All About Sultan Bahu (R.A)

Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA), according to some sources, was born in the village of Shorkhote, in the Punjab province in the year 1039 AD, during the reign of
the great Mughal Emperor, Shah Jehan.

His Lineage:
Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) is from the progeny of Hazrat Ali (RA). Traditionally according to the law of the land he is a Hashmi and belongs to
the tribe of A'wan. Historically the A'wan tribe trace their descent to Ameer Shah, son of Qutub Shah, whose family lineage is traced back to to Hazrat Ali
(RA).
His Parents:
The father of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) was Hazrat Bazid Muhammad (RA), who was from the A'wan tribe. He was the titleholder and an office bearer in
the court of the Mughals. He was a pious and devout scholar and a strict follower of the Shariat. He married Hazrat Bibi Rasti (RA), who belonged to
the same social class of the same family.
Hazrat Bibi Rasti (RA) was a devout, pious and saintly wife. Her piety had a marked effect on her husband, so much so, that the love of Allah kindled in
his heart. This fire of love forced and compelled him to give up his government service, and he passed the rest of his life in the service of Allah.
He settled in Multan.
Hazrat Bibi Rasti (RA) joined her husband in Multan. In the meantime, as recognition of his services, the Mughal Emperor, Shah Jehan, conferred on
Hazrat Bazid Muhammad (RA), an estate in the vicinity of the small town of Shorkhote in the district of Jung, Punjab Province (Pakistan). Hazrat Bazid
Muhammad (RA) and Hazrat Bibi Rasti (RA) settled and thus spent the rest of their lives in Shorkhote.

Hazrat Bibi Rasti (RA) saw in a vision that soon she would be blessed with a child with inherent spiritual qualities, whose light of Faqr will benefit many
a seeker till the end of time. She was instructed to name the child "Ba Hu", meaning, "with Allah". This name most certainly suited the holy personality,
for he was truly drowned in the Love of Allah. Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA)'s name is unique and has no parallel. His very name reflects his holy spiritual
station, pure qualities and attributes.

Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA)'s early life:

Already as a child his saintly qualities became apparent. He too, like Sheikh
Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA), refused to drink his mother's milk from Sehri to
Iftaar during the month of Ramadaan. Despite showing inherent spiritual
qualities, his training responsibility fell in the lap of his mother, Ma Rasti
(RA). In his childhood and early years, she was responsible for both his
inward and outward training, colouring his personality in the Prophetic light.
In many of his writings Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) refers to his mothers piety
and spiritual station.

It is narrated that in the early years of his life, whenever Hazrat Sultan Bahu
(RA) ventured out of his house, he caused consternation and alarm because
whenever his blessed sight fell upon a non believer, the non believer would
involuntarily recite the Kalimah - Shahaadah (declaration of faith). The
townsfolk sent a delegation to the parents of the saint, requesting that a guard
or sentry be posted outside their house, so that whenever "little" Bahu would
venture outside a siren would be sounded so that the people would take
shelter from the penetrating gaze of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA). This trait in
his personality remained with him till the very end of his life.

Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) initiation:

Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) belonged to the Qadiri school of Sufis. His
initiation into the spiritual world was both esoteric and exoteric. He spent
thirty years searching for a perfect murshid, during this period he met many
spiritual guides and spent time with many of them, serving them in every
respect and receiving spiritual light and blessings from them. Esoterically
Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) was initiated by the Prophet (peace be upon him)
himself. He received instructions and spiritual guidance from the fountain
and was accepted as a child of light in the court of Hazrat Bibi Fatima (RA),
the lady of light and her husband Hazrat Ali (RA).
Exoterically Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA)'s mother directed him to seek spiritual
guidance from Hazrat Shah Habibullah Qadiri (RA). Hazrat Sultan Bahu
(RA)'s search took him to the east where he presented himself to Sheikh
Habibullah Qadiri (RA). After spending some time with Hazrat Sultan Bahu
(RA) and observing his spiritual status, Sheikh Habibullah Qadiri (RA)
exclaimed to him " what you are seeking is beyond me, go to my spiritual
master, Hazrat Pir Abdur - Rehman Delvi Qadiri (RA), he will guide you
towards the stages of higher knowledge". Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) thus
proceeded east toward Delhi. On meeting Hazrat Pir Abdur - Rehman Delvi
Qadiri (RA) his spiritual desires were fulfilled and he was initiated into the
Qaderi order.


Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA)'s family:

Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) had for wives and eight sons. His last son passed
away in hisinfancy. All his children were educated in institutions of learning.


Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA)'s as an author- his literary works.

Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) is acknowledged as one of the most prominent Sufi
poets of the Indo-Pak subcontinent. He is known to be the author of over 140
books in Persian and Arabic, dealing with a variety of religious and mystic
subjects.

The poems of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) are coloured with the consciousness of
Faqr and mystical learning. He is the leader amongst Punjabi Sufi poets.
People have been captivated by his words and his style of writing.

Miracles of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA).

Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) displayed a great number of miracles and these
have been recorded in many books. Below are just 2 of the more famous of his
miracles.
Mi Fatima mastoin (intoxicated)
Once Sultan sahib was traveling through Dera Ghazi Khan with few dervishes
and they came to a village near a town called Fatha Khan. The dervishes
decided to have something to eat and to rest for a while. They went to a
house of a di (wetmother) and asked her to cook them some food. She replied
that "my daughter is suffering from an eye infection and she is in great pain,
as you can see she doesn't stop crying". Sultan sahib told her not to worry and
that he would look after her. In the mean time the faqeers went to fetch some
woods for fire and the lady was making the dough. The little girl was in the
cradle and Sultan sahib was sitting by her and cast his glance towards her,
when she immediately became engaged in reciting the zikr of Allah. She had
stopped crying, when the mother didn't hear her baby crying she came
running to the cradle and said "oh old man, what have you done to my baby,
you haven't strangled or killed her, have you"? Sultan sahib said "I haven't
killed her but I have given her such a new life that she wouldn't need her
cradle rocked ever again. When the mother lifted the sheet from the baby's
face she saw something strange. Her baby's face was shining and her whole
body was echoing Allah hoo and she was in state of intoxication. The mother
was shocked and felt the effect of the sight, her heart too start chanting zikr.
She begged Sultan sahib for forgiveness for the remarks she made. The news
got around the village and who ever looked at her their heart would be
livened with the zikr. She was known as Mi Fatima mastoin (intoxicated).
Her shrine is famous as a living grave (term used for the mizars from where
one gets instantaneous response and guidance of true path of
Allah).(mokhzanal israr)
Encounter with Sher Shah Sahib
Sultan sahib was on another journey and was engaged in zikr in a forest.
There were some disciples of Sher Shah sahib collecting firewood. One of
them came near Sultan sahib and greeted him with salaam, Sultan sahib
looked at him and answered him back. That person's heart started performing
the zikr, he fell on the feet of Sultan sahib and started crying with joy of
continues internal zikr. The other colleague observed him crying and went
over to investigate. He also had a glance from Sultan sahib and his heart also
start performing zikr and he too started crying at the feet of Sultan sahib. The
third disciple observed the state of his companion's, he ran back to report the
matter to Sheer Shah sahib. When Shah sahib learned the fate of his two
disciples he came to the spot where Sultan sahib was engaged in zikr. In the
mean time Sultan sahib disguised his spirituality.
Sheer Shah sahib said to Sultan sahib "I don't know who you are, a magician
or some fake, I will report you to the court of Rasool Allah (blessing and
salutation be on him). Sultan sahib replied that we will meet there and
tomorrow we shell meet again. When Sheer Shah sahib entered the court of
Rasool Allah (blessing and salutation be on him) he was observing everyone
there but he was unable to visualize Sultan sahib. While he was looking for
Sultan sahib he saw a child emerging from the sleeve of Rasool Allah's
(blessing and salutation on him). Rasool Allah's (blessing and salutation on
him) kissed the child and passed over to the ehle-bait and companions (Allah
be pleased with them all) and further along to all those present in that
meeting, eventually the child came to Sheer Shah sahib and start playing with
his beard and pulled two hairs from it. Sheer Shah sahib didn't react due to
the respect and dignity of Rasool Allah's (blessing and salutation on him).
The child went back and disappeared in the sleeve of Rasool Allah's (blessing
and salutation on him). Next day Sheer Shah sahib came up to Sultan sahib
and said; "I told you that you are some an impostor, I didn't see you at the
court of Rasool Allah's (blessing and salutation on him) last night". Sultan
sahib replied "Shah sahib how many witnesses are acceptable in the Islamic
divine law". Shah sahib said;"two". Sultan sahib presented him with the two
hair of Shah sahib's beard and said to him that here are the witnesses. Shah
sahib was embarrassed and apologized for his out burst. He further requested
Sultan sahib to take him as a disciple and elevate him to further spiritual
levels. Sultan sahib granted him his wish and further told him that there are
some high level in the court of Rasool Allah's (blessing and salutation on
him) that all friends of Allah Almighty could not see them, that was the
reason you was unable to see me.(mokhzanal israr)

