School: Social Science

Department: Religious Studies

Name oftheScholar: Abreena Gulzar

Name of the Supervisor: Dr. Nazir Zargar

Date of Registration: December 13, 2021

EnrollmentNo: 2226CUKmr02
 Silsila Owaisia in Kashmir: A study of Hazrat Moulana

Muhammad Amin Owaisi

Background

Sufism found fertile ground in Kashmir centuries ago, blending seamlessly with the

region's existing spiritual practices. Its origins can be traced back to the arrival of Sufi saints

from Persia and Central Asia during the 14th century. These mystics, known as "sufiyyas" or

"pirs," embarked on spiritual missions, spreading their message of love for the Divine and

humanity across the valley. Sufism has flourished in Kashmir through various Sufi silsilas

(orders), each contributing to the spiritual tapestry of the region. These silsilas, or spiritual

lineages, have played a significant role in shaping the spiritual ethos of Kashmir, offering

diverse paths to seekers on their journey towards divine union. The Sufi silsilas in Kashmir

represent diverse pathways to spiritual enlightenment, each offering its unique approach to

the quest for divine union. Despite their differences, these silsilas share a common goal: to

lead seekers towards the realization of truth, love, and inner peace. In the vibrant mosaic of

Kashmiri Sufism, these silsilas continue to inspire and uplift generations of seekers on their

spiritual journey. Like other Sufi Silsilas that flourished in Kashmir valley, the most

distinctive order of Tasawwuf (Sufism) known as Owaisi Silsila also blessed the region with

its divine orientation. The Owaisi Silsila is indeed attributed to Hazrat Owais Qarni, a revered

figure in Islamic history and Sufi tradition. Hazrat Owais Qarni was a companion of the

companion of the Prophet Muhammad ‫(ﷺ‬Tabai), although he did not have the

opportunity to meet him in person due to his duties caring for his ailing mother.

Despite not meeting the Prophet Muhammad, Hazrat Owais Qarni's devotion, piety, and love

for the Prophet earned him high praise and recognition among early Muslims. He became known for

his profound spiritual insight and exemplary character. The Owaisi Silsila, named after Hazrat Owais

Qarni, emphasizes the importance of spiritual purity, devotion to God, and following in the footsteps

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 of the Prophet Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬. It is believed that Hazrat Owais Qarni attained a high spiritual

station through his unwavering love and devotion to the Prophet, despite his physical distance.

Followers of the Owaisi Silsila seek to emulate Hazrat Owais Qarni's qualities of
humility, sincerity, and love for the Prophet Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬. They engage in spiritual practices
such as remembrance of God (dhikr), prayer, and seeking guidance from spiritual mentors.
The Owaisi Silsila serves as a reminder of the profound impact that sincere devotion and love
for the Prophet Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬can have on one's spiritual journey. It continues to inspire
Muslims around the world to cultivate a deep connection with God and to follow the teachings
of the Prophet Muhammad with sincerity and devotion. Although, In Kashmir, the Owaisi Silsila
is connected to the founder of Reshi Order Hazrat Sheikh Noor al Din Noorani R.A commonly

known as "Sheikh al Aalam". Because it is believed that in this order, the novice or the Saalik

(Traveller) is being instructed spiritually through dreams or the states of the

meditation without the direct contact orguidance from the Mentor or Murshid. But
Owaisi Silsila or tradition was raised to its pinnacle of popularity in Kashmir by Hazrat
Moulana Mohammad Amin Owaisi R.A.

Hazrat Moulana Mohammad Amin Owaisi R.A.

It is assumed that Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Amin Owaisi was born around
1900AD at Surgan (Drawa) near Sharda in Kishan Ganga valley. He was a great Islamic
scholar who studied all religious sciences before coming to Kashmir . He is being
referred as "Qutub al Aqtab" (Pole of the Universe) of his time in Silsila Owaisia. He was
the most versatile scholar of his age and an iconic figure in Sufism. The references of
which can be read in the books "Noor al Irfan" and "Manazil e Faqr", the later being his
poetry describing the states of the "Salook" (spiritual journey towards Allah). He
popularised the Silsila Owaisia in Kashmir in the 20th century when he arrived here and
found his resting place and abode at Kasheera, Kupwara that is situated 4 km away
from Kupwara town.

The uniqueness of Moulana Muhammad Owaisi R.A was that he shifted the course of spiritual

practices of other silsila to a definite one Ziyarat e Muhammadi ‫ﷺ‬or Mushahidae Hazoori

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.His contribution towards Sufism in kashmir has a deep impact on the lives ofpeople here .

