Mosque of Hazrat Khawaja Baba Farid al-Din Mas'ud Ganj-e-Shakar (Radi ALLAH Ta'ala Anho) in Pakpattan, Pakistan
Blessed Birth:
Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Ganj-e-Shakar (radi Allahu anhu) was born on the 29th Shabaan in 569 A.H. in Khotwal, a village near Lahore. He was a direct descendant of Hazrat Umar Farooq (radi Allahu anhu), the second Caliph of Islam.
Genealogy tracing back to Hazrat Umar Ibn al-Khattab:
- Hazrat Umar Bin Khattab, second Caliph
- Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar
- Nasir
- Sulaiman
- Adham, King of Balkh & Bukhara
- Ibrahim Bin Adham aka Abu Bin Adham
- Ishaq
- Abul Fattah
- Abdullah Waa'iz Kobra
- Abdullah Waa'iz Soghra
- Masood
- Sulaiman
- Ishaq
- Mohammad
- Naseeruddin
- Farrukh Shah Kabuli, King of Afghanistan
- Shahabuddin Kabuli
- Mohammad
- Yousuf
- Ahmed, died fighting Hulaku Khan
- Shoaib
- Jamaluddin Sulaiman
- Baba Fareed Ganj 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 (Hazrat Baba Farid) created a severe pain in her stomach that forced her to abandon the idea of plucking. After a few years after Hazrat Baba Farid's (radi Allahu anhu) birth, his mother lovingly expressed: "My dear son, during your confinement I never ate anything which was unlawful." Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu), however, smiled & 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."
Hazrat Shaikh Nizam-ud-Din says that once while Hazrat Shaykh Farid-ud-Din's mother was performing Salaat, a thief entered. When he gazed at her, her immediately became blind. The thief cried out: "I came with the intention of stealing & have become blind. I pledge never to steal again."
At this time Hazrat's age was approximately 6 years. He made dua & the man's sight was restored. In the morning he came with his entire family & accepted Islam. He was named Abdullah. He remained in Hazrat's service to the end.
After he had completed his early religious education at the age of 7 in Khotwal, his mother for higher education sent him to Multan. Here he stayed in a masjid where he learnt the Holy Quran by heart & studied Hadith, Fiqh, Philosophy & Logic under the tutorship of Moulana Minhajuddin.
Under Spiritual Guidance of Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (radi Allahu anhu):
During his studies, Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin (radi Allahu anhu) of Delhi visited Multan where Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) became his mureed (disciple) in the Chishtiya Silsila. Upon the instructions of his Peer-o-Murshid, he undertook a tour of Islamic countries, for about 18 years from 593 A.H. to 611 A.H. He travelled to Ghazni, Baghdad Shareef, Jerusalem, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Mecca & Medina meeting many great saints & Sufis. After the demise of Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin (radi Allahu anhu) the mantle of spiritual leadership in the Chishtiya Silsila fell on the shoulders of Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) when Khwaja Qutbuddin (radi Allahu anhu) nominated him to be his Khalifa or spiritual successor.
Baba Farid's Sufi Order:
- Hassan al-Basri
- Abdul Waahid Bin Zaid
- Fudhail Bin Iyadh
- Ibrahim Bin Adham
- Huzaifah Al-Mar'ashi
- Abu Hubairah Basri
- Mumshad Dinawari
- Abu Ishaq Shami
- Abu Ahmad Abdul
- Abu Muhammad Bin Abi Ahmad
- Abu Yusuf Bin Saamaan
- Maudood Chishti
- Shareef Zandani
- Usman Harooni
- Moinuddin Chishti
- Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki
- Fariduddin Ganj shakar
It is narrated that when Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) visited Medina Shareef he was spiritually commanded by the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) to visit Baghdad Shareef & meet Hazrat Abdul Wahhab, son of Hazrat Ghaus-ul-Azam Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilani (radi Allahu anhuma). He was to receive some sacred relics from him. Accordingly, when he reached Baghdad Shareef, he received a box from Hazrat Abdul Wahhab (radi Allahu anhu) which contained the folowing holy relics: Two flag-poles which were used by the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) in some of the battles fought by him; one wooden bowl in which Huzoor (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to eat; one pair of scissors & one Turban which was used by the Holy Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).
Because of political upheavals in Delhi, he was obliged to shift the centre of the Chistiya mission from Delhi to Ajodhan now known as "Paak Pattan". The Khanqah of Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu), with his patronage, became a great university of "Moral & Spiritual Training." Thousands of aspirants, scholars, dervishes &Sufis reaped benefit from this spiritual university. Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) reached the pinnacle of spiritual glory through extremely hard Mujahidas (spiritual striving) to gain mastery over the Nafs.
Why Called "Ganj Shakar"?:
There are several views for him being known by his famous title of Shakar Ganj. When he decided on mujaahidah, his Shaikh advised hunger. He therefore began fasting. After three days a man came & presented some bread. Thinking this to be by divine direction, he accepted & ate the bread. With in a few moments he became nauseous & vomited out whatever he had eaten. He reported this incident to his Shaykh 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 & 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 Shaykh 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), Hazrat Baba Fariduddin (radi Allahu anhu) enquired casually as to what he was carrying on his camels. The trader sarcastically replied, "It is salt." Hazrat Baba Fariduddin (radi Allahu anhu) 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 & apologised before Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu). Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) said: "If it is sugar then it shall be sugar." The trader returned to Delhi & was pleased to find that the salt had turned back to sugar by the Grace of Almighty Allah. This is how Hazrat Baba Saheb (radi Allahu anhu) received the title of "Ganj-e-Shakar."
