Common Sense

From the Deccan Herald

From the Deccan Herald (link at the end of the post)

I am very impressed by this, uniting of different spiritual paths in music, as our Murshid Pir-o-Murshid Hazrat Inayat Khan (ra) suggested early in the 20th century. And for such a wonderful cause as well. An Indian Sufi group singing both traditional Indian poetry as well as Gospels. My heart is open to this. Please read.

Of sufi strains and biblical hymns

Baishali Adak, Feb 09, 2012 :

The Indian Cancer Society recently held its annual fundraising concert- ‘Artistes Against Cancer’ with a brilliant performance by the band ‘The Sufi Gospel Project’. Over 300 invitees attended the concert at the beautiful Lotus temple and appreciated the musical performance as well as the awareness initiative by the Cancer Society.

For over three hours, Sonam Kalra, the lead singer of the group and her band members enthralled the audience with their unique and spiritual music. Sonam’s meditative voice created a trance like environment while Alex Fernandes on the piano, Rishabh Prasanna on flute, Ahsan Ali Khan on sarangi, Amaan Ali Khan on tabla and Daniel Paul on guitar, gave her company. The serene setting of the Bahai House of Faith, with its open spaces and soft lighting, complimented the grave issue of the evening and the mystical music perfectly.

The programme began with the secretary of the Indian Cancer Society Jyotsna Govil speaking on the need for more awareness on this deadly disease. This was followed by a felicitation ceremony of some cancer survivors after which ‘The Sufi Gospel Project’ took over the evening.

Sonam began with a rendition of the popular gospel hymn Abide With Me blended beautifully with Kabir Das’ bhajan Moko Kahan Dhoonde re Bande. The audience swayed to her tunes on Chal Bulley–a piece by Bulleh Shah which talks of brotherhood and equality. She proceeded to sing her excellent Urdu translation of the Amazing Grace prayer combined with a Sufi couplet, again expounding the message of pluralism.

This was followed by a rendition of Kabir’s Haman Hai Ishq Mastana… Haman ko Hoshiyari Kya? Sonam explained that she likes to sing to lesser known pieces of sacred poetry which need to be heard, unlike the more popular numbers like Damadam Mast Kalandar which has already been performed to perfection.

She also sang a 100-year-old gospel hymn speaking of one’s closeness to God In the Garden followed by another number inspired by Ray Charles’ Hallelujah and I Just Love Him So. She then went to sing a traditional Irish blessing A Theerna blended with Indian instruments like the sarangi and flute which give it an Indian leaning. Her rendition of Kabir’s Naiharwa was a personal favourite among the audience.

The choice of songs displayed an in depth research into sacred poetry of all faiths and her voice, evidently trained over years, easily transcended the territories of English gospels, Sikh hymns and Hindu bhajans. All through the concert, the lyrics of the songs that Sonam sang were projected on a big screen in the auditorium. This was not only informative but also helped the audience connect with the music.

Sonam said, “This cause is close to my heart as my mother suffered from cancer too. We tried to bring together a healing and soothing music here today. Sacred music is always therapeutic. Besides, the blending in of the sounds of different faiths shows that different religions can also coexist in blissful harmony.”

via Of sufi strains and biblical hymns.

Miyan Mir's Dargha/Mazar in Lahore, Pakistan

Baba Sain Mir Mohammed Sahib (c. 1550 – 11 August 1635), popularly known as Mian Mir, was a famous Sufi saint who resided in Lahore, specifically in the town of Dharampura (in present-day Pakistan). He belonged to the Qadiri order of Sufism. He is famous for being a spiritual instructor of Dara Shikoh, the eldest son of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. He is identified as the founder of the Mian Khail branch of the Qadiri order.

Mian Mir was a friend of God-loving people and he would shun worldly, selfish men, covetous Emirs and ambitious Nawabs who ran after faqirs to get their blessings. To stop such people from coming to see him, Mian Mir posted his mureeds (disciples) at the gate of his house.

Once, Jahangir, the Mughal emperor, with all his retinue came to pay homage to the great faqir. He came with all the pomp and show that befitted an emperor. Mian Mir’s sentinels however, stopped the emperor at the gate and requested him to wait until their master had given permission to enter. Jahangir felt slighted. No one had ever dared delay or question his entry to any place in his kingdom. Yet he controlled his temper and composed himself. He waited for permission. After a while, he was ushered into Mian Mir’s presence. Unable to hide his wounded vanity, Jahangir, as soon as he entered, told Mian Mir in Persian: Ba dar-e-darvis darbane naa-bayd (“On the doorstep of a faqir, there should be no sentry”).

