Mazar Sharif of
Hazrat Shah Meerza Agha Mohammed (R.A.)
Hazrat
Meerza Agha Mohammad (R.A.) was born in
early part of the 19th century in Lucknow, India. He, from his
very childhood was interested in knowing the way to GOD. He
was obsessed with a question as to how to find ALLAH? He would
ask his parents, teachers, and religious scholars but was never
satisfied with the answers. An event in his early life transformed
him and triggered off his spiritual search leading him from
Sufi Shaykh Shah Maqsus Alam (R.A.) to Sufi Shaykh Hazrat Taj-ul-Aualiya
-Shah Nizamuddin Hussain Niazi (R.A.). Later as a Sufi Shaykh
himself, He got settled in Jabalpur India.He passed away on
August 17,1917.
The
life of Hazrat Agha Sahib (R.A.) is a true reflection of ALLAH's
Sifat (attribute)-e-Jalal (Majesty) and Jamal (Beauty) at its
Kamal (Zenith). He, from his very childhood had a burning desire
to find ALLAH? This desire transformed into love for ALLAH and
ultimately into the compassion for humanity. He had walked on
earth like a 'Spiritual Sun' emanating rays of wisdom that would
penetrate the dark wall of ignorance enshrouding a thirsty soul
and made the moon of His heart glow with spiritual satisfaction.
Hazrat
Agha Sahib (R.A.) was born in Lucknow, India in the early 1800's.
His family had migrated to India from Persia. Due to their status
and the family background, they soon became part of the elite
class of Lucknow. Hazrat Sahib' s parents were very religious
by nature. As a child, Hazrat Agha Sahib (R.A.) had inherited
this religiousness and always preferred it on other playful
activities of children.
However,
He was born with a fire of longing in his heart to know ALLAH.
He had a deep curiosity about it and would always wanted to
have a concrete answer as to how to find ALLAH. He had been
receiving all sort of replies but none to His satisfaction.
This ever-increasing enquiry transformed into a burning desire
leading Him from one teacher to another. Once, He came to know
of a wandering Sufi Shaykh who was staying in one of the cottages
in the city. Hazrat Sahib started visiting him quite frequently
in search for his answer. One evening, He arrived late and while
he was about to enter Shaykh's residence, He heard Shaykh's
wife asking Shaykh to provide food at least for the innocent
children as it was then three days that the whole family had
been starved. As Hazrat Sahib belonged to a rich family, this
situation was new to Him and it really very much moved Him.
He immediately went back to his home and told the whole thing
to his mother who arranged food for the Shaykh's family and
Hazrat Sahib returned happily with this food. When Shaykh noticed
the food, He gladly informed his wife, 'Look! ALLAH the Provider
has arranged for the food'. The Shaykh's wife started waking
up the starved children while He alongwith Hazrat Sahib went
for ablution leaving the food at the door. When they returned,
they found out that a dog was eating the food. The Shaykh thanked
ALLAH and sat quietly in his cottage. His wife became very upset
at all this and said to Shaykh,' "Is this the justice of
your ALLAH? The children of human beings remain hungry while
animals are being fed. How will I make these children sleep
again? Hazrat Sahib was too young to understand all that! This
was too much for Him and tears started flowing from his eyes.
The Shaykh approached at the door and said to Hazrat Sahib.
'Do not cry! This is how ALLAH wanted. You have done whatever
you could do to help us - ALLAH rewards you for that!' By hearing
that, emotions welled up within him and he could not stop crying.
The Shaykh came out of the cottage and embraced him and said,'
Go home! and remember, today I have embraced you and tomorrow
you cannot even conceive who is going to embrace you'. Hazrat
Sahib arrived back home but could not sleep the whole night
and as soon as his family woke up for the morning prayers, He
ran to his mother and told her everything. She immediately arranged
for some food and He went back to Shaykh's cottage. When Hazrat
Sahib reached at the Shaykh's cottage, He was shocked to find
out that the cottage was deserted as no one had ever lived there.
The Shaykh with his family had left for an unknown destination
without leaving any trace. This whole event transformed Hazrat
Sahib completely. He lost interest in the world and spark of
his love for ALLAH turned into a flame of determination to find
HIM.
