International Sufi Order

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Hazrat Khwaja Sayed Haafiz Shamsuddeen Turk t (died 718 AH/1318 CE)

The Holy Qur’aan says in the 49^th Sura, al-Hujurāt سُورة الْحُجُرَات (The Apartments) in verse 13:

On this basis it is said that the criteria for honour is ‘piety or righteousness’ (taqwa). So ‘piety or righteousness’ (taqwa) is a prerequisite for being honoured and the prerequisite for ‘piety or righteousness’ (taqwa) is knowledge (ilm) and deeds (amal).

Let me give you a verified (tehqiqi) translation of the verse under discussion. In Tafsir-e Kabir[1] (The Great Commentary), Tafsir Abu Saud[2], Ruh al-Ma'ani [3] this verse has been expounded with two meanings (tarjuma). One is called ‘ash’har’ and the other is called ‘az’har’. One, that is ‘very popular’ (ash’har) and the other being ‘on the basis of technicality’ (az’har), and thus acceptable. I have expounded the popular translation but allow me to expound the verse on the basis of technicality. With acknowledgement of Ulama being present, I would have to explain some grammatical rules to you for the benefit of the general listeners:

إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ عِندَ اللَّهِ أَتْقَاكُمْ

إِنَّ أَكْرَمَكُمْ if you ask Ulama as to what إِنَّ means they will tell you ‘Assimilated verb’ or  harfe-mushabba-bil fel . They will tell you it is a verb form wherein the first tells you the type and the second gives you the meaning. E.g., if I tell you:

So Zayd is mentioned first and then the action of standing. This means that the act of standing is emanating due to Zayd being there. Not that Zayd is there due to the action of standing. So:

This means that it is not due to taqwa that you receive ‘immeasurable gifts’(karamat); but due to ‘immeasurable gifts’(karamat) one attains taqwa. He who has the gift of fazl from Allah Y is the muttaqi.  Hazrath Ghaus al-Azam t was gifted with wilaayat and was born a wali. Thus he was born as a muttaqi. So deeds (a’maal) does not make one a muttaqi but the grace (fazl) of Allah Y   makes one a muttaqi.

Hazrath Abul Hassan Ali al-Kharqani[4] t didn’t attend Madrasah, yet he was the Ghaus of his time not through knowledge (ilm) but through the grace (fazl) of Allah Y . So the people of noble lineage (nasab) are recipients of Allah Y’s grace (fazl).

Hazrath Ali t reports that the Holy Prophet e said,

Ibn Majah (824/ 887)[6] included this hadith in his collection on the authority and narration of Abu Salt al-Harawi t who transmitted it on the authority of Sayyid Imam Ali bin Musa Raza t. the sanad or isnad (chain of transmission) which is Sayyid Imam Ali bin Musa Raza t who heard it from his father Sayyid Musa Kazim t, who heard it from his father Sayyid Imam Jaafar Saadiq t, who heard it from his father Sayyid Imam Muhammad al-Baqir t, who heard it from his father Sayyid Imam Zainul Aberdeen t, who heard it from his father Sayyid Imam Husayn t, who heard it from his father Sayyid Imam Ali ibn Abi Taalib t who heard it from the Holy Prophet Muhammad e. Abu Salf al-Harawi t who transmitted this Hadith to Imam ibn Majah, one of the prominent Imams of Hadith, whose collection is part of the Sihah Sittah (six most authentic books of hadith) states that if this sanad or isnad (chain of transmission), not the matan (text or subject matter), but the names of the Imams of the Household of the Holy Prophet e; the transmitters from Sayyid Imam Ali bin Musa Raza t to the Holy Prophet Muhammad e  is read and one blows his breath on an insane person then he will be instantly cured. If the name of the Ahle Bayt has such power, what power their beings must possess.

It is recorded in Hujjatullah alal Alimeen by Allama Yusuf Nibhani t[7] that Hazrath Bashar bin Muawia t had a problem and his father brought him to the Holy Court of the Holy Prophet Muhammad e. Someone whispered the reason for their coming into the blessed ear of the Holy Prophet e. The Holy Prophet e   then called for Hazrath Bashar t and rubbed his blessed hand over Hazrath Bashar t’s head. This was during the childhood of Hazrath Bashar t and whatever problem he had then was dispelled. Thereafter throughout the life of Hazrath Bashar t whenever somebody had an ailment they were brought to Hazrath Bashar t. He rubbed his hand on his head where the blessed hand of the Holy Prophet e   touched and rubbed it on the patient giving instant cure.  This is what is called spiritual transference via a Spiritual Chain (silsila). If somebody the Holy Prophet Muhammad e touches has such power oftransference; then what power must that being have who have his blessed genes and blood in them?

