TRIBUTE: Ghulam Ahmad Najar – An Inspiring Mystic Sufi Saint & Poet of Lolab

Gh Ahmad Najar popularly known as (Amm- Sabe-i-Chaan) was a man of tradition with a modern outlook. The distinguished poet and preacher was born on 3rd February 1954 at the remote village Najar Mohalla TekiporaTekipora Lolab. He has received his basic education from his native village. He is unarguably a great poet who has a wide range of Sufism knowledge and is a versatile figure in the valley. His father Gh Mohammed Najar who was himself profoundly inclined towards Sufism since childhood.His father was endowed with great spirituality and piousness.Gh Ahmad Najar did his matriculation in the nearby school, later he was educated by divinity. During his adulthood he used to listen and was interested to learn about Sufism.He was carpenter by profession and side by side he has passion for Kashmiri poetry, Sufism and written most beautiful, thought provoking couplets which made him popular in Lolab valley. Like other poets Aam Chaan perceives this world as transitory. Birds-eye view on Aam Chaan poetry goes like this:

“Shaar Vinn Lolabi Amm Chanan; Boaz Vinn Vaar Booz Sunkaraan
Painov Adepek Unham Gyulur; Kaafar Ban’nas Govas Majboor
Mastaan Mass Chett Govmutcheylay, Kas Bhave Andrim Haal…”
He has many Sufism books to his credit, but notably his book “Jaam-i-Arifayan” is the most comprehensive collection. People highly revered and loved him.His poetry has a great impact on the minds and hearts of the people.He is very much gentle, God-fearing and above all a good human being. His poetry is so impressive, once you read it you cannot leave before remembering. His poetry is deeply spiritual. In his couplets he stressed on honesty, dedication that one must deal with.He is the cherished disciple of Lal sb Argami Bandipora who is most revered sufi saint of Kashmir.He life was greatly influenced by Lala saheb Aragami.Aam chhan the mystic poet and saint always look for needy and never showed any kind of intoleration, and arrogance. He is endowed with divinity and spirituality. Born in a small hamlet 25 kilometers away from city Kupwara.

Gh Ahmad Najar popularly known as Aam Chaan has been serving the poor and destitute in many ways. Every Sunday the desirous people go through his residence at tekipora to seek divine blessings and solution to their miseries. He has a good number of disciples across the valley. If the spiritual get -together he serves the meals as well. People across the valley loved and respected him. These sufi saints have left  deep moral and spiritual influence on our lives.
Gh Ahmad Chaan sufi poetry purely highlights his poetic craft and greatness of his thought. His small pamphlets of sufi poetry have found a good place in various school libraries. Many times I used to visit his house and I always find his voice and attitude very soft and simple. It looks that he never irritates, argues or contradicts, but always stressed to do the good deeds.Gh Ahmad Najar id doing selfless service to the poor and sick and the needy without thought of reward or fame.Inclination towards sufism became the centre of attraction to Gh Ahmad Najar.
Lolab the hidden gem nestled in the pristine landscape of Kashmir. Lolab the fertile land as it produced many intellectuals, Poets, scholars, Ulmas and above all the mystic sufi saints and many more. Among these the notable is Gh Ahmad Najar(Aam Chaan) whose poetry has greatly influenced throughout the valley and has many disciples to his credit. His sincerity, piousness, honesty, modesty, simple living and high thinking stands a concrete example which made him popular in the remote area of Tekipora. Sufism actually is a path of spiritual advancement and an expansion of consciousness leading to awareness of self and universe.
Gh Ahmad Najars poetry is unparalleled as it provokes one’s conscience and appeals to unwavering honesty, simplicity and unflinching commitment. Like other sufi poets his poetry is a deep reflection of local culture and that is why he used his own kashmiri language to convey his message to those who are in deep slumber. May the shadow of such great poets remain as they are our invaluable assets who promote our essence through the vision of kashmiri language. May you live long!
The writer, a teacher by profession, teaches at BHS Diver Lolab Kupwara. He can be reached at farhaanqysar@gmail.com