CIFIA GLOBAL JOURNAL VOL – 1 e-ISSN 2582-6859 Published 10 JUL 2020

BRIEF BIOGRAPHIES OF ISLAMIC SUFI SHUYOOKH OF

Ash Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri

Citation Format: Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri, “An Overview of Islamic Sufi Orders, CIFIA Global Journal, Vol 1, July 2020

ِص َرا َط ا َّل ِذي َن - Abstract Who are the people referred to as the path of those on whom You have ] أَ ْنعَ ْم َت عَ َليْ ِه ْم The lives of Islamic Sufi Shuyookh of Ihsan is a phenomenon awarded your bestowal] in the above verse? of Islamic virtue and simple living which shows about their struggles in teaching Muslims during lives. It is important that The Quran has replied to the question. people know the importance of Sufi Shuyookh in Muslim Society. We have provided in this article the brief biography َفأُو َلـئِ َك مع ا َّل ِذي َن أَ ْنعم َّللا ع َليْهم ِم َن ال َّنبي ي َن - It is in Quran ٰ َ َ َ َ َّ ُ َ ِ ِ ِ of 5 Shuyookh of Ihsan, Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani, Khwaja ُ These are] َوال ِ ص ِ دي ِقي َن َوالش َه َدا ِء َوال َّصا ِل ِحي َن ۚ َو َحسُ َن أو َل ٰـئِ َك َرفِي ًقا Moinuddin Chishtee, Shaikh Abul Hasan , Khwaja .the people upon whom Allah has bestowed favors رضئ ) Bahauddin Naqshband and Shaikh Umar Suharwardi They are among the prophets, truthful people, the .(ہللا تعالی عنہم Keywords: , Ihsan, Islamic Shuyookh, Sufi Shaikhs, martyrs, and the righteous, and what a majestic Qadri, Chisti, , Shadhili, Suharwardy . company are they?] (An-Nisa - 69) Introduction Who are the people who have been referred in and not the path] غَيْ ِر ا ْل َم ْغ ُضو ِب عَ َليْ ِه ْم َو َال ال َّضا ِ لي َن - verse is generally used to of those who are subjected to Your Wrath, and (اعظم) 'The Arabic word 'Azam describe 'the greatness / importance of a person the path of those who have gone astray]? Imam ,(وزىر االعظم) or group. Like Wazir al-Azam is 'to punish and (غَ َض ب ) The meanings of wrath غوث ) or Ghawth al-Azam (امام االعظم) al-Azam etc. impose penalty on the wrongdoers'. The ,(االعظم ,is 'those who are rebels (ا ْل َم ْغ ُضو ِب عَ َليْ ِه ْم ) meaning of Hadith is (ال َّضا ِ لي َن ) sinful and guilty'. The meaning of صلى ) There is an authentic of the Prophet َّ .'will never let 'disbelievers and ignorant people (عَز َو َج َّل ) saying, Allah (ہللا عليه و آله وسلم my Ummah agree upon misguidance and the is over the (most important) Among Muslims, there are some people who (عَ َّز َو َج َّل ) hand of Allah the follow different sects and their believes come) (سواد االعظم) 'group, so follow Sawad al-Azam most important group) and whoever dissents from under the purview of apostasy / polytheism / them departs to Hell’. (Tirmidhi 4/2167; Hakim hypocrisy / blasphemy, etc. These are faithless 1/116 – Ad-Dhahabi agreed with him) Muslims even though they recite Kalima Tayyiba verbally and claim themselves to be Muslims and The Quran identifies this group among Muslims. act upon certain Islamic deeds. ْ َ ْ َ َّ َ ْ رضئ ہللا تعالی ) It is in Hadith - Abu Said Al-Khudri اه ِدنَا ال ِ ص َراط ال ُم ْستَ ِقي َم - ِص َراط ال ِذي َن أنعَ ْم َت - It is in Quran َ ْ ْ َ (صلى ہللا عليه و آله وسلم) narrated - Allah’s Apostle (عنہ O Our Lord) Lead) ] عَليْ ِه ْم غَيْ ِر ال َمغ ُضو ِب عَليْ ِه ْم َو َال ال َّضا ِلي َن us (help us walk) on the straight path. The path said ‘there will appear some people among you (of Sahih Iman), of those on whom You have whose prayer will make you look down upon awarded Your bestowal; not the path of those yours, and whose fasting will make you look down who have been subjected to Your Wrath, and the upon yours, and they will recite Qur'an (in path of those who have gone astray.] (Al-Fatiha – melodious voices and memorize it) but Quran will 6-7) not go down their throats (they will misunderstand CIFIA GLOBAL JOURNAL VOL – 1 e-ISSN 2582-6859 Published 10 JUL 2020 and misinterpret the meanings of Quran and them and who teaches them the book and mislead people) and will go out of as the wisdom.] (Aal-e-Imraan - 164). arrow goes out of the bow. (Bukhari) The above Quranic verse testifies that the is, in addition (تزكية النفس) The above people are not part of Swad al-Azam purification of inner self to the teaching of Quran and . What is the .