Hazrath Khwaja Shamsuddeen Turk t was a Hasani Sayed and according to ‘Firdaus al-Wajoob’ he was destined to be the only mureed and Khalifa of Saabir Paak due to his lineage. He was born in Turkey/Turkistan and like many of the great Mashaaikh he was a direct descendant of the Holy Prophet Muhammad e. Hazrath Khwaja Shamsuddeen t completed his early knowledge in Tafseer, Hadith and Fiqh in Turkey/Turkistan and thereafter, having the thirst for the spiritual knowledge he left his country at the age of 46, with 21 people and set out in search for a Kaamil Pir-o-Murshid (Spiritual Guide) travelling to the cities of Central Asia.  During his travel he met many Mashaa'ikh but his heart was not satisfied. Finally Hazrath Khwaja Shamsuddeen t arrived in the Indian subcontinent where he heard of the greatness of Hazrath Baba Fariduddin Ganje Shakar t and he desired to become his murid.  They arrived in Paak Patan on 12 Zil Hajj 658 AH.and went to Hazrath Baba Farid t requesting him to enrol them into the silsila.  Hazrath Baba Farid told them “Your share is not with me, it is important that you all so to my Makhdoom Alauddeen Saabir.  If Allah Y   wishes whoever’s share is with him shall receive it from him.  They all set out for Kalyar and arrived at the boundary of the 24mile radius where none could cross. Alimullah Abdaal arrived and requested all of them to continue reciting the name of Hazrath Saabir Paak t and took them across safely.  There they found Hazrath Saabir Paak t standing in a deep state of istighraaq[8].  They waited for a period of about 22days waiting for him to come into a normal state. In that time the 21 people who accompanied Khwaja Shamsuddeen lost their patience and left. He was left all alone and during that period he says that he was so awe stricken that he forgot to eat and sleep. 

When Hazrath Saabir Paak t regained consciousness he said “Shamsuddeen you were sent here by Hazrath Baba Farid t?” Khwaja Shamsuddeen replied, “The master is aware of everything, what is there for me to say.”

Hazrath Saabir Paak t  then said:

Hazrath Saabir Paak t then made him mureed and told him to stay for a period of 3days then return back to Hazrath Baba Farid t and remain in his service until Hazrath Baba Farid t makes wisaal. 

When he arrived back in Paak Patan Hazrath Baba Farid t asked him as to why he left the service of Hazrath Saabir Paak t? Khwaja Shamsuddeen replied that this was the order of Hazrath Saabir Paak t to serve him.  Hazrath Baba Farid t then said to him, “During the day, cut wood from the jungle and sell it as firewood to earn a living, spend the night in worship of Allah Y.”  Often he had nothing to sell and spent the day and nights hungry.  He served in this way for the next four years until the wisaal of Hazrath Baba Farid t. Hazrath Saabir Paak t was absorbed beyond description. He stood holding the branch of a goolar tree for 12 years waiting for the revelation of godly presence. The body dried up became thin, and immovable. Only eyes worked until at last he realized the Supreme Being. Baba Farid t's inner powers revealed to him Makhdoom Sabir t's state, so he asked his all disciples: "Who ever would go to Saabir and make him sit, I will gave him a gift." Khwaja Shamsuddeen t agreed to go there. Baba Farid directed him not to stand before Hazrath Saabir but serve him form behind his back.(As it would be dangerous to Khwaja Shamsuddeen). Khwaja Shamsuddeen t was a Qari, when he arrived in Kalyar he saw Hazrath Saabir Paak e in an absorbed state, motionless like a statue, and standing by holding the branch of a tree, and his eyes are up towards the sky. Khwaja Shamsuddeen stood behind him.  He then began reciting Qur’aan, when Hazrath Saabir Paak e regained consciousness he requested Khwaja Shamsuddeen t to sit and recite the Qur’aan. Khwaja Shamsuddeen said ‘how is it that this servant sits while the master stand’ after this Hazrath Saabir Paak e sat down for the first time in many year and Khwaja Shamsuddeen continued reciting the Qur’aan for him and also sang some Sufi song in his charming voice. After few moments, Hazrath Saabir came into his senses & said: "Shamsuddeen, sit down". Shamsuddeen replied: "How could a slave sit when his master is standing". Hazrath Saabir said: "Okay, also let me sit". Because he stood for so many years, so he was unable to sit. Khwaja Shamsuddeen helped him to lay down, and then he massaged Hazrath Saabir. Hazrath Saabir asked Khwaja Shamsuddeen, ‘How is my Shaykh’? Khwaja Shamsuddeen replied: "The Shaykh is well". When Khwaja Shamsuddeen reached back to Pak-Pattan, and told everything about Saabir to Baba Farid. Baba Farid asked him: "Did Saabir asked about me?" Shamsuddeen said: "Yes, he asked ‘How is my Shaykh’?" After listening to this Baba Farid became went into wajd, and said: "Today I've become a Shaykh". When Khwaja Shamsuddin t asked Baba Farid t to give him the gift as he promised; Baba Farid replied: "When you eventually go to Ali Ahmed Saabir, he will give you the gift".

