Sultan ul Ashiqeen is
The Perfect Reflection of Sultan Bahoo
Introduction
To write about the personality of Sultan Bahoo in a short article, furthermore to relate him with the present leader (imam) of his spiritual chain is a very tough undertaking. Yet the pen dared.
Certainly, Sultan Bahoo titled his teachings Faqr and not spirituality or mysticism. For Faqr is the pride of the Prophet. Like a Hadith goes:
الفقر فخری والفقر منی
Meaning: Faqr is my pride and Faqr is from me.
Sultan Bahoo toiled all his life to make Faqr common like an independent Fakir. Specifically, an independent Fakir is one who travels place after place to distribute the blessing of Faqr. Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman is doing splendidly to proceed with the work of Sultan Bahoo. For this he has used every possible medium of age to spread the teachings of Sultan Bahoo round the globe. In the second place, he has travelled throughout Pakistan to distribute the beneficence of Ism-e-Allah Zaat.
What not to say about spiritual blessings? I must say with Ism-e-Allah Zaat Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman has blessed disciples with the blessing of Ism-e-Mohammad. He has unveiled on his disciples Waham (spiritual conversation with Allah), Ilham (inspiration), Ilm-e-Dawat (communication with the sacred souls of shrines) etc.
I wished to write a comparison of their exuberantly impressive personality. Unfortunately, no picture of Sultan Bahoo is available. I, his servant, can only imagine him in the physical being of Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman.
Let’s get into the details.
What makes one noble in Sufism?
Sultan Bahoo says in Nur-ul-Huda Khurd:
“Accomplishing the level at which a Fakir is, does not depend on one being a Sayyid or a Quraish rather it depends on gnosis (the exalted levels of Divine vision دیدارِ الہٰی and the Mohammadan Assembly مجلسِ محمدیؐ ).” (Nur-ul-Huda Khurd)
To enumerate he adds about the same in his famous book Nur-ul-Huda Kalan:
“Gnosis is attained only by the help and favour of Allah. He bestows this favour on anyone He wants. The gnosis of Allah neither depends upon family and nobility nor titles but results from the eagerness of heart (for Allah). It is related with courage and sincerity, not with being Sayyid or Quraish.” (Nur-ul-Huda Kalan)
As far as genealogy is concerned, father of all is Adam and mother is Eve. No one has superiority, preference and supremacy on another.
Prophet Mohammad said in his last sermon:
“O people, listen to me in earnest, worship God. Listen carefully, all mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority over a black nor does a black has any superiority over white except by piety (a man of Faqr).
Ali ibn Abi Talib said:
“Humans as concerns their outer being are equal. Their father is Adam and mother is Eve.”
Hence, all men are equal genealogically but yes if someone has superiority then it is because of his excellence in piety. In addition, if one has both, genealogy and excellence, then it adds to merit.
The nobility and excellence of Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman is the Mohammadan Faqr
The Holy Prophet said:
مَنْ سَلَکَ عَلٰی طَرِیْقِیْ فَھُوَآلِیْ۔
Meaning: The one who walks my path (Faqr) is my follower.
The excellence of Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman is ‘Faqr’ which is the pride of the Prophet as well as his rare legacy. It is the best of all the blessings, a great virtue, eminence and nobility.
In truth, Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman did not achieve in Faqr on the basis of lineage or genealogy rather due to his hard work, sincerity and ardent love for Allah, the Prophet and his spiritual guide Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali.
Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman pledged spiritual oath (al-bayah) like Sultan Bahoo
When Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman reached the age of thirty-six he was already tired of world. His inward desired and sought the Divine Essence. Therefore, he would spend most of his time in worships. Consequently, he presented these worships esoterically to Fatimah bint Mohammad, Hasan ibn Ali and Husayn ibn Ali. As he would seek the Prophet’s help through his beloveds.
Then, on the night of 12th April, 1997 the esoteric doors were opened on Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman at the time when he was offering tahajjud prayer. He found himself in al-Masjid an-Nabawi in the Mohammadan Assembly. The Prophet was present with the People of the Cloak (Ahl al-bayt) and the Rashidun Caliphs.
The Prophet said to him;
“You are my spiritual son and heir. I will surely make you my manifestation and the world will be blessed with my beneficence through you. You have pleased my beloved daughter so I am pleased with you.”
Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman pledged oath (al-bayah) on the hands of Prophet Mohammad. The Prophet entrusted him to Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani whose beneficence enriched him. Then he instructed Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman to guide humanity.