Inner View of Mazar Sharif of
Hazrat Shah Meerza Agha Mohammed (R.A.)
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One
day at a local mosque, He heard of another Sufi Shaykh Shah
Maqsus Alam (R.A.) residing in the town of Banda. He felt such
a longing for the Shaykh that without any fear of the consequences,
He left his home quietly without telling anyone else to meet
Hazrat Shah Alam (R.A.). At such a tender age and with a well-protected
home environment, it was not an easy journey for the young soul.
However, He was determined to find ALLAH. On His way to Banda,
He stopped by at Kanpur where one of his father's acquaintance
recognised him and took him to his home with the intention of
sending him back to Lucknow the next day. However, in the middle
of the night, Hazrat Sahib slipped quietly from his home to
proceed towards Banda. He survived the next few days by selling
his gold earring, but then He had no money to get food. He reached
at a mosque in a small town, where He did not ask for any food
though terribly hungry. Mir Insha Mian - a locally renowned
person noticed the imminent contrast in Hazrat Sahib's condition
as a noble boy in rags. He immediately approached Him and offered
Him some food, but He refused. Again, then He asked him to give
tuition to his children in exchange for food. Hazrat Sahib agreed,
but did not accept the food before giving first tuition to the
children. After passing few weeks in this town, He moved on
to Banda to meet Hazrat Maqsus Alam (R.A.) and became his disciple.
In Banda, Hazrat Agha Sahib not only acquired spiritual education,
but also obtained worldly education. Later, Hazrat Maqsus Alam
(R.A.) nominated Him as his successor. However after the death
of Hazrat Maqsus Alam (R.A.), he went to Bareilly to visit Hazrat
Tajul-Aulia Shah Nizamuddin Hussain (R.A.) to tread further
on the spiritual path. He devoted himself wholeheartedly to
this cause and with the permission of Hazrat Tajul-Aulia (R.A.)
started a Khaneqah (Sufi centre) in Jabalpur. Though later He
got married and had children, but in His worldly lifespan, He
had always been dominated by The Sufi way of Remembering ALLAH
at all times and at any costs. Travelling, attending functions,
even death of His two children could not stop Him to alter His
daily schedule of prayers and meditations. His spiritual strength
can somewhat be felt from the following events of his life:
a)
One afternoon, He was coming back to His home after meditating
at a quiet place away from the town. On His way back when He
passed near a pond, a woman who came to fill her earthen pot
with water tried to pass Him as He was walking slowly. As He
raised his lowered eyes to gaze at her, she felt that her whole
body started burning with an invisible fire. He broke the earthen
pot on her head with His stick and water made her wet, but still
the sensation of burning remained and she ran towards his home
and told his wife that Hazrat's gaze had put her on fire. In
the meantime, Hazrat arrived and told her 'there is no fire
that could burn you' and she immediately felt relieved. The
present Shaykh Hazrat Dr. Meerza Ikhtiyar Hussain has commented
on this that it was the effect of 'Shaghal-e-Aftabi'- a Sufi
meditation method in which an advanced spiritual soul gazes
at sun from sunrise to sunset for a particular time period.
b)
A few weeks before His visaal (departure from this physical
plane of existence), the answer to His only enquiry of life
i.e. How to find ALLAH? became imminent in His complete absorption
in ALLAH (Istaghraq-kulli). He started losing in touch with
the physical needs of his life. He even could not recognize
people around Him. In those days, He could only be recalled
to the physical plane of existence by mentioning the name of
His Shaykh i.e. Hazrat Tajul-Aulia (R.A.). This is what the
real love is! This is how; Sufis are able to provide such a
beautiful literature saturated with love to the world. In those
days, one of his disciples Shirin bai fell seriously ill and
diagnosed by the Doctors as incurable. She was in Mumbai and
could not pay a visit to her Shaykh i.e. Hazrat Agha Sahib (R.A.),
hence she sent another fellow disciple to Jabalpur to mention
her condition to Hazrat Agha Sahib (R.A.). He had been recalled
to the physical plane by mentioning the name of Hazrat Tajul-Aulia
(R.A.) and after listening to the condition of Shirin bai, He
wrote something on paper and handed it over to the disciple
to give it to Shirin bai. Interestingly, she had been cured
at the time while He was writing on the piece of paper. Later,
after the visaal of Hazrat Agha Sahib, it was noticed that he
wrote on the paper,'Darbar-e-Agha Mohammad Shirin bai Muraad
bar aayee'i.e. Shirin bai's demand to be cured has been accepted
in the kingdom of Agha Mohammad.
