Historyn of Khanqah

 History of Khanqah Chishtia Munamia Abuloliya, Gaya, Bihar

 

Famous as Khanqah Chishtia Munamia and currently located at Gaya, this khanqah was founded at Delhi in 636 A.D by Khwaja Tajuddin Dehlavi, a direct disciple of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer. Due to multiple migrations and associations with different branches of Chishti order this Khanqah was known with different names during different period of times. 

Khwaja Allauddin Kalpavi, the son of Tajuddin Dehlavi migrated to kalpi on order of Baba Farid, where this Khanqah became famous as Khanqah Chishtia Kalpi Sharif. Later on Syed Shah Taqiuddin migrated to Hajipur on the request of Daud Shah Karrani, the king of Karrani dynasty. Later on this Khanqah migrated to what is now known as Kachauri Gali, Patna.

An amalgamation of two Khanqahs took place when Syed ul Majzubeen, Syed Shah Muhammad Yaseen was made the combined Sajjadanasheen of two different Sufis, succeeding both his father and maternal grandfather simultaneously. 

Syed Shah Jahangir Rizvi Danapuri was the founder of Khanqah Danapur. His was succeeded by his son Syed Shah Mahamid Rizvi Danapuri. The later did not have a male heir, so he passed his succession to his maternal grandson, Syed Shah Yasin Danapuri. Shah Yasin left his ancestral abode at Patna and migrated to his maternal home, Danapur. Now the Khanqah became famous as Khanqah Chishtia Nezamia, Danapur or simply Khanqah Danapur. Shah Yasin was succeeded by his son Syed Shah Waliullah. The later died in his youth leaving behind two young children. None of them could become a disciple(murid) in the ancestral spiritual order of Danapur.

Syed Shah Ghulam Hussain Danapuri, the eldest son of Shah Waliullah was enthroned as the Sajjadanasheen of the ancestral Khanqah but he had to become a disciple of some Sufi so he could continue the tradition. Therefore, he went on to become the disciple(murid and Khalifa) of Maqdum Shah Munampak in Chishti order. Thus adding the Chishtia Munamia name to Khanqah Danapur. Although he had the permission of  all his ancestral orders from Syed Shah Muqeem Nawabadi, he and his successors have considered both the ancestral Chishtia Nezami and newer Chishtia Munamia order primarily.

 

Syed Shah Shamshuddin Hussain Danapuri, the younger son of Shah Waliullah became a disciple of Syed Shah Hassan Raza Munami Raipuri. Syed Shah Qamruddin Hussain Danapuri, the elder son Shah Shamshuddin Hussain became a disciple(murid and Khalifa) of Shah Abul Barkat, a disciple of Shah Ruknuddin Ishq. Shah Qamruddin Hussain also had Khilafat from Shah Mazhar Hussain, son and successor of Farhatulla Karim Chakki Munami, who was a disciple of Maqdum Shah Hassan Ali Firdausi Munami. 

 

The pinnacle of Khanqah Danapur came during the reign of Syed Shah Ata Hussain Fani Danapuri(d. 1893). He was the paternal grandson, disciple(murid and Khalifa) and official successor(sajjadanasheen) of Syed Shah Ghulam Hussain Danapuri. He also had Khilafat from his maternal grandfather, Syed Shah Shamshuddin Hussain and maternal uncle, Syed Shah Qamruddin Hussain along with many other Sufis. 

 

He became a disciple of his paternal grandfather but completed his sulook under the guidance of his maternal uncle Syed Shah Qamruddin Hussain in Abulolai order. Thus adding the Abulolai tag to the name of Khanqah Chishtia Munamia. He migrated to Gaya on the order of Hazrat Ali and re established the ancestral Khanqah at Ramsagar locality of Gaya. Over the period of time this Khanqah has been famous as Khanqah Chishtia Munamia or Munamia Abulolaiya or simply Khanqah Munamia, Khanqah Abulolaiya or Khanqah Chishtia of Gaya. 

Based at Khanqah Road, Ramsagar, Gaya, elaborately this Khanqah is known as Khanqah Chishtia Munamia Abulolaiya and is currently headed by Maulana Dr. Syed Shah Muhammad Sabahuddin Chishti Munami.

Sacred Relics (Tabarrukat)

 Sacred Relics (Tabarrukat) at Khanqah Chishtia Munamia

 

Preserving relics has been an ancient practice amongst the people of the book. The famous Taboot-e-Sakina has been discussed in Quran which contained many sacred relics of Prophets. Likewise, the companions(Sahaba) of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W kept many belongings of the Prophet S.A.W. The future muslim generations followed the same practice of preserving the sacred relics of theirs elders specially if they were important spiritual personalities of their time.

Khwaja Tajuddin Dehlavi, the founder of Khanqah Chishtia Munamia brought along with him two important sacred relics when he migrated to India. He and many of his descendants added few sacred relics which now numbers in over a dozen. 

Following are the details of those sacred relics:

1. Holy Hair of the beard of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.

2. Holy Hair of Maula Ali Rz.A. The first two relics were carried forwarded by the  ancestors of the Khwaja Tajuddin Dehlavi up to him. These two are kept together in packed transparent glass tube.

3. Khirqa(gown) of Khwaja Gharibnawaz. Khwaja Gharibnawaz handed over his gown to Khwaja Tajuddin Dehlavi while awarding his khiafat to the latter.

