Archive for category: Front Page Article

His Holiness Hazrat ‘Maula Pak’ Quebla,
a Great Saint of Bengal

His Holiness Syed Shah Murshid Ali Al-Qaderi Al-Baghdadi (AS) was a great saint of the famous Qaderia Order, in Bengal. As a direct descendant of Ghous-ul-Azam , Hazrat Abu Mohammad Muhiuddin Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani (AS) he was also the direct descendant of the Prophet through his daughter Hazrat Fatima Zohra (AS), Hazrat Ali bin Abu Taleb (AS) and Hazrat Hasan Mujtaba (AS).

His forefathers had arrived in Bengal in 1766 from Syria en route through Baghdad and settling in Mangalkote in the Bardwan district of Bengal. The family later moved to Medinipore where he was born in 1852 to become the 4th generation Head of the Order in Bengal. His Holiness was a man of great wisdom, vision and charisma, and he later moved to present day Kolkata where he set up a Khankah Sharif at Khankah Sharif Lane, Taltalla which became the main centre of the Qaderi Order and which to this day is a place of worship and pilgrimage to the many followers of the Order. The Khankah Sharif was frequented by many noblemen and men of high stature, as it was also likewise filled with many simple country folk and those whom the world had forsaken who could surely find succor here. Maula Pak, as he was referred to as a mark of reverence and affection traveled widely all over Bengal and also in other parts of the subcontinent always awakening the spiritual essence of the people by imparting his ‘faiz’ on all who came to receive his blessings. The unequalled miracles that he performed as a Grace from the Almighty, even today remains a matter of inspiration among the people. All these have been recorded meticulously in books and have remained permanently ingrained in the folklore of the regions as beacons of spiritual light to those who seek spirituality of the soul. Wherever he went and whatever he did, Maula Pak’s mere presence was a source of great inspiration to the entire multitude.

Maula Pak, spent countless days and nights in the Chillagah Sharif in Istriganj, Medinipore immersing himself in spiritual contemplation and exercises becoming of a Saint of the most high. He buried himself in the ground for 40 days on end without food or water, and after that immersed himself in the nearby pond. The water of the pond, to this day is a miraculous cure for the sick. It is known that he used to partake in a special extremely strenuous and painful prayer called the ‘Salat e Makusi’ by hanging himself upside down from the branch of a tree until blood flowed from his nostrils. It is in such ways that great Saints of the times atone for the sins and failings of the common man who seek the forgiveness and mercy of the Almighty.

Maula Pak authored a book called the ‘Dewan-e-Hazrat Jamal’ consisting of a collection of over 400 ‘kasidas’ or poetic verses, each ‘kasida’ containing a treasure trove of unexcelled spiritual inspiration of the highest order. To this day, the ‘kasidas’ written mainly in Urdu but intermixed sweetly with Persian and Arabic, are recited all over Bengal and beyond, in the scores of Khankah Sharifs (places of congregation for prayers and praise) on the occasions of the Egaravee Sharif (congregation that is held on the 11th day of each Arabic month) and also in other Urs Mahfils, imparting ‘faiz’ or spiritual benefit to the listeners, and transfixing their hearts and minds with adoration, inspiration and love. Here is an excerpt from one ‘kasida’ :

BAQA MUTLAQ NA HASTI MEIN RAHE BAAQI ATA YUN HO
FANA SUM AL FANA YA GHOUS-E-MOHUIDDIN-E-JILANI
Bestow on me such that absolutely nothing remains of me,
May there be death upon death, O Ghous, the reviver of religion, the Jilani.

FANA FISH SHAIKH MEIN MISLE BAQA BILLAH ASAR PAAYA
FANA FILLAH KA YA GHOUS-E-MOHUIDDIN-E-JILANI
The effect of completely effacing oneself in Shaikh (Pir) is the same as everlasting life in God
It is the same as perishing oneself in God, O Ghous, the reviver of religion, the Jilani.