c)
Near the time of His visaal, most of His disciples had
been living close to Him. At the time of His death, his successor
Dr. Meerza Murtuza Hussain (R.A.) visioned a dream like reality
that a large earth shaped ball was bouncing in front of Him
and it started moving up, up and further up till it reached
at the sky and exploded into numberless pieces. These pieces
started shining like stars and each star was reflecting the
face of Agha Sahib. Hazrat Dr. Sahib felt a kind of fear and
awe from such a majestic view. Immediately, he heard the voice
of Hazrat Agha Sahib,'Why are you afraid? It's me! Agha Mohammad.'
After listening to this, Hazrat Dr. Sahib felt relieved and
came out of this trance like state, but at the same time heard
a loud voice of Hazrat Agha Sahib calling, 'Ill-ALLAH'(Affirm!
that only ALLAH exist). This voice was so loud that even the
disciples who were fast asleep woke up and that was the moment
when Hazrat Agha Sahib passed away from the physical plane of
existence, leaving the echo of 'Ill-ALLAH' that still resonates
in the lives of people attached to his silsila (order).
Mazar Sharif of
Hazrat Dr. Meerza Murtuza Hussain (RA)
2. Dr. Meerza Murtuza Hussain (R.A.) Whenever
we travel, we tend to think of going somewhere. However, if
we keep on going, sooner or later we end up at the same place
from where we had started our journey as we move on a circular
path. Hence, our starting and finishing points are relative,
otherwise these are the same. The heavenly bodies as well as
the smallest particle of any substance is circular in appearance.
This is not restricted to the physical objects rather the whole
pattern of life moves in and out of an endless circle. It is
like a process of rainfall where water rises from the sea as
vapors and move away from the sea in the form of clouds and
then these clouds fall as rain which through rivers and creeks
again moves back into the sea. Likewise, a seed gives birth
to the fruits, flowers and trees that again provide seeds and
this process moves on ad infinitum. The human life also follows
the same pattern of reproduction. Perhaps, this is why Socrates
has said,
"There
is nothing new under the Sun"
However,
if we go a little deeper, we can see it as the partial truth.
For instance, the rain water that we see as moving back into
its source i.e. sea, appear as such due to our limited way of
perceiving reality, otherwise it moves ahead into the sea because
sea has gone through many changes during that time period and
likewise the vapors.
Hence,
it is a merger of same yet different waters. This journey of
water to water is from its origin to origin, but every moment
the water is new and by the time it reaches back to its origin,
the origin itself changes and so is the raining water. Van Gogh,
the great German artist once started drawing a sketch of the
sun. When many days passed and the painting remained incomplete,
someone asked him, "why can't you finish with the simple
painting of the sun?". He answered, "In the beginning,
I thought it simple but now I realize that every day there is
a new sun, hence the difficulty to complete my painting".
This
is why one does not get bored rather gets rejuvenated every
time in the presence of flowers, grass and other natural phenomena
because they are constantly being renewed. Physically, one may
miss the newness of all life
forms as they always look same as grass is always green, jasmine
is always white but deep down one feels the freshness of these
things every time. This brings us to another statement made
by Heraclitus:-
"You
can't step into the same river twice"
However,
it can be observed that both these statements are not opposites
of each other rather complimentary. They reflect the two sides
of the same coin. It is our common observation that one's life
depends on the incoming
and outgoing breath which is again a circular motion, but every
breath is a new breath yet the same breath. These paradoxes
are difficult to comprehend by the mind due to its mode of thinking.
It can understand things with their opposites in the backdrop.
For a mind, day and night refer to two different realities.
However, in reality, a demarcation cannot be made between the
states of day and night. Due to this, mind comprehends one half
of the picture at a time. It cannot see the day and night together
rather one half of the reality. This partial vision gives rise
to division of things. Analysis takes priority over Synthesis.
