Mubark Abdullah, popularly known as Abdullah Guzriyali (RA) was a revered sufi saints of Kashmir. No record of his birth year is available.
But as per the written sources this high ranked mystic was born in the middle of the 10th Hijri as per the Islamic lunar calendar, in a noble family at the Pargana Walur.
When we try to trace the geographical location of that particular Pargana, it includes areas of Sadrikut, Ajas Bandipora, Watlab, and Sopore. His father’s name was Shah Husain Baba Gazi.
He was a saintly person. Baba Abdullah received his earlier education under the guidance of his father. From his childhood he was more inclined towards sufism.
To learn the fibre of sufism he started his search for a spiritual teacher far and wide, and finally he met the towering mystic of his time namely Baba Naseeb Din Gazi )RA), took allegiance on his hand and deemed an honour to be his first disciple. Under the tutelage of Baba Naseeb ud Din Gazi he touched great spiritual heights.
He was a follower of Suhrawardi silsila of sufism. As we know the Suhrawardi silsila of sufism was brought to Kashmir by Syed Sharf-ud-Din Abdul Rehman Shah popularly known as Bulbul Shah, in 14th -century AD.
His resting place is in the lap of the oldest series of Himaliyan mountains at a village called Guzriyal in Kupwara district. This iconic mystic was more concerned towards social works. Historian Hassan mentions that his name was Mubarak Abdullah but he got popularity by other names like “Arif Billah “and “Mastana” Baba.
As per written sources he travelled far and wide like his spiritual mentor, spent twelve years at Pargana Lar in meditation. He was a multidimensional mystic who not only played a leading role in the propagation of Islam but also developed a number of human habitations, villages, built hundreds of Masjids, minor bridges/culverts, bathrooms, orchards, and Inns (Musafir Khanas).
He was also interested in plantations. One of the famous apricot orchards was planted by him at Cheer Koot in Lolab Kupwara. Apricot in Kashmiri language is called “cheer’, that is why this village is named as Cheerkoot. The description of those accomplishments is mentioned by Mohammad Din Fouq in his book “Shababi- Kashmir”. Another renowned historian Pir Ghulam Hassan Khouhami mentioned the same in his book “Tawriki Hassan”.
He preached brotherhood and simple living and used to engage his disciples in social works. He was always accompanied by hundreds of disciples. Travelled to Karnah, Iskardu, Dardistan, Kishtiwar, Nowshera Chalasoo, Akeel, Kaghan, Gadhee, Muzafarabad, and Lahore and preached the message of love, brotherhood, and harmony.
His parents persuaded him to marry a pious girl residing in the neighborhood. As soon as they started the process, he categorically refused to have this matrimonial bond. Instead, he suggested his parents to persuade his younger brother Shah Yousf to go for that marriage. He predicted that the marriage between those two noble souls would prove a blessing. Later, his prediction came true; the couple gave birth to a baby boy who adopted the same spiritual path and got famous by the name Hazrat Shah Musa. Impressed by his personal life and his contribution towards society the then Mughal emperor, Aurangzeb allotted him a large piece of land (Jageer) in Muzafarabad. Because he had no worldly yearning, he built a very beautiful Masjid there and donated the whole area to that Masjid.
Baba Musa, Baba Mahdi Suharwardi Kubrawi, Baba Qutbu-Ul-Alm Lal Shahab, Srinagar were a few of his prominent disciples who retained the legacy of the Murshid. It is worth mentioning here that one of his disciples was known by the name – Muzafar, who later established the habitation which is presently known as Muzafarabad.
As per the lunar calendar, he left for heavenly abode in the month of Muhramul Haram in 1117 A.H. His shrine is located within the premises of a cemetery known as Mazar-Shrife at a village called Guzriyal which is suited 25 Km away from the Kupwara town.
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