Hazrat Makhdoom Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir Kalyari, an eminent figure among the great saints of the Indian subcontinent, was renowned for his extraordinary miracles that astounded human intellect. Many believed him to be a born saint, and his state of spiritual absorption was so profound that even other saints admired him.
Early Life and Birth
Born on the 19th of Rabi-ul-Awwal in 592 Hijri in Mauza Kahot Wal, Multan, the same village where Baba Farid was born, Hazrat Sabir Kalyari came from a distinguished lineage. His esteemed father was a grandson of Hazrat Ghous Azam Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, and his revered mother was the biological sister of Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Ganjshakar.Childhood Brilliance
From a young age, Hazrat Sabir Kalyari displayed remarkable intelligence. What other children took months to grasp, he mastered in a matter of days. Eight years of religious education, primarily at home, perfected his worldly knowledge. Alongside this, he harbored a deep yearning for inner spiritual wisdom, a desire that kept him constantly restless.Under the Guidance of Baba Farid
Witnessing his spiritual longing, his mother entrusted him to the care of her brother, Baba Farid, so he could complete his spiritual education. Baba Farid was overjoyed, remarking, "I am indebted to you for bringing me such a blessed son who will illuminate the entire world with the light of guidance."Under Baba Farid's guidance, Hazrat Makhdoom's spiritual training commenced. At merely 12 years old, Baba Farid initiated him into his spiritual order. After entrusting her son to her brother, his mother expressed her intention to travel to Herat, instructing her brother to care for her son, ensuring he never went hungry. She also mentioned that if fate allowed, she would arrange his marriage after 12 years. Baba Farid smiled, called Hazrat Makhdoom, and told him, "Son, from morning, you will distribute food to the poor and needy." Thus, to reassure his sister, Baba Farid appointed his nephew as the in-charge of the Langar Khana (community kitchen). His mother, reassured, left her beloved son with her brother and departed for Herat.
Detachment from Worldly Affairs
After taking charge of the Langar Khana, he performed this service with utmost dedication. His routine was to emerge from his chamber after offering Namaz-e-Ishraq (sunrise prayer), distribute food to the poor and needy before his eyes, and then re-enter his chamber, closing the door and immersing himself in worship. At the time of Maghrib (sunset prayer), he would again emerge, distribute food, and then as usual, re-enter his chamber, close the door, and engage in divine worship. His physical sustenance was minimal; he largely subsisted on spiritual nourishment.One day, Sheikh Fazlur Rahman saw him weeping in his chamber and inquired about the reason. He replied, "I fear the loss of spiritual progress. From today, Allah Almighty has detached me from the world. Now, apart from saints and men of the unseen, no one will be able to approach me." Consequently, from that day on, no one, not even near his chamber, could venture close.
The Incident of the Bride and Hazrat Sabir Kalyari
Upon her return to Pakpattan from Herat, his mother requested Baba Farid to arrange her son's marriage. She proposed a match with Baba Farid's daughter, Khadija Begum, who was exceptionally beautiful. Baba Farid replied to his sister that Sabir was not suitable for marriage as he was constantly in a state of spiritual absorption. However, his sister insisted, saying, "I am a widow, and my son is an orphan. Perhaps that is why you are refusing." Hearing his sister's taunt, Baba Farid arranged the marriage of Hazrat Makhdoom to Khadija Begum.As was customary, the bride was taken to his chamber. When Khadija Begum entered, she found him engrossed in prayer and stood respectfully. After completing his Namaz-e-Tahajjud (pre-dawn prayer), he asked Khadija Begum, "Who are you?" She replied, "I am your wife." He responded, "God is unique; what need has He for a wife?" No sooner had he spoken these words than fire erupted from the earth, and the bride was reduced to a pile of ashes. His mother could not bear the sudden death of her daughter-in-law and passed away in her grief.
Hazrat Sabir Kalyari and the Destruction of Kaliyar
When Baba Farid bestowed upon him the mantle of spiritual succession (Khilafat), he dispatched him towards Delhi with a decree, instructing him to get the decree validated by Jamal Hansvi in Delhi before proceeding to his destination. It was Baba Farid's practice to send any successor to Sheikh Jamal Hansvi for confirmation before appointing them to a specific location.Thus, when Hazrat Makhdoom arrived at Jamal Hansvi for validation, he was accorded immense respect. Sheikh Jamal Hansvi inquired about his spiritual guide's condition and conversed with him for a long time until the time for Maghrib prayer arrived. After the prayer, he showed Sheikh Jamal the decree of Khilafat. By chance, the lamp extinguished. Hazrat Makhdoom blew on it, and the lamp rekindled. Witnessing this, Sheikh Jamal Hansvi took the decree, tore it, and said, "Delhi cannot bear your single breath; you would burn all of Delhi to ashes with just one breath!" At this, Hazrat Makhdoom became extremely enraged and declared, "You have torn my decree; I will shatter your spiritual authority (Qutubiyat) into pieces!" With these words, he returned.
Upon his return, he narrated the entire incident to Baba Farid, who said, "Rest assured, Allah Almighty has appointed Kaliyar for you." After this, Baba Farid personally signed the decree and sent him to Kaliyar.