Pir Mian Mir, whose mind and soul were one with the Lord, caring little for the emperor’s irritation, replied in Persian: Babayd keh sag-e-dunia na ayad (“They are there so that the dogs of the world/selfish men may not enter”).

The emperor was ashamed and asked for forgiveness. Then, with folded hands, Jahangir requested Mian Mir to pray for the success of the campaign which he intended to launch for the conquest of the Deccan. Meanwhile, a poor man entered and, bowing his head to Mian Mir, made an offering of a rupee before him. The Pir asked the devotee to pick up the rupee and give it to the poorest, neediest person in the audience. The devotee went from one dervish to another but none accepted the rupee. The devotee returned to Mian Mir with the rupee saying: “Master, none of the dervishes will accept the rupee. None is in need, it seems.”

“Go and give this rupee to him,” said the faqir, pointing to Jahangir. “He is the poorest and most needy of the lot. Not content with a big kingdom, he covets the kingdom of the Deccan. For that, he has come all the way from Delhi to beg. His hunger is like a fire that burns all the more furiously with more wood. It has made him needy, greedy and grim. Go and give the rupee to him.”

Mian Mir, holds a pivotal legendary place in Sikhism and in Sikh history. Sikh Children and Sikh people around the world learn about him, his spiritual contribution and his place in Sikh history.

Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, often visited Lahore, the birth-place of his father (the fourth Guru, Guru Ram Das) to meet his relatives. On the occasion of one of such visit, he called on Mian Mir. The two men of God met and became very close lifelong friends. Mian Mir was thirteen years older than Guru Arjan.

Guru Arjan was responsible for the construction of many tanks and buildings. In 1588, he planned to build a temple in the center of the holy tank called Amritsar or the pool of nectar. As the temple was to be thrown open to people of all castes, creeds and climes, he invited Mian Mir to lay the foundation stone of the Harmandir Sahib. Mian Mir came to the city of Amritsar wearing a religious mendicant’s long cloak made up of patches of coarse wool and a cone-shaped cap, with a rose flower on top.

Mian Mir was given one of the warmest welcomes for which Guru Arjan was famous. The two holy men embraced each other in sincere love and regard. The purpose of the temple was disclosed to the Sufi saint. Mian Mir was delighted at the fine objectives the Guru had in mind. The foundation-stone was laid. Hymns were sung in praise of God and sweets were distributed among the audience.

After having lived a long life of piety and virtuosity, Hazrat Mian Mir died on 11 August 1635 (7 Rabi’ al-awwal, 1045 according to the Islamic Calendar). He was eighty-eight years old.

His funeral oration was read by Mughal prince Dara Shikoh, who was a highly devoted disciple of the Saint.

He was buried at a place which was about a mile from Lahore near Alamganj, that is at the south-east of the city.Hazrat Mian Mir’s spiritual successor was Hazrat Mullah Shah Badakhshani.

Hazrat Mian Mir’s Mazar (Mausoleum) still attracts hundreds of devotees each day and he is revered by many Sikhs as well as Muslims.

Mazar of Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Khaki at the Dargha in Meroli. (Photo credit: Imam Salim Chishti (c)2009)

Considered one of the great saints in the Chishtiya lineage in India. His Dargha complex and Mazar in the Mehroli district of Delhi is a point of pilgrimage for many who come to India and from all parts of India.

The following is from the Aulia-e-Hind website, a very good source of information about the Sufi Saints of India and all over the world.

Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki was a renowned Muslim Sufi mystic, saint and scholar in the Chishti Order from Delhi, India. He was the disciple and khalifa (spiritual successor) of Moinuddin Chishti as head of the Chishti Order. His most famous disciple and spiritual successor was Baba Fareed.

Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki was born in 569 A.H. (1173 C.E.) in a town called “Aush” or Awash in Mawar-un-Nahar (Transoxania). Khwaja Qutbuddin’s original name was “Bakhtiyar” but his title was “Qutbuddin”. The name “Kaki” to his name was attributed to him by virtue of a miracle that emanated from him at a later stage of his life in Delhi. He also belonged to the direct lineage of the Holy Muhammad, descending from [[Husayn ibn Ali|Hussain Bin Ali). Khawaja Bakhtiyar Khaki was one and half years old when his father died. His mother arranged for him very good education and training.

When Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti went to Isfahan, 40 days before his demise, he took oath of allegiance at his hands and received the Khilafat and Khirqah (Sufi cloak) from him. Thus, he was the first spiritual successor of Khawaja Gharib Nawaz, Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti r.a. Thereafter, his spiritual master asked him to go to India and stay there.