The primary focus of Sultan Bahu's teachings are what he termed
"Tassawure-isme-zaat" or Visualization of the Personal Name of God. He
invites people to practice this simple five minute excercise every day, and
without having to join the order, or to renounce whatever sect or religion you
follow, you will immediately, personally, begin to see the effect this will
bring inside you in a most unmistakeable and profound manner!

Hadrat Sultan Bahu is one of the most renowned sufi saints of the later
Mughal Period in the history of Indo Pakistan subcontinent. He is often
called Sultanul Arifin ( the Sultan of gnostics) in the Sufi circles. His
ancestors belonging to the tribe of Alvids called Awan and coming from
Arabia via Hirat ( Afghanistan ) had settled in the soon Sakesar Valley of
Khushab

The demise of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA)

The tomb of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA)

The teachings of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA)

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My Master has explained to me

My Master has explained to me

the reality living in the heart:

it is called Ismi-Azam, the Word of God 

it is the divine mystery.

The Word is the breath of our lives;

other than the Word nothing exists!

It brings life, it causes death;

in it lie all the secrets of God!

Hz Sultan Bahu (RA)

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The Saints are sent as a blessing and benefit for all mankind.

Allah (SWA) tells us in the Holy Qur'aan that His beloved Nabi Muhammad
Mustafa (SAW) has been sent into the world as a mercy for all mankind. Prophet
Muhammad (SAW) is the finest and most beloved creation of Allah (SWA), and
anyone who shows any bit of disrespect towards him, shows disrespect for Allah,
and in turn earns His wrath.
The holy Ahle-Bait and all Saints of all times, are certainly the true, devoted
servants of Allah, and are true examples of the Ummah of Muhammad (SAW). Just
as one earns Allah's wrath by disrespecting the Prophet, they similarly earn His
wrath by insulting the true followers of the Prophet. The Auliya Allah (Saints /
Friends of Allah) have been sent into this world to continue the teachings of the
true principles of Islam, and through them, Allah shows us His power and greatness
by means of miracles, mysticism and many other majestic ways. Anyone who
disbelieves in such miracles denies the greatness of Allah, which is clearly
polytheism, for the true servants of Allah perform miracles by His Divine command.
Prophets and Saints of all times, are leaders and guides sent to us by Allah (SWA)
and it is they who deserve the highest mode of respect, honour and dignity. The
best way is to follow their sacred examples in one's life, and of course to defend
their honour when they are insulted or rebuked.
There is an endless number of incidents that one can relate to concerning the
conversions of non-Muslims to Islam, just by looking at the exemplary behaviour and
miracles of the Saints.
I will relate a story which reveals the status of Hazrat Hasan Al-Basri (RA), who is
a great saint and the beloved disciple of Hazrat Ali Bin Abi Talib (RA). He
received the name "Hasan" at the hands of Hazrat Umar Al-Farooq (RA). Hazrat
Umar named him thus, upon seeing his immense beauty as a baby, and advised his
mother to keep the name Hasan, which signifies beauty.
The following story is incredibly meaningful, and will give one a good idea of how
important Allah's Friends are to Him.
There was a neighbour of Hazrat Hasan Al-Basri (RA) named Simeon. Throughout
his life, Simeon practiced fire-worshipping. Once, Simeon became extremely ill,
and was on his dying bed. Hasan Al-Basri went to visit him to check on his
well-being. As he spoke to Simeon, Hasan advised him to become a muslim while he
still had life and before it was too late. Simeon was worried at the fact that he
spent 70 years of his life worshipping fire, and needed to know if he would be
forgiven at converting only on his dying bed. Hasan assured him that he would be
forgiven. But Simeon was not convinced, and asked Hasan to give him a statement in
