Sarkar Waris Pak
Encyclopedia
Haji Waris Ali Shah or Sarkar Waris Pak (Urdu: , Hindi: सरकार वारिस पाक) was a Sufi saint from Dewa
, Barabanki
, India
. Sarkar Waris Pak was the successor to the Qadriyya -Razzakiyya Silsila. He was born in the 26th generation of Hazrat Imam Hussain. The date of his birth is disputed, varying from 1233 A.H. to 1238 A.H. In Maarif Warisya, the date of his birth is written as 1234 A.H. corresponding to 1809 of the Christian era . His father, Syed Qurban Ali Shah, belonged to a landlord class and completed his education in Baghdad
.
Sarkar Waris Pak accepted millions of people belonging to all faiths into the Warsi Silsila. During that period, Firangi Mahal was the famous religious centre for North Indian Muslim
s, and they too were "Qadiri people" and respected Waris Pak. Religious Scholars of Firangi Mahal regarded him as a "Kamilieen".
He further elaborated on this by stating that that all people who had embraced Islam by birth or by conversion just blindly followed the outward injunctions of Islam, but their hearts were like stone. He said they were proud of their prayers and that it was well known that the moment pride enters, humility
is lost. Prophet Mohammad declared, "The man who loves me more than his family, property and wealth, he has faith", which is presumably why Waris Pak said, "Islam is one thing and faith is another".
Maulana Fazlurrahman Ganj Moradabadi rejected Sheikh Hadi Hasan's request of becoming his disciple allegedly because Hasan hadn't respected Waris Pak.
Syed Gafur ShahHasami Al Warsi wrote a instance of Maulvi Ahmed Husain's brother in his book. When he met Waris Pak before going on Haj .Sarkar told him to convey his greetings to Haji Imdadullah. also told that once he was with him now he is in Makkah Sharif. the brother of Maulvi Husain said that conveying Sarkar's Salam affected him very much and his tears came out of his eyes .He replied by saying that ,'Pray for my welfare to the Indian Sun because my end is about to start'.
When I( Maulvi Ahmed Husain's brother) told this instance to Sarkar he replied that,' Haji Imadullah sb. is himself Wali and he did not need Dua ? '
Hazrat Mian Mohammed Sher described him as Great Human Great and Pure Aulia and He himself did not like to see the face of a Person who is against Sarkar .
Sufis of Marehra
Sharif, Zahoori Mian, the brother of Noori Mian said, "Khasane Khuda na bashad /lekin je khuda juda na bashadthe" (Translation: "The beloved ones of Allah
will not be separated from Him. Haji Baba is the greatest and best Buzurg of time, and we have heard his Praise from our Brother Noori Mian that a saint like him will not take birth until the last day.").
Hazrat Maulana Shah Syed Au Muhammed Ali Hasan Ashrafi Al Geelani wrote that Waris Pak was a saint of great stature and regarded him as "Arif Billah Maqamat-e-Aulia".
Maulana Shah Mohamed Akmal Afandi of Baghdad said: "Haji Saheb has no equal in this age. The degree of gnosis attained by him is unsurpassed. I have seen a number of Darweshes and Shaikhs and have travelled much, but I have not come across any one who could approach him."
s held him in high esteem and regarded him as a perfect Sufi and a follower of Vedant. To the Hindus he said 'Believe Brahma. Do not worship idols and be honest'. Thousands of Hindus, including Sadhus and Fakirs of different Panthas paid homage to him and entered his order . He allegedly told the, 'You and I are the same'. He did not ask non-Muslims to abjure their religion on the contrary he advised them to follow it with greater zeal and sincerity.
Hazrat Waris Ali Shah was as popular with the English educated youth as with the people of the old generations, English knowing men flocked to him in hundreds and sat at his feet. He was the first Sufi Darvesh to have crossed the Seas and visited Europe and was also the first to have attracted the English knowing Class. A Spanish Noble by the name of Count Galaraza came all the way from Spain to visit him and had an interview with him at Dewa.
The mausoleum
of Haji Waris Ali Shah is a monument of communal amity
, constructed on a pattern, blending the Hindu-Iranian styles of architecture. The tomb, the shrines and the latticed outer apartment girdling the inner shrine for 'Parikrama' (Tawaf) are indicative of the Hindu style of architecture while the towers and minarets present the Persian architecture.
and dervish advised him to go to seek. The words produced a deep impression upon the Hakim and began an earnest search. He visited various Dervishes, but his restlessness did not cease. He reached masauli (Barabanki) where Waris Pak had journeyed at the time. When he met Waris Pak the latter said, “Well, you are come at last. There is no duality in the spiritual world, “then he was admitted into the mission and was granted a mantle. He attained high perfection in spiritualism.