When Khwaja Qutbuddin r.a. intended to kiss the feet of his Pir and Murshid and seek his permission to depart, Khwaja Moinuddin understood it and asked him to be nearer, and when Khwaja Bakhtiyar stepped up and fell at his Pir's feet, Khawaja Moinuddin raised him up and embraced him affectionately. A Fateha was then recited and Khwaja Moinuddin advised his Murid: "Never turn your face from the right path of Sufism and Truth. Prove yourself to be a brave man in this Divine Mission." When he again fell at the feet of Khwaja Moinuddin overwhelmed with love and grief at this tragic hour of parting, he was again raised and embraced affectionately by his Pir. Following this order, he went to Delhi and stayed there. It was the period of Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish.

Hardly twenty days had passed when news was brought by a messenger that Khawaja Moinuddin disappeared into the eternal Divine bliss of the Almighty Allah.

Khwaja Bakhtiyar Kaki used to offer 95 Rakats of Salah [sections of prayer] during the 24 hours of day and night, along with 3000 Durud Sharifs [a part of prayer] every night upon the soul of the Holy Prophet s.a.w.s. During the first 3 nights of his first marriage, he could not maintain the Durud Sharif. The Holy Prophet s.a.w.s. sent a visionary message to a pious person named Rais Ahmed, asking Hazrat Bakhtiyar Kaki r.a. the reasons for his not reciting the Durud Sharif. Hazrat Bakhtiyar Kaki r.a. divorced his wife forthwith as a mark of repentance and thereafter broke off all worldly ties and devoted his full time to the devotion of God.

It is narrated that in the early stages of his life, Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin r.a. would take a nap, but in the last part of his life he kept awake all the time. He had also committed the Quran to memory and used to recite and finish it twice daily. Whenever anything came to his Khanqah, he quickly distributed these to the poor and needy. If there were nothing, he would request his attendants and mureeds to distribute plain water as a humble token of his hospitality.

Sheikh Nur Bux has written in his book entitled “Silsila tuz’zah”: “Bakhtiyar Aushi was a great devotee, mystic and friend of God. In private and public he was indulged in the remembrance of God. He was habituated to eat little, sleep little and speak little. He was a towering personality in the world of mysticism.”

He had no parallel in abandoning the world and suffering poverty and hunger. He kept himself engrossed in the remembrance of Allah. Whenever someone came to him he would come back to his senses after a while and was then able to talk with him. After a very brief exchange he would show his inability to continue any longer and slipped into the same state of absorption once again.

Once Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin was coming back with his relatives and disciples after offering Eid Salah [Eid prayers] that he, all on a sudden, halted at a place in silence. After a while his relatives submitted: “Today is the Eid day. Many people would be awaiting his arrival.” Having heard this Hazrat Khwaja r.a. came out of his lost state and uttered, “From this piece of land I have the smell of the perfect men.”

Thereafter, he came home and after the meal was over, he asked the people to call the owner of the land to him. When the owner came to him, he purchased that piece of land from him. Later, Hazrat Bakhtiyar r.a. was buried in the same soil.

Death also came to him in an unusual manner. It is stated that once in an assembly of Sama [religious music] he happened to hear a verse of Hazrat Ahmad Jam with the meaning: “Those who are killed with the dagger of surrender and pleasure get a new life from the Unseen.”

Hazrat Khwaja Bakhtiyar Kaki r.a. was so much absorbed in and inspired with this verse that from that day on he kept on reciting it in a state of unconsciousness and gave his life in the same state. He remained in this state of Wajd for 3 consecutive days and expired on the 4th day. He died on the 14th of Rabi-ul-Awwal 633 A.H. On account of his extraordinary death, Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kak ir.a. is known as “Shahid-e-Mohabbat” or Martyr of Allah’s Love.

The Mazaar Sharif [noble tomb] of Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhityar Kaki r.a. lies near Qutub Minar at old Delhi, India.

He also enjoys the following titles in the Sufi world: Qutub-ul-Aqtaab, Malik-ul-Mashaa’ikh, Rais-us-Saalikin, Siraj-ul-Auliya, etc.

Dargha of Alauddin Sabir (Baba Sabir) in Kaliyar, UP, India

The arrival of Khwaja Makhdoom Alauddin Ahmed Sabir Pak popularly known as “Baba Sabir” at Kaliyar unfolds some interesting episodes of his life. It is said that after his father’s death, Sabir’s mother Hazrat-e-Hazra brought him to Pakpattan in 1204 A D where her brother Baba Farid lived. Eleven-year-old Sabir could make unusual predictions. One day, he predicted his grandfather’s death. Astonished by this revelation, his uncle asked: “Sabir, when you are here, how can you predict your grandfather’s death, who lives in Baghdad?” Sabir told his maternal uncle: “Right now when I was meditating, I saw my father’s face. He pointed his three fingers towards me which signals death.” Baba Farid believed him and said: “Child you are a saint by birth.” Thereafter, Baba Farid decided to teach Sabir lessons on worldly wisdom and declare him a scholar.

