Shaykh Syed Mir Mirak Andrabi

'SHAYAKH-O-SYED MIR MOHAMMAD MIRAK ANDRABI (R.A)' ( 921-990 A.H.) is the fifth generation of Sadaat-Andrabia in the valley of Kashmir. His ancestors Syed Ahmad Andrabi (who was great grand father of Syed Mirak Andrabi)had migrated from Andarab, "( a valley located in the southern part of Baghlan province in the northeastern Afghanistan)" along with 700 syed's with Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani in '781 A.H = 1379 C.E.' (in Reign of Sultan Qutbuddin) for the spread of Islam. After Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani went back, most of them lived in the valley including Syed Ahmad Andrabi. Syed Ahmad Andrabi died in (804 A.H. = 1402 C.E.). The ruler of that time, Sultan Sikander built a "Khankah" & "Madrasa" at Malaratta in Srinagar for him which is known as Khankah-i-Andrabia. This became the place of prayer, meditation and preaching for the generations to come.

Early life

He was born to Allama Syed Shams-ud-din Andrabi "(860 A.H = 1456 C.E. -932 A.H.= 1526 C.E.)" in Srinagar. Mir Mirak Andrabi traced his patrimony through his father, Syed Shams-ud-din, to 'Imam Zain-ul-Abedein ' and finally to 'Hazrat Imam Ali'. His mother, Syeda Mira Bibi, with twenty three links, reached to 'Hazrat Imam Ali'. His year of birth is 921 A.H = 1515 C.E. He lost his parents at a quite young age. He studied "Fiqah, Ahadees, Hifiz" and "Tafseer" in his very early boyhood.

Spiritual Training

Syed Mirak belonged to Silsila Owaisia. The Owaisi sufi's receive guidance and knowledge through a spiritual connection. Shaykh Mirak Mir spent most of his time in meditation at a Khanqah in Srinagar, known as Khanqah-i-Andrabi. He himself says that he was guided by Hazrat Khizir and had him in his dreams quite often. He had vision of Holy Prophet Muhammad(Peace be upon him) many times, and in fact was asked to marry and thus follow his "Sunah" by the prophet himself. He then came in contact with Syed Shah Nia'matullah Wali Qadri Hisari, a well known saint in Qadri Silsila. Syed Mirak accepted Silsilay Qadri from him.
Shaykh Syed Mir Mirak Andrabi spent most of his time in meditation at a Khanqah-i-Andrabi in Srinagar, besides spending 12 years meditating at Astarwun(Tral) and then remained in seclusion at Mohalla Naidyar for 12 years. After spending 24 years in meditation, he came back and lived in a small room adjecent to Khankah-i-Andrabia, Malaratta, but preferred a simple life, far away from fame. He was often advised by his relatives,who held important posts under the sultans, to take up a government job after the death of his father, but Mir Mirak Andrabi declined and spent his time in meditation.

Death and his children

Shaykh Syed Mirak Andrabi was married to the daughter of Syed Abdullah Qummi Rizvi. His children included 6 daughters and 3 sons. He was survived by his three sons "Syed Mohammad Andrabi' 963-1023 A.H., 'Syed Ismaiel (Yousuf) Andrabi" and 'Syed Ahmad Qasim Andrabi'. He died on '5th Safar 990 A.H', 28 February 1582 C.E.,at the age of 69 years and was buried on the southern side of Khankah-i-Andrabia at Mallaratta,Srinagar. A large number of people became his disciples and derived spiritual benefit from him. His Urs is celebrated every year on the 5th of Safar at Khankah-i-Andrabia, Malaratta.Today the Andrabi dynasty's members live at Malaratta, Qazigund, Patna, Bachpora, Hyderpora,Rawalpora,Ratnipora, Kanthapora, Lolab valley, Sialkot, Lahore, Amritsar.

Contemporaries

That era was full of great Scholars and sufi's. Some of the great sufi's who were Hazrat Syed's acquaintances and remained in close touch with him included 'Hazrat Shaykh Hamza Makhdoom' and 'Hazrat Baba Dawood Khaki'.

References

* [http://topengminda.blogspot.com/2008/06/wahdatul-alujud-in-kashmir-india.html, Wahdatulalujud in Kashmir, India]
* [http://dspace.vidyanidhi.org.in:8080/dspace/bitstream/2009/971/3/JMI-1999-200-1.pdf, Various Sufi silsilas in Kashmir]
* Qasida-i-Ammia by Baba Dawood Khaki
* Tareekh-i- Hassan
* Tahif-ul- Abrar

Bibliography

* Manaqib-u-Sadaat by Mufti Sa'adat
* Zikir Sadaat-i-Andrabia by Moulana Nabeeh Ahmad Andrabi "Shaheed".
* Tareekh-i-Bab-i-Sulaiman by Mir Saad-ul-lah Shahabadi