Opposition from Scholars in Kaliyar
When Hazrat Makhdoom Sabir Kalyari reached Kaliyar, the local scholars began to oppose him. The situation escalated to the point where they started harassing his devotees.One day, before the Friday prayer, Hazrat Makhdoom entered the mosque and sat in the first row with his companions. When the group of scholars arrived and saw his companions in the first row, they said, "You people are not worthy of sitting in the first row, so move back." His companions replied, "When we came, this place was empty, so we sat down. Therefore, you should sit elsewhere." A debate ensued. In the midst of this, Hazrat Makhdoom emerged from his meditation and said, "The possessor of spiritual authority in this land is worthy of sitting in the front." Hearing this, the scholars standing there asked, "What is the proof of your spiritual authority?" He replied, "The proof is that soon you and all the people of your city will perish." As soon as he said this, he exited the mosque, and suddenly, the mosque collapsed, and all the people inside perished.
The Spiritual Majesty of Hazrat Sabir Kalyari
It is said that his spiritual majesty had grown to such an extent that wherever he looked, flames would erupt. Out of fear of his majesty, no one dared to approach him. Books state that after the destruction of Kaliyar, he would often stand day and night holding a gular (cluster fig) tree. When Baba Farid learned of this, he told his servants, "Whoever can make Sabir sit down, whatever he asks for, he will receive."Hazrat Sheikh Shamsuddin Turk Panipati, a renowned saint, stepped forward and replied, "I will make him sit down." Saying this, he sat behind Hazrat Makhdoom's back and began to sing. Hazrat Makhdoom opened his eyes, sat down, and said, "Keep singing." Hazrat Shamsuddin, seizing the opportunity, said, "If I may have permission, I wish to stay in your service." Hazrat Makhdoom replied, "Alright, you may stay, but do not come in front of me; always sit behind me." After this incident, Hazrat Sheikh Shamsuddin began to serve him. He would bring water for ablution or gular fruit for food, extending his hand from behind to place them. At the time of breaking the fast, when gular fruits were placed before him, he would say, "God is pure from eating and drinking," and then he himself would say, "God is God, and the servant is a servant." He remained engrossed in worship and remembrance of God 24 hours a day, to the extent that he was oblivious to his own body.
Hazrat Sabir Kalyari's Disciple: Shamsuddin
Hazrat Shamsuddin remained in his service for approximately 24 years, receiving spiritual blessings from him. Hazrat Shamsuddin attained the highest rank among his successors. After 24 years of service and the completion of his spiritual education, Hazrat Makhdoom instructed Shamsuddin, "Go and join the royal cavalry as a soldier, but the day a miracle appears through you, know that on that day, our passing will occur." Consequently, Hazrat Shamsuddin joined the cavalry of Sultan Alauddin Khalji and lived the life of an ordinary soldier. During this period, the Sultan was repeatedly failing in the siege of the fort of Chittor and was distressed. Finally, the Sultan turned to fakirs for this victory. While the Sultan was searching for fakirs, an acquaintance informed him, "You are needlessly wandering in search of fakirs. A very great fakir lives in your own ranks. Its sign is that when the wind blows at night, everyone's lamps go out, but his does not."Upon hearing this, the Sultan searched and indeed saw at night that one person's lamp did not go out despite the wind. The Sultan immediately went to the tent where the lamp was lit and stood with folded hands, seeing Hazrat Sheikh Shamsuddin engrossed in reciting the Holy Quran. When Hazrat Sheikh Shamsuddin looked up, the King humbly said, "Sir, forgive my mistake. I was unaware of your stature. Please pray for the conquest of the fort of Chittor." He replied, "I am a sinful servant; you may have misunderstood." The Sultan said, "I will not accept any excuse; please pray for me."
He told the Sultan, "Alright, first accept my resignation and pay my salary. I will go three miles away and pray, and you will immediately attack. Insha'Allah, the fort will be conquered." The Sultan accepted his resignation and paid his salary. He went three miles away and prayed, and the Sultan achieved victory immediately. Sheikh Shamsuddin understood that it was the day of his spiritual guide's passing.
Demise of Hazrat Makhdoom Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir Kalyari
Precisely at the moment the fort was conquered, Hazrat Makhdoom Alauddin Ali Ahmed Sabir Kalyari suddenly departed from this world and united with the Divine Being. The date of his passing is the 13th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, 690 AH. Since Hazrat Sheikh Shamsuddin knew of the passing, he immediately arrived and saw that lions, wolves, and other wild animals were sitting in a circle around his blessed body. When he arrived, they all left. After performing the bathing and shrouding rituals, Hazrat Sheikh laid his spiritual guide's blessed body to rest.It is said that for a long time, such was the spiritual majesty around his tomb that if any bird flew over it, it would fall and die due to the spiritual intensity.
Hazrat Khwaja Sabir Kaliyari (RA) Urs Date (Death Anniversary of Sabir Kalyari)
The annual Urs of Hazrat Khwaja Sabir Kaliyari (RA) is celebrated with great devotion and reverence at Kaliyar Sharif, India, every year on the 13th of Rabi‘ al-Awwal. This Urs marks his passing and draws hundreds of thousands of devotees from within the country and abroad to his shrine. During the Urs, the dargah is beautifully illuminated and adorned with flowers, while Qur’an recitation, fatiha, and sama gatherings are organized. Devotees also distribute langar (free food) and engage in prayers and supplications, attaining a sense of spiritual peace. The gatherings of Hazrat Sabir Kaliyari’s Urs continue to spread the Sufi message of love, peace, and brotherhood, serving as a means of uniting hearts even today.