After three years of stay in Pakpattan, Sabir’s mother decided to return to Herat. Before leaving, she told Baba Farid: “This child talks less and eats less. So please take care. When I come back, I will like to marry him to your daughter.” Baba Farid was delighted to hear this.

Soon Baba Farid entrusted all the responsibilities of managing the bhandara (mass meals) to Sabir. Every morning, Sabir came out of his room, distributed meals and went back. Again in the evenings he would do the same. For about twelve years, he followed this practice and nobody ever saw him eating or drinking anything. When Baba Farid asked him why, Sabir replied: “When I was made responsible for the bhandara, I was only told to distribute food, so I did not eat. I survived on my soul’s strength.” More [...]

In February of 2011 Sadia Dehlvi wrote this wonderful article on the character of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). I thought it would be good to repeat the post here on the day of his (saw) birth (mawlid) and his passing (urs). I hope you enjoy this re-post from her on the Times of India.

The prophetic character

Muhammad - Rasul Allah (saw)

SADIA DEHLVI, Feb 16, 2011, 12.00am India Standard Time

Times of India

I love the month of Rabi ulAwwwal, and look forward to hosting and attending Milad celebrations, marking the birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad.

Milads are effective in increasing one’s love for the Prophet whom the Quran exalts, calling him the exemplar for humanity and ‘mercy for all the worlds’.

The twelfth of Rabi ulAwwal, the third month of the Hijrah, Islamic calendar is both the day Prophet Muhammad came into this world and left for the Hereafter. On the same date he arrived in Madinah, the hijrah, migration happened from Makkah marking the beginning of the Hijrah calendar. This month invites reflection on the Prophetic personality.

Rabi ulAwwal, literally meaning ‘the first spring’, symbolises birth and renewal. A time when the Lord splits open the earth to reveal His bounty within, without which His servants could not subsist. More importantly, it is the season of beautiful moderate weather, free of bitter cold or stifling heat, or exaggerated length in its days or nights.It reminds of the Prophetic call to moderation and his repeated warnings of extremism,’Moderation. Moderation! For only with moderation will you succeed.’

Prophet's (saw) Mosque in Medina, Saudi Arabia

Prophet Muhammad inspired with the words, ‘I have come to perfect noble character.’ Ayesha, his wife once commented, ‘His character was the Quran.’

Prophet Muhammad said the bankrupt ones are those who despite good deeds of prayer and worship, abuse one another, treat neighbors badly and lack good character.

The Prophet’s character was based on moderation in spirit, generosity, justice, dignity, moral excellence, humility, bravery and firmness in the face of death, good fellowship, sympathy for others, detachment of the world, and constant fear of the Lord. He chose poverty over wealth, sleeping on the floor with a bed made of stuffed palm fibers.

The most forgiving of people, the Prophet never sought revenge despite thirteen assassination attempts made on his life. He told followers not to respond to persecution with aggression, assuring that Allah rewards those who exercise patience. He remained sympathetic to those who had left Islam due to persecution from their families and no sanctions were issued against them. UbaydullahibnJash who migrated to Abyssinia with the first batch of Muslim immigrants converted to Christianity. He abandoned his wife Um Habiba, the daughter of Abu Sufiyan whom the Prophet later married. None of the Muslims took any action against him and he died upholding the Christian faith. When the Prophet settled in Madinah, he made it clear that he wanted relations with the new society to be egalitarian.

When the Prophet entered Makkah, he encountered his staunchest enemies. These people who had inflicted so much suffering on him and his followers expressed their desire to be treated nobly. The Muslim army readied for revenge, but the Prophet did not allow it saying, ‘Today I shall say to you what prophet Joseph said to his brothers, ‘You may leave. No reproach this day shall be on you. May God forgive you, He is the Most Compassionate.’

Laying great emphasis on the heart, Muhammad spoke of it as a repository of knowledge, sensitive to the needs of the body. He said that wrongdoing irritates the heart for it perceives wrong action and is designed to be in a state of calm. In established narrations, the Prophet said ‘When in doubt ask your heart for a fatwa, ruling, for virtue is when the heart and soul are at peace’. Another time he said, ‘ The best Islam is feeding the hungry and spreading peace amongst those you know and those you do not know.’

via The prophetic character – The Times of India.