Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh was born on Thursday the 1st of Jamadi-us-Sani in 1039 H (17 January, 1630 A.D) during Fajar prayers, in the reign of mughal emperor Shah Jahan in Shorkot, District Jhung, Pakistan (then India).
He Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh belonged to "Awan" tribe of the progeny of Hazrat Ali Bin Abu Talib Karum Allah Wajhul Kareem. Awans are Hazrat Ali Bin Abu Talib Karum Allah Wajhul Kareem's children from wives other than Hazrat Fatima Razi Allah Anhaa. Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo's father Bazyed Mohammad Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh was a soldier by profession and a titleholder in mughal emperor Shah Jahan's army. His mother Bibi Rasti Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayha was a saintly woman. She was informed of Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo's grandeur and spiritual status before his birth and according to
his status of annihilation in Allah (Fana-Fi-Hoo) his name Bahoo (one with Hoo (
) ) was revealed to her.Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh says
).
Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh was a Wali-Allah by birth. He remained engrossed in heavenly experiences and triumphed in the doubtless from an early age. Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh gained his early esoteric and spiritual education from his mother. A non muslim would immediately recite Kalma and accept Islam if his eyes fell on the divine face of Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh, such was the intensity of the divine radiance upon him.
He states in his books "I searched for a mentor (murshid) for thirty years but in vain". It was because he already held such elevated heights of Faqr where access to one is extremely arduous. Therefore Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh relates one of his revelations in his book that one day, engrossed in Allah's Vision, he was wondering in the surroundings of Shorkot when Hazrat Ali Bin Abu Talib Karum Allah Wajhul Kareem came and took him to the esteemed Assembly of Hazrat Mohammad Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam where the four Pious Caliphs Razi Allah Anhum, Family (Ahl-e-Bait) of Prophet Mohammad Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam and Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jillani Razi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu were also present. There Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo swore allegiance at the sacred hands of Prophet Mohammad Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam and then He Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam entrusted Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh to Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jillani Razi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for further spiritual guidance. That is why Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo always refers Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jillani Razi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu as his Murshid in his books. He says that when Ghaus-ul-Azam blessed me spiritually, I surpassed all the spiritual levels from eternal beginning till eternal end. Afterwards, on the orders of Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jillani Razi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu, he took an oath of allegiance at the hands of Shaikh Pir Abdul Rehman Jillani Dehlwi Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh who entrusted the treasure of Faqr to Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh in just one meeting.
Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh is stationed at the highest status of SULTAN-UL-FAQR (Fifth). This status and splendour of Hazrat Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh is beyond anyone's speculation. He is blessed with the extremities of Faqr. He says that "I have been ordered and given powers by the Holy Prophet Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam to give spiritual guidance to everyone whether muslim or non muslim, alive or dead and lead them all to Allah till the Doomsday. Holy Prophet Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam has granted me the titles 'Mujtaba Akhir Zamani' and 'Mustafa Sani'."
Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh belonged to Sarwari Qadri chain. The Qadri order reaches Hazrat Mohammad Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam through Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jillani Razi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu. There are two offshoots of Qadri order, Zahidi Qadri and Sarwari Qadri. Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo refers only the Sarwari Qadri order the proper and real Qadri order.He says:
"Qadri order has two off shoots, Zahidi and Sarwari Qadri. Sarwari Qadri Murshid has perfect command over Ism-e-Allah Zaat, that is why when he blesses a seeker with the divinity of Ism-e-Allah Zaat he grants him equal status of his own, thus the 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 12 years to very hard mystic struggles, then Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jillani Razi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu helps him and elevates him to the status of majzoob devotee, while the status of a Sarwari Qadri devotee is of belovedness". (Qaleed-ul-Tauheed Kalan).
He states in his books "I searched for a mentor (murshid) for thirty years but in vain". It was because he already held such elevated heights of Faqr where access to one is extremely arduous. Therefore Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh relates one of his revelations in his book that one day, engrossed in Allah's Vision, he was wondering in the surroundings of Shorkot when Hazrat Ali Bin Abu Talib Karum Allah Wajhul Kareem came and took him to the esteemed Assembly of Hazrat Mohammad Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam where the four Pious Caliphs Razi Allah Anhum, Family (Ahl-e-Bait) of Prophet Mohammad Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam and Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jillani Razi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu were also present. There Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo swore allegiance at the sacred hands of Prophet Mohammad Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam and then He Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam entrusted Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh to Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jillani Razi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu for further spiritual guidance. That is why Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo always refers Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jillani Razi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu as his Murshid in his books. He says that when Ghaus-ul-Azam blessed me spiritually, I surpassed all the spiritual levels from eternal beginning till eternal end. Afterwards, on the orders of Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jillani Razi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu, he took an oath of allegiance at the hands of Shaikh Pir Abdul Rehman Jillani Dehlwi Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh who entrusted the treasure of Faqr to Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh in just one meeting.
Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh is stationed at the highest status of SULTAN-UL-FAQR (Fifth). This status and splendour of Hazrat Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh is beyond anyone's speculation. He is blessed with the extremities of Faqr. He says that "I have been ordered and given powers by the Holy Prophet Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam to give spiritual guidance to everyone whether muslim or non muslim, alive or dead and lead them all to Allah till the Doomsday. Holy Prophet Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam has granted me the titles 'Mujtaba Akhir Zamani' and 'Mustafa Sani'."
Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh belonged to Sarwari Qadri chain. The Qadri order reaches Hazrat Mohammad Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam through Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jillani Razi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu. There are two offshoots of Qadri order, Zahidi Qadri and Sarwari Qadri. Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo refers only the Sarwari Qadri order the proper and real Qadri order.He says:
"Qadri order has two off shoots, Zahidi and Sarwari Qadri. Sarwari Qadri Murshid has perfect command over Ism-e-Allah Zaat, that is why when he blesses a seeker with the divinity of Ism-e-Allah Zaat he grants him equal status of his own, thus the 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 12 years to very hard mystic struggles, then Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jillani Razi Allahu Ta’ala Anhu helps him and elevates him to the status of majzoob devotee, while the status of a Sarwari Qadri devotee is of belovedness". (Qaleed-ul-Tauheed Kalan).
He describes the status of Sarwari Qadri Murshid and devotees in these words:
"What is the initial status of an accomplished Sarwari Qadri? It is that he elevates the seeker spiritually with his one glance and Zikr of Ism-e-Allah Zaat, on the very first day, to such heights that the seeker is completely drowned in the divine union with Allah and finds presence in the Celestial Assembly of Mohammad Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam. The Mentor (Murshid) who cannot do this is not a proper Sarwari Qadri murshid." (Qaleed-ul-Tauheed).
Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh himself holds this status. He says:
"What is the initial status of an accomplished Sarwari Qadri? It is that he elevates the seeker spiritually with his one glance and Zikr of Ism-e-Allah Zaat, on the very first day, to such heights that the seeker is completely drowned in the divine union with Allah and finds presence in the Celestial Assembly of Mohammad Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam. The Mentor (Murshid) who cannot do this is not a proper Sarwari Qadri murshid." (Qaleed-ul-Tauheed).
Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh himself holds this status. He says:
Meaning: For every true seeker of Allah I render myself and my spiritual powers to elevate him to esoteric eternity in just one moment. Come to me oh seeker of Allah so that I take you very close to Allah on the very first day.
Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh could not get the opportunity to receive worldly education because he was so absorbed in the deep rivers of divine unity. Still he has written 140 books about Faqr, the way of Gnosis (Marifat) and Glorious Vision of Allah (Deedar-e-Elahi) for guidance of seekers of Allah. In all his books he lays emphasis on acquiring the way of Faqr under the spiritual guidance of a Sarwari Qadri Murshid. He declares the invocation (Zikr) and contemplation Tasawur of Ism-e-Allah Zaat the key to the ultimate sanctity and purity of soul where the soul is blessed with Deedar-e-Elahi and presence in the Assembly of Prophet Mohammad Sall'Allahu Alayhi Wa'alihi Wasallam.
Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh says in his books that despite of all his efforts he could not find a truly capable seeker of Allah to whom he could entrust the treasure of Faqr for the future guidance of devotees, so on the Ist of Jamadi-us-Sani in 1102 H (Ist March 1691 A.D) he died without transferring this treasure to anyone. Afterwards Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo entrusted this treasure to Syed Abdullah Shah Madni Jillani Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh. The Shrine of Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo is in Garh Maharaja Jhung Pakistan. His urs is held on the first Thursday of Jamadi-us-Sani. His title is Sultan-ul-Arifeen.
Spiritual lineage
In his writings, Sultan Bahu refers to Abdul Qadir Jilani as his spiritual master, even though Jilani died long before the birth of Sultan Bahu. However, most Sufis maintain that Abdul Qadir Jilani has a special role in the mystic world and that all orders and saints are always indebted to him directly or indirectly in some way.[4] Thus, whilst referring to Jilani's Qadiriyya tradition, Sultan Bahu has left an offshoot of his own which he named Sarwari Qadiri.
Bahu's Sarwari Qadiri tradition (or Sufi order) is similar in its overall philosophy to the Qadiri order. However, unlike many other Sufi orders, the Sarwari Qadiri tradition does not prescribe specific dress code, ascetic practices, breathing exercises, etc., and instead focuses on mental exercise, an important one being visualisation of the word ???? (Allah, God) as written on own heart.
According to tradition, the lineage reaches Sultan Bahu as follows:
Mohammad
Ali ibn Abi Talib
Hasan al Basri
Habib al Ajami
Dawud Tai
Maruf Karkhi
Sirri Saqti
Junaid Baghdadi
Abu Bakr Shibli
Abdul Aziz bin Hars bin Asad Yemeni Tamimi
Abu Al Fazal Abdul Wahid Yemeni Tamimi
Mohammad Yousaf Abu al-Farah Tartusi
Abu-al-Hassan Ali Bin Mohammad Qureshi Hankari
Abu Saeed Mubarak Makhzoomi
Abdul Qadir Jilani
Abdul Razzaq Jilani
Abdul Jabbar Jilani
Syed Mohammad Sadiq Yahya
Najm-ud-Din Burhan Puri
Abdul Fattah
Abdul Sattar
Abdul Baqqa
Abdul Jaleel
Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi
Sultan Bahu
The tradition has been continued to this day by Sultan Bahu's successors.
Shrine
Shrine of Sultan Bahu near Jhang, Pakistan.
The shrine of Sultan Bahu, located in Garh Maharaja, Punjab,[5] was originally built on his grave but has had to be moved twice when the Chenab River changed its course. It is a popular Sufi shrine, and the annual Urs festival commemorating his death is celebrated there with great fervour on the first Thursday of Jumada al-Thani month. People come from far off places to join the celebrations.
Sultan Bahu also used to hold an annual Urs to commemorate the martyrs of Karbala from the 1st to the 10th day of the month of Muharram. This tradition continues to this day and every year, thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine during the first 10 days of Muharram.
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