4. Cap of Nasserudin Chiragh-e-Dehlavi.

5. Tasbeeh of Maqdum Jalaluddin Janhya Jahangasht. These two sacred relics were added during the reign of Noor Muhammad Gesudaraz Kalpavi as the Sajjadansheen of Khwaja Tajuddin Dehlavi. Maqdum Kalpavi was a murid and Khalifa of Maqdum Naseeruddin Chiragh e Dehlavi.

6. Khirqa of Syed Shah Jahangir Rizvi Danapuri.  Syed Shah Jahangir Rizvi Danapuri was the founder of Khanqah Chishtia Nezamia, Danapur. His Khirqa was passed on to his son and successor Syed Shah Mahamid Rizvi Danapuri.

7. Imama Sharif of Syed ul Majzubeen. Syed-ul-Majzubeen Syed Shah Muhammad Yaseen was the maternal grandson and official successor(sajjadanasheen) of Syed Shah Mahamid Danapuri. He was the first combined Sajjadasheen of Khanqah Tajuddin Dehlavi and Khanqah Chishtia of Syed Shah Jahangir Rizvi Danapuri.

8. Waistband(kamarband) of Syed Shah Waliullah. Syed Shah Waliullah was the son and successor of Syed-ul-Majzubeen.

9. Tasbeeh of Maqdum Munampak. Syed-ul-Waseleen Syed Shah Ghulam Hussain Danapuri was the son and successor of Shah Waliullah. He became the murid and khalifa of Maqdum Munampak. All these relics was passed on by Shah Ghulam Hussain Danapuri to his paternal grandson and successor Syed Shah Ata Hussain Fani Chishti who migrated to Gaya in 1264 A.H.

10. Holy hair of Imam Hussain .

11. Holy hair of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani. This along with the above relic is packed inside a transparent glass tube which is smaller than the other tube discussed above.

12. A part of pillow cover used by Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani.

13. Cap of Abdul Mannan Qadri. Abdul Mannan Qadri was a spiritual and biological descendant of Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani. All these 4 relics were passed on to Syed Shah Ata Hussain Fani through his maternal grandmother who was the daughter of Syed Shah Abdul Mannan Qadri.

14. A part of Ghilaf-e -Kaaba(cover of Kaaba).

15. Box of Ghaus-ul-Azam Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani. All the above relics except for 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th are kept inside this box which is covered by multiple layers of clothes. The 9th relic remains in constant use of the Sajjadanasheen. All others are kept inside a locked box and the box is kept inside a separate domed chamber that is accessed only by the Sajjadanasheen on three occasions, Eid Milad-un-Nabi, Urs of Ghas-ul-Azam and Urs of Khwaja Gharibnawaz. All these relics are put to display on aforementioned occasions.

16. Nakhsh-e-Nalaen of Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.

17. Panja-e-Ali of Hazrat Ali Rz.A.

18. Sajjada(Prayer mat) of Syed-ul-Majzubeen Syed Shah Muhammad Yaseen R.A

19. Holy hair of Umdat-ul-Mutawakkeleen Syed Shah Ata Hussain Fani R.A. Once the hair of Syed Shah Ata Hussain Fani R.A. was being trimmed and his Khalifa Syed Shah Maulana Hassan Raza Bithwi was present. The latter asked the permission to keep a bunch of them and the former allowed for the same. The latter's great grandson Syed Shah Ghulam Qutubuddin handed over of a few to the former's great-great grandson Amir-ul-Mashaiq Syed Shah Ghulam-e-Mustafa Chishti R.A.

20. Many sacred relics of Syed Shah Hussainuddin Chishti R.A. was preserved after his death like his Khirqa and Imama.

 

By: Syed Muhammad Ata Munam

The Smiling Dervish: Current Sajjadansheen of Khanqah Chishtia Munamia

Syed Shah Sabahuddin Chishti Munami Atai

A descendant of Imam Muhammd Baqir and eighteenth Sajjadanasheen of Khanqah Chishtia Munamia Syed Shah Ghulam e Mustafa Chishti Munami(meaning Slave of Mustafa(S.A.W)) married a descendant of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani(through the the lineage of Syedna Ameer Muhammad Qadri of Amjharsharif),  Syeda Atiyatur Rasul(meaning Gift of Prophet(S.A.W)). It was a perfect match as per the meaning of their names but hardly did they know that they will have to long for a son for over 12 years. Born as the eighth child Syed Shah Sabahuddin Chishti Munami has grown into one of the most sought after spiritual personalities in twenty first century India.

Just before his birth, the name Sabahuddin was suggested spiritually in a dream to his father. The dream was a clear sign that the wait for a successor is about to be over. He was born just after the sacred night of Shab e barat on the dawn of 15th Shaban. Within hours, his birth was announced on the loudspeakers of many mosques all over the city. Followers of Atai order thronged the Khanqah within hours and sweets were distributed among the masses. The Khanqah founded in 633 A.H/1236 A.D at Delhi by Khwaja Tajuddin Dehlavi(d. 691 A.H), a disciple of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti,  and the Khanqah founded by Syed Shah Jahangir Rizvi Danapuri(d. 1097 A.H) at Danapur finally got a heir. The first combined Sajjadansheen of these two Khanqahs was Syed Shah Yaseen Danapuri who got the successorship of the former from his father, Syed Shah Muhammad Basir(d. 1026 A.H) and latter from his maternal grandfather, Syed Shah Mahamid Rizvi Danapuri(d. 1030 A.H). The Khanqah moved from Danapur to Gaya, where it currently exists, under the patronage of his ancestor Syed Shah Ata Hussain Fani(d. 1311 A.H/1893 A.D, hereinafter Shah-e-ata).

