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He was no ordinary soul

He led a simple life, prioritising knowledge, truth, and spirituality over worldly gains
10:03 PM Jan 26, 2025 IST | Tahir Majeed Raina
he was no ordinary soul
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As I pen these words with a heavy heart, I am reminded of the towering legacy of my father, a man of immense wisdom, integrity, and dedication. He departed from this world on October 29, 2003, during the blessed month of Ramadhan. He was no ordinary soul; but a beacon of knowledge, an artist of words, and a man whose piety illuminated the lives of those around him.

My father, Abdul Majeed Raina Makhdoomi “Sair”, was a distinguished academician and an accomplished scholar with expertise in Urdu, Kashmiri and Persian. His poetry enriched not only the cultural fabric of our region but also resonated beyond borders. His compositions were broadcasted on Radio Kashmir and his words found their place in Sufi gatherings, where his Qalaam was often sung in deep reverence.

Beyond his literary achievements, my father was a man of unshakable principles. At a time when conformity was the easier path, he stood firm in his beliefs, fearlessly challenging a system that he felt failed to serve its people. His dissent was not an act of rebellion but a testament to his unwavering commitment to justice and societal uplift.

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He was a vocal critic of the government in his times, which led him to become a target of the power then. There was an an attempt to malign my father by writing a book against him. Lacking any substantive arguments, the book relied on crude language and unwarranted personal attacks that were reprehensible. To challenge these baseless claims, my father initiated a series of articles titled Batil Sheqan Ka Postmortem, dismantling falsehoods and presenting the facts to the public.

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Some of his notable works include, Lolik Nagma  (Charming melodies), Loobwin Nazari (Captivating sights), Waqtiq Alav (Fleeting moments), Waqt e Waqtiq Vardaat (Episodes over time), Bahouj e Namie Jamooriyat (the development of democracy). He also authored several research-oriented books that remain treasures of knowledge and inspiration. His books include Hazrat Makhdoom Sheikh Baba Muhammad Ali Raina (RA) which honours the brother of Hazrat Sultan ul Arifeen Mehboob-ul-Alam (RA), shedding light on their remarkable spiritual legacy.

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Another of his masterpieces, Tazkirah Aslaaf Sultan ul Arifeen, a book that discusses the lineage and legacy of Sultan-ul-Arifeen, Makhdoom Sheikh Hamza, with translations in Urdu and English. This book reached audiences worldwide and found its place in international markets. His work Madinuk Tajdar is a collection of Na’ats, expressing his deep love and reverence for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Many of his books remain unpublished, which include Jamiah ul Kalamaat Hazrat Sheikh Yaqoob Sarfi , Kashmir Mai Iqtidaar ki Kashmikash, among others.

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Though he made significant contributions to literature and poetry, much of his poetic work remained unpublished. Yet, his Qalam continued to be sung by renowned Kashmiri artists, keeping his poetic legacy alive.

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Despite his immense literary contributions, we, as his family, failed to uphold his legacy. We could have worked tirelessly to ensure his work reached more hearts, published more of his writings, and made greater efforts to preserve his genius. This regret weighs heavily on our hearts.

My father was not driven by materialistic pursuits. He was also offered a ministerial position in his time, yet he declined. He led a simple life, prioritizing knowledge, truth, and spirituality over worldly gains. Though he is no longer with us, his absence leaves a void that can never be filled.

His legacy, however, remains. He was, and will always be, a great man—a guiding light for those who seek wisdom, truth, and spirituality. May his soul rest in eternal peace, and may his work continue to inspire generations to come.

I am proud to be his son, forever grateful for the honour of carrying his name.