One of the most sacred shrines in Kashmir is the shrine of Makhdoom Sahib (R.A) which is located on the southern side of Hari Parbat Hill (Kohi Maran) in Srinagar city. The mosque, built in the name of the Sufi saint Makhdoom Sahib or Hazrat Sultan-Ul- Arifeen (R.A), is placed below the attractive Mughal Fort, the Hari Parbat Fort, is a structure with many pillars and thus a rare example of Mughal architectural style.
Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom, entitled Mehboob-Ul-Alam, and Sultan-Ul-Arifeen, was born to Baba Usman, at Tujar Sharief, a village in Kashmir, of the Chandra-Vanshi Rajput family, a hereditary landlord, a scholar and a mystic saint of high order. Hazrat Baba Dawood Khaki was one of the pious and renowned companions of Hazrat Sultan-ul- Arifeen Makhdoom Saheb (R.A.). He was the chief Qazi of Kashmir and a scholar of great repute. It is said that Shah Hamdan, the great saint of Hamdan offered prayers at the platform where the present mosque of Baba Dawood Khaki stands now.
Baba Dawood Khaki writes that the father of Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom(R.A) was among the chiefs of his own tribe and he was linked to a Kashmiri royal tribe namely ‘Chakoun’ and few relatives of Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom(R.A) were inhabitants of Kachi Hama, a village on the foot of a mountain far from Tujar. During his studies he used to meditate a lot. Baba Dawood opines that Hazrat Makhdoom did not rest during night for years but remained engaged in prayers. He inherited the mysticism, and from the very childhood was inclined to the company of holy men, and to the truth. Having read the holy Qu'ran in the village, he went to the institution of Sheikh Ismial Kabroi for higher studies.
Once he was playing instead of going to elementary school (maktab) his father happened to come by, grew angry and beat him so severely that he fell ill. From the day he pledged that he would never play with his grand father Zaiti-Rena. He went to see Fatah Ullah (son of Hazrat Baba Ismial) the spiritual teacher of the Rena tribe, and learnt the Qu'Oran for a year in the monastery at Shamsi-Chak , he was enrolled into the seminary of Baba Ismial Kubrawi, as a student, for higher studies. He studied the Jurisprudence, Tradition, Logic, Philosophy, Ethics, and Mysticism.
Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom(R.A) came to Srinagar were he was nurture and raised to Higher Spiritual states. Sultan-Ul-Arifeen says, "I was directed to say the daroods, mention of the names, and prayers because of His kindness and whenever I sluggish in the conduct I was reprimanded. "Hard work and painstaking prayers in the early youth made him old before time” Hazrat Sultan-Ul- Arifeen (R.A), according to Baba Dawood (R.A) used to heave a sigh and weep often while interpretation this verse:
“ Sokhtam Chandaun Ki Bartan Nesiat Degar Jaie Daag
Baidazien Khawhum Nihadin Daag Bar Balaie Daag”
Renouncement from Music
Baba Dawood Khaki (R.A) describes an incident when Hazrat Sultan ul Arifeen Makhdoom Saheb (R.A.) reached to a place where Mehfili Mousiki was at its apex and in the meantime prayer time drew near. Hazrat Sultan ul Arifeen Makhdoom Saheb (R.A.) left the Mehfil and after ablution offered Nimaz and suggested that Gusul should have been taken before offering the Nimaz for Sharia does not allow listening music. Baba Dawood (R.A) narrates that many a time in the dream he witnessed himself in Mehfili Mousiki and every time he was asked to seek forgiveness from Allah for Hazrat Sultan ul Arifeen Makhdoom Saheb (R.A.) used to point out the cause of seeing such dreams and used to suggest him not to get involved to any such activity that is prohibited by Sharia.
The Miraculous meeting with Sheikh Najam-ud- Kubrawi(R.A) .
According to “Dastoor-ul-Saliqeen” page no. 152 Hazrat Sultan-Ul- Arifeen (R.A), one day while staying in his khankah, in an engrossing mood came out of Khankah and walked along the foot of a mountain and miraculously long white beard appeared on his face and a group of saints welcomed him and introduced him with Sheikh Najam-ud- Kubrawi(R.A) and suggested him to obey the teachings of the great saint which Hazrat Sultan-Ul- Arifeen (R.A) acknowledged with submission throughout his life and Hazrat Sultan-Ul- Arifeen (R.A) became his admirer. Sultan-Ul-Arifin's whole life was full of revelations and miracles. One day he went to the house of a saint Sheikh Khawaja Ishaq, and was served with roasted birds for the breaking of the fast (Iftar). The sage ate them, collected their bones raised his hands in prayer, and the bones joined together, the birds came to fife and flew out of the window. Baba Davood opines that Hazrat Makhdoom(R.A) were copious with divine gifts, the most revered offerings were as follows: a) Khashaf-i- Qaloob, b) Khashaf-i- Qaboor, c)Khashaf-i- Israr, d) Taie Haroof, and e) Taie Makan.
7 сен 2024