As an excellent student he once wrote an answer sheet so perfectly that the examiner remarked as, "What marks to give and what to deduct?". He completed his academic career from Al-Jamiataul Ashrafia, Mubarakpur and Magadh University, Gaya. He first completed his Fazilat(the post graduate degree in the curriculum of a Madrasah, an Islamic school) in 1999 and went on to write his thesis under the supervision of Prof. Hussain ul Haq, who also happened to be one the Khalifas(not a mureed) of his father. The topic of his thesis was "Bihar ki khanqahon ki ilmi khidmaat".  

While pursuing his studies, whenever he was at home during vacations many people would come to test his knowledge because of his association with the ancestral Khanqah. A few of them used to ask him complex questions mainly because of their idealogical differences or some other rivalry. They had their intentions just to prove the future leader of the Khanqah to be inferior by tricking him. Although they were elderly people, mostly even double his age, he would shut them up with his scintillating answers even during his teens. His knowledge and wisdom had already made him very famous among the Muslim elite even before his Fazilat. He, just after completing his studies became the leading orator of Gaya and a famous scholar all over Bihar. 

Soon after the completion of Fazilat in 1999, he started his career in literary realm. His first endeavour was the publication of "Zikr-e-ata", a precise biography of his ancestor. This was a book published by his grandfather in 1936 with the title of "Tazkira-e-Fani". He added informative text and increased the content of this book by approximately fifty percent. He later composed the Malufuzat(sayings) of his grandfather, Syed Shah Hussainuddin(d 1939 A.D/1358 A.H) which were written by latter's disciple Dr Syed Rasheed Ahmad Atai. He added a brief biography of his grandfather and a very brief information of all his eighteen Khalifas. The book was published with the title "Kalamat".  He has also republished a book of his grandfather titled "Bihar mein Abulolai Faizan" which gives a compact history of the Abulolai order in Bihar. 

Once a severe dispute arose regarding Prophet Muhammad(S.A.W)'s knowledge of the unseen in Gaya. He instantly wrote the book "Ilm e Ghaib ka bayan" which was a befitting reply to the agitators. The non-Hanafis of gaya once started advocating the practice of eight Raka'at of Tarawih during Ramadan. Both the group of Hanafis, his idealogical supporters and adversaries looked towards him for a fitting response. He again wrote a book "Tarawih ki bees rakaatein" as an astonishing reply for the proponents of eight Raka'at Tarawih. He has also authored two other works titled "Zikr e elahi" and "Ar-roqa". They explain the practise of Zikr and Taweeznavisi respectively.

He also started the work of translation during the initial years of his literary career. As of now, he has successfully translated many works in Urdu from Persian and Arabic, mostly belonging to his ancestors and also a few by others such as a book by Fariduddin Attar(d. 1220 A.D). Some of his translations are as follows:

1. Kaifyat ul Aarfeen, the most authentic & voluminous work on Abulolai and Munami sufis till now. Completed in 1259 A.H/1843 A.D,  it was originally written in Persian and was first published by his grandfather along with an additional appendix and informative footnotes in 1351 A.H/1932 A.D. It contains the hagiographies of about 300 sufis. It was one of the first books written by Shah-e-ata.

2. Mazhar e Israrat, another stupendous piece of literature by Shah-e-ata. The book is a collection of all Wazaefs that a person could possibly read in his lifetime. The book covers different wazaefs for all days of the week, separate for all months of the year and all other important Islamic dates as well as Wazaefs one can need for all possible purpose in a lifetime. Originally written in Persian around 1874 A.D by Shah-e-ata, this book has not yet been published in either the original or translated form.

3. Mamulat e Ashraf, this was a book exclusively written by Shah e Ata for his loved disciple Mir Syed Shah Ashraf Ali Hussain Gulshanabadi(d 1323 A.H, Mumbai). This book is mainly on Sufism.

4. Kanz ul Ansaab, this is a book written by Shah e ata on genealogy of many spiritual families of Bihar. This was the second book published during the life of Shah e ata and one of the most authentic and sought after works of the author.

5. Haqiqat us Salat, this book was written by Shah e ata on the topic of Nemaz.

6. Latafatus Sema, this book by Shah e ata was written on the practice of Sema in Chishti order.

7. Kitab us Soam, this book was authored by Shah e ata on the topic of fasting in general.

8. Malfuzat e Atai, Syed Shah Nudrat Hussain Burdawani was a loved disciple of Shah e ata who lived with his mentor for 16 long years. During these years he recorded the sayings of Shah e ata in 40 lessons and got it thoroughly checked by the master. This has now been translated by Syed Shah Sabahuddin Chishti Munami Atai in Urdu from Persian.

He also writes poetry as a part time hobby with the pseudonym of "Sabah". His has written on many genres of Urdu poetry. All his work has a clear touch of Sufism in it.

He started assisting his father since a very early age in all the daily activities of Khanqah. He completely started looking over the administration since January 2003 when his father met a sudden accident during the pilgrimage of Hajj. After the sad demise of his father in the year 2012 amongst the assemblage of official heads and representatives of over two dozen Khanqahs he was officially enthroned as the 19th Sajjadansheen of his ancestral Khanqah of Tajuddin Dehlavi(d. 691 A.H) and as the 10th Sajjadanasheen of another ancestral Khanqah of Syed Shah Jahangir Rizvi Danapuri(d 1097 A.H).

