An Analytical Study of Origin and Evolution of the Sufi Tradition in Azad Kashmir and its Socio-Intellectual Impacts

آزاد کشمیر میں صوفیانہ روایت کا آغاز و ارتقاءاور سماجی و فکری اثرات کا تجزیاتی مطالعہ

Abstract

This research explores the historical emergence, progression, and socio-intellectual contributions of the Sufi tradition in Azad Kashmir. Islam acknowledges that human beings possess both material and spiritual needs, and after the completion of Prophethood, the responsibility of spiritual and moral guidance was inherited by the followers of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), among whom the Sufis played an essential role in nurturing religious consciousness and ethical behavior in society.  The study employs an analytical research methodology to examine when and how Sufism entered Azad Kashmir, the prominent Sufi orders involved, and their missionary strategies. The findings reveal that various Sufi orders—including Qadriya, Naqshbandiya, Suhrawardiya, Chishtiya, Kubrawiya, Shattariya, and the indigenous Rishi order—shaped the religious landscape of the region and contributed to cultural refinement, communal harmony, and spiritual development. The research highlights that renowned Sufi saints—such as Bulbul Shah, Mir Syed Ali Hamadani, Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Rishi, Mian Muhammad Bakhsh, and later spiritual leaders of shrines in Bagh, Poonch, Kotli, and Mirpur, enhanced Islamic identity through preaching, education, social welfare, and character building. Their role extended beyond spiritual mentorship to include political guidance, economic improvement, conflict resolution, and the establishment of educational and religious institutions. Overall, the study concludes that Sufism played a pivotal role in shaping the sociocultural fabric of Azad Kashmir. The Sufi tradition not only strengthened Islamic faith but also fostered peace, tolerance, and moral uplift in the region, a legacy that continues to influence the values and identity of Kashmiri society today.