Sultan ul Arifeen Hazrat Sakhi
Sultan Bahoo(R.A.) is popular among saints, Sufi orders, spiritual chains and
even Sufi poets and even simple followers or readers of Tasawwuf. Although his
roots belong to the Subcontinent, Sultan Bahoo (R.A.) is popular worldwide due
to his inclusion in so many genres of religion, spiritual chains, poetry and
even music. His Punjabi poetry has a popular appeal and earned him lasting fame.
His Kalam/couplets known as Ibyat are sung in many genres of Sufi music by well
known singers both folk and pop. The Punjab region became predominantly Muslim
due to such missionary Sufi saints whose shrines and dargahs dot the landscape
of Punjab. He is the one who set the foundation of Sarwari Qadri Order which
connects to Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (R.A.) and hence to Hazrat Mohammad
(pbuh).
Geneology:
Sultan-ul-Arifeen Sultan-ul-Faqr V Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo(R.A.) belonged to
the 'Awan' tribe and Awans' genealogical tree goes back to Hazrat Ali Karam
Allah Wajhul Kareem. Awans are Hazrat Ali's progeny from wives other than Hazrat
Fatima Razi Allah Anha.
Sultan-ul-Arifeen Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo (R.A.) used to write a few
introductory lines about himself in the preface of all his books, just as other
authors of his age did, and then put light on the objectives of the book.
Wherever, he has given his introduction, he has always written 'Awan' with his
name. In Noor-ul-Huda Kalan he says; "the writer of this book Sarwari Qadri
Faqeer Bahoo, Fana-Fi-Hoo, son of Bazayad Mohammad, commonly known as Awan,
resident of Qilla Shore (Shorekot) always says truth." The same lines, with the
change of a few words, are written in almost all his books which prove that he
belonged to Awan tribe.
Sultan Hamid Ali writes the genealogical tree of Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo
(R.A.) in his book "Manaqib-e-Sultani" as:
Sultan-ul-Arifeen Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo son of Hazrat Bazayed Mohammad son
of Shaikh Sultan Fateh Mohammad son of Shaikh Allah Ditta son of Shaikh Mohammad
Tameem son of Shaikh Mohammad Mannan son of Shaikh Mohammad Moghla son of Shaikh
Mohammad Paida son of Shaikh Mohammad Saghara son of Shaikh Mohammad Anun son of
Shaikh Mohammad Sala son of Shaikh Mohammad Bahari son of Shaikh Jaimoon son of
Shaikh Mohammadd Hargan son of Shaikh Anwar Shah son of Shaikh Mohammad Amir
Shah son of Shaikh Qutb Shah son of Hazrat Aman Shah son of Hazrat Sultan
Hussain Shah son of Hazrat Shaikh Feroz Shah son of Hazrat Mehmood Shah son of
Hazrat Shaikh Fartak Shah son of Hazrat Shaikh Nawab Shah son of Hazrat Shaikh
Darab Shah son of Hazrat Adham Shah son of Hazrat Shaikh Abeek Shah son of
Hazrat Shaikh Sikandar Shah son of Hazrat Shaikh Ahmad Shah son of Hazrat Hajar
Shah son of Hazrat Ameer Zubair son of Hazrat Ali Karam Allah Wajhul Kareem bin
Abu Talib.
-(Manaqib-e-Sultani)
Ancestors & Parents
Ancestors of Sultan-ul-Arifeen Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo (R.A.) lived in Anga, a
village in Valley of Saun Sakesar (Tehsil Naushehra, District Khoshab, Punjab
Pakistan). Their shrines and remains of their houses can still be found in Anga
and its vicinity. The shrine of Sultan-ul-Arifeen's grandfather Hazrat Sakhi
Sultan Fateh Mohammad is in the graveyard of Anga and the shrine of his
grandmother is also nearby.
Sultan-ul-Arifeen Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo's father's name was Sultan Bazayed
Mohammad (R.A.) who was a soldier by profession and held a special position in
the army of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. He was a pious and virtuous
Hafiz-e-Quran. He spent his early life in Jahad.
Sultan-ul-Arifeen shows great devotion and love towards his mother in his books.
He says "thousands of blessings of Allah upon Bibi Raasti for naming me Bahoo".
Bibi Raasti was stationed at the highest level of Faqr i.e Fana Fi Hoo
(annihilated in Hoo). She was informed of Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo's grandeur
and spiritual status before his birth and his name "Bahoo" (one with Hoo) was
revealed to her, so she named him Bahoo in obedience to Allah's orders.
