Birth
Chroniclers are not unanimous as to this place of birth. Some say he was born at
Kahotwal whereas others believe it to be Harat however, his date of Birth is 19
Rabi-Ul-Anwal 592 Hijri.
Parentage
He was Syed from parents. His father was. Syed Abul Rahim, was the grand son of
Hazrat Ghaus-ul-Azam Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani and mother, Jamila Khatun,
the elder sister of Baba Farid?
Early Education
His studies started at home; learnt the Quran and some lessons on Arabic and
Persian from his father. The mother took special care in his moral and spiritual
up bringing. After initial studies at home, he repaired to the care of his maternal
uncle. Baba Farid, at Pak pattan.
Higher Studies
According to the Gulzar-e-Sabri, he reached Pak pattan in 601 Hijri with his
mother and Abu Qasim 'Gurgani' 'In a craven after having traveled an arduous
journey of eleven days. He was nine at the time. There he learnt the Arabic and
Persian to a certain higher standard, acquired expertise in Analysis and
Parsing, and completed the six or seven-year syllabus in a short period of two
years. His mother left him in the care of his brother and returned to Harat. She,
however, said to her brother on the departure, "My son is extremely shy and quiet;
would never say or demand anything. Take care of his food." Baba Farid
promised.
Appointed to distribute food
Thinking that lest Hazrat Makhdoom should feel shy or cautious, remain hungry
sometimes, or that he should get food without asking entrusted him the duty of
the distribution of food to the people. This was also to train him mentally and
practically. He joy-fully accepted the appointment, distributed food two times a
day, in between engaged in prayers, but after the evening prayers he attended to
the discourses of Baba Farid.
He dispensed with his duties well; did not partake a single morsel form the
langar, kept fasts, and when had nothing to break them in the evenings, would
go to the jungle and ate wild berries and fruits.
Title of the Sabir
He did his duties for 12 years. Frequent and continuous fasting made him weak.
When his mother came and saw him, she complained to his brother of her son's
weakness and alleged that he had kept him hungry.
Baba Farid replied, "I appointed him the administration of the langar" Then
said to him, "why did you not eat from it?" Hazrat Makhdoom replied, "you
ordered me to distribute the food and not to partake from it." His reply surprised
all. Baba Farid remarked. "He is Sabir (patient). God has not created him to eat."
Later the word became a part of his name.
Prayers and Meditation
He continuously prayed and his abolition was never disrupted. Continuous
fasting made him weak and famished.
Obedience
Tazkaratul Aulia-Hind mentions that Baba Farid, his maternal uncle, admitted
him to the Order and sought his pledge of obedience in 623 Hijri.
His Marriage
The story of his marriage is very interesting. After a long time his mother came
from Harat and requested her brother to marry his daughter to her son. Baba
Farid replied, "He has nothing to do with marriage. He is lost in meditation and
awe- some ness." The sister said. "This is an excuse since he is an orphan, you
decline the request." Baba Farid, upon this, married away his daughter, Khadija,
to him. During the night when the bride entered the room, she found him lost in
prayers. When finished, he asked who she was. She replied, "your wife!"
Hazrat Makhdoom said. "How can he accommodate two in my heart? I have
already it to one." As he uttered the words a fire burned the bride to ashes.
At Kalyari
When attained the outer as well as spiritual knowledge his
Teachers, Baba Farid, led him out of his room one day and made him sit in an
open place. Hazrat Nizam Uddin who was not bestowed upon the rank of the
spiritual heir attended the ceremony. Baba Farid put a green turban on his head
and taught him the secret ism-e-azam drawn in the Order by word of mouth,
and asked him to select a place to serve Him as a center for the movement of the
spread of Islam. He preferred Delhi. Baba further gave him role of the heir and
wrote the letter of sainthood in his own hand and instructed him to show it
Sheikh Jamal Uddin resident of Hansi and the bearer of Baba Farid's stamp.
Accordingly Makhdoom Sabir presented himself to Sheikh Jamal Uddin. Both
disagreed each other. As a result he was denied Delhi and so moved to Kalahari.
The theologians of Kalahari were unaware of his rank among the mystics and
started opposing him and treated his followers badly. Once he along with his
followers went to say the Junia prayer to the Jama Majid and sat in the front row.
Thereafter came the theologians and told him to vacate the place, as it was not
suitable for him. His followers refused to move away. The theologians turned
violent. Hazrat Sabir raised his head and said that the saint was only entitled to
sit there. They demanded proof of his being the saint. He replied the proof was
there. They would all die and the city is ruined completely. Saying this he went
out of the mosque. The building of the mosque not only collapsed and killed all
under it but also a disease struck the city and destroyed it completely.
The Prayer and Meditation
He stayed on a mound near the ruins of the Kalahari and used to say that
loneliness was better than habitation. He was taciturn by nature and engaged
himself whole heartily in prayer and meditation. His awe some ness was such as
no man could stand to it. He 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's inner powers revealed to him
Makhdoom Sabir's state so he sent one of his trusted disciples, Khawaja
Shamsuddin Turk, to serve him in the wilderness. He directed him not to go before
him but serve him form behind his back.
Khawaja Shams Uddin's Obedience
Khawaja Shamsuddin Turk was the most distinguished spiritual heir of Sabir
Kalahari, served such an awesome man for 24 years and never left him. When
grew knowledgeable of intrinsic learning and heart illuminated of Divinity, his
teacher ordered him to enlist himself into the royal army and bring about
reformation among the soldiers. "Whenever your wish is granted understand I am
dead". Under the orders of the teacher Shamsuddin Turk joined the royal army.
Once Sultan Ala-Uddin Khilji invaded Chittor but the fort could not be won.
Continuous siege of Chittor annoyed the Sultan. He therefore approached
Shams-Uddin Turk to pray to God for the victory. He prayed and the Sultan won
it.
Death
The moment Hazrat Shamsuddin Turk's prayer was granted. Hazrat Makhdoom
Sabir Kalahari left for his heavenly abode (on 13, Rabi-ul-Awwal 690 Hijri). His
tomb stands at Kalahari in the district of Saharanpur. People, irrespective caste
and creed, attend to pay their token of love and devotion.
Revelations and Miracles
It is said in the book 'Hadiqat-ul-Aulia' that Makhdoom Sabir Kalahari one
Friday, went to the Jama Majid to say his Juma prayer and sat besides the Imam's
prayer mat. When others came they said the place was for the Qazi and he must
vacate it. He said," I am the Qutab and the Qutab is senior to the Qazi." People
mocked at him and removed him from the place forcibly. When all stood to say the
prayer and that he had none to occupy, he addressed the mosque, "0, mosque! All
people prostrate, Why don't you?" With these words the mosque along with roof,
and walls, collapsed and the people died under the debris.
Poetry
He was a good poet; wrote under poetic name 'Sabir'. In the state of extreme
absorption he composed profound couplets on divine subjects which his disciple
Shamsuddin Turk learnt by heart. Later, he edited the verses into a Persian works.
He spent a larger period of his life in awesome ness but the presence of
Shamsuddin Turk mellowed him considerably. Later, he preached and attracted
people towards Islam. His influence was not only confined to the territory of
Kalahari but people from far and near approached him for guidance.
No comments:
Post a Comment