Islam in Kashmir has a distinctive feature of spreading by Sufi missionaries of Central Asia. This has led many scholars to deem it “Persian Islam”. Is there any difference between Arabi and Ajami Islam, is still a question of debate. However, Islam in Kashmir is in anyway not alien to the Islam which was brought by Prophet Muhammad (saw) and established by the rightly guided caliphs. The Sufi missionaries had focused more on esoteric part of Islam inconsonance with the traditional tradition of Kashmir instead of stressing on the exoteric part which is mostly related to oral orientation. The Islam in Kashmir disseminated by Sufi missionaries is pluralistic and inclusive in nature. While as the approach of non-Sufi Muslims especially warriors are exclusive to a very great extent. It is because of that the Islam in Kashmir is so deeply ingrained in the hearts of people. The people have left their prolonged faiths and welcomed Islam voluntarily due to its inclusive and dignified message propagated by Sufi missionaries. The Sufis have never discriminated people on socio-economic and religio-political basis, neither have discriminated Muslims on the basis of sects or schools of thought. The valley depicts immense population belongs to Sunni Sufi cult of Islam and followed the Hanafi Madhab. The term” Ahl-us-Sunnah” is associated to delineate the majority of the Muslim population. Besides, the other sects like Shia Muslims are also found in nook and corner of the valley but holds minority. Both sects of Islam are living together peacefully since times immemorial. In the valley of Kashmir, the most unfortunate thing of the current era is the existence of diverse sects/schools of thought within the umbrella of ahl-us-sunnah. Every school of thought is trying to suppress their rival schools and is advocating their sect/school as the only school of propagating real Islam/ultimate truth. These schools have adopted exclusive approach and are isolating others from the Jama’ah. This is indeed the matter of concern. The reason behind this is manifold. Primarily, the teachings of Sufis have been ignored and focuses were laid on self interests.
The need of the hour is to revive the “Sufi teachings” and “Kashmiri tradition” to promote peaceful coexistence and pluralism (Unity in Diversity). This will surely help us to come out from the current menace of blaming and defaming each other in the name of Islam. This will pay a way for not only the Muslims of Kashmir but also for other communities of Kashmir to live together with peace and communal harmony which is actually the age old sign of Kashmiri tradition
The ignorance and the superficial knowledge about the sensitive issues are also responsible for the disintegration of the Muslims. Besides the (negative) role of Madrasas are also responsible for the disintegration and the division of Muslim. The need of the hour is to revive the “Sufi teachings” and “Kashmiri tradition” to promote peaceful coexistence and pluralism (Unity in Diversity). This will surely help us to come out from the current menace of blaming and defaming each other in the name of Islam. This will pay a way for not only the Muslims of Kashmir but also for other communities of Kashmir to live together with peace and communal harmony which is actually the age old sign of Kashmiri tradition.