writing, assuring him that Allah would not punish him. Hasan agreed to this, and
gave Simeon such a statement. Upon receiving it, he became a muslim. Simeon told
Hasan to put the statement in his hand before he was buried, so he may go into his
grave with this assurance. When Simeon had passed away, Hasan did as he asked,
and after the funeral prayer had been performed, he went home pondering over
what he had done. He could not help thinking if he did the right thing by making
Simeon such a promise. That night, when Hasan went to sleep, he saw Simeon in a
dream. Simeon had a magnificent outfit donned, a crown on his head, and was
standing in a beautiful garden of Paradise, looking happier than ever. Hasan asked
him how he was. Simeon told him to look at his wonderful position, and that the
promise which Hasan had made had been fulfilled. Allah had forgiven him and given
him a high position in Jannah. He thanked Hasan and handed the statement back to
him, saying he was no longer in need of it. When Hasan woke up, he found the
statement in his hand where Simeon had placed it! Hasan had immediately
acknowledged the mercy and greatness of Allah, and cried: "Oh Allah, You have so
mercifully forgiven an infidel of 70 years because of a single utterance! One can
but imagine how You will forgive a believer of 70 years!" This shows us Allah's
endless favours upon His beloved friends, and how Simeon was blessed to accept
Islam at the hands of Saint Hasan Al-Basri (RA). From this example we can also
deduce that seeking help from Allah through the blessed Wasilah of Prophet
Muhammad (SAW), the Prophets and the Saints is absolutely beneficial. Would
people be ignorant and foolish enough to discard the opportunity of asking the
people most beloved to Allah (SWA) for Duaa? Unfortunately we see that such
people do exist.
Understanding the miracles of Allah through His blessed servants will strengthen
one's Imaan, courage and soul at large. The ones who understand the inner
dimensions of such mystical stories and take heed of their meanings are the ones
who are truly gifted, and may they attain high positions in Jannah. May Allah
guide us all to live and die with true Imaan. Aameen!

Written by: Shaazia Solly Joosub

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Accountability

There was a king who had a brother whom he loved very dearly. When the king’s brother died,
the king was very worried and concerned with what was going to happen to his brother once
he was buried. So the king advertised for a person to go down with the body of his brother to
see how his brother would be once the body was buried. Nobody was prepared to do this, even
though the king promised a purse of 10 gold coins. At this time a very poor man had just come
into the city and he had heard about the king’s offer. This man was very poor, he had no
possessions, just a small bag with some clothes inside. He thought to himself, what have I got
to loose, let me take up the kings offer so I could live a decent life with the money I would
earn. So he accepted the offer. He was put into the grave with the king’s brother and he was
provided with food, water and air. He was given a lamp too, so he could see in the dark. After
the burial, when the two angels came into the grave, upon seeing this poor man, the angels
said “who is this person? We were only commanded to interrogate the deceased person, but
since he is here let us start with him” After a while the poor person gave a signal to be pulled
out of the grave. Once he got out the king was waiting for him, “well. Said the king, how did
it go?” The poor man said to the king “The angels interrogated me so harshly for this small
bag of mine, with negligible content that I became scared and full of worry. I don’t know
about your brother, but you can keep your gold coins, if I was interrogated in this way, I
fear how you will be dealt with all your possessions, when you die and enter your grave”.
The moral of the story is that we have to account for all that we have acquired in this
temporary world, so let us try and live a simple life, may Allah help us. 

