Hazrat Sultan Bahu / Haqbahu � Life in Details in English

PAGE NO. 10

INITIATION AND SEARCH FOR A MURSHID.

According to Sufi practice, one who seeks to traverse the "Spiritual Path�, has to become the disciple of some Sheikh of ripe experience and profound knowledge who could guide the seeker in attaining the goal. If one intends to save himself from the sickness of the soul than the remedy suggested by all saints is to search for some noble spiritual guide and be attached to him. The company of pious and saintly people is very essential to acquire and maintain sound spiritual health, because the Sufi Sheikhs are physicians of men's souls.

Sultan Bahu(RA) belonged to the Qaderi school of Sufis. At the bottom rung of the Sufi ladder of all schools stand the mystic himself. Immediately above him stands his Murshid (Sheikh) or master, who is more than a philosopher, guide and friend to him. Next higher is the Murshid of the mystic's Murshid and so on. At the top stands the Prophet (Peace BE UPON HIM) of Islam who is the fountain - head of all mystic experiences and orders.

In his Abyat Sultan Bahu(RA) refers to the Spiritual Masters when he says :

` Joys of Union with your Allah

If you wish, your master serve

Kindly glance of his, on a rose-bud

Turns it into flowery curve

Transforms you so fully, truly

Head and heart, and bone and nerve

Here and There win success, Bahu

Serve your Murshid with full verve.'

Sultan Bahu's(RA) initiation into the spiritual world was both esoteric and exoteric. In his book ` Amirul Kaunain ' he writes that `for thirty years I have travelled far and wide in search of a Perfect Murshid (Spiritual Master) '.During this period he met innumerable spiritual guides and spent time with many of them, serving them in every respect and receiving spiritual light and blessings from them.

Esoterically, Hazrat Sultan Bahu(RA) was initiated by the Prophet Muhammed (Peace BE UPON HIM ) himself. He received instructions and spiritual guidance from the fountain -head of all lights himself (PBUH) and was accepted as a child of light in the court of Hazrat Bibi Fatima (Rad.Anhu.), the lady of light and her husband Hazrat Ali (Rad.Anhu).

In one of his treatise,` Risala Ruh Shareef' Hazrat Sultan Bahu(RA) refers to this esoteric initiation when he says:

`Bahu, on whom Prophet(PBUH) bent

Initiate Bahu in lovers way Accepting Bahu in families tent'

Esoteric initiation in the life of the saint was experienced on two occasions.

It is narrated in ` Muraqaba Sultani ' that the first esoteric initiation took place in the vicinity of Shorkhote when the saint was in his adolescence. In his own words the saint describes this experience. He says:

` Once in my youth a very handsome and awe -inspiring person on horseback approached me. He held my hand and asked me to accompany him. I asked him who he was. He replied `I am Ali IBM Abu Talib and I have come to take and escort you to the exalted and holy court of the Prophet Muhammed Sallallahu -Alaihi-Wasallam. Suddenly I found myself in the august court of the Prophet (PEACE BE ON HIM). All the Prophets (Peace BE ON THEM), Companions of the Prophet (PEACE BE ON THEM) including the four Khalifa - RASHIDIN (Hazrat Abu baker Siddiq, Hazrat Omar, Hazrat Othman Gani, Hazrat Ali (Peace BE ON THEM) together with Panjaten Paak (i.e. Hazrat Bibi Fatima, Hazrat Imam Hasan, and Hazrat Imam Hussein (PEACE BE ON THEM) were present in the assembly. Also present in the court were Hazrat Sheikh Sayyid Abdul Qadir Gilani (Rah. lay) and many more Sufi Saints. This was a most illustrious court, heavenly in nature, full of light and tranquility. The Holy Prophet (PEACE BE ON HIM) was seated above all the others bestowing light and blessings like a shining star. The Holy Prophet PEACE BE ON HIM) was very much pleased to see me and putting me on his lap initiated me as his spiritual son. Thereafter all the Holy Personalities present in the assembly did likewise putting me on their laps. Especially the four Khulifa-e-Rashideen, Panjaten Paak, and Hazrat Gauthe Azam Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani (PEACE BE ON THEM), who blessed and graced me with love, special care and spiritual attention '.

The second initiation took place in the years of maturity. Hazrat Sultan Hamid (RA),the son of Hazrat Sheikh Ghulam Bahu(RA) writes about this incident in `Munaqabi Sultani' that he heard his father say that this discourse has been passed on from generation to generation that Hazrat Sultan Bahu(RA) use to often talk about this second esoteric initiation. Sultan Bahu(RA) use to say ` The second time too, I was presented in the court of the Holy Prophet(PBUH) by

Hazrat Ali (RA). The Holy Prophet(PBUH) asked me to stretch forth my hands. Taking both my hands into his(PBUH),he initiated me and I was blessed with his special spiritual attention, love, care and barakah.

Thereafter the Holy Prophet(PBUH) gave my hands into the hands of Sheikh Abdul Qadir(RA) and instructed him to train his spiritual son, Sultan Bahu (RA), in the Qaderi Tariqa (order). After being blessed by the greatest Saint, all the holy personalities in the assembly blessed me with their spiritual light and barakah. The Prophet PEACE BE ON HIM) than addressed me that I should guide the true seekers to the path of Allah '.Accordingly up to the end of time Hazrat Sultan Bahu's(RA) teachings have been preserved in the form of his books, which are a beacon of light in this dark age we live in. As mentioned earlier, a mere perusal of his works opens for the seeker the doors of Marifat (spiritual knowledge).