This trend of thinking divides humanity into compartments. One
feels a distance from others in the name of race, sex, religion,
etc. The human values are superceded by the artificial values.
In reality, each human being is just like the other yet unique
in his own ways. A human being should be viewed as a human being
and not a labeled personality. However, only very few people
are able to pass their lives with this understanding where divine
compassion is reflected in its full grandeur. Such living beings
are the true reflection of highest human values and their love
showers on every living being without any
prejudice.
Not
very long ago, Dr. Meerza Murtuza Hussain (R.A.) had presented
this dimension of life in its perfection. Several people are
still alive who have experienced this immaculate milieu of love
around Dr. Sahib (R.A.). His very presence would charge the
atmosphere with love and heal the people around him from their
psychological ailments.
He
was born in Jabalpur - M.P. India in the year 1877. His father
was a Sufi Master but of a strict belief that his family members
would support themselves from their own resources rather than
of Khanqah's. Due to this, all of his children got modern day
education and secured jobs against the common tradition of those
days for Pirzadas to be dependant on Khanqah's resources. Dr.
Sahib (R.A.), by profession turned out to be a medical practitioner
who graduated from the Calcutta Medical College.
Like
his father, He was also seriously interested in providing modern
day education to all the children around Him. To achieve this
purpose, a club for children was formed. In this club, besides
modern day education, children were also required to participate
in games, music classes and self-defense training. A special
horse carriage was purchased for children where all of them
had been given rides regularly. A managing committee used to
take care of this club. Interestingly enough, except that of
an ordinary member, His only son was never appointed as an office
bearer of this club. Also, children used to pass some of their
leisure time playing with the animals as a large section of
his house had been used for keeping pets. Dr. Sahib (R.A.) had
a large collection of birds, deer, horses, cows, rabbits, squirrels,
monkeys, cheetah, cats, and a pond full of color fish. He would
give personal attention to those animals and take utmost care
of them.
Mazar
Sharif of Zarina Begum (RA) &
Hazrat Meerza Maqsud-ul-Hasan (RA)
He
had always shown a great respect and affection towards women.
Least to mention, in every gathering held at his house whether
religious or social in nature, He had always been considerate
towards their preferences regarding food items and qawwalis.
Being a doctor, He had shown no discrimination towards his patients
whether they were Muslims or non-Muslims, men or women. With
this attitude, he had accepted disciples from other religious
faiths also. He had accepted courtesans as his disciples too
who were all transformed just because of Dr. Sahib (R.A.)'s
affection and acceptance and almost all of them had gotten married
and lived a life of respect.
Throughout
his lifetime, Dr. Sahib (R.A.)'s love had showered on everyone
alike without any prejudice. Dr. Sahib (R.A.)'s unprejudiced
love for human beings is particularly reflected in the days
of Hindu Muslim riots. He would freely enter the riot ridden
areas to see his patients. The representatives of Muslims and
Hindus used to request him not to take such a risk, but he would
answer them both with a smile, "God takes care of me."
He had never left his patients unattended under any circumstances.
Amidst that turmoil of religious strife, his horse carriage
stood as the symbol of peace. Dr. Sahib (R.A.) was one of the
most famous physicians of Jabalpur who had three running clinics.
Inspite of his fame, he had great consideration for the poor
people. Several of his poor patients had reported to say that
instead of charging fees, Dr. Sahib (R.A.) would give them money
from his own pocket for buying milk and fruits. As a spiritual
master, occasionally, he used to be invited by his disciples.
He would treat his rich or poor disciples alike. Once in a gathering,
one of his poor disciples desired that if he had enough money,
he would have invited Dr. Sahib (R.A.) to his house. Instantly,
Dr. Sahib (R.A.) pointed at him and said, "I wish, I could
have 'besan ki roti with lehsan ki chatni' at your house."It
was not difficult even for a poor person to arrange for such
a dinner. Such an attitude towards his disciples had existed
throughout his lifetime, where he appeared more like a father
than a spiritual guide. Once, in a winter season, he was staying
in Bombay. His disciples used to be gathered from evening till
late in the night. During a cold night, some of the disciples
stayed at his place and went to sleep in his room. When they
woke up in the morning, they realized that they were covered
in the blanket of Dr. Sahib (R.A.) while he was busy in his
Zikr and Wazifa in the corner of the room.