When the preparations were being made for the burial of Hazrath Baba Farid t, an old woman called out to Khwaja Shamsuddeen to come with her and she handed him a piece of cloth.  Hazrath Khwaja Shamsuddeen t asked her as to why she handed him the piece of cloth.  She replied:

Hazrath Khwaja Shamsuddeen t returned to Kalyar Shareef on 12 Muharram 661 AH after the wisaal of Baba Saheb t on 5 Muharram 661 AH. Hazrath Saabir Paak t bestowed upon him the Khilafat and granted him the title, ‘Shahe Wilayat.’  Khwaja Nizamuddeen Aulia t was present on this occasion when Hazrath Saabir Paak twrote out the authorisation and appointment with his blessed hand. According to the author of Siyarul Aqtaab, besides being the Khalifa of Hazrath Saabir Paak t, he is also the Khalifa of his spiritual grandfather, Hazrath Khwaja Fariduddin Shakar Ganj t. Hazrath Saabir Paak t also revealed to him the Ism A’zam and instructed:

During the period that he stayed with Hazrath Saabir Paak t, Hazrath Saabir Paak t remained in an engrossed state, most of the time.  When adhaan used to be given by Hazrath Khwaja Shamsuddeen t, Hazrath Saabir Paak t used to regain his normal condition and say:

Khwaja Shamsuddeen was taught spiritually by Hazrath Saabir Paak t, without any words being uttered. 

Hazrath Saabir Paak e once said to Khwaja Shamsuddeen “O Shamsuddeen you are my son make dua to Allah Y   that my silsila will continue from you will spread and remain till Qiyaamat’. On 19 Muharram 684 AH, 23 years after being in his Shaykhs service Hazrath Saabir Paak t ordered Hazrath Khwaja Shamsuddeen t to dig a grave and to spend 6 years inside.  This Mujahadah or spiritual struggle and endeavour against the passions and downward-pulling tendencies of the lower self (nafs). Mujahadah is the ceaseless combat called the Greater Holy War (jihad al-Akbar). The war is fought with the divine weapons of the Remembrance of Allah (zikrullah). The mature ones of the Path, those who "know Allah Y” (aarifeen), say that Mujahadah is child's play! The real work of Men is Divine Knowledge (marifat).

This Mujahadah is called Habs e kabeer.  Hazrath Khwaja Shamsuddeen t said, “O my master I do not have any tools to dig a grave.”  Hazrath Saabir Paak t lifted his finger, and where the shadow of his finger fell, the ground split open.  He was then ordered to enter into it.  Alimullah Abdaal placed a glass of water and two pieces of bread and said to Khwaja Shamsuddeen t that during his mujahadah, if he feels thirsty, he must drink from the water, and if he feels hungry, he may eat the bread.  After 6 years had passed Hazrath Saabir Paak t ordered Alimullah, to go and call Hazrath Shamsuddeen t out of the grave.  Alimullah Abdaal called his name 7 times aloud   “Khwaja Shamsuddeen t says, “I thought it was Allah Y saying, (7^th, Sura, al-A‘rāf (the Heights): verse172)

‘أَلَسْتُ بِرَبِّكُمْ (‘Am I not your Lord?’) and I said قَالُواْ بَلَى (Why not! We bear witness), Alimullah Abdaal called his name 7 times again, and at that moment he thought it was the order to make sajdah, so he prostrated, Alimullah Abdaal called his name 7 times again and he thought it was the command of كُنْ.  Alimullah called his name 7 times again “I thought that I am being transported from the world of souls to Barzakh e Sughra,” Alimullah called out his name 7 times again, ‘I thought now man has been born’, his name was called out 7 times again. “I thought that somebody is calling someone, The name was called out 7 times again and Hazrath Shamsuddeen t opened his eyes, looked around and asked Alimullah Abdaal, “Who are you , and who is this Shamsuddeen that you are calling for, and for what reason?” Alimullah Abdaal got amazed and returned to Hazrath Saabir Paak t in a state of shock and reported the entire proceedings.  Hazrath Saabir Paak t then said to Alimullah Abdaal, “Go and call him in this manner  saying:

 He immediately responded to this command and was taken out of the grave.  Alimullah Abdaal says after 6 years, when Khwaja Shamsuddeen was taken out of the grave, only half a glass of water and half a piece of bread was consumed.

