was an erudite scholar and prolific writer. During his youth, he had served Ilkhan Arghūn (613–690/1284–1291), under whom his father, Malik Sharafu’d-Din, and uncle, Malik Jalālu’d-Din, held high offices. However, under a mystical awakening, he renounced the Mongol service and devoted himself entirely to God.

Simnānī rejected the notion that Sufis should avoid wealth. He cited examples of predecessors, such as Majadu’d-Din Baghdadi, who amassed wealth while remaining committed to the spiritual path. He also disapproved of a reclusive ascetic life, believing a Sufi’s duty was to preach his faith.

Among the scholars and mystics trained in Simnānī’s Khanqah was Shaikh Abū’l-Mā‘ī Sharafu’d-Din Mahmūd bin ‘Abdu’llah Muzdaqānī, who remains prominent due to his disciple, Syed ‘Ali Hamadani, whom he initiated into the Kubraviya order.

Syed ‘Ali Hamadani, popularly known in Kashmir as “Shāh-i-Hamadān” (the Lord of Hamadān), was born in Hamadan on 12 Rajab, 714/22 October, 1314. He belonged to the family of ‘Alawī Syeds, claiming descent from ‘Ali, the fourth Caliph. His father, Syed Shihābu’d-Dīn, a governor of Hamadān, appears to have shown little interest in his son’s education, leaving this responsibility to his maternal uncle Ala'u'd-Daula, a saint of considerable piety and devotion.

At a young age, Syed ‘Ali memorized the Qur’ān. At twelve, his uncle introduced him to Shaikh Muzdaqānī, who taught him the basics of Sufism and later sent him to Taqī’u’d-Dīn ‘Ali Dūstī. After his teacher’s death, Syed ‘Ali returned to Shaikh Muzdaqānī, who completed his training.

Some accounts suggest that Syed ‘Ali also received guidance from Ala'u'd-Daula Simnānī. Ja‘far Badakhshī claims that Syed ‘Ali collected about 400 prophetic traditions (Ahadith) from various saints of his time, including Simnānī.

Syed ‘Ali travelled extensively, performing the pilgrimage twelve times. His significant journey to Kashmir is said to have been prompted by Tīmur’s cruelty toward the ‘Alawī Syeds of Hamadān. Scholars like ‘Ali Asghar Ḥikmat and Muḥibbu’l-Ḥasan suggest that Timur’s third invasion of Persia and Iraq in 1383 led to the Syeds’ expulsion, compelling Syed ‘Ali to take refuge in Kashmir.

The Kubraviya Sufis, including Syed ‘Ali, played a vital role in spreading Sufism and engaging in missionary activities. Many Sufis from Simnānī’s Khanqah travelled to distant lands, including Gulbarga in southern India, extending their influence and teachings.

Also Read:   

Sultan Darvesh: The Sufi Healer of Kashmir and His Timeless Teachings

Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom: The Saint of Kashmir

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

Islam's Early Roots in Kashmir: A Historical Account

The Suharwardy Order: Foundations of Sufism in Kashmir

Baba Zain-ud-Din Wali: Illuminating Kashmir’s Spiritual Path

The Naqshbandi Order in Kashmir

The Quadri Order’s Legacy in Kashmir: Saints and Spiritual Foundations

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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/kubravi-order-kashmir/d/133956

 

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