5 Muharam-Baba Farid Ganj Shakar Rehmatullah Alaih
حضرت خواجہ فرید ُالدین مسعود گنج شکر رحمتہ اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ
(وصال: 5 محرم الحرام 668 ہجری)
حضرت خواجہ فریدُ الدین مسعود گنج شکر رحمۃ اللہ علیہ ،حضرت قطب الدین بَختیار کا کی رحمتہ اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ کے خلیفہ اور خواجہ اجمیری سے فیض یافتہ تھے ،آپ کا شمار اکابر اولیاء کرام میں سے ہے۔ ریاضت، مجاہدہ،فقر اور ترکِ دنیا آپ کے محبوب ترین مشغلے تھے آپ کشف و کرامت کی علامت اور ذوق محبت کی درخشندہ نشانی تھے ہمیشہ سرو خفی کی جانب کوچ فرماتے رہتے ،آخر کار راجو دھن (موجودہ پاکپتن )تشریف لائے،یہاں کے باشندے تندخو،ظاہر پرست اور خاص کر فقیروں اور در ویشوں کے دشمن تھے،آپ نے اس جگہ پہنچ کر فرما یا کہ یہ مقام میرے رہنے کے مناسب ہے چنانچہ وہیں رہنے لگے،یہاں کی مسجد میں اکثر و بیشتر نماز پڑھتے اورعبادت کرتے،یہیں آپ کے فرزند پیدا ہوئے اور یہیں آپ نے فا قے کئے اور یہیں مجاہدے اور ریاضت کی صعوبتوں کو برداشت کرتے رہے چونکہ زبردست روحانیت کے مالک تھے اس لئے پو شیدہ نہ رہ سکے ۔
شکر نمک بن گئی
آپ کے گنج شکر ہونے کی وجہ تسمیہ کا ایک واقعہ یہ بھی مشہور ہے کہ کچھ سودا گر شکر لیکر جا رہے تھے حضرت بابا فرید الدین شکر گنج رحمۃاﷲتعالیٰ علیہ نے ان سے کچھ شکر مانگی انہوں نے کہا شیخ آپ کو مغالطہ ہوا ، ہمارے اونٹوں پر شکر نہیں بلکہ نمک ہے، حضرت بابا فرید الدین شکر گنج رحمۃاﷲتعالیٰ علیہ نے فرما یا :"نمک ہی ہوگا" سوداگروں نے اپنی منزلِ مقصود پر پہنچنے کے بعد جب مال کھولا تو وہ واقعی نمک ہی تھا ،وہ دوڑے دوڑے حضرت بابا فرید الدین شکر گنج رحمۃاﷲتعالیٰ علیہ کی بار گاہ میں آئے اور عرض کرنے لگے کہ واقعتا ہم سے غَلَطی ہوئی آ پ اسے معاف فرمائیں اور دعا کریں کہ وہ شکر ہو جائے آپ رحمۃاﷲتعالیٰ علیہ نے فرمایا کہ شکر ہوجائے گا ،چنانچہ وہ نمک پھر سے شکر ہو گیا۔
کان نمک جہان شکر شیخ بحر و بر
آں کز شکر نمک کندواز نمک شکر
(نمک کی کان ،شکر کا خزینہ و بحر و بر کا شیخ وہ ہے ، جس نے شکر کو نمک ،نمک کو شکربنا دیا)
نماز کی اہمیت
پانچ محرم کی رات آپ پر مرض کی شدت طاری ہوئی با جماعت عشاء کی نماز پڑھنے کے بعد بے ہوش ہو گئے،تھوڑی دیر کے بعد جب ہوش میں آئے تو حاضرین سے پوچھا کہ کیا میں نے عشاء کی نماز پڑھ لی ہے لوگوں نے کہا جی ہاں! آپ رحمتہ اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ نے فرمایا ، ایک مرتبہ اور پڑھ لوں پھر کون جانے کیا ہوگا چنانچہ آپ رحمتہ اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ نے دوسری مرتبہ پھر عشاء کی نماز پڑھی اور اس کے بعد پھر بے ہوش ہو گئے اور جب ہوش آیا تو پوچھا کیا میں نے عشاء کی نمازپڑھ لی ہے؟ لوگوں نے جواب دیا کہ آپ اس سے پہلے دوبار پڑھ چکے ہیں ، آپ رحمتہ اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ نے فرمایا ایک مرتبہ اور پڑھ لوں پھر معلوم کیا ہو؟ غرضیکہ آپ رحمتہ اللہ تعالیٰ علیہ نے تیسری بار بھی عشاء کی نماز پڑھی اور نماز پڑھنے کے بعد "یا حَیُّ یا قَیُّوم"کہتے ہوئے جان جانِ آفریں کے سپرد کی۔ (اخبارالاخیار)
اللّٰہ عَزّوَجَلَّ کی اِن پر رحمت ہو اور اِن کے صد قے ہماری مغفِرت ہو
صَلُّو ا عَلَی الحَبِیب صلَّی اللّٰہُ تعالٰی علٰی محمَّد
Hadrat Baba Farid-ud-Din Mas'ud Ganj-e-Shakar Rehmatullah Alaih
Blessed Birth
Hadrat Baba Farid al-Din Mas'ud Ganj-e-Shakar Rehmatullah Alaih was born on the 29th Sha'ban in 569 A.H. [April 4, 1179 C.E.] in Khotwal, 10 km from Multan in the Punjab region of Pakistan, to Jamal-ud-din Suleiman and Maryam Bibi (Qarsum Bibi), daughter of Sheikh Wajih-ud-din Khojendi. He was a descendant of Farrukh Shah Kabuli, the King of Afghanistan.
