ALAMDAARE KASHMIR SHEIKH NOORUD DIN REHMATULLAHE ALAIH......

A blessing of God unto the people of Kashmir, Nundreshi(Rehma tullAhealaih) was a saint of Reshi order. He is alsoknown as Taj-ul-Awliyai Kashmir (Crown of the Saints of Kashmir), Alamdar-I-Kashm ir(Flag bearer of the people of Kashmir), Commonly known as “Alamdaar-e-Kas hmir (flag bearer of Kashmir) and Sheikh-ul-Alam, ” the revered saint is greatly respected by both Hindu andMuslim communities. He, also has to his credit for laying the foundation of an indigenous Sufi order inthe fifteenth century---Reshi order (Reshi isa person who immerses himself into the Divine self). Speaking about the saint’s life, Nund Reshi was bornin Qaimoh (Kulgam) on Eid-ul-Adha. His parents---Sheik h Salar-ud-Din and Sadra were pious, honest and sincere human beings and were well known because of their goodness. Fondly, Sadra was also referred as Sadra Mouj (Mouj meansmother) or Sadra Dedd (Dedd means elderly). During the reign of Qutub-ud-Din, Sikandar, Ali Shah, and Zain-ul-Abideen , Muslims were gaining power and overcoming Shaivaism---whi ch was the leading religion of Kashmir then. Sheikh-ul-Alam’ s parents were very much influenced by a great and prominent Sufi saint---Hazrat Mir Syed Simnania (R.A). Inspired by his piety, it was through the handsof Simnania (R.A), that Sheikh-ul-Alam’ s parents embraced Islam. Sheikh-ul-Alam (RA) was not a learned or qualifiedperson , but, still a great philosopher and a poet, having eternal knowledge about the existence of life. Whatever he acquired was the outcome of his meditation, good deeds, honesty and love for God. He wrote such powerful mystic poetry that he became the patron of saints and protector and embodiment of Kashmiri culture. He is the source ofall knowledge---thi s world or hereafter. The form of Sheikh-ul-Alam poetry is called SHRUK.Sheikh-ul -Alam’s shruks are popular throughout Kashmir and have been spread and circulated orally by generations of Kashmiris. Khudai Tchu Kunuie Naaw Tches Latcha Zikr-i-rus Akh kacha mow Wumber Vendin Aakuie Patcha Riziq rus akh matcha mow God is one with millions of names Nothing exists without the Remembrance of Him Living life with the thought that it will last for 15 days Creator of everything gives food to everyone An ancient story of the two legendary poets is famous in every corner here. After the birth, Nunda Reshi did not suck milk for the first three days. All efforts by parents and neighbors to feed the new-born baby went in vain. Disturbed and perturbed by the infant’s refusal to suck even a fewdrops of milk, the parents of the great saint were ina for a huge relief when the towering Kashmiri Sufipoetess---L al Ded entered the room. Much to the delight of the parents, the great poetess, while kissing the baby Alamdar, took him into her lap andfed him milk through the following verses: Zeneh Yel Neh Mandchookh Tcheneh Kiyazi Tchukh Mandchaan If you were not shy at your birth Why are you reluctant of feeding at your mother's breasts? Sheikh-ul-Alam left behind all those things-----whic h were bonded to material world. He detachedall the connections which were linked to this world. Hebusied himself thoroughly in the remembrance of God and dedicated all his time in meditation andprayers in order to overcome and conquer the appetite of self, to strengthen the connection between him and God and to strengthen his spiritual power. Yeti Ti May Tchie Tati Ti May Tchie May Tchie Kartam Gulzaar Sarie Travith Rutmakh May Tchie May Tchie Hawtam Deedaar Here and hereafter, you are all for me You bless me blossoms For you I left my dearest Bestow me your presence Kunerai Bozakh Kuneh No Rozakh Am Kunran Kota Dut Jalaaw Aqal Ti Fikr Tor Kot Sozakh Kaem Maleh Cheith Huk Suh Deryaaw When you realize the oneness of God, you will be nowhere Passion of Oneness is unendurable Depth of Deity is beyond mind and imagination None could drink