Srinagar, May 20: In the hushed serenity of Srinagar’s old city, the air thick with the scent of burning incense, a soft hum rises from the 14th-century Khanqah-e-Moula. The verses of the qasida—poetic praise of the Prophet—reverberate through the ancient wood-carved shrine as devotees, men and women alike, sit in quiet contemplation. In these moments, Kashmir’s centuries-old Sufi tradition comes alive, whispering its message of love, tolerance, and divine union.
Once the spiritual lifeline of the Valley, Sufism in Kashmir traces its roots to the arrival of saints like Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, a Persian scholar and mystic who brought with him not just Islam but a vision of spirituality that resonated deeply with the region’s syncretic soul. His teachings blended Islamic theology with local culture, art, music, and even the Hindu-Buddhist philosophies that preceded Islam in the region.
For centuries, Sufi shrines—called dargahs or ziyarats—became spaces of healing, social unity, and spiritual refuge. They offered a form of Islam steeped in compassion, inward reflection, and community engagement. Shrines such as Charar-e-Sharif (of Sheikh Noor-ud-din Wali) and Hazratbal are not just religious centers—they are cultural and emotional anchors.
But in a Kashmir riddled with decades of conflict and identity struggles, Sufism is facing both erosion and revival.
“People are yearning for peace. That’s why we see younger people returning to Sufi shrines,” says Dr. Asifa Jan, a professor of Islamic Studies at the University of Kashmir. “Sufism offers a personal connection to God, free of politics, and this appeals to a generation tired of violence,” she added.
Indeed, recent years have seen a quiet resurgence of Sufi music gatherings, Mehfils of Dhikr, and renewed pilgrimages to lesser-known shrines. In villages like Kupwara and Shopian, locals gather around storytellers who narrate the lives of saints like Zain-ud-din Wali, drawing moral lessons from centuries-old tales.
The resilience of Sufism lies in its deep cultural embedment. From the Rouf dance performed during weddings to the lullabies sung by Kashmiri mothers, the ethos of Sufi love permeates everyday life. As the valley negotiates its place in a changing India, many believe that the revival of Sufism could be the key to cultural healing.
“I come here not just for prayer, but to feel something deeper,” says 28-year-old university student Abid Mir, lighting a candle at the tomb of a Sufi saint in downtown Srinagar. “It’s not about rules or fear. It’s about connection.”
In the mystical verses of Lal Ded and the gentle poetry of Sheikh-ul-Alam, Kashmir’s spiritual heart beats on—an ancient rhythm of longing, surrender, and peace. As long as these verses are remembered, Sufism in Kashmir will never truly fade.