He was the grandson of Shaykh Shoaib who was the grandson of Farrukh Shah Kabuli, the king of Kabul and Ghazni. When Farrukh Shah Kabuli was killed by the Mongol hordes invading Kabul, Farid's grandfather Shaykh Shoaib left Afghanistan and settled in the Punjab in 1125. He was a direct descendant of Hadrat Umar al-Farooq Rehmatullah Alaih, the second Caliph of Islam.
Genealogy tracing back to Hadrat Umar ibn Khattab
1. Hadrat Umar Bin Khattab, second Caliph
2. Abdullah (Bin Umar)
3. Nasir
4. Sulaiman
5. Adham, King of Balkh and Bukhara
6. Ibrahim Bin Adham aka Abou Ben Adham
7. Ishaq
8. Abul Fatah
9. Abdullah Waa'iz Kobra
10. Abdullah Waa'iz Soghra
11. Masood
12. Sulaiman
13. Ishaq
14. Mohammad
15. Naseeruddin
16. Farrukh Shah Kabuli, King of Afghanistan
17. Shahabuddin Kabuli
18. Mohammed
19. Yousuf
20. Ahmed, died fighting Hulaku Khan
21. Shoaib
22. Jamaluddin Sulaiman
23. Baba Fareed Gunj Shakar
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 Rehmatullah Alaih birth, his mother lovingly expressed: “My dear son, during your confinement I never ate anything which was unlawful.” Hadrat Baba Farid Rehmatullah Alaih, 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.”
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. He went to Mecca for the Hajj pilgrimage aged 16.
Spiritual Guidance of Khwaja Qutb al-Din Bakhtiar Kaki Rehmatullah Alaih
During his studies, Hadrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Baktiar Kaki Rehmatullah Alaih of Delhi visited Multan where Hadrat Baba Farid Rehmatullah Alaih 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 Rehmatullah Alaih the mantle of spiritual leadership in the Chishtiyya Silsila fell on the shoulders of Hadrat Baba Farid Rehmatullah Alaih when Khwaja Qutbuddin Rehmatullah Alaih nominated him to be his Khalifa or spiritual successor. It was he who, in his 37 years as head of the silsila, ensured the propagation of Islam throughout India and the lands beyond.
Journeys and Mujahida
It is narrated that when Hadrat Baba Farid Rehmatullah Alaihvisited 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 Rehmatullah Alaih He was to receive some sacred relics from him. Accordingly, when he reached Baghdad Sharif, he received a box from Hadrat Abdul Wahab Rehmatullah Alaih 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 Rehmatullah Alaih, 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 Rehmatullah Alaih reached the pinnacle of spiritual glory through extremely hard Mujahidas (spiritual striving) to gain mastery over the Nafs.
Poetry
* Fareed, this world is beautiful, but there is a thorny garden within it.
* Fareed, do not turn around and strike those who strike you with their fists.
* Fareed, when there is greed, what love can there be? When there is greed, love is false.
Why Called "Ganj Shakar"?
There are several views for him being known by his famous title of Shakar Ganj. When he decided on mujaahadah, his Shaikh advised hunger. He therefore began fasting. After three days a man came and presented some bread. Thinking this to be by divine direction, he accepted and ate the bread. Within a few moments he became nauseous and vomited out whatever he had eaten. He reported this incident to his Shaikh who said:
“After three days you ate the food of a drunkard. Shukr unto Allah that the food did not remain in your stomach. Now remain hungry for another three days and then eat what comes from the Ghaib.”
After three days nothing came. He was overcome by weakness. On account of the extreme hunger he put some pebbles into his mouth. The pebbles turned into sugar. Fearing that this may be some deception, he spat it out. A short while later, the extreme hunger again constrained him to put pebbles into his mouth. These too became sugar which he again spat out. This happened again for a third time. In the morning he reported to his Shaikh who said: “It would have been good if you had ate it.” Since that day he was called Shakar Ganj.