The 'Owaisi' order of sufisim as taught by Moulana Muhammad Amin Owaisi R.A stresses

upon the recitation of salutations (Darood) on our beloved Prophet Muhammad ‫ﷺ‬.He also

propogated Islamic faith through his Silsila whereby, he was succeeded in converting

Christians to Islam and the sinners repent on his hand. The beginning of the stages in the

silsila starts from the Aalam e Malakoot ( Realm of Angels) as compared to other silsila where

it starts from Aalam e Nasoot (Realm of physical bodies).

Review of the Literature

Kohihami, Ghulam Hassan Shah (2016) Tarikh e Hasan, this three volume book descripts

about the lives of Kashmiri Sufi Saints, Reshis, Derveshis and Qalandars. The author has

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consulted both primary and secondary sources while compiling this book.

Kishtiwari, Wali Muhammad Aseer (2013) Tarikh e Awliya e Jammu Kashmir, this book is

a comprehensive history about the Sufi Saints of Kashmir valley. The author has given a

detailed report about the Saints and their disciples. The location of every shrine accross

Jammu and Kashmir has been given in the book. The author has also mentioned the brief

history about the life and contributions of each Sufi in this book.

Shah, Sayid Ashraf (2017) Sufi Saints of Kashmir Sufi Orders in Kashmir, this book gives

insights into the lives of Sufi Saints of Kashmir and their preceptors who have performed

wonderful miracles that have strenghthened the faith of people in living a life of austerity.

Rafiabadi, Hamid Naseem (2011) Sufism and Rishism in Kashmir, in this book the author

has discussed various dimensions of Islamic Sufism and Muslim Rishism in Kashmir and has

also highlighted the role of Sheikh Noor al Din Noorani R.A in the Islamisation process in

Kashmir.

Rafiqi, Abdul Qaiyum (2015) Sufism in Kashmir, this work is about the history of Sufism in

Kashmir and the author has brought out the role of the various mystic orders in Kashmir.

Rizvi, S.A.Abbas (1983), A History of Sufism in India, this book is exclusively related to the

history of Sufism in India. The second volume of this book deals with the expansion of the

Sufi orders to other places of India. The chapter of the arrival of Sufism to Kashmir valley

has been also included in this book.

Ramzan, Dr. Muhammad & Noor al Din Sofi (2007), Noor al Irfan, this work has been

compiled by the authors who were direct disciples of Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Amin

owaisi R.A. The authors has presented this work on the life, thought and Sufi Scholarship of

Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Amin.

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Research Gap

From the above literature review, it is clear that much work has been done on the Sufism in

Kashmir general and different Sufi Silsila in Particular but none of the works has been done

on the current theme pertaining to the Owaisi Sufi Silsila in Kashmir. The study will analyse

the distinct characteristics of this Sufi Silsila and will examine the role of Hazrat Moulana

Muhammad Amin owaisi R.A in founding this Silsila in the Valley.Therefore, this study

would be a new and afresh in the academic field of Sufisim in kashmir to fill the gap as no

study has been conducted to study the "Owaisi" Silsila academically in general and in

Kashmiri Sufism in particular and would be a humble attempt in studying the role of Hazrat

Moulana Muhammad Amin Owaisi R.A in bringing and propogating the Owaisi Silsila in

Kashmir.

Research Questions

1. What does Tasawwuf mean and how Sufism was arrived in Kashmir?

2. How were different orders of Sufism flourished in Kashmir?

3. What is Owaisi Order of Sufism and what are its unique characteristics?

4. Life of Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Amin owaisi ?

5. What were the Social, Religious and Spiritual contributions of Hazrat Moulana

Muhammad Amin owaisi?

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Hypotheses

H1: The Sufis were responsible for the Islamisation and formation of cultural and

religious identity of the Kashmiri Muslims.

H2: The Sufi Orders of the Kashmir Valley carried out the Spiritual ethos of the Muslims

to lead the life of pious and pure.

H3: The Owaisi Order of Sufism has shaped and shifted the course of Kashmiri Sufism.

Objectives

1. To understand the meaning and nature of Sufism in Kashmir.

2. To analyse different Sufi orders of Kashmir.

3. To understand the depiction of the Owaisi Sufi Silsila in Kashmir.

4. To examine the life of Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Amin owaisi

5. To highlight the role and contributions of Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Amin owaisi

to Sufism in Kashmir.

Research Methodology

1. Historical

2. Qualitative

3. Descriptive

4. Analytical

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Tentative Chapterization

Introduction

1. Sufism in Kashmir:An Overview

2. Prominent Sufi Orders of Kashmir

3. Life and Works of Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Amin owaisi

4. Socio- Religious Contributions of Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Amin owaisi

Conclusion

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