this divine ocean Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani RA used to remain all alone where none could interfere between the remembrance of deity and him; he continuously practiced meditation in different caves for so many years. Later he traveled to Kashmir remained in Charai Shareef for a pretty long time where he met Syed Mir Mohammad Hamdani RA. Sheikh-ul-Alam was very much influenced by Syed Mir MohammadHamdani after having discussion with him and became the disciple of Syed Mir Mohammad Hamdani RA, who bestowed him the name “Alamdaar-i-Kas hmir. Once Sheikh-ul-Alam was invited to a feast, to accept an invitation is a part Sunnah so he could not deny and went to the host’s house wearing tornoutfit. Gate keeper not recognizing him and did not permit him to enter the house. Sheikh-ul-Alam wentback to his home and dressed up new clothes. When all had sat for the luxurious feast, Sheikh-ul-Alam entered wearing a beautiful cloak and was given the place of respect. When everyone started to take food Sheikh-ul-Alam stretched out his sleeves and put them onto the plates full of food, people surrounded were surprised and asked him the reason, Sheikh-ul-Alam replied: Kheyev Badev Narew Kheyev Eat you rich clothes eat "The feast was not for poor like me, it is for the wealthy who dress in rich clothes and long sleeves Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani RA is a great poet andprominent philosopher of Kashmir, he was quiteaware about the real reality of this universe, he could easily identify the mentality of a person at thevery first sight. His poetry is very influential, prestigious and esteemed at every angel; every line of his poetry has its own charm and message. His collection and combination of words is nonpareil. He used his poetry as tool to spread the true knowledge of Islam beyond the borders of limitation. His verses are preserved in the Nur-Namawritten by Baba Naseeb-ud-Din Ghazi (RA) in Persian. Besides Tasawuff Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Noorani RA composed poetry on different topics like the peopleof his time, about the time he lived, about towns and villages more importantly he composed verses started from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to himself in consecutive order which he named as Reshi Order. His mystic Reshi order has imbibed all the high-quality and noble principals of faith. Awal Reshi, Ahmad (PBUH) Reshi Doyim Hazrat Owais (RA) Aow Treyim Reshi Zulka Reshi Churim Reshi Miraan Aow Panchim Reshi Ruma Reshi Sheyim Hazrat Pulass Aow Satmiss Kerhum Dish na Heshi Bokuss Reshi Ti Meh Kiya Naav(“The first Rishi was the prophet Muhammad. The second in order was Hazrat Uways, The third Rishi was Zulka Rishi, The fourth in order was Hazrat Miran, And the fifth Rishi was Rum Rishi The sixth in order was Hazrat Pilas, The seventh (me) is miscalled a Rishi, Do I deserve to be called a Rishi? And if so what is my name?”) Sheikh-ul-Alam about his disciple Baba Zaindin Wali: Zaneh Miyoon Chu Amrit Gooru Taim Aaderi Samsaar Kieo Gaw Gurass Tchhatha Tchhoroei Tithuei Meh War Dito Divoo Sheikh-ul-Alam’ s shruk is regarded as sacred as the Noble Quran in Kashmiri language similar to Mawlana Rumi’s masnavi as the Noble Quran in Persian. He has poured his soul into his verses, his poetry is very tough to understand even for a Kashmiri but for the Sufi’s who are attached with the chains of Tasawuff (Sufism) his Kalaam feeds their souls and bestows them divine blessings. His poetry has been the expression of his spiritual, saintly and devout journey and observations. He composed poetry with such great depth meaning that it became the message of his faith, love and affection, he wrote the message of oneness, harmony and respect for all doctrines and beliefs. His matchless verses are full of love, such complete poetry is very hard to find and he had the completegrip on his art of writing.