DILO JAAN KAR DIYE TUM PAR FIDA JAB BHI NAHI NIKLA
WOH JIKA HAUSLA YA GHOUS-E-MOHUIDDIN-E-JILANI
Despite having devoted my heart and soul to you, the urge of life is not yet lost
The spirit of my heart is still strong, O Ghous, the reviver of religion, the Jilani.

DUA DUNIYA O DEEN KI PHIR KHUDA SE KIS LIYE MAANGUN
TUMHI TO MUDDUA YA GHOUS-E-MOHUIDDIN-E-JILANI
Why should I ask (pray for) the world and the hereafter from God;
When you are my ultimate desire, O Ghous, the reviver of religion, the Jilani.

ADA JAB TAK NA HOLE MUJH SE AUHDA JAANESARI KA
NA PAAS AAYE QAZA YA GHOUS-E-MOHUIDDIN-E-JILANI
Until I execute the duty of sacrificing myself;
Death should not come to me, O Ghous, the reviver of religion, the Jilani.

DOBARA ZINDA HOKAR PHIR MAROON ROZ-E-JAZA TUM PAR
ATA HO YE JAZA YA GHOUS-E-MOHUIDDIN-E-JILANI
After resurrection, may I die once more on you, on the day of judgment
Grant me this privilege, O Ghous, the reviver of religion, the Jilani.

TASAWYUR BANDHNE MEIN MERI ANKHEN KHUL GAYEEN KAISI
NAHI KUCH SUJHTA YA GHOUS-E-MOHUIDDIN-E-JILANI
Absorbed in your imagination I have experienced enlightenment
Nothing else comes to my mind excepting you, O Ghous, the reviver of religion, the Jilani.

KHUDAI KE JAHAZON KE LIYE TUMKO KHUDA NE KHUD
BANAYA NA KHUDA YA GHOUS-E-MOHUIDDIN-E-JILANI
For the ships of Divinity, God has himself,
Chosen you to be the Captain, O Ghous, the reviver of religion, the Jilani.

NA KYUN MARTE KHIZR TUM PAR MASIHA KI TARHA HAR DUM
KE THA SHAUQE BAQA YA GHOUS-E-MOHUIDDIN-E-JILANI
Why would not Khizr have submitted to you like his Messiah all the time;
He wished everlasting life, O Ghous, the reviver of religion, the Jilani.

DAME NAZ AAP KI KHUSHBU JO AAYI ROOH NE MERI
KAHA SALLE ALA YA GHOUS-E-MOHUIDDIN-E-JILANI
At the time of death, my soul after getting your fragrance
Said ‘Salle Ala’, O Ghous, the reviver of religion, the Jilani.

TUMHI ZILLE HUMAYUN-E-MUHAMMAD HO NA KYUN BANTE
LEWAYE MUSTAFA YA GHOUS-E-MOHUIDDIN-E-JILANI
You are the auspicious shadow of Muhammad(SAW), so why would not you become
The standard of Mustafa(SAW), O Ghous, the reviver of religion, the Jilani.

PARHOON HAR DUM WAZIFA NAAME PAAK-E-GHOUS-E-AZAM KA
RAHE VIRRD AYE KHUDA YA GHOUS-E-MOHUIDDIN-E-JILANI
All the time I am reciting the holy name of Ghous, the majestic;
O God, may I keep uttering, O Ghous, the reviver of religion, the Jilani.

Maula Pak also wrote a beautiful biography of his father and his Murshid, Hazrat Syed Shah Mehr e Ali Al Quaderi. The book titled, ‘Tograe Mahamed’ written in Persian was later translated into Urdu by Maulana Muhammad Abu Taher Al Quaderi, which was again re-translated into modern Urdu by Dr. Abdus Sobhan. The book contains all elements of the life of the great saint and scholar, and contains narrations of the many exquisite miracles performed during his lifetime which itself can serve as a guide to the understanding of ‘tasauuf’ to disciples even today.