Among other Hindus given to the service of Waris Pak may be mentioned the following:
Among Christians may be mentioned the following:
One of the very advanced disciples of Waris Pak came from the far western land of Spain. This was Count Glazara of Santa Calara. He was an earnest soul, hankering for truth. During his sojourn in London this gentleman came in contact with certain Indian Mohammedans then studying in London. There was one among them, Mr. Habib Ahmad, who knew the art of foretelling, and attracted considerable notice by the demonstration of his power. The Count took him for a spiritualist. There upon Habib Ahmad told him frankly that there was nothing spiritual about him, but asked if the Count would really see Waris Pak, of whom he himself was a disciple. The Count at once felt a strong inclination to see Waris Pak. He requested Mr. Ehtesham Ali Khan (Bar at Law) of Sasaram, who was then studying in London, to commend him to Waris Pak's permission if he (the Count) could come and pay his respects to Waris Pak at Dewa. By the time he returned to India, Ehtesham Ali Khan had forgotten all about this request, when he next visited Waris Pak at Dewa. Waris Pak, at his own instance, enquired if he had brought any message for him from London.
Mr. Ehtesham then recollected all about the Count and delivered the message. Waris Pak granted the permission solicited and asked Mr. Ehtesham Ali Khan to communicate the same to the Count. The Count arrived in India and was given a good reception by the Indian and the local government. He left his retinue
at Barabanki
and proceeded to see Waris Pak at Dewa, with only one interpreter.
The conversation took place in Arabic. The interview lasted one night only; the count took the pledge and became one of the most earnest disciples of Waris Pak.
With Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the first interview between Waris Pak and Sir Syed took place at Aligarh. Sir Syed came to pay his respects to Waris Pak and was very graciously received. Waris Pak remarked he had no prejudice against English education, that love, sincerity and spiritual realization were the only things required; any other kind of knowledge acquired was wholly immaterial. Sir Syed complained that people called him "infidel
". Waris Pak consoled him that a Syed could never be infidel and asked him to proceed with the duties he had taken upon himself.
Dewa, India
Dewa Sharif or Deva is a town and a nagar panchayat in Barabanki district in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. It is famous for the shrine of Haji Waris Ali Shah. This town is also known by the name of Dewa Sharif in respect for the shrine.-Geography:Dewa is located at...
, Barabanki
Barabanki District
The Barabanki district is one of four districts of Faizabad division, lies at the very heart of Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh state of India, and forms as it were a centre from which no less than seven other districts radiate...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. Sarkar Waris Pak was the successor to the Qadriyya -Razzakiyya Silsila. He was born in the 26th generation of Hazrat Imam Hussain. The date of his birth is disputed, varying from 1233 A.H. to 1238 A.H. In Maarif Warisya, the date of his birth is written as 1234 A.H. corresponding to 1809 of the Christian era . His father, Syed Qurban Ali Shah, belonged to a landlord class and completed his education in Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
.
Sarkar Waris Pak accepted millions of people belonging to all faiths into the Warsi Silsila. During that period, Firangi Mahal was the famous religious centre for North Indian Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
s, and they too were "Qadiri people" and respected Waris Pak. Religious Scholars of Firangi Mahal regarded him as a "Kamilieen".
Quotes
The following are quotes by Haji Waris Ali Shah, from 200 years ago:He further elaborated on this by stating that that all people who had embraced Islam by birth or by conversion just blindly followed the outward injunctions of Islam, but their hearts were like stone. He said they were proud of their prayers and that it was well known that the moment pride enters, humility
Humility
Humility is the quality of being modest, and respectful. Humility, in various interpretations, is widely seen as a virtue in many religious and philosophical traditions, being connected with notions of transcendent unity with the universe or the divine, and of egolessness.-Term:The term "humility"...
is lost. Prophet Mohammad declared, "The man who loves me more than his family, property and wealth, he has faith", which is presumably why Waris Pak said, "Islam is one thing and faith is another".
- Fortitude to secure the pleasure and willingness of the glorious God without evading and shrinking back.
Comments from Religious Scholars
Maulana Abdul Bari Firangi Mahali said that he heard his grandfather praising Waris Pak. Maulana Gaffar and Maulana Abdurrauf Firangi mahali claimed that Waris Pak had performed miracles.Maulana Fazlurrahman Ganj Moradabadi rejected Sheikh Hadi Hasan's request of becoming his disciple allegedly because Hasan hadn't respected Waris Pak.
