Hadhrat Syed Shah Jamal Ul Bahr Qadri (May Allah shower His mercy on him)

 

Hadhrat Syed Shah Jamaaluddin famously known as Syed Shah Jamal Ul Bahr Shah Qadri is a great saint of the subcontinent.

 

His blessed grave is in Bhongir.  He is the descendent of Hadhrat Ghouse Azam (May Allah be well pleased with him) through 6 generations.

 

Birth

 

He was born in 873 Hijri and as per another narration in 878 Hiijri in Baghdad.

 

His spiritual lineage

 

He belongs to the Qadri order of Tasawwuf.  Some people claim that he is a Chishti.  This might be true as well.  However, it can’t be denied that the Shaykh was dominated by the precepts of the Qadri order.

 

His brothers on the spiritual path

 

Hadhrat Syed Shah Jalaaluddin famously known as Jalaal Ul Bahr Qadri Ma’ashoq Rabbani Thaani (May Allah shower His mercy on him) whose blessed grave is in Warangal and Hadhrat Syed Hussain Baghdadi famously known as Jamaal Ul Birr (May Allah shower His mercy on him) whose mausoleum is in Langar Houz, Golconda, are his brothers on the spiritual path.

 

All three of the aforementioned saints came to Deccan in the Qutub Shahi era on divine orders and illuminated it with their presence.

 

His coming to Bhongir

 

It has been narrated that Hadhrat Jamaal U Bahr (May Allah shower His mercy on him) came to Bhongir in the reign of Rai Pratap who was the king of Warangal in the year 894 Hijri.  At this time, he was 16 y ears old and as per another narration 21 years old.

 

On hearing of his coming, the Qazi Ibrahim Sahib who was the judge of Bhongir welcomed him and took him to his own house.  On the request of the Qazi, Hadhrat Jamaaluddin (May Allah shower His mercy on him) stayed at his house and the Qazi served him with all sincerity.

 

After some days, Hadhrat Jamaaluddin (May Allah shower His mercy on him) selected another place for his stay.  Qazi Ibrahim Sahib got a house constructed at the desired spot.  He also constructed a garden on the eastern side of the house and he also changed his residence along with Hadhrat Jamaaluddin (May Allah shower His mercy on him).  Now the Qazi gave his Ba’yah to Hadhrat Jamaaluddin (May Allah shower His mercy on him) and served him day and night.  Hadhrat Jamaaluddin (May Allah shower His mercy on him) selected a room in this house and would remain busy in worship and remembrance of Allah in that room.

 

Other details

 

Looking at the piety, scholarly abilities, worship and remembrance of Almighty Allah and the miracles expressed at his hands, the populace of Bhongir were extremely devoted to Hadhrat Jamaaluddin (May Allah shower His mercy on him).  Not only the people of Bhongir, but people would come from far off and illuminate their hearts with the sight of his blessed face.

 

Often the officials in charge of religious affairs would come to the Shaykh.  They would take lessons from him and draw benefit from his blessed presence.

 

This is also said that those people who were appointed for religious affairs were selected by Hadhrat Jamaaluddin (May Allah shower His mercy on him) himself.

 

When Hadhrat Jamaaluddin (May Allah shower His mercy on him) came to Bhongir, most of Bhongir was seeped in the darkness and gloom of disbelief and ignorance.  However, the propagation of Islam by the Shaykh, his wise teachings, his scholarly talks, his magnanimous manners, his spiritual states and his pure deeds caused people to embrace Islam.  They would become the disciples of the Shaykh and become the very epitomes of:

 

Gradually, the darkness of disbelief was dispelled and the radiance of Islam spread all around.

 

His passing away

 

Hadhrat Jamaaluddin (May Allah shower His mercy on him) himself selected the site of his grave.  He then made Qazi Ibrahim Sahib his caliph and representative.

 

It is narrated that once when Qazi Ibrahim Sahib had gone to Bidar for some work, Hadhrat Jamaaluddin (May Allah shower His mercy on him) divined that his last moments had come.  The Shaykh told the disciples who were present that he is going to pass away now and that his body should be left untouched and undisturbed until Qazi Ibrahim Sahib came.  The Shaykh also said:  When Qazi Ibrahim Sahib comes, tell him to place my body on a cot under the open sky in the courtyard and none should be allowed to come near my body.  Whatever Allah wills will happen.  After the intent of Almighty Allah is expressed and after the populace is calmed, Salaat Ul Janaazah should be offered and then I should be buried.  There the Qazi was ordered in a dream to come back immediately.

 

The Qazi woke up from his sleep and started for Bhongir on horseback as he had been ordered.  Just look at his power that in his love he covered 100 miles in 1 night and reached Bhongir in the morning.  However, before his reaching Bhongir, Hadhrat Jamaaluddin (May Allah shower His mercy on him) had passed away into the presence of Allah Most High.

 

        There was no limit to the sorrow of the people, the common folk and the classes alike.  The attendants informed the Qazi of the orders of the Shaykh.

 

Thus, the Qazi fulfilled the orders of the Shaykh to the letter.  Immediately after placing the body of the Shaykh beneath the open sky, it started raining.  And look at the power and authority of the Friends of Allah that the body of Hadhrat Jamaaluddin (May Allah shower His mercy on him) turned over and back of its own accord as if someone were giving him the funeral bath.

 

When the funeral bath was done in this manner, the rain stopped and the clouds dispersed.  Everybody was astonished.  As per the directions of the Shaykh, the Qazi buried the Shaykh where the great bounties of Almighty Allah were waiting for him.

 

[Excerpted from: Surma-e-Aqeedat, Maulvi Muhammad Ziaullah Sahab Narkhi]