Hazrath Saabir taught him & after completing the teachings, Hazrath Saabir told him: "Now you go and join the army, whenever any miracle would occur by you, then be sure that it would be the day of my death, the 13 Rabi al-Awwal 690 AH". So Khwaja Shamsuddeen left, and joined the army of "Sultan Alauddeen Ghauri". After some time The Sultan headed a campaign to attack the state of Chanurgarh, he tried his best but was unable to conquer the fort of the state. So finally he became hopeless & went to Dervishes for seeking their spiritual help to be successful in his campaign. One Dervish told the Sultan that why is he looking for Dervishes here & there, there is one Dervish in his army, and if he would pray, then the Sultan can conquer the fort without wasting time. That Dervish also told the Sultan the signs of the Dervish, that tonight a strong tornado will strike the territory, all of the lamps will be extinguished, but only that Dervish's lamp will remain lighted.

At the midnight the tornado blew up all the lamps, and Khwaja Shamsuddeen's lamp remained lit, at that time he was reading the Holy Qur’aan. The Sultan came into his tent, and stood before him like a servant. Khwaja Shamsuddeen understood that something is wrong. Sultan asked him to pray for his success, so that the fort would be conquered, Khwaja Shamsuddeen replied: “I’m not a saint, I'm a normal person, and how can I do that?" But the Sultan insisted, so finally Khwaja Shamsuddeen agreed. but with some conditions that right now the Sultan should accept his resignation, and give him the salary right now, and he will pray after going three miles away from here. The Sultan agreed. So Khwaja Shamsuddeen prayed after leaving the place, and on the next morning the Sultan conquerred the fort. Khwaja Shamsuddeen remembered the saying of Hazrath Saabir that whenever any miracle would happen by him, it would be the day of death of Hazrath Saabir. So Khwaja Shamsuddeen went directly to Kalyar after praying for the Sultan's success.

When Shamsuddeen reached to Kalyar, he saw that Hazrath Saabir's blessed body is lying on the ground unhurt, and many wild animals and birds are standing around his dead body like his body guard. When Shamsuddeen reached near the dead body of Hazrath Saabir, all wild animals & birds left peacefully. Tajhiz-wa-Takfeen (washing the dead body & burying it) assisted by the souls of aulia. It is popularly known hoe Saabir Paak prformed his own Janaaza Salaat.

Hazrath Saabir Paak e ordered Khwaja Shamsuddeen t not to remain for more than 3days in Kalyar after his wisaal but he must go to Panipat. He followed this command to such a degree that he never returned to Kalyar.

When Khwaja Shamsuddeen t arrived in Panipat, he sent a full glass of milk to Hazrath Bu Ali Shah Qalandar t [9] and also sent his salaams. Hazrath Bu Ali Shah Qalandar t is that saint , whose hand was placed directly into the hand of Hazrath Ali t by Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki t, the spiritual Master of Baba Farid t. Hazrath Bu Ali Shah Qalandar t wrote the famous couplet in Farsi about Hazrath Ali t:

When Hazrath Bu Ali Shah Qalandar t received the milk he smiled and placed a rose on the full glass of milk and sent it back to Khwaja Shamsuddeen t who also smiled upon seeing that when he was asked the meaning of all this he replied:

Hazrath Saabir Paak t told Khwaja Shamsuddeen t that after his wisaal he will see him twice.                                                                                                                                            The first was after the janaza when he saw the face of the person who performed Hazrath Saabir Paak t’s janaza was none other then Hazrath Saabir Paak t himself. The power of that look was such that Khwaja Shamsuddeen fell to the ground unconscious disappeared and landed in a city called Firkhour in Turkistan about 2000 miles from Kalyar. The second time was when after Hazrath Jalaalud Deen Mahmud Umri Thanesri kabirul awliya t his murid and Khalifa completed a 6 month mujaheda of hubse kabeer. A mehfile sama was held in which Khwaja Shamsuddeen t was ushered into wajd. While in this state a person came to see him with a veil on his face but seeing him in that state left a message with congregation to tell him:

When this message was conveyed he became so sad saying, ‘my Murshid came to see me but I was unaware’. Since that day he repented from listening to sama and he commanded that sama should not be held at his grave. Also from that day he spoke to nobody besides Hazrath Jalaluddeen kabirul awliya. He remained in this state until his wisaal on the 10th Jamadul Akhir(718 AH/1318 CE).

It is reported that whenever anybody went to his mazaar accompanied by Hazrath Jalaluddeen kabirul awlia they found it looking like a beautiful full moon but when anybody went alone without him they used to find the mazaar in the form of a lion and could not stay there for a single moment.