Syed Gafur ShahHasami Al Warsi wrote a instance of Maulvi Ahmed Husain's brother in his book. When he met Waris Pak before going on Haj .Sarkar told him to convey his greetings to Haji Imdadullah. also told that once he was with him now he is in Makkah Sharif. the brother of Maulvi Husain said that conveying Sarkar's Salam affected him very much and his tears came out of his eyes .He replied by saying that ,'Pray for my welfare to the Indian Sun because my end is about to start'.
When I( Maulvi Ahmed Husain's brother) told this instance to Sarkar he replied that,' Haji Imadullah sb. is himself Wali and he did not need Dua ? '
Hazrat Mian Mohammed Sher described him as Great Human Great and Pure Aulia and He himself did not like to see the face of a Person who is against Sarkar .
Sufis of Marehra
Marehra
Marehra is a city and a municipal board in Etah district in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.-----About Marehra:Marehra or better known as Marehra Shaif is a famous religious site for Muslims from all over the world.Marehra is also famous for its delicious mangoes-Demographics: India census,...
Sharif, Zahoori Mian, the brother of Noori Mian said, "Khasane Khuda na bashad /lekin je khuda juda na bashadthe" (Translation: "The beloved ones of Allah
Allah
Allah is a word for God used in the context of Islam. In Arabic, the word means simply "God". It is used primarily by Muslims and Bahá'ís, and often, albeit not exclusively, used by Arabic-speaking Eastern Catholic Christians, Maltese Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, Mizrahi Jews and...
will not be separated from Him. Haji Baba is the greatest and best Buzurg of time, and we have heard his Praise from our Brother Noori Mian that a saint like him will not take birth until the last day.").
Hazrat Maulana Shah Syed Au Muhammed Ali Hasan Ashrafi Al Geelani wrote that Waris Pak was a saint of great stature and regarded him as "Arif Billah Maqamat-e-Aulia".
Maulana Shah Mohamed Akmal Afandi of Baghdad said: "Haji Saheb has no equal in this age. The degree of gnosis attained by him is unsurpassed. I have seen a number of Darweshes and Shaikhs and have travelled much, but I have not come across any one who could approach him."
Claimed Miracles
It is believed by some that Waris Pak healed the sick. Once on his way to Bahraich, he wanted to cross the river Ghaghra in floods, but no boat was available at the ferry. He decided to swim across the river with his companions. They were in the state of terrible fright and reluctant to follow him, but to their astonishment, the water was found to be only knee-deep, when they got in and simply waded through it. His feet never showed any sign of dirt though he remained bare-footed, nor did they leave any mark on the carpet when he stepped in the room.Influences
Some HinduHindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
s held him in high esteem and regarded him as a perfect Sufi and a follower of Vedant. To the Hindus he said 'Believe Brahma. Do not worship idols and be honest'. Thousands of Hindus, including Sadhus and Fakirs of different Panthas paid homage to him and entered his order . He allegedly told the, 'You and I are the same'. He did not ask non-Muslims to abjure their religion on the contrary he advised them to follow it with greater zeal and sincerity.
Hazrat Waris Ali Shah was as popular with the English educated youth as with the people of the old generations, English knowing men flocked to him in hundreds and sat at his feet. He was the first Sufi Darvesh to have crossed the Seas and visited Europe and was also the first to have attracted the English knowing Class. A Spanish Noble by the name of Count Galaraza came all the way from Spain to visit him and had an interview with him at Dewa.
Death
Waris Ali Shah died on April 7, 1905, after a brief illness. He was buried at the spot where he died, and this place is marked by a monument erected in his memory by some of his devoted followers.The mausoleum
Mausoleum
A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons. A monument without the interment is a cenotaph. A mausoleum may be considered a type of tomb or the tomb may be considered to be within the...
of Haji Waris Ali Shah is a monument of communal amity
Amity
-Place names:United States* Amity, Arkansas* Amity, Connecticut* Amity, Maine* Amity, Missouri* Amity, New York* Amity, Ohio* Amity, Oregon** Eola-Amity Hills AVA, Oregon wine region* Amity Township, Berks County, Pennsylvania...
, constructed on a pattern, blending the Hindu-Iranian styles of architecture. The tomb, the shrines and the latticed outer apartment girdling the inner shrine for 'Parikrama' (Tawaf) are indicative of the Hindu style of architecture while the towers and minarets present the Persian architecture.
His disciples
The following are listed as disciples of Waris Ali Shah:- Hazrat Haji Abul Hasan Shah Warsi, Etawah is one the places where Sarkar Alam Panah visited more than 13 times in his life span. It is situated in Uttar Pradesh, and is 156 kilometres (97 mi) from Aligarh and about 250 kilometres (155 mi) from India's capital city, New Delhi. In Etawah, there is a shrine of Hazrat Haji Abul Hasan Shah Warsi and Hazrat Haji Memhood Shah Warsi. They were great disciples of Sarkar Alam Panah.