Maula Pak drew the curtain on himself in 1901 and his Mazar Sharif is located in the city of Medinipore in West Bengal, where one can visit to gain his ‘faiz’ and blessings as one can also receive from attending his Urs Mahfil on 27^th Shawal each year, or just by his remembrance. Egaravee Sharif and Urs Mahfils are held in Bangladesh in all the Khankah Sharifs of the Quaderia Order, and in Dhaka in the Khankah Sharif in Kallyanpur which is conducted under the guidance of the present Sajjadanashin, or Tareeqa Head of the Order, His Holiness Syed Shah Rashid Ali Al-Qaderi Al-Baghdadi.  May the shadow of the great Saints of Islam and the Qaderia Order always be on their disciples and on their admirers. 

Kasida by :
His Holiness Hazrat Syed Shah Murshid Ali Al-Quaderi Al-Baghdadi (AS)
( Maula Pak Quebla )
from the Original Book in Urdu: Dewan e Hazrat e Jamal
Transliterated into English by: Md Istemdad Ali

Noor e mutlaq hai(n) payambar ya Ali e Murtaza
Aur tum ho unke mazhar ya Ali e Murtaza

Dono tum ho noor e daawar ya Ali e Murtaza
Balke yak jaan o do paikar ya Ali e Murtaza

Tum ho Maula wo hai(n) sarwar ya Ali e Murtaza
Tum wasi ho woh payambar ya Ali e Murtaza

Aap hain nafse payambar ya Ali e Murtaza
Ummati humsar ho(n) kyunkar ya Ali e Murtaza

Tum ne toda baab e khaibar ya Ali e Murtaza
Kab ho tumsa zor aawar ya Ali e Murtaza

Aap ke hai(n) zaaire dar ya Ali e Murtaza
Qudsi o arshi se badhkar ya Ali e Murtaza

Ahle bait e pak hi ke faiz se Islam o dee(n)
Hashr tak shae(n) ho(n) ghar ghar ya Ali e Murtaza

Dagh e ishqe Panjetan ki garmiya(n) dekhei(n) agar
Sard ho khursheed e Mehshar ya Ali e Murtaza

Haath aae tum ko Mehshar mei(n) liwae Ahmadi
Aur ho qabze mei(n) kausar ya Ali e Murtaza

Lahmo ka lehmi se rabte jism o jaa(n) zaahir hua
Aap hain zaat e payambar ya Ali e Murtaza

Shams ko phera hai do baar aapne phir kyon nahi
Pherte mera muqaddar ya Ali e Murtaza

Aap murshid hain hamare peer e peera(n) peer hai(n)
Aur paighambar hai(n) rehbar ya Ali e Murtaza

Kyu(n) na Maula e do aalam tum ko kehte momeneen
Tum to ho nafse payambar ya Ali e Murtaza

Lehmo ka lehmi ke shaaya(n) ho nabi ki jaan ho
Jaan o dil qurbaan tum par ya Ali e Murtaza

Jab musallam hai ke muslim hai tumhara dostdar
Ho adu kafir na kyu(n) kar ya Ali e Murtaza

Shehr e ilme Mustafa ke dar ke darba(n) Ghaus hai(n)
Aap hain uss shehr ke dar ya Ali e Murtaza

Na khuda Ghaus e Khuda hain deen e Ahmad hai jahaaz
Aur uske tum ho langar ya Ali e Murtaza

Mushkilei(n) aasaan kar do ae mere Mushkil Kusha
Sakht waqt aaya hai mujhpar ya Ali e Murtaza

Aap hain Mushkil Kusha faryaad ras hai(n) Ghaus Pak
Phir masaaib ka ho kya darr ya Ali e Murtaza

Aap hai(n) shah e wilaayat Ghaus shah e auliya
Phir na phaile fuqr kyu(n) kar ya Ali e Murtaza