He married a descendant of Imam Hassan Askari in 2009 and has two kids, a son and a daughter. Heir apparent to the Sajjadasheen, his son is named Ata Hussain after his famous ancestor Shah-e-ata.

He stands tall as the torchbearer of an eight centuries old Chishti Khanqah and the spiritual leader of Chishti, Nezami, Abulolai, Munami and Atai order. His followers are spread all over India specially in Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, West Bengal, Delhi and Maharashtra. He currently lives as the most famous spiritual leader of Gaya, a very sought after orator, an author and an Islamic scholar who has successfully represented & defended Islam & Sufism and continues to do so.

By: Syed Muhammad Ata Munam

Atai order

A list of different Sufis and Khanqahs practising Atai order as their primary Sufi order.

1. Khanqah Chishtia Munamia, Gaya, Bihar. This khanqah was established by Syed Shah Tajuddin Dehlavi, a direct disciple of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti at Delhi in early 7th century A.D. Another Khanqah of Chishti Nezami order founded by Syed Shah Jahangir Rizvi Chishti Danapuri merged into it when Syed Shah Yaseen Danapuri became combined Sajjadanahsin of his father, Syed Shah Muhammad Baqar Azeemabadi and his maternal grandfather, Syed Shah Mamhamid Rizvi Danapuri. After multiple migrations starting from Delhi to Kalpi, Uttar Pradesh and spreaded over generations, the combined Khanqah was finally refounded at Gaya by Syed Shah Ata Hussain Fani(hereafter referred to as Shah-e-ata) at Gaya in 1845 A.D. It is currently headed by Maulana Syed Shah Sabahuddin Chishti Atai.

2. Khanqah Chishtia Maududia, Sheikhpura, Nawada, Bihar. This khanqah was founded by Khwaja Abdullah Chishti Bhakkari, a descendant of Khwaja Qutubuddin Maudud Chishti. He migrated from Bhakkar, Sindh and founded the Khanqah at Sheikhpura, Bihar in early sixth century. This Khanqah practises the ancestral Chishti order of Abdullah Chishti Bhakkari through Shah Ata Hussain Fani as the primary spiritual lineage. This Khanqah is currently headed by Syed Shah Ainuddin Chishti Atai.

3.Khanqah Qamaria Munamia, Meetanghat, Patna, Bihar. This Khanqah was founded by Ala Hazrat Syed Shah Qamruddin Hussain who was the maternal uncle(Mamu) and was one of the two direct spiritual mentors of Shah-e-ata. Both also belonged to the same lineage, tracing their paternal ancestry to the second son of Syed Shah Yaseen Danapuri. The present campus of Khanqah also hosts the shrine of famous 18th century Sufi saint Maqdum Munampak and the mosque built by Mulla Meetan and is headed by Syed Shah Shamimuddin Munami Atai.

4.Khanqah Mazahiria, Abgila, Gaya, Bihar. This Khanqah was founded in late 19th century A.D. by Syed Shah Qazi Mazahir Imam, a direct disciple of Shah-e-ata and a descendant of famous 14th century Sufi, Mir Syed Ali Hamdani. The Khanqah is currently headed by one of his great grandson Syed Shah Qazi Najam Imam who has Khilafat from Syed Shah Waris Imam s/o Qazi Mazahir Imam and also from Amir ul Mashaiq Syed Shah Ghulam e Mustafa Chishti Atai.

5.Khanqah Nazeeria, Danapur, Bihar. This Khanqah was founded by Syed Shah Nazeer Hussain who was a cousin nephew of Shah-e-ata. He was actually murid from his maternal uncle but completed his sulook from Shah-e-ata and was eventually awarded the Khilafat. His great grandson Syed Shah Tajuddin Danapuri didn't have Khilafat from his father Syed Shah Ilyas Danpuri. Syed Shah Nazeer Hussain gave the Ijaza of the orders of Shah-e-ata to Syed Shah Hussainuddin Atai(Shah-e-ata's successor at that time). Thus, Tajuddin Danpuri was awarded the Khilafat of Atai Nazeeri branch from Shah HUssainuddin's son Amir ul Mashaiq to continue the lineage in his Khanqah.

6.Khanqah Qadria Ataia Nudratia, Saeedpur, Burdwan, West Bengal. This Khanqah was founded by Syed Shah Qabil Baghdadi, a descendant of Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani in 1541 A.D. Shah Nudrat Hussain Burdwani, a later descendant of Sheikh Qabil Baghdadi became a direct disciple of Shah-e-ata. As he was Qadri by paternal lineage, Shah-e-ata got him initiated in the Qadria Mannania lineage. Although his order discontinued after a while, his grandson Syed Shah Zia ul Hassan got initiated in the same order by Shah-e-ata's great grandson Syed Shah Hussainuddin Atai. Since then the order has continued and is currently headed by Syed Shah Fazl ur Rahman Atai. 

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Spiritual Lineage 6

Abulolaiya order

The first of its kind in the Indian sub-continent, Abulolaiya order emerged as the amalgamation of Chishtia and Naqshbandia order in northern India. The order emerged during the mid of eleventh century hijri in Agra and over the past four centuries has spread its influence all around the sub-continent.

