Ghanche District
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ghanche District is the easternmost district of the Northern Areas, Pakistan. To its northeast is Xinjiang (China), to the north and northwest is Skardu District, to its west is Astore District and to its south is Ladakh District in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir. The line of control along the eastern most region of Ghanche District cuts through the Siachen Glacier and is not permanent because of the conflict (It has been proposed by moderates in Pakistan and India to make the Siachen Glacier region a Peace Park).
The capital of Ghanche District is Khaplu. This is the coldest place within Pakistan also called the "Third Pole" with temperatures reaching below -20°C in the winter. Khaplu and Hushe valleys form the gateway for the great Baltoro Muztagh, the subrange of Karakoram that includes the mighty peaks of K2 (8,611 m), Broad Peak (8,047 m), Gasherbrums (8,000+ m) and Masherbrum (7,821 m) (all of which are included in the Skardu District).
[edit] Religion
History of Islam in Baltistan starts with arrival of Ameer Kabeer Syed Ali Hamadani (A legendary Sufi Saint of the Muslim History) from Iran during 15th Century. He was followed by other Sufi legends afterwards, such as Shah Syed Muhammad Noorbaksh. Soon the whole region converted to Noorbakshi order of Islamic Sufism. The core message of Sufia Nurbakhshism are: complete elimination of all evil desires and immoralities of human nature from one’s self; total submission of one’s wills before Allah (by following the Qur'an Sunnah and Ahlibeit) and finally love and peace for the whole mankind. During the start of 19th century, however, the predominant population converted to other Islamic schools of thought such as Shias and Sunnis. Today, the Baltis are; Shia' denomination (13%), Sufia Nurbakhshi (80%), and Sunni-Ahlehadith sect (7%). Today, Nurbakhshis are found in Baltistan and Ladakh regions of J&K, as well as a large number of Noorbakshis are native to Iran, Kurdistan and Central Asia.
Reverence to Hazart Ali and 12 Imams is central to the Nurbakhshi belief. For Noorbakshis, Ali is the first Imam and supreme Wali of God. Nurbakhshi are recite twice the following phrases in the prayer call (Adhan): "I witness that Ali (AS) is the Wali of Allah SWT; I witness that Ali (AS) is the Wali of Allah ASW". Also is reciting twice the following phrase in the Adhan: "Muhammad and Ali are the best in humans being; Muhammad and Ali are the best in humans being". The Kalima of Sufia Nurbakhshis is very detailed and consist of witnessing the belief upon Allah, Muhammad, Ali, Fatima, Hassan and Hussain, and at last Gibrail ( angle)thus making it different from Shia Kalima. Also, Nurbakhshis believe that 12th Imam Mehdi is in Occultation and will appear along with Issa before Qiyamat to eliminate injustice and bring the world back to the path of God. For Nurbakhshis, Sufism is acquiring ma'arfa of God. Nurbakhshis convene in Khanqhas and perform their religious rituals based on the practices of Ali, who was the Leader of the most pious of all Arifeen. Nurbakhshis perform Chilla and sit in Aitakaf for ZIKR. Name of Allah is recited repeatedly in the manner Muhammad. A 40-day Aitakaf is very common among pious Nurbakhshis and children also join the rituals. However, the Nurbakhshis believe that without expressing absolute love and Ishq for the family of Muhammad for willingness of God. Ma'arafat of the 14 Infallibles is pivotal to the Noorbakshis. The name of the 14 Infallibles are:
- Muhammad ibn Abdullah
- Fatima bint Muhammad ibn Abdullah
- Imam Ali (A.S)
- Imam Hassan Mujtaba
- Imam Hussain
- Imam Zainul Abidin
- Imam Muhammad Baqiral
- Imam Jafar Sadiq
- Imam Musa Kazim
- Imam Ali Reza,
- Imam Muhammad Taqi
- Imam Ali Naqi
- Imam Hassan al Askari
- Imam Muhammad Mehdi
the SilSila of Nurbakhsh is as under:
- Holy Prophet Muhammad ( peace be upon him)
- Hazart Ali Ibn Abi Talib ( A.S)
- Hazrat Imam Hassan (A.S)
- Hazart Imam Hussain ( A.S)
- Hazart Imam Ali Zain al Abideen ( A.S)
- Hazart Imam Muhammad Baqir (A.S)
- Hazart Imam Jafar as Sadiq (A.S)
- Hazart Imam Mussa kazim(A,S)
- Hazart Imam Ali Riza (A,S)
- Hazart Shayk Maruf al Kurkhi
- Hazart Shaykh Sari as-Saqti
- Hazart Shaykh Junayd Baghdadi
- Hazart Shaykh Abu ali al Rudbarai
- Hazart Shaykh Abu Usman Maghribi
- Hazart Shaykh Abu al-Jurjani
- Hazart Shaykh Abu Bakr Annasaji.
- Hazart Shaykh Ahmed Ghazali.
- Hazrat Shaykh abu Najeeb al-suharwardi .
- Hazrat Shaykh ammaar yasir al-Badeesi.
- Hazrat Shaykh al-Najm-ud-din al–kubra.
- Hazrat Shaykh Ali al-Lala .
- Hazrat Shaykh Ahmed zakir al Jurjani.
- Hazrat Shaykh Abud al- Rahman Asfariyeni.
- Hazrat Shaykh Alla al-Dula as-Samnani .
- Hazrat Shaykh Mehmood al Muzdiqani.
- Hazrat Shaykh Amir al-kabir sayyid Ali Hamadani.
- Hazrat Khawaja Ishaq al –Khutalni.
- Sayyid Muhammad Nurbakhsh al-Qahistani.