(سواد االعظم) purification of inner self? It is the attention of the أَ َال إ َّن أَو ِلي اء َّللاِ َال َخوف ع َليْهم و َال ُهم ي ْح َز ُنو َن - It is in Quran .(طا ِلب ۔ مري د) Shaikh towards the seeker ِ ْ َ َ َّ ْ َ ِ ْ َ ْ َ - ا َّل ِذي َن آ َم ُنوا َو َكا ُنوا يَتَّ ُقو َن - َل ُه ُم ا ْلبُ ْش َر ٰى فِي ا ْل َحيَاةِ ال د ْنيَا َوف ِي ا ْْل ِخ َرةِ ۚ Behold the friends Below, we have provided brief biographies of 5] َال تَبْ ِدي َل ِل َك ِل َما ِت ََّّللاِ ۚ َٰ ذ ِل َك ُه َو ا ْل َف ْو ُز ا ْلعَ ِظي ُم of Allah! On them shall come no fear, nor shall famous Sufi Shuyookh of Ihsan. they grieve. These are they, who have believed رضئ هللا تعالی ) in Allah and are mindful of Him (the feeling of Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani (عنه closeness of Allah) and (have consequently abstained from everything evil). To them tidings Shaikh Mohiuddin Abu Mohammad Abdul Qadir come (from Allah) of a happy life both in this world was (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) al-Jilani al-Ghawth al-Azam and in Hereafter. The word of Allah is never born in 470 AH (1077 AD). His lineage is known revoked. This is a great felicity] (Younus - 62-64). as Golden Chain, as both his parents were صلى هللا) descendants of the Apostle Mohammad ولي ) It is in Hadith - Whoever takes a of mine Shaikh's noble father, Abdullah Abu .(عليه و آله وسلم ,an enemy, I will wage a war on him (Bukhari (ہللا traced his ,(رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) part of the Hadith). Saleh Jangidost while ,(رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) descent to Imam Hassan رضئ) The emphasis on ‘Wali of mine’ in the above his revered mother, Umm al-Khayr Fatimah رضئ هللا) traced hers to Imam Hussain ,(هللا تعالی عنها Hadith shows that Awliya Allah (the people of It is reported that within a few years of .(تعالی عنه Ihsan) are the chosen ones. Surely, they are the his birth, his father died. He was looked after by .(سواد االعظم) group of Swad al-Azam his mother and his maternal grandfather. A few Awliya Allah are the people of Ihsan among years later, his maternal Grand Father also died. Muslims. Chiefs among them are the Sufi Shaikh spent his childhood in Na'if, the town of Shuyookh of Ihsan who teach people ‘the his birth in Jeelan. When he was about 5 years and help them walk (تزكية النفس) ’purification of self old, his mother enrolled him into a local Madrasa. on the right path of Islam. They teach people how He studied there for 5 years till he was 10 years to do Tauba (repentance), to follow the tenets of old. At the age of 18 (488 AH - 1095 AD) Shaikh Islam, Salah, Zakat, Fasting and Hajj. Then they took permission from his mother to move to ,epithets (ع َّز وج َّل ) teach them to do zikr of Allah’s Baghdad for higher studies. Baghdad was then َ َ َ Asma-e-Elahiyya daily under their supervision. the capital of Abbasid and the hub of They teach individual Murideen as per their knowledge in the Islamic world. This was also a capacity to learn and implement the intrinsic spirit period of political upheaval, when the crusaders of Islam. Every Sufi Shaikh has adopted certain were active in Palestine, Syria, and Turkey. ways to teach their Murideen. These ways are known as . They teach them about Islamic In Baghdad, the Shaikh studied under many Shuyook. After his formal education, Shaikh (تزكية النفس) Tauheed and cleanse their inner self from their Tawajjoh (attention). spent twenty-five years as a reclusive wanderer in the desert regions of Iraq where he hardly َل َق ْد م َّن ََّّللا ع َلى ا ْلم ْؤ ِمنِي َن إ ْذ بَع َث فِيهم رسُو ًال ِ م ْن - It is in Quran found anything to eat. After this extensive period َ ُ َ ُ ِ َ ِ ْ َ ,Certainly] أَن ُف ِسهم يَ ْت ُلو ع َليْهم آيَاتِ ِه ويُ َز ِ كيهم ويُع ِ لمهم ا ْل ِكتَاب وا ْل ِح ْكم َة .in the way of Allah, he returned to Baghdad ِ ْ َ ِ ْ َ ِ ْ َ َ ُ ُ ُ َ َ َ Allah has done a favor on the believers when He رضئ هللا تعالی) sent to them an Apostle from among them, who Shaikh Mubarak Ibn al-Mukharrimi was the Shaikh-e-Tariqat of Shaikh Abdul (عنه reads them the divine verses and who purifies CIFIA GLOBAL JOURNAL VOL – 1 e-ISSN 2582-6859 Published 10 JUL 2020