It is also narrated that once a trader was taking a caravan of camels laden with sugar from Multan to Delhi. When he was passing through Ajodhan (now Pakistan), Hadrat Baba Fariduddin Rehmatullah Alaihenquired casually as to what he was carrying on his camels. The trader sarcastically replied, "It is salt." Hadrat Baba Fariduddin Rehmatullah Alaih also affirmed, "Yes, it may be salt." When the trader reached Delhi, he was awfully perturbed to find that all his bags of sugar had turned to salt. He immediately returned to Ajodhan and apologized before Hadrat Baba Farid Rehmatullah Alaih. Hadrat Baba Farid Rehmatullah Alaih said: "If it is sugar then it shall be sugar." The trader returned to Delhi and was pleased to find that the salt had turned back to sugar by the Grace of Almighty Allah. This is how Hadrat Baba Sahib Rehmatullah Alaih received the title of "Ganj-e- Shakar."
Anecdotes of Baba Farid
One of the devotees of Hadrat Baba Farid Rehmatullah Alaih named Mohammed Nishapuri lived in Gujrat and was going to Delhi with three other companions. On their way through the jungle, robbers encountered them. Mohammed Nishapuri and his companions had no wepons to defend themselves. In such a helpless state, Mohammed Nishapuri remembered his Pir, Hadrat Baba Farid Rehmatullah Alaih, and also offered prayers seeking Allah's help in their predicament. Surpassingly, the robbers threw away their weapons and offered an apology to the party and went away.
One day some poor people came from Arabia to see Hadrat Baba Farid Rehmatullah Alaih and said that they were strangers to the land and that all their money was spent before the end of the journey. Hadrat Baba Farid Rehmatullah Alaih gave them some dried dates which were lying in front of him at the moment and said, “Take them and go. Your journey shall be completed by the Grace of Allah.” Apparently, these persons were very disappointed with such a "cheap gift". After leaving the Khanqah, they wanted to throw away the dates, but just as they were about to do so, to their amazement, the dates turned into gold. Regretting their thoughts, these people left happily uttering their heartfelt gratitude and prayers for Hadrat Baba Farid Rehmatullah Alaih
Once seven hundred holy men were sitting together. An inquirer put them four questions to which Baba Farid replied.
Q.1 Who is the wisest of men?
A.1 He who refraineth from Sin.
Q.2 Who is the most intelligent?
A.2 He who is not disconcerted at anything.
Q.3 Who is most independent?
A.3 He who practiseth contentment.
Q.4 Who is the most needy?
A.4 He who practiseth it not.
Once an old woman came to Baba Fairid Rehmatullah Alaih and said that her son had disappeared some twenty years ago and that his whereabouts had not been traced since then. She requested him to pray for her son's return. Baba Farid (Rehmatullah Alaih) went into a trance and aftger some contemplation told to the old woman:" Go, your son has reached home. '' The old woman was overjoyed to learn this and met her son on her way home.
The Officer-in charge of Lahore sent Baba Fairid (Rehmatullah Alaih) one hundred Dinars through someone. The man kept fifty Dinars for himself and offered the remaining fifty to him.Accepting the fifty Dinars he told him: "Indeed,you have divided them equally well.'' The man was ashamed. Baba Farid (Rehmatullah Alaih) returned the fifty Dinars to the man too,warning him that criminal breach of trust is a sin that render''s all prayers futil and ineffective.
A man came to Baba Farid (Rehmatullah Alaih) once and submittted that he had no son, and requested Baba Farid (Rehmatullah Alaih) to pray for one. There upon,Hadrat Baba Farid (Rehmatullah Alaih) said that he had given him seven sons. A person overhearing the conversation said: "O Shaikh! Know you well, that it amounts to a claim to be God and not a mere boast.'' He remained silent. After some years, the person came to him again, but this time, He was not alone, but accompanied by his seven sons.
He fasted throughout his life and maintained his nightly prayers and devotions. Fear of Allah always dominated him. He was a staunch devotee of Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam and dedicated his entire life to the veneration of the beloved Prophet's Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam immortal glory. At the mention of the Holy Prophet's Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam character he would often weep out of his love and devotion. Hadrat Baba Farid Rehmatullah Alaih avoided kings, government officials and the rich. He also warned his Khalifas, devotees and Murids to avoid their company. He was a living picture of humility. Whatever he received was spent in the name of Allah and his chest overwhelmed with mercy and forgiveness. Many miracles are attributed to him during his lifetime and after his passing away.
