In the spiritual history of the Indian subcontinent, the name of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani shines like a bright star, having spread the true spirit of Islam, the light of guidance, and sincere yearning among the common people. The spiritual movement initiated by great Sufis like Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti and Qutubuddin Bakhtiar Kaki was further illuminated by Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani throughout Northern India and present-day Pakistan. Thanks to him, not only was Islam correctly understood, but a large number of people also embraced Islam.
Early Life and Family Background:
Hazrat Sheikh Bahauddin Zakariya Multani was born in Multan in 566 Hijri, corresponding to 1171 AD. His grandfather, Kamaluddin Ali Shah, settled in Multan via Khwarazm from Mecca during the reign of Genghis Khan. He was accompanied by his wife and son, Sheikh Wajihuddin. After settling in Multan, Kamaluddin Ali Shah married his son Sheikh Wajihuddin to the daughter of Maulana Husamuddin Tirmidhi, who became the mother of Hazrat Sheikh.
From childhood, Hazrat Sheikh was endowed with extraordinary mental abilities and inner qualities. His intelligence can be gauged from the fact that at only 12 years of age, he began to compete with prominent scholars in knowledge and virtue. During this time, he faced a great trial when his father passed away in his youth, leaving him an orphan and helpless.
Acquisition of Knowledge and Journey Abroad:
Despite his father's passing, Hazrat Sheikh's passion for acquiring knowledge never waned. He traveled to Khorasan for further education, where he acquired more esoteric sciences. From Khorasan, he went to Bukhara, where he attained the "degree of Ijtihad" (independent reasoning in Islamic law). Although he was only 15 or 16 years old at the time, his scholarly eminence was such that great Islamic scholars became his students.
After excelling in exoteric sciences, he traveled to Mecca and served as a caretaker of the Prophet's Shrine for five years. During this period, he studied Hadith for several years under the great Hadith scholar Sheikh Kamaluddin. Afterwards, he visited Jerusalem, where he paid homage to the tombs of the prophets.
Initiation (Bay'ah) and the Robe of Caliphate from Sheikh Shihabuddin Suhrawardi:
From Jerusalem, he traveled to Baghdad, where he took allegiance (bay'ah) from Hazrat Sheikh Shihabuddin Suhrawardi and became one of his devotees, serving him devotedly. It is said that he was granted the robe of caliphate (Khirqa-e-Khilafat) in a very short period. A remarkable incident regarding the bestowal of the robe of caliphate is narrated:
Al-Rahim wrote that one night, Hazrat Sheikh Bahauddin Zakariya saw Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in a dream. The Prophet (PBUH) was sitting in a house, and many robes were stacked one upon another. Suddenly, the Prophet (PBUH) commanded, "O Shihabuddin, bring Bahauddin before us!" When Hazrat Sheikh Shihabuddin brought Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya near the Prophet (PBUH) by holding his hand, the Beloved Prophet (PBUH) ordered, "Clothe Bahauddin with that particular robe!" After seeing this dream, he woke up and could not sleep until morning. He remained engaged in supplications and prayers throughout the night.
When he went to his spiritual guide (Sheikh Shihabuddin Suhrawardi) in the morning, the Sheikh took off a robe and put it on him with his own blessed hand, saying, "Baba Sheikh! This robe is from the Beloved Prophet (PBUH); I am merely acting as an emissary and fulfilling his command." Thus, he was granted the robe of caliphate in this extraordinary manner.
Return to Multan and the Flow of Spiritual Grace:
After receiving the robe of caliphate, Hazrat Sheikh desired to serve his spiritual guide further, but his guide commanded him, "Go back to Multan; your work is to guide the people there." So, he returned to Multan according to his guide's command. In Multan, thousands of devotees gathered around him. People flocked to him in large numbers, and the fountainhead of his spiritual grace flowed not only in Multan but throughout Northern India. He not only blessed people with spiritual grace but also continued the tradition of teaching and instruction. His Khanqah (Sufi lodge) became the largest center for both exoteric and esoteric sciences.
Sheikh Bahauddin Zakariya's Miracles and Reform of Rulers:
After the death of Qutb al-Din Aibak, when Sultan Shamsuddin Iltutmish became the ruler, Nasiruddin Qabacha, the ruler of Multan, deviated from Iltutmish's allegiance, declared his independent rule, and indulged in luxury. Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya first tried to counsel him according to Islamic Sharia. When Qabacha did not heed, he and Qazi Multan (Judge of Multan) signed a complaint letter against Qabacha and sent it to Sultan Shamsuddin.
