Saif Ali Budgami
Kashmir valley has been the hub of great saints for centuries and Sufis visited the valley to preach Islam, and that aspect of the Kashmiri history and culture is still very evident, for this reason, it is lovingly named “Peer Vaer” (The land of Saints) among Ayatollah Aga Syed Yousuf Al-Moosvi Al-Safvi Budgami was one.
Unfortunately this evergreen saint who beautified this land being multifarious and polymath and spent his whole life in the service of Islam, though neglected by all in one way or the other. This shining star is surely believed to have revolutionized the destiny of not only Muslims but all the people of Kashmir and Kashmir itself. The ideologue was a fearless protagonist of social justice, an establisher, savior and a sign of unity in Kashmir.
The humanitarian character devoted his whole life and godly gifted abilities in deep reflection of the socio-humanistic realities.
In fact, so practical was his life and so devoted was he, that according to his friends and family, “time could be told without the need of a clock by his movements and actions.” Extraordinarily was no contradiction in his thought and action.
More ever he was individually a crown of unity in Kashmir. He as a charismatic leader, social reformer, a revolutionist; what not the spring of practices, having practiced the life of role model with complex simplicity of life with disciplined behavior.
This kind hearted and meticulous personality was famously known “BOD AAG SOUB” (Grand Personality & head of Aga Family).
Ayatollah Aga Syed Yousuf was born in 1904 in Budgam Kashmir in a religious family and received his education in Islamic law and jurisprudence from Najaf in Iraq. He is the descendent of Mir Shamsuddin Araki, who had set foot in Kashmir in 13th century from Araki town of Iran.
After the death of his elder brother, Aga Syed Ahmed Al Moosvi. The venerable Aga opened new doors of prosperity for the entire Kashmir in general and for Muslims in particular and for this very reason he is admired by all Kashmiris alike.
Aga sahab was famous for his sense of justice. The landmark verdicts became so popular that Sunnis, Shias, Pandits and Sikhs would come with their cases to Aga sahib. There have been number of occasions when the District Court too followed the suit and sent some extremely complex cases to the court of Aga Syed Yousuf Moosvi. These instances speak volumes about the intellectual competence of the man whom every one trusted and revered, who was a people’s leader in a true sense of the word.
Although Ayatollah Syed Yousuf was not a politician by profession but his political insight cannot be underestimated either. There are many scholars who are of the opinion that Aga besides being an eminent theologian was equally a great politician. It would sound strange but it is true in the sense that the very concept of establishing Anjuman-e-Shar-e-Shian, apart from carrying out the religious work, was political. As already stated the organization during the period of Ayatollah Aga Syed Yousuf was not less than a govt.
He was said to be the closest associate from Kashmir to Imam Rahil Ayatollah Syed Rohullah Khomeini, the father of Islamic Revolution of Iran. It is narrated that Aga Syed Yousuf had donated approximately $2 million for Iranian finance duo as assistance when revolutionary tides were at the peak. Simultaneously when Ayatollah Khomeini was exiled by the Shah, Ayatollah Syed Yousuf wrote him an inviting letter to welcome him to Kashmir. Though Ayatollah Syed Rohullah Khomeini replied,
“I would love to visit my ancestral home, Kashmir, but due to certain political reasons, I can’t.”
One can see every letter of Ayatollah Khomeini (R.A) adorned in the personal library of Aga Syed Yousuf at town Budgam.
Undoubtedly Aga Syed Yousuf had very deep relations with Grand Ayatollah Syed Ali Naqan Naqvi, One of the most highly regarded scholars of Shia at his time, who wrote more than 100 books and 1000 short books. And is among the most learned Islamic scholars in Indian History.
The enlightened mission of religious preaching has remained a great legacy of Moosvi family bestowed from ancestors (Ahle Bayt a.s), that most learned and knowledgeable of the family would carry forward the noble mission of preaching on the lines of great legacy of elders and the chain finally reached Aga Syed Yousuf Al Moosvi and seem to be stopped there after his death.
His eminent leadership and importance was felt as soon as he was buried, and till now the thirsty of such a unique leadership has not been quenched.
Aga Syed Yousuf is still the sweetheart of millions of people around the world and in fact the town is well famous of his name that naming Budgam itself reminds us this great personality. Many of his followers tell about his kindness to the lowly, compassion for the needy and generosity and munificence towards poor.
He was extremely forbearing, his majesty and justice is still resounding in mountains of Kashmir. He was an embodiment of truth and justice. And I can surely tell you that none other than him in his family is more practical, fearless, just, experienced till to this day.
His eminence, justice and practicality extraordinarily did compel hundreds of authoritative persons to rename their villages, town, schools, organizations, trusts etc. Like district hospital Ayatollah Aga Syed Yousuf Memorial Hospital Budgam, has been lovingly named after him.
One of the best service of this intellectual was an reformation of Anjuman e Shar-e-Shian Jammu and Kashmir, which during his lifetime, virtually ran parallel to the govt. It also worked as a powerful pressure and Interest group as well.
As the government collects the taxes from the general public, Anjuman Sharie Shian collects (khums and fitr) as alms from the people to spend on social, educational, and economic improvement for the poorer segment of the society. Despite The organization got divide into two organizations after the death of Aga Syed Yousuf still various activities are performed under the shadow of organization Religious seminaries, organize social, religious seminars, and provide Scholarships to needy students etc.
Sharie Shian collects (khums and fitr) as alms from the people to spend on social, educational, and economic improvement for the poorer segment of the society. Despite The organization got divide into two organizations after the death of Aga Syed Yousuf still various activities are performed under the shadow of organization Religious seminaries, organize social, religious seminars, and provide Scholarships to needy students etc.
His great achievements also include the establishment of ultimate renaissance by setting the foundation Islamic Learning Center “Baab-ul-ilm” (The gateway of knowledge), that almost served every family in Kashmir especially Shias in one way or the other and produced hundreds of Islamic scholars, to quench the thirsty of knowledge and currently thousands of students still light the lamp of knowledge there. No matter even if it got divided into two parts.
Another influential service from Aga Syed Yousuf was the Shariah Adalat (Islamic Court of Justice). Which was the most powerful unit of grievances of his office. The unit was so practical and active that not only Shia, but also Sunni, Pandits and Sikhs would come with different cases for best resolution instead of going to Government Courts and those who were fed up of court dates did enthusiastically approach his Shar-e-Adalat to get the instant solution of the problems.
Further it is quoted that the District Court of Budgam number of occasions, sent many complex cases to his Shar-e-Adalat for resolution.
His new construction of Imam Bara Budgam, is the example of the Irani architecture in India. That currently attracts the monumental values as well. It also stands as a symbol of immense respect and faith in the valley, and hosts all the main religious activities among Shia in Budgam. Besides, on his name another Imam Bara (Aga Syed Yousuf Imam Bara Bemina Budgam) which is said to be the biggest Imam Bara in Kashmir valley is under construction.
There is inescapable fact that Budgam was accorded a status of a district only by dint of him. This pious and auspicious personality with his spirituality did not keep any stone unturned to serve Islam according to his best. And breathed his last on 29th August, 1982.
His death was mourned by lakhs of people all over the Kashmir. And his funeral is still counted among the largest funeral gatherings in Kashmir. Later people flocked in thousands to pay their condolences to the bereaved including other prolific religious scholars and high ranking political leaders including former Prime Minister of India Indira Gandhi, former Governor of the state.