Hazrat Sakhi Zain-ud-Din Wali Rishi (RA) was among the most distinguished and close disciples (caliphs) of Hazrat Sheikh-ul-Alam, Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali Rishi (RA). He was born in Bandarkoot, Kishtwar, into a Rajput family. His original name was Jai Singh. During his childhood, his father was killed by enemies. At one point, Jai Singh fell seriously ill. Despite all efforts and medical treatments, his condition continued to worsen. Around that time, Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali (RA) happened to pass through the area. Seeing Jai Singh’s mother in deep distress, he bestowed his spiritual grace, and Jai Singh was miraculously cured. His mother then pledged that once her son recovered, she would send him to Kashmir to serve the revered saint. Later, the entire family embraced Islam, and it was Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali (RA) who renamed Jai Singh as Zain-ud-Din. Hazrat Zain-ud-Din Wali Rishi (RA) then came under the guidance of Hazrat Baba Bam-ud-Din Wali (RA), the first caliph of Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali (RA). In a short span of time, he attained great spiritual excellence through intense devotion and ascetic practices. Recognizing his elevated spiritual rank, Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali (RA) instructed him to retreat into seclusion on a mountain called “Aish,” which later came to be known as Aishmuqam.

He was also appointed as the spiritual guardian of that region, which at that time was believed to be inhabited by supernatural beings. It is said that a man-eating demon had made life miserable for the people of the area. Hazrat Zain-ud-Din Wali (RA) defeated and eliminated it, thereby relieving the people of their suffering. A cave located there, once filled with snakes and scorpions, was cleared on his command. Remarkably, these creatures left the cave and relocated elsewhere, and it is believed that they do not harm anyone even today.
Hazrat Zain-ud-Din Wali (RA) spent much of his time in that cave, deeply engaged in prayer and remembrance of God, living a life of piety and righteousness. On one occasion, his spiritual master, Hazrat Sheikh Noor-ud-Din Wali (RA), offered him his sandals to wear, as his feet were wounded and infected. However, Hazrat Zain-ud-Din (RA) refrained from wearing them for a long time. When asked why, he humbly replied that he considered it a blessing to place such a sacred gift on his head rather than wear it on his feet. He would occasionally travel to places such as Charar Shareef, Qaimoh, and Rupawan to remain in contact with his master and receive spiritual guidance. Once, a shepherd, intending to drive him away from the cave, secretly placed the remains (skin, head, and legs) of a slaughtered goat beneath his prayer mat and falsely accused him of killing it.
When the matter was investigated, Hazrat Zain-ud-Din Wali (RA) prayed to God, and miraculously, the goat came back to life. The shepherd, overwhelmed with remorse, fell at his feet and sought forgiveness. Such was his level of self-discipline that he survived on walnut shells as food. He travelled extensively across both North and South Kashmir, preaching and spreading the message of faith. When he would immerse himself in remembrance of God at Pandobal, even animals and birds would gather around him.
While he was at Pandobal, he received the news of his master’s passing. Accompanied by his companions, Baba Shams-ud-Din, Baba Darya-ud-Din, Baba Shakar-ud-Din, Baba Hanif-ud-Din (RA), and others he reached Charar Shareef. It was Hazrat Zain-ud-Din Wali Rishi (RA) who led the funeral prayer of his revered master. Once, the Sultan of Kashmir, Zain-ul-Abidin (Budshah), came to meet him. At that time, the saint was deeply absorbed in worship and did not respond. The Sultan felt offended and returned.
Later, Hazrat Zain-ud-Din remarked that the prayer mat had been defiled and should be washed. When this was conveyed to the Sultan, he ordered the saint’s exile. Hazrat Zain-ud-Din Wali (RA) then set out towards Tibet along with his followers, where he continued preaching and brought many people to Islam. During his stay there, the king’s son died suddenly. Out of ignorance, the king blamed the saint. Hazrat Zain-ud-Din asked for one day, and by the next day, the child was brought back to life. While he was still in Tibet, news came of the passing of Baba Bam-ud-Din (RA) in Bumzu, Anantnag. Hazrat Zain-ud-Din miraculously travelled there, performed the last rites, and returned to Tibet to continue his mission. Meanwhile, after exiling the saint, Sultan Zain-ul-Abidin suffered greatly. Both he and his son fell seriously ill.
When all medical treatments failed, the Sultan realized that only the saint he had wronged could cure him. He sent his son, Prince Haider Khan, to Tibet to request forgiveness and bring him back.
Hazrat Zain-ud-Din Wali (RA) accepted the request and returned to Kashmir. As the Sultan approached him, his health gradually improved until he was completely cured. When the saint returned to his abode, it is said that birds and wild animals gathered to welcome him. Before his passing, Hazrat Zain-ud-Din Wali (RA) instructed his disciples not to enter the cave for forty days. He passed away in 853 Hijri. After forty days, when his followers entered the cave, they found only his prayer mat and rosary at the place where he used to sit, leaving them in awe. His annual Urs is celebrated in the month of April, on the 12th day according to the lunar calendar. May Allah grant us the ability to follow the path shown by Hazrat Zain-ud-Din Wali (RA) and bless us through his spiritual grace in both this world and the hereafter?

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