Likh sake kya banda uska wasf jiska ho khuda
Aap Quraa(n) mei (n) sanaagar ya Ali e Murtaza

Ain e deedar e Khuda hai dekh lena aap ka
Aap hai(n) woh Haq ke manzar ya Ali e Murtaza

Jitne guzre khalq mei(n) aali maratib sab se tum
Misle paighambar ho badhkar ya Ali e Murtaza

Auliya Allah mei(n) roz e azal se aap ka
Faiz jaari hai baraabar ya Ali e Murtaza

Ghaus e Aazam kyu(n) na kehlaate bade peer aap the
Aap ke farzand e Akbar Ya Ali e Murtaza

Khaas maslak hai tumhara khandaan e qadri
Iss tariqe ke ho rehbar ya Ali e Murtaza

Ghaus e Aazam qutbe aalam aap ke farzand hai(n)
Kaun hai unke baraabar ya Ali e Murtaza

Ghaus e Aazam ne khuda ke hukm se rakha qadam
Auliya ki gardano(n) par ya Ali e Murtaza

Ghar banao meri aankhon mei(n) jagah dil mei(n) karo
Baap bete dono milkar ya Ali e Murtaza

Aap ke Mehr e Ali Al Qadri ka hoo(n) ghulam
Phir na kyu(n) kehlaaoo(n) Qambar ya Ali e Murtaza

Ye nahi mumkin ke aasi hashr mein bakhshaa na jaae
Aap ka maddah bankar ya Ali e Murtaza

The status and virtues of Abu Turab (AS)

Allah chose His holy House, the Ka’ba as your place of birth,

Guiding mankind to recognise your rank, station and worth,

Allah adorned you with His own holy name, surely in this there is a sign,

Ali means the ever exalted, the supreme, the sublime,

Allah chose His beloved’s (SAW) abode as a home for you in your early days,

And He chose the Prophet (SAW) as your teacher to train you in Allah’s ways,

You grew up in the home that was at the center of revelation,

Where Jibreel and Michael would descend from the heavens to make frequent visitations,

The chiefs of Quraysh mocked the Prophet (SAW) when they were being invited to Islam,

You were steadfast in defending him and proclaiming your Iman,

Was it not you who lay in the Prophet’s bed during the attempted assassination?

Allowing the Prophet (SAW) to safely emigrate with little care for your own situation,

And when you were betrothed to Al Zahra (AS), so many a suitor burned with jealousy,

Did the Prophet (SAW) not say, “Loving you is a sign of true belief and disliking you a sign of hypocrisy”?

Your lineage is from Ibraheem (AS) and Ismail (AS), untainted, noble and pure,

Allah testifies, “I have purified you through a thorough purification,” so that any doubts would not endure,

Your supreme Lordship is well proven, there can be no questions on its clarity,

Allah testifies it in, “And he is your Wali who bows in prayer and gives in charity.”

The Quran would have remained incomplete if your Lordship was not made clear,

This is why the Prophet (SAW) was commanded to reaffirm it at Ghadeer,

None can challenge your knowledge, for did the Prophet (SAW) not say?

“I am the city of knowledge and Ali is its gate.”

Thus you are the light of all sainthood, the custodian of the secrets and the truth,

And every saint and spiritual order traces its origins back to you,

The Prophet (SAW) said that it is worship to look at your holy face,

And that you are to him what Aaron (AS) was to his brother Moses (AS),

You are the Lion of Allah, none can stand where you stood,

While others trembled in fear you defeated Amr ibn Al-Wud,

At Khaibar, many a standard bearer failed to bring victory,

Until the Prophet (SAW) said “Tomorrow the standard will go to he who loves Allah and His Nabi (SAW)

And he will be one who is also loved by Allah and His Nabi (SAW)”

The next day all were gathered and waiting expectantly,

Many were burning with envy, when the Prophet (SAW) proclaimed, “Call Ali!”