Journey to other World
Death comes to all, even the greatest of saints, but the manner in which we receive it is not the same for all. As Baba Faridudeen was born in a state of devotion, so too he died in that state. For days before his death he maintained complete silence within his cell, only speaking for salaat and to recite the Holy Qur'an. Eventually, his illness grew so severe that after Isha salaat he became unconscious. Upon waking, he decided to perform his Isha again, but once more he passed out. In sajdah on his third Isha salaat, he breathed his last. He Passed away on the 5th of Muharram (Tuesday, 7 May 1266 CE (679 Hijri)). His last words were, "Ya Hayyo ya Qayyum." Upon his death, a divine voice was heard by those gathered to say, "Dost ba Dost Pewast" (FRIEND HAS MERGED INTO THE UNITY OF FRIEND.)
An old woman that was one of the devotees of the Saint presented a piece of cloth for the kaffan of Hadrat Baba Farid Rehmatullah Alaih. She implored: “I have not spun even a single thread of this cloth without having Wudu . I had prepared it for my own coffin but if it is accepted for the kaffan of this great Saint, I feel confident, Allah would be pleased with to pardon my sins and grant me salvation.” Hadrat Baba Farid’s Rehmatullah Alaih son accepted this cloth as the Kaffan.
Mazar Sharif
His mazar (shrine) is located in Pakpattan. Khawaja Nizamuddin Aulia Rehmatullah Alaih constructed his tomb. The mazar has two doors, namely Noori darwaza and Bahishti darwaza. Bahishti darwaza opens once a year and during the fair, thousands of people pass through this doorway. The door itself is made of silver, and floral designs are laid in gold sheet. Thousands of devotees come to visit the shrine daily from within the country and from abroad. His urs (death anniversary) is celebrated every year on the 5th, 6th and 7th of Muharram.
Baba Farid's Sufi Order
1. Hasan al-Basri
2. Abdul Waahid Bin Zaid
3. Fudhail Bin Iyadh
4. Ibrahim Bin Adham
5. Huzaifah Al-Mar’ashi
6. Abu Hubairah Basri
7. Mumshad Dinawari
8. Abu Ishaq Shami
9. Abu Ahmad Abdal
10. Abu Muhammad Bin Abi Ahmad
11. Abu Yusuf Bin Saamaan
12. Maudood Chishti
13. Shareef Zandani
14. Usman Harooni
15. Moinuddin Chishti
16. Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki
17. Fariduddin Ganjshakar
Khulafa
Hazrat Baba Faridudeen (rahmatullahi alaihi) left 14 khulafa behind him, Hadrat Sabir Pak, Hadrat Nizamuddin Auliya and Hadrat Jamaluddin Hansi rehmatulla alaihim are among his favourite Murids and Khalifas. Hazrat Sabir Paak (rahmatullahi alaihi), the founder of the Sabriyya silsila and Hazrat Nizamudeen Auliya Mehboobe Elahi (rahmatullahi alaihi), founder of the Nizamiyya order. Hazrat Nizamudeen (rahmatullahi alaihi) was his principal khilafa, and was located in Dehli. Under him, the Chishtiyya silsila achieved the zenith of its glory and influence. He collected the gathered teachings of his master as Baba Farid had collected those of his murshid Khwaja Qutbudeen Kaki (rahmatullahi alaihi).
Saying of Hazrat Baba Faridudeen Rahmatullahi alaihi
If you have something, there is no reason to be sad. If not, there is still no reason to be sad.
For a 'true man', a day of contentment is like the night of the Prophet's Ascension (miraj).
One should not be dissuaded from one's work by the hotness or coldness of others.
The Sufi is one who elucidates everything and is roiled by nothing.
When a dervish dons new clothes it should be known that he dons his shroud.
The prophets are alive even in their graves.
A single experience of divine attraction (jazba) is better than the combined piety of both worlds.
We are content with our portion: for us, knowledge; for the ignorant, wealth.
Disaster comes with contrivance; peace comes with submission to the Divine will.
A faqir ('poor one') among the 'ulama' (religious scholars) is like the full moon among the stars.
Stay away from jealousy if you want tranquility in your heart.
The termination of self consciousness occurs with that ibaadah in which both the head and heart bow down.
Only that heart can become the treasury of wisdom and intellect in which there is no love for this World.
That which people regard as trouble is but only a gift from the beloved ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala, regard it as a demand made by love.
The completion of man occurs with 3 things – Fear, Expectation and Love. The fear of ALLAH SubHanuhu wa Ta'ala stops one from sin. Expectation keeps on steadfast on following commands and orders. Love makes one see only the pleasing of the beloved.
A Dervish is that person who keeps his eyes, mouth and ears closed, i.e. He hears, sees or speaks no evil.
Never forget Death under any circumstances.
Avoid all quarrelling & polemics.
Non-violence is the most beautiful ornament of Peaceful life.
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