By: Syed Majid Gilani
Maulana Syed Mohammad Yasin Shah Gilani was born on July 18, 1890, in the historic Khanqah Moulla, Srinagar. His life stood as a strong example of resilience, the preservation of culture, and a deep passion for learning. Although he did not have formal education in subjects like English, Mathematics, or Science, he gained profound knowledge in Islamic teachings, spiritual wisdom, and a thorough understanding of Fiqah, the Quran, and the Hadith. He was also a skilled linguist, fluent in Persian, Urdu, and Kashmiri.
Inspired by his ancestors, Maulana embarked on a journey of spiritual discovery, following in the footsteps of his esteemed forebear. His spiritual journey was a deep immersion in faith, as he devoted himself to the recitation of the Quran, heartfelt prayers, Zikr o Azkar, Chilla Kashi, Etikafs and constant remembrance of Allah.
Under the guidance of his father, the respected Peer o Murshid Syed Ghulam ud Din Gilani, he diligently followed Riyazat, a path of spiritual discipline and self-purification. With family roots tracing back to Baghdad, Maulana developed a strong desire for spiritual knowledge, a thirst that only grew as he delved further into his studies. His connection to his father’s spiritual legacy sparked a burning desire to explore religion and spirituality, a passion that guided his life’s journey.
Beyond his professional expertise as a Unani treatment expert, Maulana’s passion for Islamic history and Fiqah only intensified, fueling his insatiable quest for knowledge and spiritual growth. He inherited a valuable legacy from his father—a collection of ancient Persian manuscripts, passed down through generations. His dedication to knowledge and intellectual growth remained steadfast, as he committed himself to preserving his family’s rich cultural heritage. This commitment reflected his unwavering determination to honour his ancestors and uphold their values.
Inspired by the teachings of Syed ul Mursaleen Hazrat Mohammad Mustafa (PBUH), Maulana’s life embodied humility, compassion, and righteousness. With strong determination, Maulana Syed Mohammad Yasin Shah Gilani worked tirelessly to follow the virtues of his ancestors, remaining steadfast in their beliefs and values while ensuring the continuation of their noble legacy.
In his relentless pursuit of spiritual guidance and Islamic knowledge, Maulana Syed Mohammad Yasin Shah Gilani travelled to remote villages across Jammu and Kashmir, as well as to distant places like Campbellpur, Muree, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad. During this time, his youngest son, Syed Mohammad Yousuf Gilani, had already settled in Campbellpur (now Attock), Punjab, where he took up residence. Additionally, Maulana’s brother-in-law, S. Syed Ahmad Gilani, who lived in Rawalpindi at the time, also hosted his stay.
As a Unani healer, he not only treated physical ailments with herbs and remedies but also offered comfort and healing through compassion and empathy. Despite facing financial challenges and relying solely on his Unani practice, he made the challenging journey to perform Hajj by sea—a six-month voyage that cost him only a few hundred rupees. This incredible journey was a testament to his deep commitment to his faith and his refusal to commercialize spirituality. For him, spirituality was a sacred mission, not a way to gain wealth or fame.
His life embodied modesty and humility, living with grace and dignity while avoiding worldly luxuries. His home was simply furnished with earthen pots and vessels, reflecting his commitment to simplicity. Though he spoke little, his writings in Persian and Urdu were extensive, and we are fortunate to have preserved his manuscripts, letters, and travel diaries as a valuable legacy. He remained deeply committed to the Shariah, never deviating from its principles.
In his sermons, he stressed the importance of following the Shariah and guided his followers, disciples, and mureeds on the righteous path. One of his most remarkable accomplishments was completing 40 consecutive Etikaafs (spells of seclusion), each lasting 10 days, in the solitude rooms (Aitikaaf Kothri) of the revered Khanquah Moulla Shrine in Srinagar.
The monthly gatherings of the ‘Anjumane Tabligul Islam’ were often held at Maulana’s residence in Khanqah Moulla, attracting prominent religious and spiritual leaders from all over Kashmir. Among the distinguished attendees was the famous religious figure, Syed Noor ud Din Geelani of Riyazat Teng, Khanyar. These meetings were presided over by the renowned Mufasir Quran, Moulana Syed Mohammad Qasim Shah Bukhari RA, who served as the President of the organization. Maulana Syed Mohammad Yasin Shah Gilani was a respected member of the Anjuman.
The primary aim of Anjuman Tabligul Islam was to spread the teachings and mission of Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (PBUH) and the Auliya e Kiram (Islamic saints and mystics) to the wider community, fostering spiritual awareness and enlightenment. These gatherings created a space for scholarly discussions, spiritual guidance, and community building, deepening understanding and appreciation of Islamic values and traditions.