Looking at the received early education, first at home then at a .(رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Qadir extraordinary abilities of Ghousul Azam, he made local Madrasa where he learned Hadith, Fiqh and him In charge of his school located at Bab al-Azj. other subjects. He memorized Quran when he was nine years old. Shaikh was 50 years old when he started father died in (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) teaching at this school. Shaikh's teaching was Gharib Nawaz's effective and miraculous which resulted in 1150 AD, when he was 15 years old. His mother رضئ) swelling of students. Sayyeda Bibi Ummul-wara bint Syed Daud had already died by then. In 1151 the (هللا تعالی عنها The Madrasa became famous as 'Madrasa Tartars attacked Sistan and thousands of people Qadriyya' and Shaikh's followers and Murideen were killed. The destruction of the country and the were identified as followers of Tariqa . loss of his parents had a profound effect on .(رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Shaikh's lectures were attended by thousands of Gharib Nawaz people. The nobles, the rulers, scholars, and it is It is reported that one day when Gharib Nawaz reported that even Jinn were the regular listeners was watering the plants in his (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) of his sermons. He used to deliver public sermons (رحمة هللا عليه) orchard, Shaikh Ibrahim Qandozi did not (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) three times a week. In addition, every day in the entered. Gharib Nawaz morning he used to give lessons in Quranic know him but he gave him a lot of respect, exegesis, Prophetic traditions, theology, religious brought him a chair to sit and offered him fresh law and Sufism. After midday prayer he will رحمة هللا ) grapes of his orchard. Shaikh Qandozi advise and provide consultation to people who was moved by the respect and reception (عليه used to gather at the Madrasa. Before sunset, he accorded to him. He saw the spark and potential used to distribute food among the poor. It is He took out a .(رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) in Gharib Nawaz reported that his servants used to stand at the piece of bread from his bag and chewing a portion door asking passers-by if they were hungry, so رضئ هللا تعالی) of it, gave the rest to Gharib Nawaz to eat. When he ate the piece of bread, he (عنه .that they could share the Shaikh's table died underwent a spiritual transformation never (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani in 561 AH (1166 AD) at the age of 91 and was experienced before. He closed his eyes and sat buried inside his Madrasa. on the ground. When he opened his eyes, Shaikh .had already left (رحمة هللا عليه) Ibrahim Qandozi Shaikh wrote many books. His famous books are The meeting brought a profound change in He lost interest in .(رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) i) al-Ghunia li-Ṭālibī Ṭarī al-Ḥaq, (ii) al-Fatḥ al- Gharib Nawaz) Rabbānī wal-Faiḍ al-Raḥmānī, (iii) Futūḥ al- worldly things and sold all his inheritance and Ghaib, (iv) Jilā’ al-Khāṭir, (v) Sir al-Asrār, (vi) belongings and distributed the proceeds into the Malfuzaat, etc. While he authored many books, poor. In 1152 AD he left for Bukhara to seek some were compiled by his students who Islamic education. In Bukhara, he was taught by attended his lectures. numerous Ulema. He received Ijaza from Shaikh and Maulana (رحمة هللا عليه) Hissamuddin Bukhari رضئ هللا تعالی) Khwaja Moinuddin Chishtee Sharfuddin. From Bukhara, he went to Samarqand for higher studies. In 1156 he (عنه traveled to Baghdad in search of a Shaikh on رضئ) Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti Gharib Nawaz whose hands he can take baya. On his way, he was born in 530 AH (1136 AD) in (هللا تعالی عنه visited a place called 'Haroon' where he met Sanjar which was part of Sistan (Sijistan) who (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Khwaja Uthman Harooni comprised of present day Eastern Iran, was a very famous Shaikh at that time. He took Baluchistan and Southern Afghanistan. He was رضئ هللا تعالی) baya on the hand of Shaikh Uthman direct descendant of Khalifat-e-Rasulullah, Amir- and stayed in his company for the following (عنه رضئ هللا) ul-Momineen, Hadhrat Ali Ibn Ali Talib 20 years and traveled to many places along with from both mother's and father's side. He (تعالی عنه CIFIA GLOBAL JOURNAL VOL – 1 e-ISSN 2582-6859 Published 10 JUL 2020

