Shams Faqir and his tomb शम्स फ़क़ीर और उनकी कब्र شمس فقیر کی سوانح حیات اور مقبرے کی تاریخ

@islamichistory813 #shams #faqir #sufisaint #cultural #heritage #biography #islamic #mysticism #islamic #philosophy #shrine #historical #figures

Biography of Shams Faqir and the history of his shrine

Dekhti Aankhooon aur sountay kaanoon ko Asslamoalaikum, sisters, brothers friends and elders, in informative series videos of Islamic ascolars, sufisaints, cultural heritages, islamic philosophys, islamic mysticisms and historical figures. today we are describing biography of Shams Faqir and the history of his shrine.

Shams Faqir, a revered 19th-century Kashmiri Sufi poet and mystic, stands out as a luminous figure in the spiritual and literary history of Kashmir. Born in 1843 in the humble locality of Chankral Mohalla in Hibba Kadal, Srinagar, he came into the world as Muhammad Siddiq Bhat, in a poor family with limited means. Despite lacking formal education, Shams Faqir’s spiritual thirst led him to absorb knowledge from the deeply rooted Sufi tradition of Kashmir. From a young age, he was drawn to the mystical path, and under the guidance of prominent spiritual figures of his time—such as Muhammad Naeem (popularly known as Naeem Sahib), Soch Maliar, Abdur Rahman of Barzla, Atiqullah of Gulab Bagh, Muhammad Jamal, and Rasool Sahib—he gradually emerged as a respected spiritual voice and poet in the Kashmiri language. Shams Faqir belonged to the Qadriya Sufi order, one of the most widespread and influential orders within Islam, known for its emphasis on divine love, remembrance (*dhikr*), humility, and self-purification.

Shams Faqir’s poetry, infused with spiritual insight and local cultural expression, earned him admiration across diverse communities in Kashmir. His verses, composed in simple but profound Kashmiri, spoke to the hearts of the common people. They reflected themes of divine love, self-realization, human compassion, and the impermanence of worldly life. He was deeply influenced by the teachings of his Sufi mentors, and he used poetry as a means of expressing the ineffable truths of the spiritual journey. Despite his growing fame, Shams Faqir led a life of simplicity and detachment, staying true to the core values of Sufism. He avoided the trappings of fame or material gain, instead choosing to remain among the poor and spiritually inclined, offering counsel, comfort, and poetic wisdom to anyone who sought it.

The exact date of Shams Faqir’s death is not precisely recorded in historical records, but it is widely believed that he passed away in the year 1901. His death marked the end of an era in Kashmiri spiritual poetry, but his legacy continued through his verses, which remain popular in Kashmiri devotional circles to this day. After his passing, the people of Srinagar and his devoted followers felt a deep need to preserve his memory and spiritual influence. As a result, a shrine was erected over his grave, which became a place of reverence and pilgrimage for lovers of Sufi poetry and seekers of spiritual wisdom.

The shrine of Shams Faqir is located in Srinagar, the capital of Jammu and Kashmir, not far from the area where he was born. It stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of a poet who lived and died in the same soil that he spiritually nurtured. The initial structure of the shrine was modest, built by his close followers and admirers who wished to honor the saintly life he had lived. Over the years, as his poetry gained greater recognition and his spiritual stature became more widely acknowledged, the shrine was gradually expanded. Local Sufi devotees, poets, and well-wishers took part in maintaining and developing the site, ensuring that it remained a place of serenity and reflection for those who came to pay their respects.

Today, the shrine of Shams Faqir is visited by people of all backgrounds who come to seek inspiration from his life and teachings. During his *urs*—the annual commemoration of his death—devotees gather at the shrine to recite his poems, offer prayers, and engage in *dhikr* (remembrance of God). It is an event not only of religious importance but also of cultural celebration, as musicians and scholars come together to honor the Sufi tradition that Shams Faqir so eloquently represented. His poetry is still sung in Kashmiri gatherings, from humble village homes to formal Sufi musical assemblies (*mehfil-e-sama*), and it continues to inspire both the learned and the unlettered with its profound spiritual themes.

In conclusion, Shams Faqir died in 1901 in Srinagar, and his shrine, located in the city of his birth and death, was originally built by his followers to preserve his memory and honor his contribution to Kashmiri Sufi literature. Over time, the shrine has become a spiritual and cultural landmark, symbolizing the mystical richness of Kashmir and the timeless message of love and unity that Shams Faqir’s poetry carried. Though he lived a life of obscurity and modesty, the radiance of his spirit continues to shine through his words, drawing people to his shrine and to the spiritual truths he spent a lifetime uncovering.

With this, we seek your permission until tomorrow, tomorrow we will describe the biography of Shams al-Tabrizi and the history of his Shrine.

Allah Hafiz
==============================