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Serving Humanity

One day, a few years ago, my respected Sheikh, Saeed Ali let me read a letter he wrote to a fellow 
murid brother. The letter touched me greatly. Although I do not have a copy of that letter, the 
contents of the letter made a marked impression on me and I up to this day remember the contents, 
and will Allah willing I will relate them;
“Take the example of a tree, a tree bears fruit, it gives shade and acts as a barrier. Mankind 
benefits from the fruit and the shade, but does the tree eat its own fruit? Does it benefit from its 
own shade? No. It just serves and provides humankind but does not benefit itself. So we should 
become like the tree, by caring and doing for others, selfless service to human beings.
Take the example of water, people wash and cleanse themselves with water, we drink water to 
quench our thirst. Ships ride on water, we benefit from using water, in fact we cannot live without 
water, but does water benefit from its own properties?, no. So we must become like water, serving 
mankind and animals, again this is selfless service to humanity.”
I once mentioned this to a Turkish friend of mine, this had made an impression on him too. After a 
few days he called me and had added another aspect in our discussion. He said “we should study a 
burning candle, a candle “burns” and destroys itself by giving light to others. So we should become 
like a candle, even if we cause ourselves pain by benefiting others, that too is selfless service to 
humanity”.

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Repayment

This story was mailed to me by a friend. It is an interesting
story:

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art.
They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to
Raphael. They would often sit together and admire the great
works of art.
When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He
was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another
soldier. The father was notified and grieved deeply for his
only son.
About a month later, just before eedil -kareem, there was a
knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large
package in his hands.
He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for
whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and
he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the
heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and
your love for art." The young man held out this package. "I
know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think
your son would have wanted you to have this."
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son,
painted by the young man. He stared in awe at the way the
soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting.
The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled
up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay
him for the picture. "Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your
son did for me. It's a gift."
The father hung the portrait over his mantle. Every time
visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of
his son before he showed them any of the other great works he
had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great
auction of his paintings Many influential people gathered,
excited over seeing the great paintings and having an
opportunity to purchase one for their collection.
On the platform sat the painting of the son. The auctioneer
pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture
of the son. Who will bid for this picture?"
There was silence.
Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see
the famous paintings! Skip this one."
But the auctioneer persisted. "Will somebody bid for this
painting. Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"
Another voice angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting.
We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with
the real bids!"
But still the auctioneer continued. "The son! The son! Who'll
take the son?"
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was
the longtime gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10
for the painting." Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
"We have $10, who will bid $20?"
"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters.."
"$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"
The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture
of the son.
They wanted the more worthy investments for their
collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD
for $10!"
A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on
with the collection!"
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is
over."
"What about the paintings?"
"I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was
told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to
reveal that stipulation until this time. Only the painting of the
son would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would
inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.
The man who took the son gets everything!"
Allah gave His Quran hundred of years ago to guide us. Much
like the auctioneer, His message today is: "The Quran, the
Quran,who'll take the Quran?"
Because, you see, whoever takes the Quran gets everything

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Articles

These are some interesting anectodes/stories 

from the saints and sages of Islam. Some arefrom 

what I have read in books, others from what I 

have heard from the pious servants of Allah.

Steadfastness.

There is this story about a man who was on his way for the
Fijr salaah at a nearby masjid. On his way he slipped and fell,
he got up and decided to walk back to his house so he could
change his clothes, make fresh wudhu and return to the
mosque. So he went home, changed and returned walking to
the masjid. At the very same spot where he had fallen the first
time, he again slipped and fell. He got up and decided to
return home a second time to change his clothes and make
fresh wudhu. On his way back to the masjid at the very same
place where he had twice fallen there was a stranger standing
with a lamp. The stranger directed the man with the lamp and
walked with him to the masjid. When the man entered the
masjid he asked the stranger to come in for the salaah, the
stranger refused to come into the masjid. The man pleaded
with the stranger to come into the masjid but he refused,
after a long argument the stranger told the man that he could
not come to pray, and said "I am satan/iblis, I am the one that
caused you to fall, and when you returned home and made your
way back to the masjid, Allah forgave all your sins. When you
returned back the second time, Allah forgave all your family's
sins. I was scared that if I made you fall a third time, and you
return back to the masjid, Allah would have forgiven the sins
of all the people in your village, so I decided to rather help
you and take you to the masjid." Thus we do not comprehend
the mercy of Allah, surely Allah is all forgiving and most
merciful. We must also understand the importance of being
steadfast and performing the fijr salaah in jamaat in the
masjid.

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VISUALIZATION OF GOD

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