was busy in (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) him, mostly on foot carrying his bedding and tiffin Gharib Nawaz on head. During these travels he had the Islamic propagation for a long time and had no opportunity to meet with many Shuyookh. time to marry and raise a family. However, in 1194, on the command of Prophet Mohammad Gharib Nawaz received Khilafa from his Shaikh he married and had three ,(صلى هللا عليه و آله وسلم) رحمة ) during his travel to Makka and Madina. After the Children, two sons; (i) Khwaja Fakhruddin Khilafa, his Shaikh parted from him. After parting and ,(رحمة هللا عليه) ii) Khwaja Husamuddin) ,(هللا عليه (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) with his Shaikh, Garib Nawaz .(رحمة هللا عليها) iii) a daughter Bibi Hafiza Jamal) continued his travels and met with people. He Later he married again and had a son Khwaja visited Makka and Madina again. During one of .from his second marriage (رحمة هللا عليه) Ziauddin his visits to Masjid-e-Nabawi, it is reported that he ,Gharib Nawaz died on Monday the 6th of Rajab صلى هللا ) was commanded by Prophet Mohammad to go to in Indian Subcontinent. 627 AH (May 21, 1230 CE) and he was buried in (عليه و آله وسلم Ajmer city. His is celebrated annually in the رضئ هللا) In 1191 CE Muinuddin Chishti month of Rajab. arrived in along with his 40 (تعالی عنه wrote many books (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Murideen and proceeded to via Fort Gharib Nawaz Shaadman, Multan, Lahore and Samana. At in Persian; like (i) Anis-ul-Arwah, (ii) Risala Lahore he stayed for 40 days at the Maqam of Maujudia, (iii) Kanj-ul-Israr, (iv) -ul-Israr, (v) also Afaaq-o-Anfas, (vi) Hadis-ul-Ma'arif, etc. He was ,(رحمة هللا عليه) Shaikh Abul Hassan Ali Hajveri known as Data Ganj Baksh. also a great Sufi poet. Compilation of his poetry in Persian is available in print. In 1192, Shahabuddin Ghouri attacked Rajput رضئ هللا تعالی) State of Delhi. The opposing armies met in the Shaikh Abul Hasan Shadhili (عنه famous battle of Tarain and Prithiviraj Chauhan was defeated and was killed. The State of (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Rajputana came under Muslim rule. Shaikh Abul Hasan Shadhili was born in Bani Yafrah village in the region of When Shahabuddin Ghouri came to know about in ,( تطوان) Ghumara (Western Rif), near Tétouan in (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) the presence of Gharib Nawaz northern Morocco, in 1196 CE (593 AH). He was Ajmer, he paid a visit to the Shaikh and requested direct descendant of Khalifat-e-Rasulullah, Amir- him to pray for his success. رضئ هللا ) ul-Momineen, Hadhrat Ali Ibn Ali Talib .from both mother's and father's side (تعالی عنه رضئ هللا) During his stay in Ajmer, Gharib Nawaz continued his visits to other places. It is (تعالی عنه He received education in his hometown and reported that he visited Baghdad in 1200 CE. He memorized Quran at an early age. Later visited Delhi twice during the reign of Sultan جامعة ) he studied at Al-Quaraouiyine university Shamsuddin Iltumish. He visited Delhi in 1214 CE of Fez, Morocco. It is reported that as a (القرويين again and stayed in the Khanqah of Khwaja young man, he was famous for his ability to It is .(رحمة هللا عليه) Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki engage in religious debates with scholars on fiqh reported that during his stay, he conferred a robe and other religious subjects. the ,(رحمة هللا عليه) to Shaikh Fariduddin Ganjshakar had taken baya (رضئ هللا تعالى عنه) Shaikh Shadhli رحمة ) Khalifa of Shaikh Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki on the hands of Shaikh Mohammed Ibn Harazem .(هللا عليه (d.1218) when he was studying at Quaraouiyine visited (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Shaikh Uthman Harooni was (رضئ هللا تعالى عنه) University. Shaikh Harazem Delhi around this time and stayed with Gharib his teacher at the University. He was instrumental for some time. Sheikh (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Nawaz in changing the orientation of Shaikh Shadhili the renowned Sufi Shaikh of ,(رحمة هللا عليه) Sa'di .(رضئ هللا تعالى عنه) Shiraz, also visited Delhi and had the privilege of meeting both the Shuyookh. CIFIA GLOBAL JOURNAL VOL – 1 e-ISSN 2582-6859 Published 10 JUL 2020