Birth
Sultan-ul-Arifeen Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo (R.A.) was born in Shorekot, Jhang
in the reign of Shah Jahan on Thursday, Ist Jamadi-us-Sani 1039 Hijri (17th Jan
1630) at the time of Fajar prayer. According to"Manaqib-e-Sultani" when Bibi
Raasti (R.A.) reached Shorekot from Anga, she was about to give birth to
Sultan-ul-Arifeen and she was informed through spiritual revelation that this
child would be the Sultan of Arifeens (knowers of Allah) and will be born in the
valley of Chenab. She named this sacred child "Bahoo" according to the Divine
order, as his status and name was already revealed to her. Sultan-ul-Arifeen
says: Bahoo's mother named him Bahoo because Bahoo has always remained with
(Hoo).
Before him, no one in history has ever been named Bahoo. Sultan-ul-Arifeen is
the exact manifestation of Ism-e-Hoo. In his books, he frequently calls himself
Faqeer Bahoo Fana Fi-Hoo and describes his status of Fana (annihilation) and
Baqa (immortality) with Hoo.
Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo is the Sultan of all Sultans (Arifeens and saints)
i.e. Sultan-ul-Arifeen and is stationed at the highest status of Sultan-ul-Faqr,
that is why, 'Sultan' became a part of his name and afterwards, writers and
research scholars added 'Mohammad' to his name due to respect. Common people
also call him 'Haq Bahoo'.
Childhood
Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo (R.A.) remained engrossed in heavenly experiences and
doubtless spiritual triumphs from an early age. Once, he was lying at some
place, a group of Hindu ascetics passed by, one of them hit him by his foot and
asked him to show them the way. He got up and recited the kalma (creed). This
group of ascetics accepted Islam there and then by just his one glance and the
stroke of creed recited by his sacred tongue. All of them afterwards became
saints.
Divine Truth and Oath of Allegience
One day, engrossed in Allah's vision, he was wandering in the suburbs of
Shorekot, suddenly an extremely honorable and dignified rider appeared who held
his hand and told him affectionately that "I am Ali bin Abu Talib". Sultan Bahoo
(R.A.) was young of age, not of intellect. He at once recognized Hazrat Ali and
was about to sacrifice his self for him. Hazrat Ali looked towards him and said
"Son! Today you are summoned in the court of Holy Prophet Sall'Allahu Alayhi
Wa'alihi Wasallam". Then in a moment he found himself in the Assembly of the
Holy Prophet. He writes about this experience of presence in the assembly of
Holy Prophet Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam, "Whatever I saw there, it was
with my physical eyes and experienced everything with my physical body". In
Risala Roohi Sharif, he says: “Hazrat Mohammad Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi
Wasallam has took my allegiance and called me his spiritual son. He has allowed
and ordered me to persuade and guide people on the divine way to Allah.”
Sultan-ul-Arifeen met Shaikh Abdul Rehman Jilani on Friday, 29 Ziqa'ad 1078
Hijri (11th May 1668). Shaikh took him in privacy. Sultan-ul-Arifeen received
his eternal destiny in the form of Ism-e-Allah Zaat in only one meeting with his
Murshid, he found everything he wanted and returned replete and brimful with the
emotions to benefit people with this favour and benevolence.
Spiritual Title Sultan-ul-Arifeen
Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo (R.A.) is known by the title of "Sultan-ul-Arifeen"
among all the Auliya (saints) and Arifeen (knowers). When Hazrat Sakhi Sultan
Bahoo (R.A.) became known in the world by the title of "Sultan-ul-Arifeen", some
false pirs and fraudulants all over the world, especially in the sub-continent
and Jammu Kashmir, started using this title with their names. Followers and
devotees of some saints also attached this title with that saint's name. It
should be clearly understood that the title "Sultan-ul-Arifeen" is specific only
for Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo (R.A.), only he truly and factually deserves and
owns this title, others are just imitators.
The title ‘Sultan-ul-Arifeen’ is used in Islamic Sufism. ‘Sultan’ refers to the
king or leader whereas Arifeen is derived from its singular Arif which means the
perfect knower of Allah. Hence, Sultan-ul-Arifeen means the King of the Knowers
of Allah. The title 'Sultan-ul-Arifeen' belongs only to Sultan Bahoo (R.A.) as
confirmed by well-known scholars, authors and the descendants of Sultan Bahoo.