Sultan Bahoo’s spiritual oath
The aforementioned is not a new incident. The Sufic history is brimming with such experiences. Sultan Bahoo remained in search of the spiritual guide for thirty years. Then the blessings of Almighty descended and he pledged oath on the hands of the Prophet. The People of the Cloak and the Rashidun Caliphs paid attention (tawajjuh توجہ) on him and they persuaded him. Then the Prophet said:
“Call the people towards Allah. Persuade and guide them. Your status will be raised day by day till eternity because this is the eternal order of the Lord.”
Sultan Bahoo says about his presence in the Mohammadan Assembly:
“I saw and experienced everything spiritually as well as physically.”
- Sarwari Qadri is actually the one who pledges oath on the hands of Prophet Mohammad. Hence, all the evil and immoral behaviors remove from his self and he finds the blessing with the Divine favour to adopt the way of sharia of Prophet Mohammad. (Mehak-ul-Faqr Kalan)
- Some Sarwari Qadris own such elite status that they directly find the benevolence of the Holy Prophet. Then, he assigns them to Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani. He blesses them in such a way that they never separates from him even for a single moment. (Mehak-ul-Faqr Kalan)
Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali says:
- Sarwari Qadri order is famous as Sarwari Qadri because Sarwari means to pledge oath on the hands of the Prophet and Qadri means that Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani esoterically trains him. (Mujtaba Akhir Zamani)
Pledging oath to a living Saint is compulsory
In Faqr, pledging oath to a living Saint is compulsory despite the fact that one has pledged spiritually on the hands of the Prophet and also been esoterically trained by Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani.
Sultan Bahoo pledged oath to a living Saint
Sultan Bahoo also pledged oath to Sayyid Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi. Likewise, Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali unveils the hidden wisdom of physical oath in the following words:
- If Sultan Bahoo had not pledge oath to Sayyid Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi then the Sarwari Qadri chain which had reached Sayyid Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi from Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani would have broken and then Sultan Bahoo would have no link to the order. (Mujtaba Akhir Zamani)
Examples from the lives of other Sarwari Qadri Saints
Sayyid Bahadur Ali Shah had got the treasure of Faqr during his forty years stay at the shrine of Sultan Bahoo. As a result, he excelled in all kinds of esoteric intellects. Afterwards, he was ordered to pledge oath on the hands of Pir Abdul Ghafoor Shah.
Similarly, Sultan Abdul Aziz wished to travel to Baghdad to pledge oath on the hands of progeny of Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani. Sayyid Bahadur Ali Shah even requested in the court of Sultan Bahoo that since Sultan Abdul Aziz is his progeny hence to take oath from him. Yet Sultan Bahoo ordered Sultan Abdul Aziz to pledge oath on the hands of Sayyid Bahadur Ali Shah. (Sultan Bahoo)
Those great personalities who had to accede the throne of Divine guidance and persuasion for them to pledge oath to a living Saint is compulsory. In Faqr, the Sarwari Qadri chain ultimately reaches the Prophet. If the chain had been broken at any point it would have led to a great turmoil. In this age of deception where people claim to be a Prophet or Imam Mehdi, can even claim to have benefitted directly from the Prophet and would have refused a need to pledge oath.
Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman’s physical oath of allegiance (al-bayah)
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman started the search of the spiritual guide to pledge oath to, after permission from Shaikh Abdul Qadri Jilani. Yet he could not find a guide who could take him to the extremities of Faqr. Then fate favoured him. He reached the court of bearer of Divine Trust of the age, Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali. His guide tested him both exoterically and esoterically for three year. In short, Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman proved true to his demand to only seek the Divine Essence. Then in front of the tomb of the Prophet his guide entrusted him Divine Trust on 21st March, 2001 after permission from the Holy Prophet.
A simple definition of Divine Trust or Divine Trust of Faqr is the next spiritual guide of Sarwari Qadri order. Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman is spreading the bounties of this Trust day and night among the people. The world is enlightening from the rays which shines bright from his sacred personality.
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen is an independent Fakir like Sultan Bahoo
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman is an independent Fakir like Sultan Bahoo who distributes the bounties of Ism-e-Allah Zaat (the Divine name which leads to the Essence) by travelling among mankind.
Sultan Bahoo elaborates about an independent Fakir in following words:
“An independent Fakir is not bounded by rules and regulations and is free from all the constraints. First, he is not bound to stay at one place. Second, his benefit continues in every condition and in every direction. Usually, he distributes the bounty of Faqr among common people while travelling from place to place.”
Sultan Bahoo traveled immensely to persuade people to opt the way of Faqr and gnosis. Hence, he spread Faqr among villagers and these were the people who proceeded his work. Sultan Bahoo had spent his entire life to search for seekers of Allah and make them One with Him. Consequently, he taught them the way to be close to Allah through invocation and contemplation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat. In other words, he did not indulge people in forty days seclusion or lengthy recitals.
