Hadrat Syed Ghulam Haider Shah (R.A) - Sufism Biographies

The teachings of Islam are so simple, straight forward and convincing
that during the life time of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him)
andhis Caliphs the light of Islam reached as far as Azerbaijan and to
the fareastern parts of Asia, despite the slow means of
communications. The reason of wide acceptance is truthfulness,
simplicity, practicability and universality of Islam. Thepolitical
dominance may help to propagate any ideology and some historian
allegedly attribute the spread of Islam as the foot step of Muslim
forces. This is notcorrect, because one canwitness that the deeper
parts of Africa and far eastern parts of Asia, where Muslim army did
no march and yet Islam spread into these areas.
In South Asia, Islam penetrated because of the glories teachings of
Islam on all aspects of life that provide a comprehensive solution to
a better individual and communal life. The other significant
contributory was the impact and preaching ofMuslim saints and Sufis,
who modeled their lives according to principles of Islam. Their
helping attitude, flawless personality, respect for human beings,
straight forwardness and fair dealings with the local population,
influenced and encouraged as largenumber to embrace Islam. Hazrat Syed
Ghulam Haider Shah (1838-1908), a renowned religious figure and sufi,
contributed a lot to the spread of Islam and to develop a through and
deep belief on its teachings. Al-though century has passed yet his
principles, teachings and attitude towards lifeis providing guidance
to large number of his followers, all over the world. His impressive
religious personality has turned jalalpur Shareef into a symbol of
light and inspiration. He belonged to Chishtiya order of Sufism. Malik
Muhammad Din, a writer, truly claims in hisbook: "Ziker-e-Habib" that
India has been a kingdom of Chishties, from Ras-Kumari to Nanga
Parbat, and Hazrat Syed Ghulam Haider Shah has been a ruler of the
spiritual world and has been ruling the hearts of people.
Hazrat Syed Ghulam Haider Shah was born in a beautiful hilly town,
Jalapur Shareef, situatedon the western bank of River Jehlum, near
Kahwera saltmines in district Jehlum. The grand father (Syed
SakhiShah) and father (Syed Juma Shah) of Syed Ghulam Haider Shah have
been renowned fortheir steadfastness and trustworthiness in the
region.
His mother, from a Syed family of Khewah (Gujrat), had been very
pious, a resolute lady and very considerate towards poor and
needyones. The alms were never turned down to beggars, visiting her
doorstep. Since his childhood Syed Ghulam Haider Shah had decent
habits, clear thinking and complete faith and confidence in the
supremacy and authorityof Allah. He learned Holy Quran from Mian Khan
and his uncle Syed ImamShah. Among other teachers were Mian Mohammad
Kamil and Mufti Ghulam Mohaiuddin, who were distinguished scholars
inthe region at that time.
As he reached his youth, Allah blessed him with strong and healthy
built.He had fair wheatish complexion and attractive black eyes,
fullof confidence and conviction. His father used to impress upon him
to lead a life with chastity. He honoured father's advice and through
out his life, avoided even mnor touch with anyna-mahram lady. He got
married at the age of sixteen. After two years he had to witness the
bereavement of his father, who was at the same time a spiritual tutor
and with whom hewas deeply attached. Before the demise, his father
instructed and advised him, "Lead simple, chaste and respectable life.
Always remember the Supreme Authority, Allah and Sunnah (practice and
preaching of holy prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him) should be the
conduct oflife. Be-caring and considerate to relatives and also
towards needy and poor. Be respectful to elders and loving and caring
towards younger.Most visit every day, the shrine of Syed Miran Shakir
fro spiritual guidance and strength".Syed Miran Shakir, whose shrine
is about three miles up-hills from Jallalpur Shareef, is the eldest
sonof well known Syed Shah Muhammad Ghaus, who is buried in Lahore
between Akbari and DilliGate).
The obedient son acted according to the will of his father. He led
simple, contented and devout life according to the guide lines set by
Quraanand Sunnah. He strived to gain know ledge and be beneficial for
people. Because of his generosity he is remembered as Gharib-Nawaz
(generous to poor). Despite his own early moderate economic
conditions, he used to gi8ve alms to any beggar visiting his doorstep
and helped thetravelers and needy ones, irrespective of their religion
or creed.
His non-discriminating attitude was according to the teaching of
Islam. As every Muslim in his five prayers repeats nearly twenty
times, every day: (Assalam-o-Alaina wa ala ibad Allah-is-saleheen),
for the salamti (safety and survival) of himself and saleh (good)
human beings, irrespective of their religion or creed.
Syed Ghulam Haider Shah mostly used to spend evenings and occasionally
nights at Hazrat Miran Shakir's shine that used to be deserted at
nights. One night the heard a voice, instructing him to see Syed
Ghulam Shah of a nearby town Haranpur for silsilah-e-bait (spiritual
link). When he met Syed Ghulam Shah Haranpuri, he said," Yourbait is
not easy for me, I will lead you to Khawajah Shamsuddin Sialvi (a
well-known Sufiand religious scholar of his times)".
As both of them reached Sial Shareef, a town in district Jhang, Syed
Ghulam Shah Haranpuri introduced him to Khawajah Shamsuddin Sialvi,
"He is a Syed from Jalalpur and is desirous of bait".Khawajah
Shamsuddin Sialvi, as if waiting for such a pious,devout and capable
figure, welcomed him and entered him to silsilah-e-bait. This bait
resulted in his spiritual growth and uplift. Gharib Nawaz developedtoo