commandment came during peak summer (آله وسلم After completion of his studies at Quaraouiyine and it was difficult to travel in the desert under (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) University, Shaikh Shadhili traveled to the East that took him to Tunis, and scorching sun. He proceeded as per the Iraq, etc. He returned to Maghrib (Morocco) and command ignoring the heat of the desert. It is said was made (رضئ هللا تعالى عنه) found the Ghouse of that time Shaikh Mohammad that Shaikh Shadhili ,He Ghouse of his time during this travel. In Egypt .(رضئ هللا تعالى عنه) Abdul Salam Ibn Mashish he made Alexandria his abode where he رضئ) took baya on the hand of Shaikh Mashish spent established his residence and his Institution (رضئ هللا تعالى عنه) Shaikh Shadhili .(هللا تعالى عنه some time in the company of his Shaikh at his (zawiya) in a large building gifted to him by the abode on top of Mount Alam. Later his Shaikh Egyptian Ruler. He lived with his family on the asked him to go to Afriqiya (Tunis) to teach top floor; a floor was converted into a mosque people there. where he gave public sermons; and another floor was converted into a great Zawiyah for his After departing from Shaikh's abode, Shaikh disciples with cells for meditational retreat. ,traveled towards Tunis (رضئ هللا تعالى عنه) Shadhili and as directed by his Shaikh, stayed in Shadhila Soon, Shadhili order became very popular in village which was on the way at some distance Egypt, drawing into its ranks many court from Tunis. officials, religious scholars like Shaikh Izzuddin Ibn Abdus Salam (d. 1262), Shaikh al-

Mundhiri (d.1258), and people from different stay in (رضئ هللا تعالى عنه) Shaikh Shadhili's segments of society. Alexandria was a Shadhila village was the time of asceticism, distinguished city and a place of learning those seclusion and spiritual development during which days. Shaikh remained in Alexandria for the the depth of his self-denial was accompanied by following 12 years till his death in 1258. the manifestation of marvels (karamaat) that were witnessed by people. Some of these episodes It is reported that the Battle of Mansurah was were recorded by his Murid and companion fought during February 8-11, 1250, between Crusaders led by Louis IX, the King of France and .(رحمة هللا عليه) Shaikh Abu al-Habibi Egyptian's Ayyubid forces led by Emir Fakhruddin In Tunis, Shaikh Shadhili spent some time in the (رضئ هللا تعالى عنه) Yusuf. Shaikh Shadhili رضئ هللا تعالى) company of Shaikh Abu Sa'id al-Baji participated in this battle along with hundreds of Around 1243 CE, he began calling people to .(عنه his Murideen. The battle was won by the -He started giving sermons in al .( ز وج ل ع) Allah Egyptians and King Louis IX and many French Balat Mosque. His sermons were effective and generals were captured. soon people started gathering in great numbers. رضئ هللا) This news reached local ruler Sultan Abu During his stay in Egypt, Shaikh Shadhili did Hajj every year along with his (تعالى عنه Zakariyya. He was also impressed by Shaikh's lectures. It is reported that 40 people took baya Murideen. In 1258, Genghis Khan attacked in Baghdad and ransacked the city. That did not (رضئ هللا تعالى عنه) on the hand of Shaikh Shadhili the beginning that marked the beginning of deter the Shaikh from going for Hajj. He asked Shadhiliyya Sufi order. his Murideen to prepare for Hajj travel. This time he asked that a pickaxe, shovel, and a shroud to popularity in (رضئ هللا تعالى عنه) Shaikh Shadhili's be added to his baggage. As was his custom he Tunis had its implications as