Rayees Ahmad Kumar
History bears witness that the spread of Islam in the region of Kashmir became possible largely due to the tireless efforts and dedication of pious saints and accomplished spiritual figures. While many of these noble souls came from outside regions, a significant number were born in this very land.
Great personalities such as Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali (RA), Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (RA), and Allama Baba Dawood Khaki (RA), among others, were born in this beautiful and vibrant land, often described as an unparalleled paradise.
Despite countless hardships and challenging conditions, these chosen servants of Allah remained steadfast like mountains in their mission and left no stone unturned in spreading the message of the Quran and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to every household.
There is no doubt that Allah made this land a center of Islam through these saints and friends of God. It is believed that blessings such as rainfall and mercy descend due to their presence, and the growth of vegetation is attributed to their purity of heart and sincerity in action. This is why, alongside its unmatched natural beauty, Kashmir holds the honor of being a land inhabited for centuries by Sufi saints and Rishis. It is through their efforts that the population embraced Islam. In almost every corner of Kashmir, one finds the shrines of these pious individuals.
In the town of Islamabad (Anantnag), there exists the shrine of a remarkable saint, which for over four hundred years has remained a center of devotion for believers. This is the shrine of Hazrat Baba Haider Rishi, also known as Resha Mol Sahib (RA). He was a highly revered saint and belonged to the Ahangar (blacksmith) community. He was born in a village named Danter in the Anantnag district. He is regarded as a saint by birth.
It is said that Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani (RA) had foretold years earlier that a great saint would be born one hundred years after his passing, who would be a saint from birth, and this prophecy is associated with Resha Mol Sahib (RA).
From childhood, he displayed a deep inclination towards devotion and love for God. He belonged to the Rishi order of ascetics, known for self-discipline and remembrance of Allah in forests and remote areas, away from worldly distractions.
The Rishi order is connected to the Kubrawiya and Suhrawardiya Sufi traditions. Though outwardly he did not appear to be affiliated with a spiritual guide, he later took spiritual allegiance (bay‘ah) at the hands of Hazrat Sultan-ul-Arifeen Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (RA) and became one of his distinguished disciples. It is said that Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (RA) himself traveled to Anantnag for his spiritual training.
When Resha Mol Sahib learned through divine inspiration of his mentor’s arrival, he went out to receive him. It is believed that near Khanabal, when the two saints met, Resha Mol Sahib presented a bowl of milk, symbolizing his spiritual completeness. In response, Sheikh Hamza placed a rose petal upon the milk.
Resha Mol Sahib (RA) spent his nights in prayer and remembrance of Allah, and his days were also devoted to worship. He was known for his exemplary character and remarkable hospitality. Historians narrate that during his childhood, a guest once arrived at his home. His mother bought a fish from the market to serve the guest, but an eagle swooped down and took it away. When she mentioned this to him, he calmly remarked that if the sustainer had destined the fish for them, the eagle would not have taken it. Shortly thereafter, the eagle returned and placed the fish back in the dish.
On another occasion, while traveling with his mentor Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (RA) to visit another disciple, Hazrat Mir Baba Haider Tulla Mola (RA) in Tullamulla (Ganderbal), Sheikh Hamza expressed a desire to eat freshly fried fish. Upon their arrival, Mir Baba Haider (RA) welcomed them and immediately served two freshly fried fish, demonstrating the spiritual insight and miraculous nature of these saints.
Hazrat Baba Dawood Khaki (RA), the foremost disciple of Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (RA), documented the virtues, stories, and miracles of Resha Mol Sahib (RA) in his famous work Wird-ul-Mureedeen. When he presented the book to his mentor, Sheikh Hamza remarked that such a lengthy work was unnecessary; it would have sufficed to write that Baba Haider Rishi (Resha Mol Sahib) was his disciple.
Another incident reflecting his spiritual stature occurred when he was working at a blacksmith’s shop. An elderly woman came to purchase something, and the shopkeeper asked her to bring milk, sending Resha Mol Sahib along with her. Although she had a cow, it would not yield milk despite her efforts. When Resha Mol Sahib touched the cow and began milking it, all the earthen vessels in the house were filled with milk. News of this miracle spread rapidly throughout the area.
Resha Mol Sahib (RA) passed away on the 1st of Dhu al-Qa‘dah, 986 AH. He is buried in the centre of Islamabad (Anantnag), and his shrine continues to attract devotees daily. During the days of his annual Urs (death anniversary), there is complete abstinence from meat throughout the region, as he himself never consumed meat in his lifetime. Like his spiritual mentor Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (RA), he also never married.
May Allah grant us the ability to follow the path shown by these pious servants. Ameen.
(The author is a freelancer. He hails from Qazigund and can be reached at [email protected])
