Hazrat Syed Hameed, son of Hazrat Syed Abdullah had presented the holy relic, along with its devoted caretaker Maidanish, to a renowned Kashmiri businessman, Khwaja Noor-ud-Din Ashawari (RA), who had been entrusted with its safekeeping.
While on his way to his homeland, Kashmir, with the holy relic and its caretaker, Maidanish, Khwaja Noor-ud-Din Ashawari (RA) was arrested in Lahore in 1692 A.D. based on secret intelligence provided by spies. The sacred relic, along with Maidanish, was then taken to Delhi and presented before Emperor Aurangzeb. Out of reverence, the Emperor placed the relic in the shrine of Hazrat Khwaja Syed Moin-ud-Din Chishti (RA) in Ajmer Sharif.
However, the relic remained there for only nine days before Emperor Aurangzeb saw Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in a dream, instructing him to send the relic to Kashmir. Obeying the divine directive, the Emperor immediately arranged for Maidanish to transport the sacred relic to its destined place.
On his journey to Kashmir, Maidanish received the sorrowful news of Khwaja Noor-ud-Din Ashawari’s (RA) passing in Lahore. Undeterred, he took both the holy relic and the mortal remains of Khwaja Noor-ud-Din Ashawari (RA) and continued his journey, finally reaching Kashmir Valley via the Mughal Road.
When news of the arrival of the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) reached Kashmir, Hazrat Sheikh Mohammad Radhu Chishti (RA), a revered spiritual figure of his time, was chosen by the people to lead a delegation of Sufis, Ulema, and devoted followers to welcome and receive the sacred relic at Hirpora, Shopian. In an act of profound devotion, he walked barefoot to receive the holy relic, which had arrived in Kashmir from Lahore via the Mughal Road.
Initially, the relic was placed in the shrine of Hazrat Naqshband Sahib (RA) at Khwaja Bazar, Srinagar. When Hazrat Sheikh Mohammad Radhu Chishti (RA) exhibited the relic to the public, an overwhelming crowd gathered, and in the ensuing rush, a tragic stampede occurred, resulting in the loss of several lives. Following this incident, the sacred relic was relocated to Hazratbal, where it remains enshrined to this day.
After the passing of Hazrat Sheikh Mohammad Radhu Chishti (RA), the responsibility of safeguarding and displaying the relic was entrusted to the Banday family. This family was linked to Khwaja Noor-ud-Din Ashawari (RA) through his son-in-law, Jinab Balaqi Banday. Since then, the descendants of the Banday family have continued to carry out this sacred duty, displaying the relic to the public during special occasions and Urs days.
The final resting place of Hazrat Sheikh Mohammad Radhu Chishti (RA) is at the Chishtia Shrine in Chishti Kocha, Fateh Kadal, Srinagar, where devotees continue to pay their respects and seek spiritual blessings. Every year, on the 6th of Rajab, a sacred gathering of Khatmāt al-Muʿazzamāt is held at the shrine with great devotion and respect.
Syed Majid Gilani is a writer and can be reached at syedmajid6676@gmail.com.
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