well as the scholars set out on the southern route, known as the spice of the city became envious and created a lot of route, overland to Damanhur, via Qahira (Cairo), trouble for him. up the Nile to Idfu desert in Upper Egypt. From there he would cross the Red Sea to reach رضئ) It is reported that in 1246, Shaikh Shadhili was commanded by Prophet Jeddah in Arabian Peninsula. From Jeddah he (هللا تعالى عنه to go to Egypt to would take the two-day camel ride to reach (صلى هللا عليه و آله وسلم) Mohammad .Makka al-Mukaramma صلى هللا عليه و ) guide people there. The Prophet's CIFIA GLOBAL JOURNAL VOL – 1 e-ISSN 2582-6859 Published 10 JUL 2020

رضئ) ,Soon after entering the desert, Aydhab, Shaikh When he was born, Shaikh as-Sammaasi who lived in their town, visited his ,(هللا تعالی عنه fell ill. Since it was a vast desert, they had no choice but to continue travel on camels. When house and made him Murid and declared him as (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) they reached 'Humaythira', a place deep into the his son. Khwaja Naqshband special ( ز و ج ل ع) desert, Shaikh's condition deteriorated. used to say, ‘it is Allah's Shaikh called his companions and advised them beneficence on me that I was honored as son and (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) ,to continue to act upon his teachings even when Murid by Shaikh as-Sammaasi he is not there among them. right after my birth’.

completed (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) In the evening, he appointed Shaikh Abul Abbas Khwaja Naqshband as successor. Then he his religious education and studied all Sharia (رحمة هللا عليه) al - Mursi called for a jar of water to be filled from the well sciences by the time he was 18 years old. at Humaythira. When he was told that water of the Probably he had memorized the holy Quran well was not safe to drink as it was salty, he asked during that time. After completion of his education, رضئ هللا) them to bring it anyway. When the water was he went back to Shaikh as-Sammaasi .again (تعالی عنه ,brought, he took some water into his mouth and spat back into the jar and asked to pour the remained in (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Khwaja Naqshband water back into the well. No sooner the jar water رضئ هللا) the Company of Shaikh as-Sammaasi was poured into the well, the water of the well for a few years. After the death of Shaikh (تعالی عنه became sweet and fresh. The well water was Khwaja ,(رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) as-Sammaasi enough for the entire caravan traveling with the moved to (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Naqshband Shaikh at that time. Later that night Shaikh Samarkhand. After some time, he went to passed away. He was buried in the middle of a Bukhara. In both the places he spent time in the vast desert at Humaythira. company of famous Shuyookh. In Bukhara he got married. When he was in Bukhara, he was given رضئ هللا تعالی) After the death of Shaikh Shadhili رضئ هللا) successive scholars, have written books Khilafah by Shaikh Azizan Ali Ramitani ,(عنه who was his Grand Shaikh in (تعالی عنه (about his deeds and sayings. These include, (i Hikam al Ataiyya (The book of Wisdom) (ii) Miftah Naqshbandi , died a few years earlier. received (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) al-Falah wa Misbah al-Arwah (the Key to Khwaja Naqshband Salvation); (iii) Kitab at-Tanwir fi Isqat al-Tadbir training from Khwaja Abdul Khaliq as well, who was (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) the Book of Illumination); (iv) Lataif al-Minan fi Ghujdawani) Manaqib Abul Abbas al-Mursi wa Shaikhihi Abul Grand Shaikh of his Silsila, died 200 years ago in Hassan Ash-Shadhili (the Subtle Blessings in the 575 AH (1180 CE). He mentioned about this Saintly Lives of Abul Abbas al-Mursi and his training to his Murideen. Shaikh Abul Hassan Shadhili); (v) 'Tayid al- al-Aliya wa Tashyid al-Tariqa Shadhiliya' A few months later Shaikh Syed Amir Kulal, the Khalifa and Successor of Shaikh as-Sammassi (The Sublime Truths of The Shadhili Path), etc. met Khwaja Naqshband and (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) -informed him that at the time of death, Shaikh as رضئ هللا) Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshband had advised him to (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Sammaasi (تعالی عنه take care of him. (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshband mentioned (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) was born in 718 AH (1318 CE) in a rural area Khwaja Naqshband called Qasr-e-Hinduvan, which was later several incidents that occurred when he was in He .(رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) renamed as Qasr-e-Arifan, located near Bukhara, the company of Shaikh Kulal Uzbekistan. He was direct descendant of said, when he was in the company of Shaikh he was often overwhelmed ,(رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Khalifat-e-Rasulullah, Amir-ul-Momineen, Kulal from with 'Jazb' (nearness to Allah) and used to (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Hadhrat Ali Ibn Ali Talib father's side. wander around secluded places. Shaikh Amir CIFIA GLOBAL JOURNAL VOL – 1 e-ISSN 2582-6859 Published 10 JUL 2020

died in 1363 when Khwaja Shaikh Abu al-Najib Abdul Qadir Suhrawardi (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Kulal founded the Suharwardiyya Sufi (رضئ ہللا تعالی عنہ) .was 35 years old (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Naqshband After his death he was in the company of order. After the death of his uncle in 1165 CE, for some Shaikh Umar Suharwardi became the successor (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Shaikh Arifuddin Karani time. Later he spent some time in the company of and head of his uncle’s Khanqah. He spent a lot Shaikh Kuthum. He spent 7 years in the company of time at this Khanqah in teaching the students. as well. Soon crowds started to gather which led him to (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) of Shaikh Khaleel Ghirani establish three more Khanqahs, (i) Ribat-e-Nasri, died on (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) Khwaja Naqshband (ii) Ribat-e-Bistami, and (iii) Ribat-e-Mamoonia, in Monday, 3rd Rabia I, 791 AH (March 3,1389 AD). nearby areas where students lodging, food and As per his instructions, he was buried in the education was provided by the Shaikh. Garden within his school. His grave is visited by thousands of Muslims every year. In view of his popularity, many people of the neighboring towns and nearby countries Many scholars have written books about his benefited. Once a Sufi wrote to him that he gave deeds and sayings. These include, (i) Awrad an- up working and feels inclined to a life of seclusion Naqshbandiyyah, (ii) Tanbih al - Ghafilin, (iii) and idleness. He wrote, ‘If I work, I start feeling Maslakul-Anwar, (iv) Hadiyyatus Salikan wa pride for my earnings. What should I do in these Tuhfatut Talibin, etc. circumstances’? The Shaikh replied, ‘work and Shaikh Shahabuddin Umar Suharwardi pray both and ask Allah for His forgiveness for .’your pride (رضئ هللا تعالی عنه) The Abbasid Caliph Al-Nasir used to respect the Shaikh Shahab al-Din Abu Hafs Umer Bin Shaikh and appointed him as Shaikh of Baghdad. Muhammad al-Bakari Al-Suhrawardi, al-Shafi'i, On various occasions he was appointed as the was born in ‘Suhraward’ town near Zanjan, Iran, ambassador of peace between Muslim rulers. in 1145 CE (539 AH). His lineage meets with from Ibn Khalikhan, a Muslim historian wrote that (رضئ ہللا تعالی عنہ) Hadhrat Abu Bakr Siddique his father’s side. ‘whatever contributions were received by his Khanqas, every penny was distributed among the It is reported that his parents did not have children poor and the needy. The Shaikh led a very simple for a long time. Gowth al-Azam Shaikh Abdul life. When he died, there was no money at his was very famous (رضئ ہللا تعالی عنہ) Qadir Jeelani home for his funeral’. in Baghdad those days. His mother went to his audience and requested him to pray Allah for a Shaikh Suharwardi wrote many books, including child. The shaikh prayed and told her that In Sha his magnum opus ‘Awarif al-Ma’arif’ (Bounties of Allah she will bear a very special son. the divine knowledge).