much attachment and attraction for his Murshid (Spiritual
guide)Khawajah shamsuddin Sialvi and used to visit toSial Shareef, he
was awarded Khilafat and permission to accept hait from any follower.
He also studied books of Sufism, e.g., Muraqa Shareef Kashkaol, etc.
from his Murshid.
The virtues, purity and piousness of Syed Ghulam Haider Shah earned
great respect form Khwajah Silavi, who used to instruct a number of
salikeen and mureedain to go and seek bait of Syed GhulamHaider Shah,
Jalalpuri instead of his own. He used in his bait and that of Syed
Jalalpuri's bait.
Gharib-Nawaz Syed Ghulam Haider Shah, used to spend most of his time
remembering Allah, offering prayers, even not missing nowafils
(Non-obligatory worship), acquiring knowledge, study of sufiliterature
and guiding and helping visitors. At the same time he was very
attentive towards the welfare and betterment of his family,followers
and other matters of daily life. He maintained Langar (free meals for
followers, travelers and needy ones). He used to keep himself abreast
of political situation of the country and about the international
affairs. He was very perturbed overthe deteriorating political
conditions of Muslims in general and riots of 1907 in Bengal and
Punjab. In Islam there is no Rehbaniyat (Monkey or Participationboth
in religious as well as in worldly activities. Every worldly deed
becomes a religious activity when it is performed according to guide
lines and teachings of Islam and remembering and fearing Almighty
Allah allthe times.
Gharib-Nawaz Syed Ghulam Haider Shah led simple, clean and graceful
life. He was verygenerous and consistent in his commitments. He used
to preach and practice love for Allah, His Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be
Upon Him), Murshid and mankind and regarded it as a partof faith. He
desired his family and followers to be pious, cooperative, knowledge
and prolific. He hardly used to become angry with any one. He was
always a well wisher and never wished bad for anyone. Almighty Allah,
the Merciful, mostly rewarded whenever he prayed for the betterment of
any one, who visited him and requested for pray. Syed Mehr Ali Shah
Golarvi was peer-bhai (brother in spiritual order) and contemporary of
Syed Ghulam Haider Shah. Both had great respect and regard for each
other and worked jointly for the cause of Islam.
In 1905, Syed Ghulam Haider Shah, handed over Khilafat to his Younger
ason Syed Muzaffar Ali Shah and advised to help and guide people,
continue Langar Shareef and contribute in construction of facilities
for the visitors and followers. On afternoon of 5th July 1908 (5th
Jamadi-us-Sani, 1326 Hijra), following minor temperature he expired.
Malik Muhammad Din had written the biography, "Ziker-e-Habib" of Syed
GhulamHaider Shah. Many scholars and learned people expressed sorrow
and grief by written articles, poems and verses. Dr Allama Muhammad
Iqbal, also wrote quatrain indicating his high stature and date of
expiry in Persian.
It translates as, "Every one who visits the grave of peer Haider Shah,
described it as the glory of Koh-e-Toor (where Allah manifested His
glory to Prophet Moses).
An angel descended, from heaven and kissed hi grave, when asked about
his year to expiry, the angle replied, Maghfoor, (meaning pardoned and
exonerated one; the digit sum of the letters of Maghfoor is 1326, the
year according to the lunar calendar). The follower and devotees from
all around the world will gather to commemorate the 100thanniversary
of Syed Ghulam Haider Shah at Jallalpur Shareef, districtJehlum in
Second week of July.
After Syed Muzaffar Shah, his son, Hazrat Abdul Barkat Syed Muhammad
Fazal Shah, graced dargah Jallalpur Shareef. He was a great spiritual
as well as a religious leader and activity participated in the
movements for independence of Pakistan and Kashmir. The volunteers of
his Jamaat Hizbullah, foughtand struggled to liberateAzad jamun
Kashmir from Indian atrocities.
These days Hazrat Syed Anis Haider, the grand son of Syed Muhammad
Fazal Shah, is the spiritual leader and Sal adah Nasheen of Jallahpur
Shareef. He is highly qualified and has worked abroad for a long tiem.
He worked in UNO as Country Director for Afghan Affair. On account of
commitmentsand responsibilities entrusted upon him after the sad
demise of his father Syed Barket Ahmed (ex Joint Secretary,
Government. of Pakistan and Senator)he resigned from UNO in 2002. The
mile-stones of his mission are Education, Unity among Muslims and
Welfare andDevelopment of the followers, Pakistan and Muslims in
general. He is paying special attention towards grooming and education
of male and female students of Dar-ul-uloom Jamia Haideriah at
Jallalpur Shareef. He strongly desires that the education and
knowledge acquisition of Quran and Sunnah must proceed hand in hand
with scientific and technical education. Out of his busy schedule he
takes out time for spiritual guidance of thefollowers and also for
developmental and social activities.
His brother Hazrat Syed Tanveer Haider is also foreign qualified. He
hadbeen working in the Computer field at GHQ but left job, while
availing an opportunity to stay in Masjid-e-Nabvi,Madina Shareef.
Both brothers have high spiritual standings and are providing
inspiration and guidance to the followers. Both are looking after all
the affairs of Jallalpur Shareef jointly. May Allahbe merciful and
beneficent to them and all Muslims and give us strength to follow the
straight path indicated and followed by His Prophet Mohammad (Peace Be
Upon Him) andHis pious and good people who have been rewarded by Him.

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And Allah Knows the Best!

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Published by :->
M NajimudeeN Bsc- INDIA

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