In 2018, I had the privilege of visiting Handwara in North Kashmir, invited by his disciples, followers, and family friends. During my journey, I passed through Magam Handwara, where I made a remarkable discovery. On the wall of the Eid Gah, I noticed a big marble plaque that had been installed in 1955. My heart filled with pride as I saw Maulana Syed Mohammad Yasin Shah Gilani, my great-grandfather’s name and his residential address, Khanqah Moulla inscribed on it. He had founded and inaugurated this Eid Gah and delivered its first sermon. Seeing his name engraved on the plaque brought tears of joy to my eyes, as I felt a deep connection to my heritage. The legacy of my great-grandfather, immortalized in marble, stood as a testament to his lasting impact on the community. In that moment, I was overwhelmed with pride, nostalgia, and gratitude.
The migration of Syed Ghulam ud Din Gilani, the father of Syed Mohammad Yasin Shah Gilani, from their ancestral home in Khanyar, Srinagar to Khanqah Moulla in 1872 AD (1289 Hijri) marked a pivotal moment in the family’s history. However, the Gilani family’s roots in Srinagar can be traced back to the reign of Aurangzeb in 1322 AD (1095 Hijri), when Hazrat Syed Mohammad Fazil Gilani RA, the founder of the Silsila Qariyah in Srinagar, first arrived in Khanyar. This marked the beginning of the Qadriyah legacy, which would significantly influence the spiritual and cultural landscape of the region.
The family tree of Syed Mohammad Yasin Shah Gilani is as follows:
• Syed Mohammad Yasin Shah Gilani (S/O Syed Ghulam ud Din Gilani)
• Syed Ghulam ud Din Gilani (S/O Syed Wazir ud Din Gilani)
• Syed Wazir ud Din Gilani (S/O Syed Nizam ud Din Gilani, Wali Ullah)
• Syed Nizam ud Din Gilani (S/O Syed Noor ud Din Shah Gilani)
• Syed Noor ud Din Shah Gilani (S/O Syed Mohammad Malook Gilani)
• Syed Mohammad Malook Gilani (S/O Syed Mohammad Mahmood Gilani)
• Syed Mohammad Mahmood Gilani (S/O Abul Barakaat, Syed Yousuf Sani Gilani)
• Syed Yousuf Sani Gilani (S/O Syed Shams ud Din Abdul Majeed Gilani)
• Syed Shams ud Din Abdul Majeed Gilani (S/O Taj ud Din Syed Yousuf Gilani)
• Taj ud Din Syed Yousuf Gilani (S/O Syed Ahmad Gilani)
• Syed Ahmad Gilani (S/O Syed Noor ud Din Gilani)
• Syed Noor ud Din Gilani (S/O Syed Abdul Qadir Sani Gilani)
• Syed Abdul Qadir Sani Gilani (S/O Syed Abdul Basit Gilani)
• Syed Abdul Basit Gilani (S/O Badr ud Din Syed Ali Shah Hussain Gilani)
• Badr ud Din Syed Ali Shah Hussain Gilani (S/O Syed Shahab ud Din Ahmad Sani Gilani)
• Syed Shahab ud Din Ahmad Sani Gilani (S/O Syed Sharaf ud Din Qasim Gilani)
• Syed Sharaf ud Din Qasim Gilani (S/O Syed Mohi ud Din Yahya Salis Gilani)
• Syed Mohi ud Din Yahya Salis Gilani (S/O Badr ud Din Syed Hussain Gilani)
• Badr ud Din Syed Hussain Gilani (S/O Syed Ala ud Din Ali Gilani)
• Syed Ala ud Din Ali Gilani (S/O Abu Abdullah Syed Shams ud Din Gilani)
• Abu Abdullah Syed Shams ud Din Gilani (S/O Abu Zakariya Syed Saif ud Din Yahya Gilani)
• Abu Zakariya Syed Saif ud Din Yahya Gilani (S/O Syed Zaheer ud Din Abu Masood Gilani)
• Syed Zaheer ud Din Abu Masood Gilani (S/O Mir Abu Nasr Syed Mohi ud Din Mohammad Gilani)
• Mir Abu Nasr Syed Mohi ud Din Mohammad Gilani (S/O Imad ud Din Syed Abu Sualeh Gilani, Qazi ul Quza)
• Imad ud Din Syed Abu Sualeh Gilani (S/O Hazrat Taj ud Din Abu Bakr Syed Abdur Razak Gilani)
• Hazrat Taj ud Din Abu Bakr Syed Abdur Razak Gilani (S/O Hazrat Perani Peer Mehboob e Subhani Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani RA).
Pertinently, Syed Mohammad Malook Gilani is laid to rest at Zurimanz village, located on the banks of the world-famous Wullar Lake. He was the son of Syed Mohammad Mahmood Gilani, whose grave is situated in Mir Mohalla, Khanyar, near the Masjid of Syed Jalal ud Din Gilani. Syed Mohammad Mahmood Gilani, in turn, was the son of Abul Barakaat Syed Yousuf Sani Gilani, who hailed from Thatta Sukkur, Sindh, and never visited Kashmir.