- Sarkar Alam Panah used to call Abul Hasan his Angle. Hazrat Haji Abul Hasan Shah Warsi continuously fasted for 12 years and used to break his fast with a clove and some ounces of water only and nothing else.
- Hafiz Ahmed Shah, formerly known as Hafiz Khuda Baksh of Agra, He was an ardent seeker of truth. He called on various DervishDervishA Dervish or Darvesh is someone treading a Sufi Muslim ascetic path or "Tariqah", known for their extreme poverty and austerity, similar to mendicant friars in Christianity or Hindu/Buddhist/Jain sadhus.-Etymology:The Persian word darvīsh is of ancient origin and descends from a Proto-Iranian...
es, but none could fulfill his expectation. At last he went to Dewa sheriff to his Waris Pak. There he was fully convinced of his spiritual excellence, and he fell down and become his disciple. He was a learned scholar and achieved great spiritual advancement. The learned Dervish, after passing saintly life for many years, gave up the spirit in April 1912. His remains were buried at the foot of his Sarkar Pak's tomb at Dewa. - Fazihat shah, previously known as zahur Ali of basidpur (Gaya). He was an earnest seeker of truth. For a long time, he followed a famous sadhu madhow das of Bihar. But his thirst was not appeased and he subsequently acceplied the discipleship of revered musafeer Ali shah of chistipur (Bihar) and at the time of his death the saint advised him to go and search for Sarkar Waris-e-Pak Alam Panah. Thus he came to Dewa and attended upon Waris Pak for a long time.
- Abdul Ad Shah formerly known as Hakim Mubarak Hussain of Sahobigna (Gaya). He was at first a disciple of Syed Fakhruddin Ahmad alias Hakim Badsha. He visited Baghdad, Karbala, Najaf-e- Ashruff, but did not feed any inclination to spiritualism, once he med a certain dervish who recited to him the following:
-
- “If there be nothing of the Divine within the human form, why would the Angles have bowed to this combination of earth and water”
and dervish advised him to go to seek. The words produced a deep impression upon the Hakim and began an earnest search. He visited various Dervishes, but his restlessness did not cease. He reached masauli (Barabanki) where Waris Pak had journeyed at the time. When he met Waris Pak the latter said, “Well, you are come at last. There is no duality in the spiritual world, “then he was admitted into the mission and was granted a mantle. He attained high perfection in spiritualism.
- Maulana Mohammad Shah, formerly known as maulan Mohammad shafi of Etawah was a learned scholar and an eloquent lecturer. Being a scrupulous follower of the text of Shariyat, he was at first disinclined to Waris Pak, but happening once to come to Dewa, he chanced to have interview with Waris Pak. This had a great effect upon his mind, and he fell down and requested Waris Pak to accept his disciple.
- Mustaqim Shah of Fatehupur was one of the ladies who entered the mission and was given honorable position therein.
- Namdar Shah, a scionScionScion may refer to:*In kinship, a descendant , a son or daughter*Scion , a detached shoot or twig containing buds from a woody plant which is grafted onto the stock...
of the royal house of Qudh(a government pensioner) is another eminent member of the mission. He has sacrificed various material comforts for the attainment of divine love. - Ghulam Waris, formerly known as kanaya Lal, is one of the most earnest disciples of Waris Pak. He was formerly a Hindu, but he subsequently embraced Islam.
- One of the disciple of Waris Pak is Haji Siddique Shah Warsi and disciples are Haji Allah Maan Shah Warsi , Roushan Shah Warsi , Haji Dilgir Shah Warsi and Haji Karamat Ali Shah Warsi at 5A Rajab Ali Lane , Kolkata 7000 23 . The Khanquah Sharif of Haji Karamat Ali Shah Warsi at Rajab Ali lane , Mominpore , look after by Haji Mohammed Anas Warsi , Haji Mohammed Sabir Warsi and Mohammed Shakir Warsi. Haji Karamat Ali Shah Warshi was the former President of Fuqrae Warsi at Dewa Sharif . The disciples of Haji Waris Ali Shah Spreading the teaching of Waris Pak in its purest form to this date.
- Sarkar Dewaana Shah Warsi was one of the most famous disciples of Waris Pak, in Jagatdal 24 Parganas, north KolkataKolkataKolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
, West BengalWest BengalWest Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
. He introduced teachings of Sarkar Waris Pak in West Bengal. He has been remembered as a beloved disciple of Sarkar Waris Pak.