No other saint has been acknowledged by this title. Sultan-ul-Arifeen was
endowed to him by the court of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh).
Sarwari Qadri Order
Sultan-ul-Arifeen Sultan-ul-Faqr Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo (R.A.) followed the
"Sarwari Qadri way". In almost all of his books he has declared himself "Qadri"
and has explained the excellence and spiritual beneficence of Hazrat Shaikh
Abdul Qadir Jilani Razi Allah Anhu from whom this order continues.
Sultan-ul-Arifeen named Qadri order as "Sarwari Qadri" where Sarwari refers the
leader-the Holy Prophet (pbuh)and Qadri is directed to Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani
Razi Allah Anhu. Sultan-ul-Arifeen declares Sarwari Qadri way the actual and
perfect Qadri way which flourished in the Subcontinent due to his efforts. He
says about the Qadri way that:
Qadri order has two off shoots, Zahidi and Sarwari Qadri. Sarwari Qadri Murshid
is the possessor of all the attributes of Ism-e-Allah Zaat that is why when he
blesses a seeker with the Divine guidance and persuasion of Ism-e-Allah Zaat, he
grants him an equal status of his own. Thus seeker becomes so indifferent to all
needs and completely resigned to Allah that gold and soil becomes equal for him.
On the contrary the follower of Zahidi Qadri order has to devote at least twelve
years to hard mystic struggles, then Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Razi Allah
Anhu helps him and elevates him to the status of majzoob (lunatic) devotee,
while the status of a Sarwari Qadri devotee is that of belovedness.
(Kaleed-ul-Tauheed Kalan)
Sarwari Qadri is actually the one who swears allegiance upon the hands of Hazrat
Mohammad Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam. All the evils and immoral
behaviors are removed from his self and is blessed with the taufeeq (Divine
favour) to adopt the way of Shariat-e-Mohammadi. (Mehek-ul-Faqr Kalan)
The Sarwari Qadri lineage reaches Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo (R.A.) in the
following order:
1. Prophet Mohammad Sall’Allahu Alayhi Wa’alihi Wasallam
2. Hazrat Ali bin Abu Talib Karum Allah Wajhu
3. Hazrat Khawaja Hassan Basri Razi Allah Anhu
4. Hazrat Shaikh Habib Ajmi (R.A.)
5. Hazrat Shaikh Daud Tai (R.A.)
6. Hazrat Shaikh Maroof Karkhi (R.A.)
7. Hazrat Shaikh Sir’ri Saqti (R.A.)
8. Hazrat Shaikh Junaid Baghdadi (R.A.)
9. Hazrat Shaikh Jafar Abu Bakr Shibli (R.A.)
10. Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Aziz Bin Hars Bin Asad Tameemi (R.A.)
11. Hazrat Shaikh Abu-al-Fazal Abdul Wahid Tameemi (R.A.)
12. Hazrat Shaikh Mohammad Yousaf Abu-al-Farrah Turtoosi (R.A.)
13. Hazrat Shaikh Abu-al-Hassan Ali Bin Mohammad Qureshi Hankari (R.A.)
14. Hazrat Abu Saeed Mubarak Makhzoomi (R.A.)
15. Ghaus-ul-Azam Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Razi Allah Anhu
16. Hazrat Shaikh Taj-ud-Din Abu Bakr Syed Abdul Razzaq Jilani (R.A.)
17. Hazrat Shaikh Syed Abdul Jabbar (R.A.)
18. Hazrat Shaikh Syed Mohammad Sadiq Yahya (R.A.)
19. Hazrat Shaikh Syed Najm-ud-Din Burhan Puri (R.A.)
20. Hazrat Shaikh Syed Abdul Fattah (R.A.)
21. Hazrat Shaikh Syed Abdul Sattar (R.A.)
22. Hazrat Shaikh Syed Abdul Baqqa (R.A.)
23. Hazrat Shaikh Syed Abdul Jaleel (R.A.)
24. Hazrat Shaikh Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi (R.A.)
25. Sultan-ul-Arifeen Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo (R.A.)
After 139 years of death of Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo (R.A.), Hazrat Sakhi
Sultan Syed Mohammad Abdullah Shah Madni Jilani (R.A.) was selected and sent by
the Holy Prophet Mohammad (pbuh) to whom Sultan-ul-Arifeen transferred
Amanat-e-Elahiya (The Trust of Allah).
