Aga Syed Yusuf Al-Moosavi Al-Safavi

Syed Yousuf Al-Moosavi Al-Safavi (1904 – 29 August 1982) (Urdu: آغا سید یوسف الموسوی الصفوی‎) was a Kashmiri religious scholar and leader of Shia Muslims. He founded the influential Anjuman-e-Sharie organization.[note 1]

Not to be confused with Aga Syed Mohammad Fazlullah.

Aga Syed Yusuf Al-Moosavi Al-Safavi
Other namesبوڈ آغا صوب
Personal
Born1904
Budgam, Kashmir, India
Died29 August 1982
Budgam, Kashmir, India
ReligionIslam, Shia
Other namesبوڈ آغا صوب
Senior posting
Based inBudgam
Period in office1960-1982
PredecessorAga Syed Ahmad Al-Moosavi Al-Safavi
SuccessorDisputed Succession of Aga Family
Aga Syed Mustafa Moosavi
Aga Syed Mohammad Fazlullah Moosavi
Aga Syed Mohammad Baqir Al-Moosavi Al-Najfi
PostCleric
Founder and Patron of Anjuman-e-Sharie Shiyan
Representative of Imam Rahil for Kashmir

Early life

Yousuf was born in Budgam in 1322 Hijri. He completed his education in Islamic law from Najaf in Iraq. He is a descendant of Mir Shamsuddin Araki, who came to Kashmir in the 13th century from the town of Araki in Iran. After the death of his elder brother Aga Syed Ahmed Almosavi, he took over the responsibilities of the Aga family. He established an educational institution for Islamic learning called Madras-e Babul Ilem ("gateway of knowledge") in Budgam. Madars-e Babul Ilem is the Alma mater of many in the Kashmir literary field.

It is the practice among Shias of Kashmir to go to their religious head (Mawlawi or Agas) for legal disputes instead of to government courts. Such Sharie Adalats ("religious courts") determine justice according to Islamic doctrine. During the period of Aga Yousef, Sharie Adalats became very popular. On a number of occasions the district court sent cases to Yousef's court. During the reign of Maharaja Gulab Singh, Pratab Singh, and Hari Singh, an article was included in the constitution of Kashmir which bestowed this Aga family with a unique honour. According to the article, if any one from the Aga family was required to give testimony in any case then he would not go to the court instead the court would come to his residence and record the testimony. No one from the Aga family should be summoned in the court. The law existed up to the period of Aga Syed Yousuf.

Career

Anjumane Sharie Shian

Aga Syed Yousef established Anjumane Sharie Shian in Jammu and Kashmir with both religious and political goals. Just as the government receives taxes from the general public, Anjuman Sharie Shian collects khums and fitr as alms from the Shia population to spend on social, educational and economic improvement for the poorer segment of the community. When Sheikh Abdullah's government passed the Land Reform Act, Aga Syed Yousef said the bill was against the doctrine of Shiaism, which resulted in the government exempting Shias from the bill.[2]

Other accomplishments

Yousuf undertook the construction of Imambara Budgam. He widened the Imambara Hassanabad, a smaller replica of the one in Budgam. Yousef also introduced the Shia nisab ("syllabus") at the University of Kashmir.

Personal life

Yousuf died on 29 August 1982. After his death, the district hospital of Budgam was named after him. Yousuf was buried in Budgam at the Aga Mehdi shrine. The shrine was constructed by Yousuf himself during his lifetime to honor Sarkar Aga Syed Mehdi, who was also Yousuf's grandfather.[3] His son was Aga Syed Mohammad Fazlullah who died on 29 January 2018 in Budgam.[4]

See also

References
  1. "Nayeri, Sheri (2006). "FOREIGN TERMS IN THE KITE RUNNER". faculty.mdc.edu. Miami Dade College. Archived from the original (Web page) on 30 January 2012. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
  2. Valley of Kashmir Book
  4. "Aga Syed Mohammad Fazalullah passed away at Budgam Kashmir. : wilayat Times". wilayattimes.com. Archived from the original on 8 February 2018. Retrieved 7 February 2018.

Notes
  1. Agha sahib, a term meaning "lord" or "commander", was used in reference to Kashmiri.)[1]
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