However, by chance, the letter fell into the hands of Nasiruddin Qabacha's men, which greatly angered Qabacha. He ordered both the Qazi and Bahauddin to be brought to his court. When both appeared before him, Qabacha immediately had the Qazi killed and then asked Hazrat Sheikh, "Is this letter yours?" Hazrat Sheikh replied, "Indeed, these are my signatures. What I did, I did by the command of Allah. Now do whatever you wish!" As soon as he uttered these words, such awe overcame Qabacha that he ordered him to leave. This incident stands as a testament to Hazrat Sheikh's spiritual power and fearless truthfulness.
Sheikh Gilani's Respect for Bahauddin Zakariya:
Once, a disciple of Hazrat Sheikh, named Khawaja Kamaluddin Masood, who was a jewel merchant, faced a storm during his journey to Aden. None of the passengers on the ship had any hope of survival. In this critical moment, Hazrat Sheikh's disciple Kamaluddin called upon his spiritual guide. No sooner had he prayed than people saw Hazrat Sheikh Bahauddin himself present on the ship, giving good news to the crew and then disappearing from sight.
The ship safely navigated the storm and reached its destination, Aden. All the merchants and disciples, out of reverence, set aside a third of their wealth for Hazrat Sheikh and sent it to him through Khawaja Fakhruddin Gilani. It is said that the value of this offering was equivalent to 70 lakh rupees. He accepted this offering but immediately distributed it among the poor and needy, not keeping a single penny for himself. Witnessing his generosity and spiritual power, Khawaja Gilani was greatly impressed and, leaving his home and worldly possessions, became one of his devotees. After serving him for 50 years, he went to Mecca and passed away in Jeddah, where he was buried.
Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani Urs (death anniversary of a saint)
The annual Urs of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani (RA) is held every year in the month of Safar, usually from the 5th to the 7th of Safar according to the Islamic calendar. During these days, thousands of devotees and followers gather at his shrine in Multan to pay their respects, recite the Holy Qur’an, attend gatherings of remembrance, and participate in Sufi traditions. The Urs not only commemorates his departure from this world but also serves as a reminder of his lifelong services in spreading Islam, his deep spiritual teachings, and his role as a great saint of the Suhrawardi order.
The incident of his passing is also very strange and extraordinary. It is said that one day he was engaged in worship in his private chamber when suddenly a person dressed in luminous attire appeared. He held an envelope in his hand. He gave the envelope to Hazrat Sheikh's son, Sadruddin, and said, "This is a very important letter; deliver it to Hazrat Sheikh Bahauddin as soon as possible!" Sheikh Sadruddin looked at the envelope with astonishment and quickly went into the chamber to give the envelope to his esteemed father, then came out. As he came out, a voice from the unseen was heard saying, "Friend has gone to Friend." Upon hearing this voice, Sadruddin rushed into Hazrat Sheikh's chamber and saw that his revered father, Sheikh Bahauddin Zakariya Multani, had departed from this world. The date of his passing is stated as 17 Safar 666 Hijri. He lived for one hundred years, and the entire North of India was illuminated by his spiritual grace. He was a contemporary of Sheikh Fariduddin Ganj Shakar. Hazrat Ganj Shakar lived for three more years after him.
Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani spent his entire life in the propagation of Islam, the promotion of spirituality, and the service of humanity. His teachings transformed the lives of millions, and streams of knowledge and wisdom flowed from his Khanqah. Even today, his blessed shrine is a place of pilgrimage, and people benefit from his spiritual grace. He is counted among those great Sufis of the subcontinent who spread the message of peace, love, and brotherhood in Islam.
Sheikh Bahauddin Zakariya's Demise:
The incident of his passing is also very strange and extraordinary. It is said that one day he was engaged in worship in his private chamber when suddenly a person dressed in luminous attire appeared. He held an envelope in his hand. He gave the envelope to Hazrat Sheikh's son, Sadruddin, and said, "This is a very important letter; deliver it to Hazrat Sheikh Bahauddin as soon as possible!" Sheikh Sadruddin looked at the envelope with astonishment and quickly went into the chamber to give the envelope to his esteemed father, then came out. As he came out, a voice from the unseen was heard saying, "Friend has gone to Friend." Upon hearing this voice, Sadruddin rushed into Hazrat Sheikh's chamber and saw that his revered father, Sheikh Bahauddin Zakariya Multani, had departed from this world. The date of his passing is stated as 17 Safar 666 Hijri. He lived for one hundred years, and the entire North of India was illuminated by his spiritual grace. He was a contemporary of Sheikh Fariduddin Ganj Shakar. Hazrat Ganj Shakar lived for three more years after him.
Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani spent his entire life in the propagation of Islam, the promotion of spirituality, and the service of humanity. His teachings transformed the lives of millions, and streams of knowledge and wisdom flowed from his Khanqah. Even today, his blessed shrine is a place of pilgrimage, and people benefit from his spiritual grace. He is counted among those great Sufis of the subcontinent who spread the message of peace, love, and brotherhood in Islam.