The order is mistaken by a few to be an offshoot of Chishtia or Naqshbandia. It actually is a perfect example of amalgamation of two entirely different Sufi orders, the Chishtia and Naqshbandia into one. The eponymous sufi of this order is known as Syed Abulola Akbarabadi or Syedna Abulola or simply as Syedna Sarkar by the locals of Agra where he lived and was buried after his death.

Syedna Abulola was highly inclined towards the Chishti practise of Sema and also towards the towering spiritual personality of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. The amalgamation happened in a way that Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti bestowed his spiritual blessings on Syedna Abulola but spiritually ordered the latter to accept the bait on the hands of Syed Abdullah as it is mandatory, for gaining spiritual enlightenment, to be associated officially(murid) with an order. Syedna Abulola hesitated as Syed Abdullah followed Naqshbandi way of Sufism which strictly prohibits Sema, which the former enjoyed just like the Chishtis. He said to Khwaja Gharibnawaz about this matter. The spiritual discourse between Khwaja  Moinuddin Chishti and Syedna Abuolola ended when the former said, "He will give you the ijaza(permission) of Sema". Thus, Syedna Abulola got initiated in Naqshbandia order directly and took spiritual lessons from Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti through Owaisiat(when a dead sufi teaches a living sufi through spiritual means of dreams and meditation, etc.) The latter also awarded him Owaisi khilafat(the khilafat awarded by a dead sufi to a living sufi in which the latter could initiate pupils but can not give permission to others to initiate further during the living sufi's lifetime).

When Syedna himself became a master of Sufism, he practised Sema just like Chishtis, initiated pupils into either of the two orders he had permission of and amalgamated all the major teachings of both the Naqshbandiya and Chishtia order. This beautiful amalgamation came to be known as Abulolai order. This order produced many great Sufis such as Syed Muhammad Kalpvi, Syed Dost Muhammad, Shah Farhad Dehlavi, Syed Burhanuddin Khudanuma and many others. The era of Maqdum Munampak and his disciples took this order to new heights and could well be said as the time when this order was at its zenith. Maqdum Munampak became the progenitor of a new order named after him which again was an amalgamation of five different orders, the Chishtia, Qadria, Suharwardia, Naqshbandia and Firdausia. I will discuss about this in a later post inshAllah.

Before I present the chain of Abulolai Sufis upto Shah-e-Ata, I want to talk some lesser known facts of early Naqshbandis. During the early ages of Islam spiritual order of all four Rashidun Caliphs continued but only the order of Syedna Ali survived after a few centuries. The order of Syedna Abu Bakr survived through a descendant of Hazrat Ali, i.e. Imam Jafar Sadiq, who took the permission of that order from his maternal grandfather, Syedna Qasim bin Muhammad bin Abu Bakr.

The Naqshabndis were actually associated with the order of Hazrat Ali but continued the order of Hazrat Abu Bakr also. At some time after Hazrat Ubaidullah Ahrar Naqshbandi, one branch of sufis discontinued the spiritual chain of Hazrat Ali and continued the permission of Hazrat Abu Bakr only. After few generations the towering personality of Sheikh Ahmed sirhindi a.k.a Mujaddid alif sani got associated with that respective branch of Naqshabndi order. He is not only remembered as the revivalist(mujaddid) of the second millennium but also of Naqshbandia order. Had he not got associated with the Naqshandia order, this order might not have been regarded among the top four practising orders of the world. More than fifty percent of the Naqshbandis today trace their lineage through Mujaddid alif sani. This is the reason why Naqshbandia order today has become famous as the lone order tracing its lineage to Hazrat Abu Bakr. Although other Naqshabndi lineage such as Abulolai lineage continued the permission of both orders.

I have mentioned the Spiritual chain of Hazrat Abu Bakr in my previous post. Here I present the Naqshbandi Abulolaiya lineage through Hazrat Ali.

1. The prophet of Islam Hazrat Muhammad(S.A.W)

2. Syedna Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib Rz

3. Syedna Imam Hussain Rz

4. Syedna Imam Zainul Aberdeen Rz

5. Syedna Imam Muhammad Baqar Rz

6. Syedna Imam Jafar Sadique Rz

7. Hazrat Khwaja Bayazeed Bistami RA

8. Hazrat Khwaja Abul Hassan Qirkhani RA

9. Hazrat Abul Qasim Gorgani RA

10. Hazrat Abu Ali farmed RA

11. Hazrat Khwaja Abu Yusuf Hamdani RA

12. Hazrat Abdul Khaliq Ghajdawani RA

13. Arif reogari RA

14. Khwaja Mahmood abul khair faghnavi RA

15. Khwaj Azeezan Ali ramitni RA

16. Khwaja Muhammad Baba Samasi RA

17. Hazrat Syed Ameer Nooruddin Kulal RA

18. Hazrat Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshband RA

19. Khwaja Maulana Yaqub Charkhi RA

20. Khwaja Ubaidullah Ahrar RA

21. Khwaja Abdul Haq al mubashir Mohiuddin RA

22. Khwaja Muhammad Yahya RA

23. Khwaja Syed Abdullah Akbarabadi RA

24. Ameer Syedna Abulola Akbarabadi RA

25. Syed Dost Muhammad RA

26. Shah Muhammad Farhad Dehlavi RA

27. Syed Asadullah Abulolai RA

28. Maqdum Shah Muhammad Munampak RA

29. Syed ul Waseleen Syed Shah Ghulam Hussain Danapuri RA

30. Syed Shah Ata Hussain Fani RA

Spiritual Lineage 5

Naqshbandiya Mujaddidya Order

Youngest among the four major sufi orders (Chishtiya, Qadriya, Suharwardiya & Naqshbandiya) is the Naqshbandi order. It was founded by Khwaja Bahauddin Nakshband(d. 1398) in 14th century A.D. The most famous of the early Naqshbandis include the name of Ubaidullah Ahrar Naqshabndi(d. 1490) and Allama Jami(d. 1492). 