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen is the reviver of religion
The following saying of Sultan Bahoo has transferred esoterically generations after generations and it is:
“When ignorance will prevail and falsehood will overcome the Truth, there would be a variety of sects and groups; every sect would consider only itself on the right path and all the others as depraved ones; when people would hesitate to talk against the wrong sects; those falsely claiming to have the spiritual knowledge will disguise themselves as Saints and occupy the shrines to plunder wealth by looting people; then the fountains of the Divine light will sprout from my shrine.”
The aforementioned saying means a successor of Sultan Bahoo will rise under his esoteric guidance who will make his teachings common and will end falsehood by reviving the religion.
To try to explain the entire esoteric and exoteric efforts of Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman to revive the religion is an impossible task yet I will humbly try to present in a concise manner.
Free distribution of book ‘Haqeeqat-e-Ism-e-Allah Zaat’
Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman after the death of Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali proceeded with the mission of his beloved spiritual guide. For this he got the book ‘Haqeeqat-e-Ism-e-Allah Zaat’ published. The title of this book means in English ‘the Divine reality of the name Allah’. He distributed it free to make people aware of its marvels. Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman is the imam (leader) of the age hence he trains and guides people according to the requirements of the age. Moreover he has used every current medium available to make the teaching of Faqr common. It is the special favour of Allah, esoteric beneficence of Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali and the sincere intentions of Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman that whatever task he starts becomes a successful one.
On studying the book ‘Haqeeqat-e-Ism-e-Allah Zaat’ people started to enter in the circle of his slavery by manifold. Moreover, after benefitting from Ism-e-Allah Zaat’s beneficence the same people become desirous to spread the word among their groups.
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen made Faqr common
The special way of Faqr has been for the chosen seekers of Allah throughout the ages other than the age of al-Ghawth al-Azam Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani where it was for the masses. The point being simple that Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali made the rule ‘to open the Divine secrets of Ism-e-Allah Zaat is forbidden’ the total opposite. Hence, many people benefitted from Ism-e-Allah Zaat. Its invocation and contemplation opened the ways to Divine vision and the Mohammadan Assembly.
When Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman acceded the throne of Divine guidance and persuasion he further eased the way of Faqr. To make the unparalleled marvels of Ism-e-Allah Zaat customary, he used every medium of technology available. All this is evident proof of inspirational knowledge of Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman. Furthermore, no matter how much the age has progressed it is merely a dust particle in front of the perfect Fakir for whom everything is conquerable.
Allama Iqbal says:
عالم ہے فقط مومنِ جانباز کی میراث
مومن نہیں جو صاحبِ لولاکؐ نہیں ہے
Explanation: That person cannot be a believer who has not reached and possessed the light of Prophet Mohammad. A true believer (the Universal Divine Man/ al-Insan al-Kamil) is the one whom Allah grants authority over all the realms.
Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman took revolutionary steps like Sultan Bahoo
Allama Iqbal says at another instance:
جو عالمِ ایجاد میں ہے ’’صاحبِ ایجاد‘‘
ہر دور میں کرتا ہے طواف اس کا زمانہ
Explanation: In the ever changing cosmos, the reason of change and the initiator of innovation is the Universal Divine Man. He is the pivot around whom every creation circumambulates.
The steps taken by Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman to make Ism-e-Allah Zaat customary are indeed revolutionary. Hence, no man can make an excuse on the doomsday that being lost in the comforts of the world he could not ponder on reaching the Divine Essence. If one has the intention then every medium is inviting towards the Truth. One has to set right the intentions first.
Sultan Bahoo says:
ہر کہ طالبِ حق بود من حاضرم
ز ابتدا تا انتہا، یک دم بُرم
طالب بیا ! طالب بیا ! طالب بیا
تا رسانم روزِ اوّل با خدا
Explanation: For every true seeker of Allah I render my guidance. I can take him from the initial stage of the spiritual journey to the final and supreme level in just a moment. Come to me (O seeker of Allah), come to me (O seeker of the hereafter) and come to me (O seeker of the world)! I can take you (all) to Allah on the very first day. (Risala Roohi Sharif English Translation and Exegesis with Persian Text)
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen is the perfect Sarwari Qadri Fakir
Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman is the spiritual successor of Sultan Bahoo and the perfect Sarwari Qadri Fakir. Sultan Bahoo says about the perfect Sarwari Qadri Fakir:
“What is the initial level of Sarwari Qadri? It is that the perfect Qadri spiritual guide drowns the true seeker of Allah in the Divine light of gnosis of Allah and grants him the presence of Mohammadan Assembly just by his glance or by the contemplation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat or by the invocation of Islamic creed or by his spiritual attention. Indeed, this is the first day lesson of the Qadri followers. The spiritual guide who neither knows this lesson nor takes his disciples to the Mohammadan Assembly is not the perfect Qadri spiritual guide. His state of spiritual ecstasy is just his vain thought. Moreover, the true Qadri disciples are eternally drowned in the Divine light of gnosis and union with Allah.” (Kaleed-ul-Tauheed Kalan)
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen grants the king of invocations ‘Hoo ھُو’
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman grants the king of invocations ‘Hoo ھُو’ and contemplation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat as litany on the very first day of oath of allegiance (al-bayah). Previously, Ism-e-Allah Zaat was granted in four steps. They are:
اَللّٰہُ ،لِلّٰہ ، لَہٗ ، ھُوْ
Transliteration: Allah Hoo, Lillah, LaHoo, Hoo
Moreover, seekers of Allah needed years to reach the final stage of invocation and many a times disciples due to their impure intentions never even crossed the first stage of invocation. Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman’s special beneficence is the fact that he grants the final stage of invocation on the first day of pledging the oath. The invocation of ‘Hoo ھُو’ is the most elevated invocation of the Mystics (Arifeen) and to bear its theophanies is impossible for a common disciple.
