KD NEWS SERVICE
TUJAR SHARIEF, April 9: In a significant spiritual and legal development, the holy shrine of Hazrat Makhdoom Sahib’s ancestral lineage in Tujar Sharief has been officially declared spiritually independent and beyond the administrative control of any Central or State Waqaf Board. The shrine, constructed and managed by the registered Makhdoom Trust Private Awqaf, has reaffirmed its autonomous status, preserved through decades of spiritual resilience and legal recognition.
The announcement came from Khawaja Farooq Renzushah, Chief Patron of the Makhdoom Trust, who was formally informed by Mohammad Sultan Makhdoomi, the Sajada Nasheen (custodian) of the Tujar Sharief shrine. The declaration reiterates that the shrine, associated with the Renaissance Raina dynasty, is protected from external administrative interference due to its categorization as an “unspecified” waqf property—a classification that has legally shielded it from state or central takeover attempts.
Spiritual Autonomy Ensured Since 2004
Khawaja Renzushah, who also served as the chairman of the Trust, ensured in 2004 that the shrine remained in the “unspecified” category. This move proved crucial in maintaining its spiritual autonomy, especially during a period when other major shrines were being merged under the controversial 2004 Specified Waqaf Board, which many in the Sufi circles of Kashmir viewed with suspicion.
As per the Trust’s records, any attempt to take over the shrine would amount to contempt of court since it is legally registered as a private Awqaf. The foundation stones of Paeth Astaan and Boen Astaan—both considered among the holiest sites—were laid in presence of thousands of devotees. These Astaans house the graves of Hazrat Makhdoom Sahib’s parents and grandparents, including Hazrat Usmaan Raina, Bibi Mariyum Raina, Baba Ali Raina, and Baba Zeethi Raina.
Historical Resistance Against Interference
In a harrowing episode recorded in shrine history, gunmen once attacked the holy site to pressure the Trust into surrendering to the erstwhile Waqaf Board’s control. The violent incident left one devotee dead and three critically injured. Despite these threats, the shrine’s custodians, including the late Peer Mohammad Yaseen of Harwan, stood firm in defending its spiritual sanctity and legal autonomy.
The attempt to subsume the shrine under state-run Waqaf bodies is also seen by the Trust as a threat to the centuries-old Sufi traditions and Tasawwuf principles of Kashmir. The Waqaf Act of 2004, which was introduced on the alleged suggestion of Zakir Naik during his state-sponsored visit in 2003, came under sharp criticism from the Sufi community, who accused it of favoring radical and fund-driven elements over the region’s spiritual heritage.
Raina Dynasty’s Spiritual Legacy
The shrine is deeply linked with Kashmir’s spiritual and royal past. The Raina dynasty traces its lineage to Sultana Kota Rani and Sultan Sader-ud-Din’s son, Hyder Shah. Historical records highlight the profound contribution of the dynasty towards promoting spiritual renaissance, unity, and brotherhood in Kashmir. Hazrat Makhdoom Sahib, born in Tujar Sharief, later moved to Srinagar during a time of great crisis, where he played a pivotal role in reviving the Sufi doctrines of Hazrat Bulbul Shah and Amir-e-Kabir Shah Hamdan.
At present, the spiritual affairs of Paeth Astaan are managed by Mohammad Sultan Makhdoomi and Farooq Khan, while Boen Astaan is under the spiritual stewardship of Mohammad Amin Makhdoomi and Mohammad Ashraf Makhdoomi.
Larger Implications for Sufi Shrines
The declaration has far-reaching implications for other Sufi shrines that fall in the unspecified category, such as Aham Sharief of Bandipora. Renzushah noted that the new Central Waqaf Bill remains silent on the distinction between specified and unspecified waqf, raising concerns over selective control of spiritually significant shrines without broader policy clarity.
He expressed confidence that with this formal recognition of spiritual independence, Tujar Sharief will now remain untouched by any external administrative attempts unless broader policy changes address all unspecified Awqaf properties in Kashmir.
“This is a victory not just for the Makhdoom Trust but for every devotee who believes in the power of love, Tasawwuf, and spiritual heritage,” Renzushah remarked, reaffirming that the shrine will continue to function as a beacon of peace and unity for future generations.