Although this order originated in Transoxania the golden era of this order began just like the Chishtis when it entered in India. Along with the conquest of Emperor Babur (1483-1530), the founder of Mughal Dynasty in India, not only a new empire was founded politically, but also a new order made an illustrious presence in the spiritual sphere of the Indian Sub-Continent.

Although Babur’s entire elite was Naqshbandis, it was Khwaja Abdul Haq, a descendant of Khwaja Ubaidullah Ahrar Naqshbandi, who is credited for pioneering the Naqshbandi order in India. He arrived in India in 1527 A.D., a year after Babur’s conquest. His great grand disciple Syedna Abulula Akbarabadi (d. 1651) is credited to have spread the order all over the sub- continent which is simply known as the “Abululai Order”.

Another sufi named Syed Baqi Billah Berang (d. 1603), who was related to Ubaidullah Ahrar from mother’s side, migrated to India from Kabul in 1599 A.D. on direct spiritual order of Bahauddin Naqshband to accept the bait (oath) of a young sufi Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi (1564-1624),who was later given the title “Mujaddid Alf-i-Saani”, the reviver of the second millennium and is still remembered as one of the most highly revered figures in the entire history of Sufism. Till date Shaikh Ahmad is known as the most giant figures among all the Naqshbandi Sufis who lived in India. His order is called the Naqshbandiya Mujaddidiya order.

Although the Naqshbandi lineage of many other Sufis came to the sub-continent in subsequent years. It was the above two branches which grew parallelly, and are credited for maintaining a highly considerable presence of Naqshbandi order all over the country till date.

Another important figures, who contributed to the fame of Naqshbandi order in India, were the scholarly family of Shah Waliullah Muhaddis Dehlavi (1703-1762) and the Mughal emperor Mohiuddin Aurangzeb Alamgir (1618-1707), whose reign saw the empire reach to its zenith. Both of them were highly influenced by the teachings of Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi. Both lived in the capital city Shahjahanabad  (Delhi) and were highly active in spreading the teaching of Naqshbandiya Mujaddidiya branch in their respective fields of influence which geographically covered the entire sub-continent. 

A sufi named Khalid al-Baghdadi is credited to have spread the Naqshbandiya Mujaddidiya order outside Indian sub-continent. He lived during the 19th century. His search for a spiritual master took him to Delhi(the capital city of Mughal empire at that time). He accepted the bait on the hands of Shah Ghulam Ali Dehlavi(d. 1824) and was directed to go back to his homeland. Although he lived a small life of merely 48 years, his order spread rapidly all over the globe. 

Here we present the ijaza of Naqshmbandiya Mujaddiya chain present in our Khanqah. We will discuss the Naqshabndiya Abulolaiya branch in a future post.

1. The prophet of Islam Hazrat Muhammad(S.A.W)
2. Syedna Abu bAkr Siddique
3. Syedna Suleiman Farsi
4. Hazrat Muhammad Qasim bin Muhammad bin Aba Bakr siddique
5. Syedna Imam Jafar Sadique
6. Hazrat Khwaja Bayazeed Bistami
7. Hazrat Khwaja Abul Hassan Qirkhani
8. Hazrat Abul Qasim Gorgani
9. Hazrat Abu Ali farmadi
10. Hazrat Khwaja Abu Yusuf Hamdani
11. Hazrat Abdul Khaliq Ghajdawani
12. Arif reogari
13. Khwaja Mahmood abul khair faghnavi
14. Khwaj Azeezan Ali ramitni
15. Khwaja Muhammad Baba Samasi
16. Hazrat Syed Ameer Nooruddin Kulal
17. Hazrat Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshband
18. Khwaja Maulana Yaqub Charkhi
19. Khwaja Ubaidullah
20. Naseeruddin Maulana Muhammad Zahid
21. Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Durvesh
22. Hazrat Khwaja Maulana Khwajgi amkanki
23. Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad bin al baqi billah
24. Mujaddid Alif sani Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi
25. Khwaja Muhammad Masum Mujaddidi
26. Hazrat Khwaja Ubaidullah Muhammad
27. Hazrat Qutb ul aqtab Maulvi Manvi Maula Sheikh Mustafa bangali
28. Hazrat Qutb ul aqtab Zain ul haq zainuddin Hazrat Haji Tatar faruqi
29. Hazrat Sufi Alauddin Hazrat Maqdum Syed Shah Muhammad Mubarak
30. Hazrat Waqif e israr qadeem Hazrat Shah Muhammad Muqeem
31. Syed ul Waseleen Syed Shah Ghulam Hussain Danapuri
32. Syed Shah Ata Hussain Fani

SPIRITUAL LINEAGE 4

ZAHIDIA ORDER

A brief history of the order

The pioneers- Imam of Kaba, Sheikh Shahbuddin Zahid Buzurg and Fakhruddin Khudad Zahidi(d. 704Hijri/1304A.D)

One of the ancient and very unique sufi order existing in India is the Zahidia order which was pioneered by Sheikh Shahbuddin Buzurg and his son-cum-successor Hazrat Fakhruddin Khudad. Sheikh Shahbuddin Buzurg was the Imam in Khane kaba of Hanafi Fiqh. He was of very pious nature and used to spend most of his time in worshipping which earned him the fame as “Zahid”(one who worships a lot). People so oftenly called him as Zahid that this word became part of his name and hence his successor were known as Zahidi. He devoted his entire life in worshipping the alimighty Allah. Lastly he was bestowed spiritually by Allah(s.w.t) with the news of acceptance of his worships and was ordered to send his son Fakhruddin Zahidi to India in the service of Islam so that non-muslims may get Hidaya(guidance) through him and come in the folds of Islam. He continuously got these directions twice or thrice. He finally called his son and told him regarding the will of the almighty Allah. He happily started to prepare for the journey after listening this prophecy from his father.