Shaikh Shahabuddin was initially taught at home. It is reported that in his last days, the Shaikh had Then he was admitted to a Madrasa in Baghdad become blind. He died in the month of Muharram, where he learnt the Quran, Ahadith, Fiqh and 1234 CE (632 AH). other Islamic subjects. Later, he came under the supervision of his uncle and Shaikh-e-Tareeqat, He was buried in ‘Vardia grave- yard. His shrine Abu al-Najib Abdul Qadir Suhrawardi (1097– is situated near Bab-e-Wustani. This tomb is one 1168). of the oldest in Vardia and is surrounded by other graves. In 1856 CE (1273 AH) Ismail Pasha, It is reported that he also had the opportunity to Governor of Shehroze built a tomb. In 1902 CE learn Islamic subjects under Shaikh Abdul Qadir (1320 AH) some parts of the tomb were .in 1162 CE (560 AH) as renovated (رضئ ہللا تعالی عنہ) Jeelani well. Conclusion CIFIA GLOBAL JOURNAL VOL – 1 e-ISSN 2582-6859 Published 10 JUL 2020

Some Muslim sects like Salafi’s, Ahle Hadith and 4. Al-Suhrawardi, F. Sobieroj, The Encyclopaedia of Islam, their likeminded groups do not accept the Vol. IX, ed. C.E. Bosworth, E. van Donzel, W.P. Heinrichs and G. Lecomte, (Brill, 1987), 778 importance of Sufi Shuyookh in Islam. They make fun of them and claim that the people who visit 5. John Renard, "Historical dictionary of Sufism ", Rowman & their graves for baraka are grave worshipers. Littlefield, 2005. pg xxviii. excerpt: "Abu 'n-Najib 'Abd al-Qahir as-Suhrawardi, Persian shaykh and author, and scholar who They are the Shuyookh of Sawad Al-Azam who thought Ahmad al-Ghazali, Najm al-Din Kubra and Abu Hafs are to be followed by all Muslims of the world. 'Umar as-Suhrawardi This article provides the importance of the Sufi 6. Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri, book titled Shaikh Abdul Shuyookh in Muslim Society as their lives provide Qadir Jeelani, https://sahihiman.com/books/read?b=1610623 an example of piety and virtue. People can learn from their teachings which helps them to walk on 7. Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri, book titled Khwaja Moinuddin Chishtee, https://sahihiman.com/books/read?b=7256445 the right path of Islam. 8. Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri, book titled Shaikh Abul References Hasan Shadhili, https://sahihiman.com/books/read?b=3659581 1. Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri, book titled ‘Sahih Iman vs Wrong Iman, https://sahihiman.com/books/read?b=3064235 9. Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri, book titled Shaikh Bahauddin Naqshband, https://sahihiman.com/books/read?b=2594003 2. Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri, book titled ‘Awliya Allah’, https://sahihiman.com/books/read?b=6385155 10. Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri, book titled ‘Iman, Islam, Ihsan, https://sahihiman.com/books/read?b=8846231 3. Shaikh Mir Asedullah Quadri, translated book book titled ‘Monotheism’, https://sahihiman.com/books/read?b=4292093