Syed Sakhi Shah Mohammad Fazil Gilani, whose grave is at the Dastgeer Sahib Shrine in Khanyar, was the brother-in-law of Abul Barakaat Syed Yousuf Sani Gilani, as Syed Sakhi Shah Gilani’s sister was married to Syed Yousuf Sani Gilani. On the other hand, Syed Mohammad Mehmood Gilani, son of Syed Yousuf Sani Gilani, was both the nephew (sister’s son) andson-in-lawof Syed Sakhi Shah Gilani, having married Syed Sakhi Gilani’s daughter. Hazrat Syed Sakhi Fazil Gilaniwas blessed with four sons and three daughters.
Syed Muhammad Yasin Shah Gilani, drawing inspiration from his distinguished ancestors, shared wisdom and spiritual teachings that resonated far and wide. His insights attracted followers from various backgrounds, all seeking enlightenment and comfort in his guidance. His influence reached beyond geographic boundaries, inspiring many and securing his position as a prominent figure in the Qadriyah tradition.
Maulana Yasin Sahib was the elder brother of the renowned Persian poet and scholar, Maulana Syed Mubarak Shah Fitrat Gilani, who founded the “Bazm Sadat-e-Gilani” in Jammu and Kashmir and served as its lifelong president. Additionally, Maulana Yasin Sahib was the uncle of the distinguished author and poet, Syed Mohammad Aslam Gilani, popularly known as Farhat Gilani.
Syed Mohammad Yasin Gilani was blessed with four sons: Syed Mohammad Syed Gilani, Syed Ghulam Mohammad Gilani, Syed Abdul Rashid Gilani, and Syed Mohammad Yousuf Gilani. However, his life was marked by profound hardship, including the heartbreaking loss of his son, Syed Ghulam Mohammad Gilani. He passed away while serving as a postmaster in Gilgit (now in Pakistan), shortly after beginning his government service.
Another tragedy struck when his youngest son, Syed Mohammad Yousuf Gilani, left Kashmir in search of better job opportunities. Despite holding a matriculation, Moulvi Aalim, and Fazil degrees, he struggled to find suitable employment in Kashmir. As a teenager, he migrated to Campbellpur (now Attock, Punjab), completed his graduation, and was appointed as a government teacher in Muzaffarabad (now POK). Later, for family reasons, he chose to settle in Attock, where he tragically passed away at the age of 50 while still in service.
These successive losses could have broken anyone, but Maulana Yasin Sahib remained strong and steadfast. His unwavering dedication to his family’s well-being and upbringing became a source of resilience and strength, even in the face of such adversity. His timeless teachings continue to light the way to spiritual growth, self-discovery, and inner peace, offering comfort and wisdom to all who seek guidance.
As a revered spiritual and religious figure, his disciples and followers across the valley reflect his wide-reaching impact. His invaluable manuscripts, sermons, and letters in Persian and Urdu remain cherished treasures, carefully preserved for future generations. Devotees still visit his grave with love and reverence, honouring his selfless service and the lasting legacy he left behind.
After a brief illness, Syed Muhammad Yasin Gilani passed away peacefully at his residence, Maskani Sadaat, Khanquah Moulla, on April 19, 1966, at the age of 76. May Allah bless his noble soul.
Throughout his life, Maulana enjoyed good health, but a week before his passing, he developed a chest infection, which led to his brief illness. The renowned Kashmiri physician, Dr. Ali Mohammad Jan, visited him twice at his residence in Khanquah Moulla and provided treatment. Despite the efforts, Maulana peacefully passed away in the evening hours of April 19, 1966.
At the request of his devoted disciples, followers, and mureeds, his body was kept at his home for the night. The following morning, he was laid to rest near his father’s grave in the Makbare Sadate Gilani, within the grounds of the Shah Hamdan Shrine, Khanqah Moulla.
Born on July 18, 1890, Maulana lived for 76 years, leaving behind a profound legacy of spiritual guidance, wisdom, and inspiration that continues to resonate through generations.
For references and insights, I have drawn from the works of Maulana Syed Mubarak Shah Fitrat Gilani, particularly Aayine Fitrat and Tazkira Sadat-e-Gilani. Additionally, I sought guidance from Jinab Syed Mohammad Yahya Geelani, a distinguished author and writer from Professor Colony, Naseem Abad, Srinagar. His extensive work on the subject and his vast knowledge have greatly enriched my understanding.
(Syed Majid Gilani is a writer and serves as a GST Inspector with the Government of Jammu & Kashmir. He can be contacted at [email protected]).