Zeeshan Rasool Khan
Molana Mushtaq Ahmed Khan was a Sufi, Islamic scholar, orator, poet, and educationist who reigned supreme on the spiritual, scholastic, and literary landscape of our valley from the 1990s to 2019. Though every aspect of his life merits attention, his love for the beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) makes him unique. In contemporary times, when our hearts and tongues do not sync, and there exists a disconnect between our thoughts, words, and actions, Molana Mushtaq Ahmed Khan remained unwavering in his principles. His philosophy, ideas, and approach to any matter were consistent, both in public and private. This attribute was most pronounced in his love for the Prophet (SAW). Whether in public or within the four walls of his home, an observer would never notice even the slightest change in his deep-seated affection.
His love for the Prophet (SAW) went beyond admiration; it was an intense spiritual passion. He sought not only to comprehend and follow the teachings of the Prophet (SAW) but also to embody his very essence, manifesting the prophetic virtues of compassion, justice, and mercy. He left no stone unturned in reaching the masses, rekindling their love for the Last Prophet (SAW), whom he considered the soul of faith.
He frequently expressed this sentiment through the following verse of Allama Iqbal:
Magz’e Quran Ruh’e Imaan Jaan’e deen
Hast hubb’e Rehmatan aalameen.
Thus, he emphasized that the essence of the Quran, the soul of faith (Iman), and the very life of religion (Deen) all stem from the love of the Prophet Muhammad (SAW), who is a mercy to all worlds (Rahmatul-lil-Alameen).
He also popularized this perspective through his oft-quoted Kashmiri quatrain:
Muhammad Bus Muhammad Chum Me Armaan
Be kya zannei Te Kya Go Deen’ o Imaan
Yehie Dagg Pooshnam Yes Cham Dilas Manz
Musalmaan waentanam Chukh na Musalman
(I do not know what Faith is; my heart longs only for Muhammad.
May this love, which has consumed my soul, remain eternal.
Let the Muslims call me a non-Muslim if they wish.)
Molana firmly believed that true understanding and practice of Islam are intimately linked to reverence and attachment to the Prophet (SAW). Without that, faith stands null and void. His love extended beyond words; it manifested in his actions. Sometimes, his eyes would well up during oration, leading to spontaneous sobbing. Occasionally, he would sway in ecstasy during Naat recitations, regardless of the place or timing. Whether at home, in local congregations, or in large gatherings, his soul’s whispers defied suppression.
A cleric from a nearby mosque once told me that even in adulthood, Molana participated in religious gatherings as a Naat-khwan, and they always found tears in his eyes, unveiling the stirrings of his heart. Later, he expressed his affection not just through tears but through poetry. His anthology, Aatash Kadah Ishq (Fire Temple of Love), encapsulated the Quran, Hadith, and beliefs of Ahle-Sunnah, with every verse alluding to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It became a bestseller within no time.
In one of his Naats, he aspires to adopt ‘Ishq’—the highest form of love—and writes:
Ae Ishq’e Mustafai Humdum me chei Banakha
Bo’wuth ye raazdaran, mete sei katha wanakhna.
(O love of Mustafa, be my companion.
Whisper to me the secrets you shared with the chosen ones.)
As his devotion deepened, he perceived the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in every creation of Allah and wrote:
Zameenan tei makeenan Manz makanan laa makanan Manz
Gulan bei Gul-ezaran Manz Muhammad Bus Muhammad Chum
(In earth, in its inhabitants, in dwelling places, and even beyond space.
In flowers and in gardens, there is Muhammad, only Muhammad.)
When his longing reached its zenith, he dreamt of visiting the land of the Prophet (SAW). I vividly remember a Friday when he shared an incident from that very morning. He said, “Today, one of my disciples called me from Rawza Rasool (SAW), and I, along with my companions in the room, stood up and recited greetings.” He was jubilant, as if something extraordinary had occurred. For a true lover, even the smallest moments hold immense significance. After narrating this, he wept, raised his hands, and said, “O Allah, today my voice reached Madina—how long will this body crave to be there?”
He expressed his yearning through poetry:
Chum lol chokh me seenas
Dramut me dil madinas
Kar waat tath Shaharas
Maras b’e paan bartal
(My heart is filled with love and longing.
My soul has journeyed to Madina.
When will I reach your sacred city?
I would lay myself in devotion at His threshold.)
Interestingly, when he finally had the opportunity to visit Madina, he was physically disabled (paralyzed). One of the intellectuals rightly pointed out that his poetic verse had been prophetic, as he had written it during a period of good health. After his return, I once flipped through his personal diary and saw every detail of his Umrah recorded on its pages. It was clear—”A passionate soul has its own path, and the mindset of an unwavering devotee is unlike any other.”
As illness took its toll, he grew frailer and bid farewell to religious visits and orations, devoting his time to meeting disciples and writing. In one of his final Naats, he wrote:
Wuch maerm’ond durdaan Nabi aaw hasa aaw
Pyo kainatas noor’e nooran aaw hasa aaw
(The unique pearl appeared—the Prophet arrived, the Prophet arrived.
The light of all creation, the radiance of lights, arrived; he arrived.)
For those perceptive enough—his disciples, comrades, and acquaintances—these odes revealed the spiritual heights he had reached. We were convinced that Molana may have been blessed with a vision of his beloved. Allah knows best. Nevertheless, all this depicts the hardwired love of Molana for Muhammad (SAW).
When he sensed his departure was near, he summoned his confidante and had a testament written. He wished for his body to be taken to Dargah Hazratbal Seer Hamdan, where salutations upon the Prophet (SAW) should be recited. He also requested Awraad-e-Fatihiya be recited while giving him the final bath. All of this was carried out earnestly to bid a final farewell to Naqeeb-e-Ishq-e-Mustafa (SAW)—the Herald of Love for Mustafa (PBUH)—on February 19, 2019.
Zeeshan Rasool Khan is a student, tutor, independent researcher, and columnist. He can be reached at mohdzeeshan605@gmail.com