At the time of departure he asked his father-cum-spiritual mentor about his resting place in India. To this, his father replied, “Your she camel has been foretold about your place. If she does not get up after sitting at a palce then that place will be yours”. He started the journey with a few people accompanying him. He is said to have visited all important cities of Delhi sultanate during his journey which includes Thatta(near present day Karachi, Sindh ,Pakistan), Bhakkar, Multan, Lahore(all three in present day Punjab province of Pakistan). He finally visited Delhi, the capital city of the Delhi sultante but his she camel did stop at any of these places. Covering the entire western and central part of the Delhi Sultanate he marched towards the eastern part of the Sultante with his caravan. After covering a distance of around 40 miles from Delhi the camel stopped in a jungle and did not get up even after many attempts. So he sat down near an acacia tree where people started to come. Initially a hut was made for him but the prophecy regarding his propagation of Islam started to come to reality and his following went on to increase by leaps and bounds to an extent that an entire city came to existence in that area. His fame reached beyond the city and Ghiyassuddin Tughlaq, the founder of Tughlaq dynasty became his disciple(murid). This locality is presently part of Meerut city in Uttar Pradesh province of India.

At last his father Sheikh Shahabuddin Zahid Buzurg also came to India to live with his son. Exact date of the arrival of this family is not known in history but it is said that Khwaja Nizamuddin Auliya, the famous sufi of Chsihti order had seen him during the latters youth. Sheikh Shahabuddin Zahid Buzurg is burried in Meerut and his shrine is still famous by the name of “ Shrine of Makhdoom Shah Wilayat”. His son married in a pious family of Delhi and had four sons who carried his lineage forward Sheikh Shahbuddin Haqgo Shaheed, Maulana Shamshuddin Zahidi, Maulana Sheikh Muhammad Zahidi and Sheikh Budhan. Last three are also burrried in Meerut.

Sheikh Shahabuddin Haqgo(d. 730 Hijri/1329 A.D)

Sheikh Shabuddin Haqgo was the Sajjadansheen(official spiritual successor) of his father. He gained the title of Haqgo beacuse of the incident that brought martyrdom to him. Injustice during the early years of Muhammad bin Tughlaq's rule arose among the masses to a great extent. So the king, in order to control this brought together the entire elite including the Ulemas, Scholars and Sufis of his time and took there signature regarding him being a just ruler. When Sheikh Shahbuddin was asked to sign he did not do it and said that he will not go against the “Haq”(truth). Even after repeated requests and later warnings he did not change his decision. The king disliked this and ordered in anger to throw him from the walls of the fort which resulted in his death. This earned him the title of Haqgo(Speaker of the truth) in history. His is burried outside the walls of the fort. The king even destroyed his home as if nothing ever lived in that area. His family had to face a lot of trouble after this incident.

Sheikh Fakhruddin Sani Zahidi

He was the son and successor of Sheikh Shahabuddin Haqgo. He reorganised his Khanqah in Meerut and started the missionary work again. Maqdoom Jalaluddin Jahaniya Jahangasht, the famous sufi of fourteenth century is said to have met him in Meerut. He was married in an eminent family of Delhi and had five sons. All his sons were famous scholars and sufi of there time.

Sheikh Sadruddin

Sheikh Sadruddin was the eldest son of Sheih Fakhruddin Sani. He was a highly learned scholar in all sciences of Islamic studies. Makhdum Jahanya Jahangasht(d. 785Hijri/ 1384 A.D) used to love him a lot. He also awarded his Khirkha to Sheikh Sadruddin. His father ordered him to migrate to Jaunpur(the capital of Jaunpur Sultanate at that time), Uttar Pradesh. Sultan Ibrahim Shah(ruled 1402-1440) of Sharqi dynasty was the king of Jaunpur Sultanate at that time. Zahidia order flourished a lot through him in Jaunpur.

When Makhdum Jahanya Jahangasht heard the fame of Sheikh Fakhruddin Sani he came to see him in the latters Khanqah in Meerut but could not meet him even after asking for it twice. When enquired regarding this, Sheikh Fakhruddin sent in reply to Makhdum Jahnaya that “Dervish have no will over there own. There will lies in the hands of Allah(s.w.t). They do not do anything unless there is direction from that side, there is nothing to worry in this”. Makhdum Jahanya could meet only after insisting the third time. He asked for the sons of Sheikh Fakhruddin and gave them his blessings. Since that time only Sheikh Sadruddin became very loved to him. He also blessed other sons of Sheikh Fakhruddin namely Sheikh Junaid, Sheikh Alauddin and Sheikh Bahauddin. Sheikh Badruddin, the youngest son of Sheikh Fakhruddin was in his childhood at that time. When his father brought him to meet Makhdum Jahanya, the latter stepped forward and took him in his lap and prophecised in the following words, “SubhanAllah every part of this boy will speak of Allah.”