Few sayings of Sultan Bahoo on Ism-e-Allah Zaat and a comparison with Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman approach to Faqr
Sultan Bahoo says:
“Sarwari Qadri spiritual guide has perfect command over contemplation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat. When he blesses the seeker with the spiritual education and Divine guidance through Ism-e-Allah Zaat, he grants him the status equal to his own on the very first day. The seeker becomes indifferent and independent of all needs, his attention remains focused only on the Truth. Hence, gold and soil become equal for him.” (Kaleed-ul-Tauheed Kalan)
Sultan Bahoo says in Ain-ul-Faqr:
“The Sarwari Qadri way is very beneficent and courageous. In the other mystic ways, some seekers were burnt to death by the blaze of Ism-e-Allah Zaat, some could not bear the burden of Ism-e-Allah Zaat and retreated while some apostatized and were cursed.”
Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman makes even a novice seeker able to bear the theophanies of Ism-e-Allah Zaat. Therefore such seekers become capable enough for the Divine vision and the Mohammadan Assembly.
Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman follows the example set by predecessor Fakirs by travelling and distributing the beneficence of Ism-e-Allah Zaat with or without oath. He travels throughout Pakistan.
Online Oath System
He has initiated online oath system for those seekers who are either abroad or in distant cities of Pakistan and could not travel to his khanqah. This is a worth praise step initiated by Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman and through this online oath system many seekers of Allah have benefited from the blessing of Ism-e-Allah Zaat.
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen also bestows Ism-e-Mohammad
According to the teachings of Sultan Bahoo, with the invocation and contemplation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat the contemplation of Ism-e-Mohammad is also compulsory to reach the eternal stations of the Divine vision and the Mohammadan Assembly. He says:
“When one contemplates Ism-e-Mohammad, he relinquishes everything except Allah and sees the Mohammadan Assembly everywhere. He becomes the humble and modest lover of the Holy Prophet and the beloved of Allah Almighty.” (Aqal-e-Baydar)
He further says:
“When the Divine light of Ism-e-Mohammad enters the body of a seeker (through contemplation of Ism-e-Mohammad), all his matters are solved by (the blessing of) Ism-e-Mohammad.” (Aqal-e-Baydar)
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman bestows the seekers of Allah on the blessed day of Mawlid every year with Ism-e-Mohammad who have reached the secret of Ism-e-Allah Zaat and have excelled in it. This tradition will continue this year as well.
With Ism-e-Allah Zaat and Ism-e-Mohammad, Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman has blessed his sincere seekers with Waham (inward conversation with Allah) and Ilm-e-Dawat (communication with sacred souls of shrines). Previously these blessing were unveiled on few chosen seekers. Unveiling them discloses the fact that Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman indeed is the beloved in the Mohammadan Assembly as well as of Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani and Sultan Bahoo. The beneficence of Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman is for all the Mohammadan umma irrespective of their caste, creed or sect.
Open invitation to all to come sincerely to Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman and seek Allah alone to be successful in the world and the hereafter.
Note
This blog post is English translation of an Urdu article of the magazine “Mahnama Sultan-ul-Faqr Lahore” for the month of March, 2019. The title of the Urdu article is:
Tun Bahoo di ain way Sohneya ( تُوں باھُوؒ دی عین وے سوہنیا )
Originally penned by Faiza Gulzar Sarwari Qadri from Lahore is presently in English by Sahibzadi Muneeza Najib Sarwari Qadri exclusively for the website who also included an introductory para to the original article in English. Do not forget to visit the original article to which you only have to click the link
https://www.mahnama-sultan-ul-faqr-lahore.com/march-2019-tun-bahoo-de-ain-way-sohneya/
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