Death
Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh died in the age of 63 years on
Thursday 1st Jamadi-us-Sani 1102 Hijri (1st march 1691 A.D) at the time of Asar
prayer. It is unanimously agreed upon by all the biographers that age of
Sultan-ul-Arifeen was exactly 63 years at the time of death according to lunar
calendar.
Shrine
The present shrine is situated in a populated area. The city Garh Maharaja is at
a distance of two miles from the shrine, Ahmad Pur Sial is in the south, in the
east there is city of Shorekot across the river Jehlum and Chenab and the
Muzzaffar Garh Road passes at the distance of one and a half mile towards the
west. This shrine is a source of beneficence for the whole world. Hundreds of
mystics remain in seclusion in the shrine for the sake of Vision of Allah. It is
acknowledged by many seekers of Divine Truth and Reality that they are never
returned empty handed from here.
Books Written by Sultan ul Airfeen
Over 140 books have been written by him. All his books are written in Persian
except "Abyat-e-Bahoo" (verses) which is in Punjabi language. Sultan Bahoo's
writing style is very simple and easy to understand, even for a less educated
person. His writings are so fluent and influential that they grip the reader
completely.
1. Abyat-e-Bahoo (Punjabi)
2. Risala-e-Ruhi or Risala Roohi Shareef
3. Deewan-e-Bahoo (Persian)
4. Sultan-ul-Waham (Kalan)
5. Sultan-ul-Waham (Khurd)
6. Noor ul Huda (Kalan)
7. Noor-ul Huda (Khurd)
8. Aqal-e-Beydar
9. Mehak-ul-Faqr (Kalaan)
10. Mehak-ul-Faqr (Khurd)
11. Aurang Shahi
12. Jamay-ul-Asrar
13. Taufeeq-ul-Hidayat
14. Kaleed ul Tauheed (Kalaan)
15. Kaleed ul Tauheed (Khurd)
16. Ain ul Faqr
17. Shams ul Arifeen
18. Asrar e Qadri
19. Majalisa-tul-Nabi
20. Kashf-ul Asrar
21. Gunj-ul-Asrar
22. Fazlul-Laqa(Khurd)
23. Fazalul-Laqa (Kalan)
24. Kaleed-e-Jannat
25. Miftah-ul-Arifeen
26. Ameer-ul-Kaunain
27. Taigh-e-Barhana
28. Qurb-e-Deedar
29. Ain-ul-Arifeen
30. Mohabbat-ul-Asrar
31. Miftah-ul-Arifeen
32. Muhkam-ul-Fuqara
33. Deedar Bakhsh
34. Tarfa-tul-Ain
Bibliography
1. Manaqib-i-Sultani-hagiography written by Sultan Hamid
2. Shams-ul-Fuqara-an encyclopedia of the teachings of Sultan-ul-Arifeen written
by Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman ISBN 978-969-9795-04-6
3. Sultan Bahoo-The Life and Teachings: (Shams-ul-Fuqara in English): written by
Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman and Translation of by Yasmin
Khurshid Malik Sarwari Qadri, Ambreen Moghees Sarwari Qadri, Neyn Tara Sarwari
Qadri ISBN 978-969-9795-18-3
4. Sultan Bahu Life and Works written by Sayyid Aḥmad Saʻīd Hamdānī
5. Sufism:Heart of Islam written by Sadia Dehlvi ISBN 978-93-5029-448-2
6. Mujtaba Akhir Zamani-life history of the Mashaikhs of the Sarwari Qadri Order
written by Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman ISBN 978-969-9795-07-7
7. The Spiritual Guides of Sarwari Qadri Order: (Mujtaba Akhir Zamani in
English): Written by Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman and
Translation of by Yasmeen Khurshid Malik Sarwari Qadri, Ambreen Moghees Sarwari
Qadri, Neyn Tara Sarwari Qadri
8. Sarwari Qadiri Order ISBN 9781158473861
9. Kalam Mashaikh Sarwari Qadri-poetry of spiritual guides of Sarwari Qadri
Order written by Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman
10. Sawaneh Hayat (biography) Sultan-ul-Tarikeen Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Syed
Mohammad Abdullah Shah Madni Jilani (R.A.)
11. Mirat-e-Sultani written by Dr. Sultan Altaf Ali
12. Auliya-e-Jhang' written by: Iqbal Zuberi
13. Tazkarah-tul-Auliya written by Hazrat Farid ud Din Attar (R.A.)
14. Tareekh-e-Jhang written by: Iqbal Zuberi
15. Biographical Encyclopedia of Sufis by N. Hanif ISBN 9788176250870