Despite being initiated on the esoteric level and being a born saint it was important that Hazrat Sultan Bahu attach himself to a Kaamil (perfect) Sheikh. All the saints in Islam had to undergo practical training in the company and guidance of Murshid's or Sheikhs. Hazrat Abu Saeed Abul Chair (RA) was the Sheikh (teacher) of Sayed Abdul Qadir Gilani (RA),Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi (RA) was the Sheikh of Hazrat Shelby (RA), Hazrat Kwaja Hasan Basri(RA) was the Sheikh of Hazrat Habib Jamie (RA), Hazrat Kwaja Uthman Harooni(RA) was the Sheikh of Hazrat Kwaja Gharib Nawaaz ( RA) and so on.

Invocations to his Murshid have been addressed by Sultan Bahu(RA) in many of his `Abyat'(Punjabi Poems) as will be found. In one stanza he says:

` Murshid should be like a goldsmith

Roasting dross in crucible

Taking out the wholesome metal

Shape rings irresistible

Polish them for ladies' ears

Who will look adorable

Through true Murshid, every moment

Bahu's Fate is changeable '.

At another place he says:

Mystic ways without a Murshid

Try to tread and, sure, get lost..... Murshid perfect keeps you happy

In this life and life to come

Rids you of the pangs of hunger

Turns to silver pure and shining....' So exoterically, Sultan Bahu's(RA) request to his mother to be his Murshid, in the mystical sense, was not granted. She directed him to seek spiritual guidance and initiation from a Sufi named Hazrat Shah Habibullah Qadir (RA). Sultan Bahu's(RA) search took him to the east. On reaching a town called `Baghdad�, he presented himself to Sheikh Habibullah Qadir(RA).

It was the habit of Sheikh Habibullah (RA) that he always kept hot water on the ready. Any new seeker that arrived in his Khanqah, was asked to put his hand in the water and on doing so the seeker would reach a state of `Kashf'(clairvoyance). Hazrat Sultan Bahu(RA) sat on the perimeter observing the phenomenon and the spiritual advancements attained by the other new seekers. After the happenings were concluded Sultan Bahu(RA) presented his petition and request to the Sheikh, who asked him why he never put his hand in the water, for then he would have reached his hearts desire. Sultan Bahu(RA) answered that on perceiving the states of the novice seekers, putting his hands in the water would not have quenched his spiritual thirst and aspirations. Sheikh Habibullah Qadir (RA) then entreated that Sultan Bahu(RA) perform `mujaahida' (struggle for spiritual purification ) and to attend to certain duties, one of which was to assist in brining water to the mosque for ablution.

Hazrat Sultan Bahu(RA) requested for a leather bag to carry the water to fill the fountain, pond and ablution block, which was empty at the time. As the other dervishes looked on, one bagful of water brought by the new aspirant was enough to fill the entire pond and ablution block. This miracle was immediately reported to Sheikh Habibulla(RA), who commanded Sultan Bahu(RA) to free himself from any worldly attachment that he might still possess, as two different responsibilities cannot be shouldered at the same time.

Hearing this the young Sultan Bahu(RA) took leave and started his journey back home. Through intuition Saintly Ma Rasti (RA), the mother of Sultan Bahu(RA), became aware of his intentions and instructed his wives that they hide their valuables for use in times of need. The wives obeyed, burying their valuables. On arrival, the young Sultan Bahu(RA) made known his intentions saying that it was the instruction of Hazrat Sha Habibulla(RA). Agreeing with him, his Saintly mother said that he should carry out the instructions.

Hazrat Sultan Bahu(RA) recognized a ring on the finger of his son Nur Muhammad (RA), which belonged to one of his wives. Getting rid of the ring he looked around if there were any more valuables in the house. Through intuition Hazrat Sultan Bahu(RA) found the hidden valuables and disposed of it. Taking leave of his mother he once again proceeded to Hazrat Sha Habibullah Qadir (RA). On arrival the Sheikh told him that although he has got rid of his worldly valuables, what about the obligations to his wives for they were still his responsibility. Thus once again Hazrat Sultan Bahu(RA) made the journey back home to set his wives free from wedlock. Saintly Ma Basri(RA) came to know of her son's intentions and assured his wives her protection. When Hazrat Sultan Bahu(RA) arrived home Saintly Ma Rasti(RA) and her daughter-in-laws absolved him of his responsibilities and obligations towards them, allowing the wives to remain in wedlock. However she exhorted that he return home to his wives after he reached the state of `realisation (Maarifat-Gnosis of God), and if not, he need not worry of his obligations towards them.

As Hazrat Sultan Bahu(RA) upheld the Sharia (Islamic Law) very strictly he heeded his mother's counsel. Taking leave of his mother and his wives he journeyed back to Hazrat Sha Habibullah

Qadiri(RA) and remained with him for some time. When it was time the Sheikh gave his full spiritual attention (Tawajju) to him and kept on enquiring about the experiences and revelations achieved. The young saint replied, �The states experienced during your Tawajju have been accomplished by me in my childhood."

To test his claim Hazrat Sha Habibullah Qadiri(RA) miraculously vanished. Using the same metamorphic powers Sultan Bahu(RA) also

vanished and met the Sheikh in a distant land. Recognising him the Sheikh again disappeared and Sultan Bahu(RA) followed suit. For a third time the Sheikh disappeared to a distend land, where Sultan Bahu(RA) found him teaching Quran to children in the mosque.

Being satisfied and Recognising Sultan Bahu's(RA) claim and spiritual status, the Sheikh took him back to his Khanqah.