The Kashmir valley is known for its scenic beauty all over the world, and at the same time, it is the place that happened to be the resting place of many Islamic saints. It is because of this unique feature that this place is known as the Peerwaar (The place of Saints). Sufi saints had always been the inspiring people of Kashmir by their subtle mystical insights. Among the well-known Sufi saints of Kashmir, Baba Abdullah Guzaryali RA has occupied a unique position. He was a multi-dimensional personality. He not only propagate the teachings of Islam but also did a lot of social works. He attained the spiritual heights under the great guidance of Baba Naseeb-Ud- Din Gaze RA. His original name was Mubarak Abdullah RA, but he got popularity by other names like- Arif Billlah, Baba Abdullah Guzaryali, and Mastana Baba.

Like his Murshid, he was a prolific traveler. He traveled far and wide like Karnah, Iskardu, Dardistan, Kishtiwar, Nowshera Chalasoo, Akeel, Kaghan, Gadhee, Muzafarabad, and Lahore. During that extensive journey, he spent twelve years of his life in Pragana Lar. He not only played an indispensable role in the prorogation of Islam but also developed various human habitations, villages, built hundreds of Masjids, minor bridges/ culverts, bathrooms, orchards. Inns (Musafir Khanas). One of the famous apricot orchards was developed by him at Lolab Kupwara. The description of those accomplishments is mentioned by Mohammad Din Fouq in his book “Shababi- Kashmir”. Another renowned historian Hazrat Ghulam Hassan Khahihami mentioned the same in his book “ Tawriki Hassan”. According to the historical records, he used to motivate the local population for different social work. Almost four hundred disciples remain accompanied by him. Shah Sahab RA built as many as 370 Masjids in the entire J & K description of which is available in the historical book- “Aqwami Kashmir” written by Mohammad Din Fouq
According to the various historical accounts, Shah Sahab RA was born in the middle of the tenth Hijri as per the Islamic lunar calendar in a noble family at the Pargana Walur. When we try to trace the geographical location of that particular Pargana, it includes areas like Sadrikut, Ajas Bandipora, Watlab, and Sopore. His father’s name was Husain Baba Qureshi RA. He was a saintly person. Baba Abdullah RA received his earlier education under his guidance. To know more about this unending spiritual world, he started his search for a spiritual master far and wide and finally, he met Baba Naseeb Din Gazi RA, took allegiance on his hand as mentioned by the well-known historian namely Peer Hassan Shah Khahama in his book “Tawareeki- Hassan”
His spiritual lineage goes like this - Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH), Hazrat Ali RA, Hazrat Khaja Hassan Basri RA, Khaja Habibi Ujmi RA, Sheik Marouf Karni, Sheikh Seri Sakti RA, Sheikh Junaid Bagdadi RA, Sheikh Mumshad Deniyari RA, Sheikh Ahmad Asood Diniyari RA, Sheikh Abdullah Umiya RA, Sheikh Zui-Ul Din Suharwardi RA, Sheikh Shaib- Ul- Din RA, Sheikh Baha-Ul- Din Zakaria Multani RA, Sheikh Sadru-Ul Din Arif RA, Ab- Ul- Fataha Shah RukinRA, Syed Jalal-Ul -Din Bukhari, Syed Nasir- Ul – Din Bukhari RA, Mukdum Syed Abid Kabir RA, Mukdoom Abu- Al-Fatha Sani RA, Mukdoom Abull- Al-Qasim Mahmood RA, Makdoom Syed Mohammed RA, Syed Makdoom Anand Kabir Sani RA, Mukdoom Syed Abdul- Al- Wahab Dahilyee RA, Makdoom Syed Jalal- Ul – Din Bukhari RA, Makdoom Sheik Hamza Kahmiri RA, Allama Baba Dawood Khakhi RA, Abul- Ul- Fuqra Baba Naseeb Din Gazi RA, Arif Billah Hazrat Shah Baba Abdullah Gazi Guzaryali RA. He deemed an honor to be the first disciple of Baba Naseeb- Ud-Din Gazi RA.
His parents persuaded him to marry with a pious girl residing in the neighborhood. As soon as they initiated the processes, he categorically refused to join himself with the matrimonial bond. Instead, he suggested his parents to persuade his younger brother Shah Yousf RA to go for that marriage. He predicted that the marriage between those two noble souls would prove a blessing. Later, his prediction came true; the couple gave birth to a baby boy who adopted the same spiritual path and got famous by name Hazrat Shah Musa RA.Impressed by his personal life and his contribution towards society the then Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb allotted him a large piece of land (Jageer) in Muzafarabade (PAK). Because he had no worldly yearning, he built a very beautiful Masjid there and donated the whole area in favor of the Masjid.
Baba Musa RA, Baba Mahdi Suharwardi Kubrawi RA, Baba Qutbu-Ul- Alm Lal Shahab, Srinagar were a few of his prominent disciples who retained the legacy of his Murshid. It is worth to mention here that one of his disciples was known by the name- Muzafar, who later established the habitation which is presently known as Muzafarabad.
As per the Islamic/lunar calendar, he left this mortal world in the month of Muhramul Haram 1117 A.H. His shrine is located within the premises of cemetery known as Mazar-Shrife, Guzriyal which is suited 25 KM away from the district Kupwara. May Allah grant him the best place in Jannah! It is a great privilege for me to introduce such personalities to the next generation.

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