Remembering Shaikh Dawood-The Great Philanthropist
By: Bashir Ahmad Dar
The Sufis, all over the world, have made their mark in history for serving humanity in general and the destitute, poor and needy ones in particular. By resorting to philanthropic activities and social service in its true spirit, they turned to be the stable embodiments of the Shari‘a wherein it is empathically remarked that the best amongst the people is one who endeavours to promote the good of the people. Besides they stole a march over the other sections of the society, including the Ulama as true exemplars of Islamic belief and conduct.
Like other Rishis and Sufis, we lack the detailed account of Shaikh Dawood (A.R). In some hagiographies he is mentioned as Shaikh Dawood Rishi but to the common masses he is popular as ‘Bata Mael Saheb’. He was born at Vidyar Van(Batmaloo) ,Srinagar, known as Dyar Vani presently. His father was Shaikh Shangli Bhat. Shaikh Daud, as he felt the inner urge for the love of Allah, approached Khawaja YousyfKatju for the guidance and sought the Bait (spiritual allegiance) from him. KhawjaYousyf evaluating the faculties of Shaikh Daud instructed him to proceed to Hazrat Allah Dad Rishi, a Khalifa of Baba Hardi Rishi, for further course in the spiritual sphere. He offered Baitto Allah Dad Rishi and was bestowed Khilat Irshad. Though being an illiterate his spiritual training he was provided by the Murshid (guide) enabled him have mastery over the knowledge both Zahiri (worldly) andBatni (estoteric or sufi-learning). He could explain the Quranic verses as well as the Ahadith (tradition) of the Prophet(SAW).
It is interesting to note that many Sufis of medieval Kashmir were engaged in different professional pursuits and it was due to their utmost piety and honesty they followed in their profession that they became favourite to the people. KwajaMasudPampori(R.A.), Habib Ul Lah Nowsheri(R.A.) and Shaikh Baba Daud(R.A.) are few instances quoted here who acquired fame for pursuing their profession in true Islamic spirit. Shaikh Baba Daud(R.A.) was known as an agriculturist. He possessed a tract of agricultural land at cheriBoen (around Batmaloo). He was grossly engaged in the agricultural operations as the profession used to consume much of the time and energy of the peasants until the introduction of technology in the field. He was so much pious and Allah -fearing that he would wash the hoofs of his bullocks if they happened to pass through the fields of others lest his (Shaikh Daud) fields should get the mud or particles of the soil of others fields.
The Sufis, particularly the Rishis of Kashmir have always regarded the service to mankind as the path to search the ‘Truth’. They established hospices (Langar Khanas) where they would serve the needy people through the offerings from their personal expenses/property. It is reported about the parents of Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (R.A) that they would donate a part of their income to the Langar attached with the Darululoom of Baba Ismail Kubrvi (R.A.).To quote Dr Ishaq Khan, “…some of the abodes of the Rishis seem to have become self-sufficient institutions even during their lifetime.
The habitats of Baba Daud (Batmaoo sahib) and many others were self-sustaining institutions, thanks more to their active social roles than gifts and donations offered by the devotees for the maintenance of the public charity kitchen (Langar).There is no evidence to show that the revenue of the Ziyarats were expended by the immediate successors of the Rishis in rich living”.
Commenting on the situation in the later period, Dr Khan laments, “However, in later times, the charge of the Ziyarats assumed hereditary characteristics with one or more social or occupational groups and gradually the Ziyarats turned into breeding grounds for superstition and social exploitation…….it dealt a serious blow to their (Rishis) social role of rendering relief to the weaker sections of Kashmiri society. Since for barely four centuries the Rishis were much more than simply benefactors of the poor, it would be appropriate to evaluate the level of their social achievements in terms of the demands of the particular social, physical, environmental and in fact, political conditions of Kashmir during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.”
Shaikh Dawood(R.A.) would procure meals generally Wugra or a soft mixture of rice and milk in a big vessels and would keep it near his field. He would serve the meal to all those who passed by his field. It was because of this humble social service of doling out the food that he came to be known as Bata Mol or the paternal food giver and ‘Nourisher’. It may be added here that the 11th Hijra or 15th century A.D in Kashmir was a witness to many man-made or natural calamities like Earth quake, untimely rains, floods, massive fires, communal riots etc.
In such a conflict age the philanthropic activities of Shaikh Daud (RA)would have acquired all the more significance. Commoners particularly the destitute and the poor ones badly failed to earn their livelihood and could not have had something to eat. In such a situation the needy ones flocked to the hospices maintained by the Sufis and Saints to fill their bellies.
The Sufis are also known for making it sure that whatever they ate was procured from the Halal or permitted under the religious doctrines. They strived utmost to earn from their hands but if someone offered something to Baba Daud (R.A.) he would ensure that the offering had been earned through right means.
Baba Daud(R.A.), like many other Sufis and Rishis was severe in his condemnation of the contemporary Ulama. A person who was a Qari and an alim approached Baba Daud (R.A.) complaining of headache. The Sufi was as usual busy in his agricultural engagements. As he came out of his fields, he enquired of the patient. He recited surtaulShifa and with animating influence, the patient got recovery. But this malicious and arrogant minded scholar felt objected to the recitation of the Quran and remarked that the correct way to pronounce the Sura Shifa is like this. The saint, who heard patiently, replied that he would take back his recited verses of Quran and the scholar should get his illness back.
Sheikh Dawood (R.A) is said to have left for eternal abode in 1070 Hijra and was laid to rest at his ancestral abode and interestinly the entire locality came to be called Batmaloo after the name of this great Sufi.The celebration of the annual Urs of the saint is marked by enjoying dried vegetables, particularly turnip and avoiding lavish and expensive dishes. This tradition is continued till date as a mark of reverence forthis great Sufi who followed simplicity throughout his life. Let us endeavour to imbibe and follow the path of the Sufis and Rishis in all the spheres of life which is almost contrary to their teachings and life style.
