Hazrat Sultan Bahu / Haqbahu � Life in Details in English

PAGE NO. 24

SULTAN BAHU AS AN AUTHOR AND A CELEBRATION OF HIS WORKS.

Sultan Bahu (R.A.) is acknowledged as one of the most prominent Sufi poets of the Indo Pak subcontinent. He is known to be the author of over 140 books in Persian and Arabic dealing with a variety of religious and mystic subjects.

The poems of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA.) are coloured by the consciousness of Faqr and mystical leanings. He is the leader amongst Punjabi Sufi Poets. For centuries now, the people of the Indo Pak sub continent have been captivated by his poems and books on Spiritual Knowledge. His Poems contain extreme impressions of spiritual reality and facts of life rooted in human existence.

To class the poetry of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA.) within the boundary of normal poetry is a great error for it sinks into the depths of the heart and soul. Whosoever listens or studies his works is effected and transported into higher realms of spiritual truths. The joy and ecstasy is such that even a casual reading produces spiritual attraction. Visualize dervishes sitting around a fire, the light of which giving an occasional glimpse of those sitting around it. The Abyat of Sultan Bahu (RA) is being recited. Suddenly, the hearts of the dervishes is effected by a resounding ` HU '. That ` HU ' extinguishes the awareness of the surroundings and the listener and reciter is transported to higher levels of reality going back to his ` original ' homeland. The effects of the journey are so profound that the lesson learned is not obtainable at any university or madresssa. There is so much dept in his teachings that it distinguishes him from other Sufi poets.

[[In the opinion of Hazrat Faqir Nur Muhammad Sarwari Qaderi (RA.) Quote : I have myself collected around 40 - forty handwritten Persian Books of Sultan Bahu (RA.). I have read many a book by well known scholars and sufis - past and present - but the effects, barakah and esoteric knowledge which I have found in the writings of Sultan Bahu (RA.) is not to be found in any other works. Allah is my witness. It seems that the soul and spirituality of Sultan Bahu (RA.) is running through the pages of his works. Just by mere perusal, he is elevated to a state of ecstasy. Sometimes the reader without any effort or spiritual exercise reaches the stage of revelation and witnessing]]. Unquote Sultan Bahu�s (RA.) entire life has been purposely one of travel and secrecy, in order to avoid fame and fortune which was and is one of the norms of society. He would dress in the clothing of a beggar with a begging bowl in his hand to hide his true condition. Precious little is known about his early life and education. It is only through his writings that one is able to deduce the patterns of his life. However, his miracles and spiritual attractions are well documented (reference : Sultanul Awrad and Munaqabee Sultanee). He was a peace loving quiet boy with inherent spiritual qualities.

Sultan Bahu (RA) works is a true guide to the lost soul. It influences the seeker so much so that he is strengthened in his resolve for higher knowledge. His message is clear...... spend your Life for Allah, His Prophet (PBUH) and Truth. Your living and dying should be for Allah alone. Sultan Bahu�s (RA) philosophy or original idea is the Zaat of Allah. To him attainment to Allah is the `goal' and `reality'. His works should be widely translated and distributed to make people aware of this great soul, so that his works Heal the hearts of man. It is a most Urgent need especially in the English language. It should be noted that Hazrat Sultan Bahu's (RA.) works is couched in simple language, making it easily understandable. It is for this reason that some so-called learned persons do not regard these works as of high literary status. We should note that it was customary for the writers of that time to decorate their prose and poetry, in an incomprehensible fashion. Thus, unfortunately these so-called scholars are unable to see, and experience the practical effects of Hazrat Sultan Bahu's (RA) works.

Due to simplicity, and effectiveness of these works, one is almost obliged to think that this great holy personality knew through intuition that there will be a time like the present, when it will be difficult to find a perfect spiritual master. This is the reason why Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) clothed his spiritual treasure & Barakah, in the shape of his books. The master himself says in `Nurul Huda' that `for many years a true seeker has not passed my path to whom I could impart my spiritual wealth which is given to me as a trust. Thus he put his esoteric knowledge and spiritual wisdom and teachings in writing and in this way has forever made its benefit available for generations to come.