All this master of the path taught the same teachings as Sayyid Muhammad Nurbakhsh Qahistani did. The only difference if that Nurbakhsh has put these teaching into written form looking the popularity of his theological and spiritual movement. Most of the scholar and people mistakenly ascribed the movement to a mews sect in Islam. Nurbakhsh has stated the practices of the prophet s time in its true spirit and in original form which was originally conceived to him step by through all the spiritual masters of the path. That is why Nurbakhsh says. I have been ordered ( in a dream ) to remove the differences among the Muslim, Umah of the world and to elaborate the practices of the prophet’s times in its original form with no increase or decrease of God I seek help and in him I trust. It is clear from the above extraction that Nurbakhsh was stating the prophet’s time practices with perfect certainty and faith. The word “Ubayyinu” meaning to clarify, it self is a verdict of the fact that these practices are not an assemblage of his personal view but the practices were originally conceived to him from Muhammad ( peace be upon him) through the masters of the spiritual chain. It the readers any doubt in this connection, we would invite them to travel on the long road through the history of mysticism and to compare it with that of Nurbakhsh’s teachings. The research it self will tell you the fact.
Although Noorbakshism is still practiced in Ladakh and Baltistan, however, they have lost connection with their other fellows in Iran, where Noorbakshis are in millions. If Noorbakshis of Baltistan do not establish links with Noorbakshis of Iran, then their religion will face influence from non-Noorbakshi elements.
Sufia Nurbakhshia
1. In the 14th century the Buddhist population of Baltistan, Kargil and some villages of Ladakh converted into Muslim as a result of preaching of Syed Ali Hamdani (714-786 al hija) – a saint and Islamic scholar of Kobravi sufi order followed by preaching of Syed Muhammad Nurbakhsh (795-859 alhijra) a disciple of Khawaja Ishaq Khatlani himself the principal successor of Syed Ali Hamdani of same Kubravi Sufi Order. Thus a Muslim society developed first time in the Northern Areas of subcontinent.
2. This Muslim society apart Quran and Sunnah follows Al-Fiqatul Akhwat comprising of legal provisions (furu) and Usool Aitaqadia comprising of principles (Usool-e-Islam) written by Syed Mohammad Nurbakhsh. Therefore they are named Sufia Nurbakshia such as Shia Jafferia and Sunni Hanifia.
3. Nurbakhshis fundamentally believe in Allah, Malaie-ka ( angle) Holly Books, Holly Prophet and last day judgment with oral declaration of Kalma-e- Shahadatain and practically offering of five time prayers, fasting during Ramdan, Zakattul Mall ( charity of wealth) and performace of Hajj, subject to availability of resources.
4. As interpreted by Arabic Dictionary Ul-Monjid in the Alfiqatul Ahwat a middle way between Shia and Sunni teachings is shown as a Shariat-e-Islmia. Mission of Syed Muhammad Nurbakhsh as proclaimed by both Shia and Shinn School of thoughts because of their teachings as introductory page Al-Fiqatul Ahwat has been to unify all different sects of Islam, by following Shria prevailing during abeying the lifetime of Holly Prophet (peace be upon him).
5. Nurbakhshis are known as peaceful, tolerable and moderates, who not only equally respect other Muslim school of thoughts but also stress upon to behave human beings lovely – In the chapter relating to Mrar-bil- Maroof wa Nahi anil Munkar Alfiqatual Ahwat the aim of Islamic pravaling is defined to be obeying Almighty Gods order and becoming kind to His creature.
6. In the Zikharatul Malook by quoting a Saying (HADITH) of Holly Prophet ( peace be upon him) reported by Hazarat Imam Hussain ( A.S.) the prime wisdom after accomplishment of religious duties is to love human beings and without regarding his being good or bed to do good deeds to every one.
7. Syed Ali Hamdani by quoting a Hadith of Holy prophet says that thoe who are protectors of lives and properties of human being are Momin ( real believers) while Syed Mohammad Nurbakhsh says that a Momin ( believer) refrains himself from great sinful deeds ( Gona-e-Kabira) like Shireek, killing/ Murder, docorty theft forgery and cheatings etc.
8. Syed Ali Hamdani and Syed Muhammad Nurbakhsh are claimed by both Shia and Sunni probably because of their teachings stressing upon the Moadat-e- Ahlibeit and the need of following Sunnah of Holly prophet ( peace be upon him) apart fiqatual Ahwat permits different style of praying preachers agreeable to Shia and Sunni as optional.
9. Syed Ali Hamdani wrote about 170 books, pamphlets leaf lets handouts of which about 70 are traced in either published or unpublished shape. Similarly Syed Mohammad Nurbakhsh is an author of about one and half dozen books in Arabic or Persian.
10. In the Nurbakhshi Mosque called Khanqah adjacent to main praying halls small rooms are provided for the purpose solitary praying (Atikaf). These Khanqahs have been using as a central couching and preaching place by the Nurbakhshia.
11. It is said that followers of Nurabkhshis Maslak do exist in central Asia specially Tajkistan, Siangkang and Yarqand provinces of China, Turkey Kurdistan and Iran. But present day Nurbakhshis do not have any linkage with Nurabkhshis living in other parts of world out side sub-continent.
12. Barat Library Khaplu and Suffa Islamic Library Madarasa Shah-e-Hamdan Sufia Noorbakhsh can become main source for searching further detail about Nurbakhshisium.
[edit] See also
| Administrative Divisions of Northern Areas (Pakistan) |  |
|
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Gilgit | |
| Districts | Astore | Diamer | Ghangche | Ghizer | Gilgit | Skardu | |