As
a Sufi disciple, he went through a vigorous spiritual training
under the guidance of his father Hazrat Meerza Agha Mohammad
(R.A.) who happened to be his Shaykh too. During the last year
of his lifetime, Hazrat Agha Sahib(R.A.) asked Dr. Sahib (R.A.)
to leave everything aside and live together with him. Dr. Sahib
(R.A.) was even supposed to prepare food for his Shaykh. With
the passing of days, Dr. Sahib (R.A.) gradually had stopped
meeting people and his clinics were closed down due to his absence.
He absolutely devoted himself to His Shaykh. This phase in his
lifetime continued for a period of time, then Hazrat Sahib (R.A.)
asked him to go back to his normal daily routine. Later, Hazrat
Agha Sahib (R.A.) told his disciples,
"I
had kept him in an isolation for a while, as I did not want
him to be obsessed with the world. I merely wanted to see whether
Dr. Sahib (R.A.) is able to maintain a balance between the material
and spiritual worlds and I am satisfied to see that he is able
to tread on a middle path where worldly involvement's cannot
hinder him remembering 'ALLAH'. I know, it is absolutely necessary
for an individual to earn his livelihood through proper means,
hence I have sent him back to His clinics amidst his worldly
and spiritual patients".
Inspite
of his fame and three clinics, all of his life, Dr. Sahib (R.A.)
lived in a rented house and did never own a house. Also, He
did not leave any material wealth for his children. However,
on his death bed he uttered some of the most precious words
to his fourteen year old son who was obviously very much disturbed
at that time. Dr. Sahib (R.A.) said,
"God
is more of a Beloved for us than a Creator and whatsoever comes
from the Beloved whether pleasure or pain is acceptable for
the lover. Always remember it in any situation and every stage
of your life, then life will be a beautiful experience for you.
You will see HIM everywhere and you will find HIM everywhere
and this is what the purpose of life is!"
Mazar Sharif of
Hazrat Meerza Nazeer Ahmed (RA)
3. Dr. Meerza Ikhtiyar Hussain Presently,
Sufi Shaykh of this order is Dr. Meerza Ikhtiyar Hussain. He
does not like to have his long introduction on this website.
However, we would at least add a persian proverb as his introduction,
which he conveyed to his disciples in another context. The proverb
says,'mushk aanast kaey khud babooyad na kaey attar me goyad'
i.e. the fragrance of musk is itself an introduction to the
musk and a chemist / perfume seller does not have to describe
its qualities. Besides, he is a poet and has also written several
books on the Sufi path.
Following
is a list of books (in urdu language) written by Hazrat Dr.
Shah Meerza Ikhtiyar Hussain:
Asraar-e-Asra
It presents the esoteric dimension of the ascension (Mairaaj)
of Prophet Mohammad (Peace And Blessings of ALLAH Be Upon Him).
This is a unique book in a sense that such teachings were only
available in the Khanqahs (Sufi Centers), but were never printed
in the past.
Muarif
-ul-Tasmeeh wal Fateha
The explanation of 'Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim' and 'Sura
Fateha' In the light of 'Wahdat-ul-Wujud'.
Maftah-ul-Mutaqqiat
The explanation of 'Huroof-e-Mutaqqiat' as understood by the
Sufis in particular.
Mazarat
Aur Bid'at
The different practices and rituals associated with the Sufis,
that have been called unislamic by a group of Muslims, have
been presented in the light of Quran and Sunnah.
Arkaan-e-Khamsa
ki Aarifana Tashreeh
Interpretation of the five pillars of Islam from the Sufi perspective.
Kaifiyat
The poetry collection of Hazrat Dr. Ikhtiyar Hussain Meerza.
Mazameen-e-Kaif
A collection of the articles written by Hazrat Dr. Ikhtiyar
Hussain Meerza that were printed in different magazines from
time to time.
Ma'arifat
Naamae
A collection of the letters written by Hazrat Dr. Ikhtiyar Hussain
Meerza.
Shah
Niaz ka Farsi Kalaam
The translation of Hazrat Niaz bae Niaz (RA) poetry from persian
to urdu alongwith an explanation of certain subtle matters pertaining
to spirituality.
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