In the present age of religious intolerance, corruption, and mistrust, when human values seem to be overshadowed by greed and selfishness, the teachings of Sheikh-ul-Alam (RA), the saintly poet-philosopher of Kashmir, shine as a guiding light for moral revival and social harmony. Known affectionately as Nund Reshi, he emerged during a turbulent era of spiritual decline when hypocrisy and injustice had taken root in society. His message was not confined to any sect or religion but aimed at awakening the entire human conscience.
The essence of his philosophy lay in purity of heart, simplicity, humility, and universal love — values that our divided and restless world desperately needs today. He believed that the true measure of faith is compassion toward all beings, and that no worship is greater than service to humanity. As he beautifully declared: “Zamaan kar ti maani posh, Hyund ti Musalman posh,”(Feed the hungry and serve humankind, whether Hindu or Muslim — all are one.) This verse embodies the moral and spiritual essence of Kashmiriyat — the belief that all people, regardless of faith, are bound by the common thread of humanity.
Sheikh-ul-Alam’s spirituality transcended the narrow walls of ritualism and formal religion; for him, God resided not in temples or mosques but in the purified human heart. He expressed this universal truth in another profound verse: “Na manz ti na mandir, na masjid na asthaan, panun dil shenas kar, tehi chi Khudaayi thaan,”(Neither in temple nor in mosque lies God’s abode; find Him in your own heart, for there He truly dwells.) His vision of faith was rooted in love, justice, and moral integrity. He rejected all forms of hypocrisy and oppression, reminding people that religion without mercy is lifeless and that the essence of belief lies in goodness and fairness.
He said, “Yus kar zulum, soyi chu kafir; Yus kar meher, soyi chu Musalman,”(He who commits injustice is a disbeliever; he who shows mercy is the true believer.)* These words, spoken centuries ago, remain strikingly relevant today when oppression, corruption, and hatred often masquerade under the cloak of religion. The Reshi tradition founded by Sheikh-ul-Alam drew its strength from the soil of Kashmir and from its inclusive culture where Hindu and Muslim saints walked side by side, exchanging wisdom and mutual respect. Among these luminous souls, Lal Ded (Lalleshwari) stands as his spiritual precursor and counterpart — a mystic yogini who illuminated Kashmir with her divine insight and fearless expression of truth.
Lal Ded’s verses urged people to break free from the bondage of rituals and realize the Divine within. Sheikh-ul-Alam continued that same spiritual mission, blending her mystical thought with the moral wisdom of Islam. Their relationship was one of spiritual kinship — a dialogue between the heart of a Hindu mystic and the soul of a Muslim saint — together they became the architects of Kashmiriyat, the living spirit of unity, tolerance, and peace. Through their poetry, they taught that love of God and love of humanity are one and the same. Their words remind us that Kashmir’s real strength lies not in power or politics, but in compassion, simplicity, and moral consciousness. Sadly, the valley that once echoed with hymns of harmony now often resounds with mistrust and division.
The spirit of Kashmiriyat, nourished by saints like Lal Ded and Sheikh-ul-Alam, is waning under the pressures of materialism and moral decay. Sheikh-ul-Alam’s saying, “Ann poshi teli yeli wan poshi” (Food will last as long as forests last), though ecological on the surface, also serves as a profound metaphor for interdependence — for just as nature survives through balance, so does society thrive through mutual respect and moral restraint. His life was an embodiment of humility and service; he lived among the poor, shared their suffering, and condemned injustice wherever it appeared. In an age when corruption is normalized and greed celebrated, his call for self-purification remains more urgent than ever.
The message of Sheikh-ul-Alam and Lal Ded continues to be the moral backbone of Kashmiri culture — reminding us that to be a true Kashmiri is to be humane, honest, and spiritually awakened. Their teachings are not relics of the past but living principles capable of healing our fractured times. If we, as a society, return to their path of love and truth, the fragrance of peace and brotherhood will once again fill the valley, restoring to Kashmir its lost glory — not merely as a paradise of beauty, but as a paradise of hearts.
Haroon Rashid Bhat is a teacher by profession. He can be mailed at minamharoon123@gmail.com