You single handedly dismantled the gates of Khaibar and brought victory,

When it came to the invocation of Allah’s curse against the Christians,

The Prophet (SAW) chose to take only you, al-Zahra (AS) and your two sons,

During the nightly ascent when the Prophet (SAW) was in Allah’s divine presence,

It was your hand that Allah chose from behind the veil to embrace His Beloved friend,

For all believers, you are unquestionably their Mowla and Wali,

There is no salvation on the day without you oh Ameer ul mu’mineen,

Kindness and compassion are but some of your virtues, yet glory is your garb,

You are the divider of heaven and hell oh Abu Turab,

You are the true successor of the Prophet (SAW), you are his rightful heir,

The weight of our innumerable sins, only your mighty shoulders can bear,

Your superiority over all others was a cause of much frustration,

None could defeat you in battle, so they attacked you while you were in prostration,

You are a fountain of mercy, no one can be as kind and compassionate as you,

Who else would offer his assassin a seat and give him drink and food?

The tyrants that followed cursed you in Friday sermons for many a decade,

Hoping that with time your legacy would eventually fade,

But how can these mere mortals tarnish your memory?

When all the Angels on heaven and earth chant Ya Ali! Ya Ali! Ya Ali!

Oh Manifestor of wonders, whenever I am in trouble or in pain,

I stretch my hands out to the skies and invoke your holy name,

This slave loves you master, despite being a serial transgressor,

My only hope of passing judgment day is through you as my intercessor,

Please accept this foolish slave into the shade of your mercy and into your fold,

So that I may have the weightier of the two weighty things firmly in my hold.

By……..Syed Sheham Quader

Why His Holiness, Maula Ali (AS) is
the Best, and Highest, in Creation

Hazrat Ali (Alaihis Salam, AS, Peach be upon Him), is a name of special and sterling significance in the history of Islam. Many extremely important incidents are attributed to him and about him. The unparalleled sacrifices made by Maula Ali e Murtaza (AS) and his Ahle Bayet is the price that has been paid (and is still being paid) for the establishment of Islam as the greatest and last religion of Allah in the World today.  May I mention below the uniquely important and significant events attributed to Hazrat Ali, Maula Mushkilkusha (AS) :

1. Hazrat Ali (AS), a direct descendent of Hazrat Ibrahim (AS) is the only person known in history who was born inside the House of the Kaaba itself. If you believe in a Living Allah who has control over all things, this matter is of supreme importance.

2. Hazrat Ali (AS) is the first male person to have accepted Islam.

3. Hazrat Ali (AS) belonged to the Prophet’s (pbuh) family being his first cousin and having the same paternal grandfather. He was also officially chosen as the Prophet’s (pbuh) ‘Partner Brother’ when the Prophet (pbuh) paired every Muhajir with another Ansar in Medina after Hijrat.

4. Hazrat Ali (AS) married the only surviving daughter of the Prophet (pbuh), and is the Leader of the Progeny of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) known as the Ahl e Bayet who still live today.

5.Hazrat Ali (AS) stayed behind in Mecca on the night that the Prophet (pbuh) performed Hijrat and slept in the Prophet’s (pbuh) bed to deceive the enemy and took the risk of his life.

6. Hazrat Ali (AS) was the standard-bearer of the Islamic Army in the Battle of Badr which was of special significance.

7. Hazrat Ali (AS) was the victor of Al-Qamus Fort during the Khaybar Battle where he single-handedly removed the door of the fortress and captured the fortress. A famous Hadees is associated with this where the Prophet (pbuh) foretold of the conquest of Khaybar Fortress when he handed the standard-flag to Hazrat Ali (AS) to take charge of the operation, when previously two other attempts by Hazrat Abu Bakr (RA) and Hazrat Umer (RA) had failed. Hazrat Ali (AS) was bestowed with the title of ‘Lion of Allah’.