Hazrat Maqdum Badruddin Pir Badr-e-alam Zahidi(d. 844 hijri/1440 A.D)

He was the youngest son, murid and Khalifa of Sheikh Fakhruddin Zahidi. After completing worldly studies he moved towards Bihar after getting the permission and order from his father. After reaching Maner he enquired regarding Maqdum Jahan Sheikh Sharfuddin Yahya Maneri(one of the pioneers of Sufism and Islam in Bihar, 661-782hijri) and came to know that he is in Biharsharif. He sent someone to Biharsharif and seeked permission to meet. Maqdum Jahan sent in reply “Ghum phir kar yahan aana-Come here after travelling around”. He then set for Bengal and temporarily settled down in Chittagong which was under the rule of Hindu king Raja Ganesh Rai. When he came to know about the arrival of Sufi mystics in his kingdom, he went berserk and issued an order for their immediate arrest. When the soldiers came to arrest them Maqdum Zahidi was busy in prayers. His son Sheikh Shahab Qattal resisted and defeated the soldiers. When the king came to know of the defeat he order to go with war elephants and crush them with no mercy at all. Ironically, the king's sister didn't have a child and wished to have one. She asked for their pardon and for some time. The king did give her some time. After that she, herself visited Maqdum Zahidi and requested to him to pray for her so that she may be blessed with a child. Maqdum Zahidi gave her two fresh oranges and said, “Do not be impateint regarding Allah's mercy”. Go, eat it, Allah will bless you. Therefore ten months from then she gave birth to twin sons and Maqdum Zahidi got official permission from the government to stay there.

When these two nephews of King Ganesh grew up they were never on good terms with their uncle. There differences grew to the extent that a civil war broke in the royal family which got King Ganesh killed and the power came in the hands of the twin brothers. These two brothers openly became Muslims and Chittagong due to the blessings of Maqdum Zahidi became abode of Islam. The author of “Khanwada-e-Zahidia” has stated in his book that the prayer room of Maqdum Zahidi in Chittagong was well preserved till his time i.e 20^th century A.D.

Prophet Khwaja Khizr A.S and Maqdum-e-Jahan Sheikh Sharfuddin Yahya Maneri discussed the need of a great WaliAllah regarding a spiritual purpose that was to be taken care of as soon as possible. Khwaja Khizr A.S suggested the name of Maqdum Zahidi to be fit enough to serve this purpose. Maqdum-e-Jahan sent his son and brother to ask Maqdum Zahidi to migrate and settle down permanently at Biharsharif. Maqdum Zahidi arrived at Biharsharif in the year 783 A.H. Before his arrival Sheikh Sharfuddin Yahya Maneri has already left for the heavenly abode in the year 782 A.H. Maqdum Zahidi settled down at the place as directed by Khwaja Khizr A.S and Sheikh Sharfuddin Yahya Maneri and was also burried over there after his death in 844 A.H. He is remembered as the pioneer of Zahidia order in Bihar state of India. Many other centres of Zahidia order flourished in what is present day Bangladesh and Uttar Pradesh & West Bengal state of India.

Zahidia order

The prophet of Islam Hazrat Muhammad(S.A.W)

Hazrat Ali ibn Abu Talib Rz

Hazrat Khwaja Hassan Basri Rz

Hazrat Khwaja Habib Ajami

Hazrat Khwaja Daud Taee

Hazrat Khwaja Maruf Kirkhi

Hazrat Khwaja Siri Saqti

Hazrat Khwaja Abul Qasim Junaid Baghdadi

Hazrat Khwaja Abu Muhammad Roomi

Hazrat Khwaja Abdullah Jafar

Hazrat Khwaja Abu Is'haaq Garzuni

Hazrat Sheikh Hassan Tatari

Hazrat Sheikh Qutubuddin

Hazrat Sheikh Abdus Salam

Hazrat Sheikh Sadruddin Samarqandi

Hazrat Sheikh Shahabuddin Zahid Buzurg Meeruti

Hazrat Sheikh Fakhruddin Zahidi Meeruti

Hazrat Sheikh Shahabuddin Haqgo Meeruti

Hazrat Sheikh Fakhruddin Sani Zahidi Meeruti

Hazrat Sheikh Badruddin Badr-e-Alam Zahidi

Hazrat Khwaja Abu Ishaaq urf Sheikh Sultan Zahidi

Hazrat Syed us Sadat urf  Syed Mehmood

Hazrat Syed us Sadat Miran Syed Jahangir

Hazrat Syed us Sadat wal Mashaeikh Miran Syed Shah Wali Nurullah

Hazrat Syed us Sadat wal Mashaeikh Miran Syed Shah Azam

Hazrat Sheikh ul Islam wal Muslemeen Miran Syed Masud

Hazrat Sheikh ul Islam wal Muslemeen Sheikh Abdul Majeed Nawabadi

Hazrat Maqdum Syed Shah Jahangir Rizvi Danapuri

Hazrat Maqdum Syed Shah Mahamid Rizvi Danapuri

Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Azam urf Syed Shah Nawabadi

Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Mubarak Nawabadi

Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Muqeem 

Hazrat Syed-al-waseleen Syed Shah Ghulam-e-Hussain Danapuri

Hazrat Syed Shah Ata Hussain Fani