Srinagar: The 653rd Urs of Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdan, popularly known as Shah-e-Hamdan, was celebrated on Saturday, the 6th of Zil Haj (month in which Hajj pilgrimage takes place) all over Central Asia and the Kashmir valley.
The main congregation was held at Khanqah Moulla on the bank of river Jehlum in old city here.
Syed Ali bin Shahab-ud-Din Hamadani Abidi (1314-1384) also known as “Shah Hamdan” (King of Hamadan) and as Amir-i Kabir (the Great Commander) was a Persian Sufi and a prominent Muslim scholar.
He was very influential in spreading Islam in Kashmir and has had a major hand in shaping the culture of the Kashmir valley.
He was born in Central Asia around 1313. He arrived in Kashmir along with 700 Syeds and his followers. However, before his arrival here he had already sent two of his closest followers in Kashmir. By the time he arrived in Kashmir, the local ruler had already became the followers of one of his disciple. Hazrat Shah Hamdan did not stay in the valley permanently but visited on various occasions. Hazrat Shah Hamdan had a multi-dimensional personality. He was a social reformer besides being a preacher. Among the 700 followers, who accompanied him to Kashmir, were men of arts and crafts who popularised shawl-making, cloth weaving, cap making, pottery and calligraphy. He also introduced the different handicrafts besides teaching Islam as a result the handicraft industry received a fillip in Kashmir. Hazrat Shahi Hamdan laid greater emphasis on earning legal livelihood and so rejected all the means available for the support of the Sufis. He earned his livelihood by cap making. On his third visit to Kashmir, he fell ill and died after five days in 1394. During his early childhood, he memorised the whole Quran and later became the spiritual disciple of Sheikh Sharaf-Ud-Din, who advised him to complete his education by extensive travels to foreign lands. As a result, Hazrat Shahi Hamdani undertook many travels over a period of 21 years.
The Urs of Shah Hamdhan (RA) was also observed with religious fervor at Khankah Faizpanah Tral, Jinab Sahab Soura, Aasar Sharif Kalashpora, Kabamarg and Khiram Sirhama in Anantnag, Dooru Seer Hamdan, Aham Sharif Bandipora, Budgam, Kupwara and Bandipora.
With inputs from Basharat Rashid in South Kashmir