An staunch devotee of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam):
He fasted throughout his life & maintained his nightly prayers & devotions. Fear of Allah always dominated him. He was a staunch devotee of Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) & dedicated his entire life to the veneration of the Beloved Prophet's (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) immortal glory. At the mention of the Holy Prophet's (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) character he would often weep out of his love & devotion. Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) avoided to go near kings, government officials & the rich. He also warned his Khalifas, devotees & mureeds to avoid their company. He was a living picture of humility. Whatever he received was spent in the Name of Allah & his chest overwhelmed with mercy & forgiveness. Many miracles are attributed to him during his lifetime & after his passing away.
Bahishti Darwaza (Gate of Heavens) besides the Mazar of Hazrat Baba Farid al-Din Mas'ud Ganj-e-Shakar (Radi ALLAH Ta'ala Anho) in Pakpattan Sharif, Pakistan
Anecdotes of Hazrat Baba Farid:
One of the devotees of Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) named Mohammed Nishapuri lived in Gujrat & was coming to Delhi with three other companions. On their way in the jungle, robbers encountered them. Mohammed Nishapuri & his companions had no arms to defend themselves. In such a helpless state, Mohammed Nishapuri remembered his Peer, Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu), & also offered prayers seeking Allah?s help in their predicament. Suprisingly, the robbers threw away their arms & offered apology to the party & went away.
One day some poor people came from Arabia to see Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) & said that were strangers to the land & that all their money was spent before the end of the journey. Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) gave them some dried dates which were lying in front of him at the moment & said, "Take them & 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 miscalculations, these people left happily uttering their heartfelt gratitude & prayers for Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu).
Once seven hundred holy men were sitting together. An inquirer put them four questions to which Baba Farid replied:
A. 1: He who refrain 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 practices contentment.
Q. 4: Who is the most needy?
A. 4: He who practice it not.
Once an old woman came to Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) & said that her son had disappeared some twenty years ago & that his whereabouts had not been traced since then. She requested him to pray for her son's return. Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) went into a trance & after some contemplation told to the old woman: "Go, your son has reached home." The old woman was overjoyed to learn this & met her son on her way home.
The Officer-in charge of Lahore sent Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) one hundred Dinars through someone. The man kept fifty Dinars for himself & 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 (radi Allahu anhu returned the fifty Dinars to the man too, warning him that criminal breach of trust is a sin that render's all prayers futile & ineffective.
Once, due to utter weakness, Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) helped himself to walk with the aid of a staff. But after a few steps, the colour of his face suddenly became purple, as if he was under heavy punishment. He threw away the staff. When Hazrat Khwaja Nizaamuddin (radi Allahu anhu), who was escorting him, enquired the reason for this, Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) replied, "I wanted to take help of the staff, but Allah's Displeasure frowned upon me for depending on other's help instead of His. I, therefore, threw away the staff & felt highly ashamed of this weakness in my faith in Rabb, the Almighty."
A man came to Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) once & submitted that he had no son & requested Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) to pray for one. Thereupon, Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) said that he had given him seven sons. After some years, the person came to him again, but this time, He was not alone, but accompanied by his seven sons.
Journey to other World:
On the 5th of Muharram, during the Esha prayer while in the act of Sajdah, he uttered "Ya Hayyo Ya Qayyum" (O Self-Subsiting, O Eternal) & with these words on his lips his soul disappeared into the Eternal Bliss of his Beloved Allah. Immediately a "Nida" or Divine Voice declared: "Dost ba Dost Pewast" - Friend has merged into the unity of "Friend" (Allah).
An old woman that was one of the devotees of the Saint presented a piece of cloth for the Kaffan of Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu). She implored: "I have not spun even a single thread of this cloth without having Wudhu. 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 & grant me salvation." Hazrat Baba Farid?s (radi Allahu anhu) son accepted this cloth as the Kaffan.
Mazar Sharif:
His Mazaar Shareef is in Paak Patan, Pakistan. Hazrat Sabir Paak, Hazrat Nizaamuddin Auliya & Hazrat Jamaluddin Hansi (radi Allahu anhum ajma'in) are among his favourite Mureeds & Khalifas. It is generally recognized that he had three wives & many children. Hazrat Baba Farid (radi Allahu anhu) was indeed one of the most brilliant stars of the Chishtiya Silsila & is held in high esteem by one & all.
Mazar Sharif of Hazrat Khawaja Baba Farid al-Din Mas'ud Ganj-e-Shakar (Radi ALLAH Ta'ala Anho) in Pakpattan, Pakistan
Golden Words of Wisdom by Baba Farid al-Din Mas'ud Ganj-e-Shakar (Radi ALLAH Ta'ala Anho):
- 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 & heart bow down.
- Only that heart can become the treasury of wisdom & 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 & Love. The fear of Allah (Subhanuhu wa Ta'ala) stops one from sin. Expectation keeps on steadfast on following commands & orders. Love makes one see only the pleasing of the beloved.
- A Dervish is that person who keeps his eyes, mouth & 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.
There are not pearls in every sea; there is not gold in every mine.
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