Sunday, December 12, 2010
Blessed Birth
Hadrat Baba Farid al-Din Mas'ud Ganj-e-Shakar Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho was born on the 29th Sha'ban in 569 A.H. [April 4, 1179 C.E.] in Khotwal, a village near Lahore . He was a direct descendant of Hadrat Umar al-Farooq Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho, the second Caliph of Islam
Childhood
It is narrated that a miracle occurred before his birth proving his Saintship. One day, during the pregnancy of his mother, she wanted to pluck some plums from her neighbour's tree without his permission, but the child in her womb (Hadrat Baba Farid) created a severe pain in her stomach that forced her to abandon the idea of plucking. After a few years after Hadrat Baba Farid’s Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho birth, his mother lovingly expressed: “My dear son, during your confinement I never ate anything which was unlawful.” Hadrat Baba Farid Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho, however, smiled and said, “But, my dear mother, you wanted to pluck some plums from our neighbour's tree without his permission when I had created a severe pain in your stomach which saved you from this unlawful act.”
Hadhrat Shaikh Nizam al-Din says that once while Hadhrat Shaikh Faridud Deen’s mother was performing Salaat, a thief entered. When he gazed at her, he immediately became blind. The thief cried out: “I came with the intention of stealing and have become blind. I pledge never to steal again.”
Hadhrat Shaikh Nizam al-Din says that once while Hadhrat Shaikh Faridud Deen’s mother was performing Salaat, a thief entered. When he gazed at her, he immediately became blind. The thief cried out: “I came with the intention of stealing and have become blind. I pledge never to steal again.”
Early Education
At this time Hadhrat’s age was approximately 6 years. He made dua and the man’s sight was restored. In the morning he came with his entire family and accepted Islam. He was named Abdullah. He remained in Hadhrat’s service to the end.
After he had completed his early religious education at the age of 7 in Khotwal, his mother sent him for higher education to Multan. Here he stayed in a masjid where he learnt the Holy Qur'an by heart and studied Hadith, Fiqh, Philosophy and Logic under the tutorship of Maulana Minhajuddin.
After he had completed his early religious education at the age of 7 in Khotwal, his mother sent him for higher education to Multan. Here he stayed in a masjid where he learnt the Holy Qur'an by heart and studied Hadith, Fiqh, Philosophy and Logic under the tutorship of Maulana Minhajuddin.
Spiritual Guidance of Khwaja Qutb al-Din Bakhtiar Kaki Radi Allahu Anho
During his studies, Hadrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Baktiar Kaki Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho of Delhi visited Multan where Hadrat Baba Farid Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho became his Murid (disciple) in the Chishtiya Silsila. Upon the instructions of his Pir-o-Murshid, he undertook a tour of Islamic countries, for about 18 years from 593 A.H. to 611 A.H. [1196 C.E. to 1214 C.E.] he travelled to Ghazni, Baghdad Sharif, Jerusalem, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Mecca and Medina meeting many great saints and Sufis. After the demise of Hadrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho the mantle of spiritual leadership in the Chishtiyya Silsila fell on the shoulders of Hadrat Baba Farid Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho when Khwaja Qutbuddin Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anhonominated him to be his Khalifa or spiritual successor.
Journeys and Mujahida
It is narrated that when Hadrat Baba Farid Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anhovisited Medina Sharif he was spiritually commanded by the Holy Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam to visit Baghdad Sharif and meet Hadrat Abdul Wahab, son of Hadrat Ghaus-al-Azam Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho He was to receive some sacred relics from him. Accordingly, when he reached Baghdad Sharif, he received a box from Hadrat Abdul Wahab Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho which contained the following holy relics: Two flag-poles which were used by the Holy Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam in some of the battles fought by him; one wooden bowl in which the Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam used to eat from; one pair of scissors and one turban which was used by the holy Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam
Because of political upheavals in Delhi, he was obliged to shift the centre of the Chishtiyya mission from Delhi to Ajodhan now known as "Pak Patan". The Khanqah of Baba Farid Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho, with his patronage, became a great university of "moral and spiritual training." Thousands of aspirants, scholars, dervishes and Sufis reaped benefit from this spiritual university. Hadrat Baba Farid Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho reached the pinnacle of spiritual glory through extremely hard Mujahidas (spiritual striving) to gain mastery over the Nafs.
Because of political upheavals in Delhi, he was obliged to shift the centre of the Chishtiyya mission from Delhi to Ajodhan now known as "Pak Patan". The Khanqah of Baba Farid Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho, with his patronage, became a great university of "moral and spiritual training." Thousands of aspirants, scholars, dervishes and Sufis reaped benefit from this spiritual university. Hadrat Baba Farid Radi ALLAHu Ta'ala Anho reached the pinnacle of spiritual glory through extremely hard Mujahidas (spiritual striving) to gain mastery over the Nafs.
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