HAZRATI SHIEKH NOOR-UD-DIN WALI

Shiekh Noor-ud-Din is the most towering figure in Kashmiri thought,language and literature of medieval period. He is also the most outstanding religious preacher and saint of Kashmir. He was born near Qaimoh village of Kulgam tehsil in the year 1378 A.D. he was a born mystic who lived  away from the hustle and bustle of wordly life,but did not renounce the world. He was a social reformer who bitterly criticized the hypocrisy of Mullahs.He was  a staunch Muslim who believed in one God and his Prophet Muhammad (p.b.u.h). He exhorted Kashmiris to shun unislamic ways and devote themselves to the recitation and understanding of the Holy Quran. Shiekh’s poetic compositions are wholly devoted to the love of God and his fear in the worldly affairs. These verses are held in great esteem by all Kashmiris and are  frequently recited in religious and social congregation. These have been preserved and published under the title of Rishi Nama.

The Shiekh traveled throughout Kashmir. He won admiration and respect from all irrespective of any distinction of caste, creed or colour. He was visited by such a great Muslim scholar and missionary as Hazrati Syed Ali Hamdani and his son Syed Mir Mohammad Hamdani. The Shiekh passed away in 1438 A.D.  The king Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin participated in his funeral ceremony and offered Nimazi Janaza at his death. The Shiekh was buried in Chrari Shrief about 29 kilometers to the south of Srinagar.