Among other Hindus given to the service of Waris Pak may be mentioned the following:
- Thakur Pancham Singh, Zamindar Dt. Mainpuri.
- Raja Udyat Narayan Sing, Suratgunj, Oudh.
- Baboo Moti Misser, Vakil, Bhagalpur.
- Thakur Grur Mohan Singh, Zamindar, Bhagalpur.
- Rafiqa, a Jewess, residing in Calcutta is one of the Waris Pak's devoted followers.
Among Christians may be mentioned the following:
- Mr. Henry, Traffic Inspector, Ajmer.
- Mr. Brown, Late Chief Superintendent, Deputy Commissioner's Office, Bahraj.
- Mr. Johnston, Superintendent of Police, UP
One of the very advanced disciples of Waris Pak came from the far western land of Spain. This was Count Glazara of Santa Calara. He was an earnest soul, hankering for truth. During his sojourn in London this gentleman came in contact with certain Indian Mohammedans then studying in London. There was one among them, Mr. Habib Ahmad, who knew the art of foretelling, and attracted considerable notice by the demonstration of his power. The Count took him for a spiritualist. There upon Habib Ahmad told him frankly that there was nothing spiritual about him, but asked if the Count would really see Waris Pak, of whom he himself was a disciple. The Count at once felt a strong inclination to see Waris Pak. He requested Mr. Ehtesham Ali Khan (Bar at Law) of Sasaram, who was then studying in London, to commend him to Waris Pak's permission if he (the Count) could come and pay his respects to Waris Pak at Dewa. By the time he returned to India, Ehtesham Ali Khan had forgotten all about this request, when he next visited Waris Pak at Dewa. Waris Pak, at his own instance, enquired if he had brought any message for him from London.
Mr. Ehtesham then recollected all about the Count and delivered the message. Waris Pak granted the permission solicited and asked Mr. Ehtesham Ali Khan to communicate the same to the Count. The Count arrived in India and was given a good reception by the Indian and the local government. He left his retinue
Retinue
A retinue is a body of persons "retained" in the service of a noble or royal personage, a suite of "retainers".-Etymology:...
at Barabanki
Barabanki
Barabanki is a city in the state of Uttar Pradesh in India. It is the administrative headquarters of Barabanki District. The city is about 29 km east of Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, one of major states in India.- City configuration :...
and proceeded to see Waris Pak at Dewa, with only one interpreter.
The conversation took place in Arabic. The interview lasted one night only; the count took the pledge and became one of the most earnest disciples of Waris Pak.
With Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the first interview between Waris Pak and Sir Syed took place at Aligarh. Sir Syed came to pay his respects to Waris Pak and was very graciously received. Waris Pak remarked he had no prejudice against English education, that love, sincerity and spiritual realization were the only things required; any other kind of knowledge acquired was wholly immaterial. Sir Syed complained that people called him "infidel
Infidel
An infidel is one who has no religious beliefs, or who doubts or rejects the central tenets of a particular religion – especially in reference to Christianity or Islam....
". Waris Pak consoled him that a Syed could never be infidel and asked him to proceed with the duties he had taken upon himself.
See also
- Islam in IndiaIslam in IndiaIslam is the second-most practiced religion in the Republic of India after Hinduism, with more than 13.4% of the country's population ....
- Sufism in India
- BarelwiBarelwiBarelvi is a term used for the movement of Sufi , Sunni Islam originating in the Indian subcontinent.The Movement is known as Ahle Sunnat movement to its followers....
- Muhammad Madani Miya Ashrafee al-JilaniMuhammad Madani Miya Ashrafee al-JilaniMuhammad Madani Miya Ashrafi al-Jilani is Chief caretaker of Makhdoom al Millat Muhaddith al A'zam al Hind . His Silsila is Known as Ashrafia Silsila...
- Sufi Saints of South AsiaSufi Saints of South AsiaSufism in India had an instrumental role in spreading Islam in India. The Sufis belonged to different tariqas of Sufism. The most prominent tariqahs of India are the Shadhiliyya, Chishtiyyah, Naqshbandiyyah, Qadiriyyah, Suhrawardiyya, and Sarwari Qadri, orders. Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti introduced...
- Khwaja Maudood ChishtiMaudood ChishtiMaudood Chishti was an early day Sufi Saint, a successor to his father and master Abu Yusuf Bin Saamaan, twelfth link in the Sufi silsilah of Chishti Order, and the Master of Shareef Zandani. He was born around 430 Hijri in the city of Chisht. He initially received education from his father...
- Khwaja Wali Kirani
- Qari Muhammad Muslehuddin Siddiqui