Shaykh Yaqub Sarfi Muhaddis Kashmiri (1521–1595), also known as Aishan Sahab was a Kashmiri Muhaddith, Mufassir, Alim, Faqih, Poet, Author and Shaykh of the Kubrawi Hamadani order. Shaykh Yaqub belonged to Asmi clan which traces its lineage to Asim ibn Umar, the son of Umar.
Life and Career Yaqub Sarfi was born in Srinagar to Mir Hassan Asmi, who was also a scholar. At the age of seven, Yaqub memorized Quran and started composing its verses in Persian. At nineteen he completed his education under Mawlana Bashir and Mawlana Aini, and later became student of Maulana Abdul Rehman Jami, an Iranian Sufi and poet. Jami gave him the title "Jami-as-Sani" (second Jami), when he got impressed by intelligence of young Sarfi. He then travelled to Central Asia where he received spiritual guidance under Kamal ud din Khawarizmi. They both went for pilgrimage to Mecca where Yaqub became student of Ibn Hajar, and sharpened his knowledge of Quran and Hadith.
Shaykh Yaqub was the leader of resistance against Chak dynasty rule. The resistance was initially led by Hamza Makhdoom, but after his death the movement was carried on by Yaqub Sarfi. When Qazi Musa the Sunni Jurist of Kashmir was killed by Yaqub Shah Chak, Yaqub Sarfi along with his cousin Baba Dawood Khaki and Khawaja Tahir Rafiq went to the court of Emperor Akbar to seek help against Chaks. Akbar agreed to their request and sent a huge army to Kashmir which defeated Yaqub Shah Chak in 1586 A.D
Yaqub Sarfi is considered great scholar of his era. Abul Fazl considers him greatest authority on religious matters. Mohsin Fani describes Yaqub as a great scholar and teacher who taught thousands of students such as Ahmad Sirhindi and ʽAbd al-Qadir Badayuni
Works Sharh-i-Bukhari, a Persian commentary of Sahih al-Bukhari Matlabul Talibin-fi-Tafsir-i-Kalam-i-Rab-ul-Almin (commentary of Quran) Diwan-e-Sarfi Manasik Ul Hajj (rules and regulations of pilgrimage in Arabic) Risala i Zikriya (importance of zikr) Sawati-Ul-ilham Kunz Al Jawahir Risala e Azkar The Masnavis: Maghaz-u-nabi Maslakhul Akhyar Makamatil Murshid Wamiq Azra Death Shaykh Yaqub passed away on 08 Dhul Qadah 1003 AH/1595 A.D. ʽAbd al-Qadir Badayuni paid warm tribute on his death describing him as the greatest scholar of the world.
See also Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani
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