8. Hazrat Ali (AS) is the only person along with the Prophet (pbuh) who struck down and removed all deities and idols from the House of Kaaba on the day of ‘Conquest of Mecca’.

9. Hazrat Ali (AS) is the only person known to us, other than the children of Hazrat Ali (AS) who climbed on to the shoulder of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). He destroyed the idols in the higher parts of the House of Kaaba standing on the shoulder of the Prophet (pbuh).

10. Hazrat Ali (AS) is referred to as the ‘Gate’ to the ‘City of Knowledge’, the ‘City of Knowledge’ being the Prophet (pbuh) himself.

11. Hazrat Ali (AS) was included as one of the Ahle Bayet at the event of ‘Mubahela’ referred to in the Quran. His other wives were present during this time when this event took place but was not included as a member of the Ahle Bayet.

12. The ‘Treaty of Hudaibiyah’ was drafted and written by Hazrat Ali (AS) which was sealed by the Holy Prophet (pbuh).

13. Hazrat Ali (AS) was the standard-bearer of the ‘ Conquest of Mecca ’.

14. Hazrat Ali (AS) was conferred the title of ‘Maula’ at the historical place of Khadir e Khum where the Prophet (pbuh) proclaimed, ‘Whomsoever’s Master (Maula) that I am, Ali (AS) is also his Master (Maula).’ This declaration effectively put Hazrat Ali (AS) over all others in Creation.

15. Hazrat Ali (AS) performed the last rites of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) including the last ritual bathing not participated by anyone else outside the family.

16. Hazrat Ali (AS) was Amirul Momineen of the Islamic Ummah.

17. Hazrat Ali (AS) first opened his eyes when he looked at the Prophet (pbuh), and he was struck down in the position of Sizda (prostration).

18. There are numerous Hadith that refer to the closeness of Hazrat Ali (AS) to the Prophet (pbuh), and his future Spiritual Leadership after the demise of the Prophet (pbuh) as per the Quran and the Prophet’s will (pbuh) . As per an important Hadith, the Prophet (pbuh) is said to have declared, ” Ali is of me and I am of him. He is the ‘Wali’ (guide) of every believer after I am gone.” 

19. Hazrat Ali (AS) is the father of Hazrat Hasan (AS) and Hazrat Husain (AS), both of whom gave their lives for the protection and establishment of the religion of Islam. Hazrat Husain (AS) martyred himself in the Battle of Karbala along with 13 other members of the Ahl e Bayet family to keep Islam alive in the world. Muslims all over the world today observe the 10th day of Muharram as the Day of Martyrdom of Hazrat Husain (AS) and all the faithful Muslims declare firmly that ‘Islam is reborn after every Karbala’.

Shab-e-Zarbat (19^th of Mah e Ramadan) or Night of attack on Amirul Mu’minin Hazrat Mowla Ali (AS) at Kufa Mosque

” Quatama binte Akhanzar (Cursed) demanded such a dowry, the example of which was unheard of in Arabia and Outside Arabia. ” – (Tareekh e Islam)

Quatama (Cursed) was that beautiful woman in Arabia with whom Ibne Muljim (Cursed) had fallen in love with, and for the rightful measure of dowry for marriage, this wretched woman had demanded 3000 Ashrafis and the head of MOWLA ALI MURTAZA (pbuh) ; because MOWLA (pbuh) had landed the father (Cursed) and the brother (Cursed) of this wretced Quatama (Cursed) on the shores of death in a noble Islamic battle.

To settle the dowry of Quatama (Cursed), Ibne Muljim (Cursed) applied poison on his sword for up to a month, enough to kill the entire nation of Egypt, and at the end, on the 19^th of Ramadan, he applied that on the HOLY HEAD of MOWLA E KAYANAT (Master of Creation) during prostration at the Fajr (Morning) Prayer at the Kufa Mosque.