Hazrat Khawaja Muhammad Suleman Taunsvi (RA) was a renowned Sufi saint and a prominent figure of the Chishtia-Mujaddidia order in the Indian subcontinent. He hailed from Taunsa Sharif (District Muzaffargarh, Punjab, Pakistan), which is why he is known as "Taunsvi."
Birth of Hazrat Khawaja Suleman Taunsvi
Hazrat Khawaja Muhammad Suleman Taunsvi (RA) belonged to the Jafar tribe of the Afghan nation. His family later settled in Mauza Gad Goji, near Koh Warg, which was approximately 30 kos from Taunsa Sharif.
His grandfather's name was Umar Khan, his father's name was Abdul Wahab, and his mother's name was Bibi Zulaikha. It is narrated that when he was in his mother's womb, a saintly fakir gave the glad tidings that: "From the womb of this woman, a son will be born who will be a source of blessings for thousands of people."
According to this prophecy, he was born in 1184 Hijri, corresponding to 1770 AD, in Mauza Gad Goji. He had siblings; his brother's name was Muhammad Yusuf, and he had four sisters.
His Early Education
Hazrat Khawaja Muhammad Suleman Taunsvi (RA) was only four years old and had not yet reached the age of understanding when his father passed away, leaving him an orphan. After his father's demise, all responsibilities for his upbringing and education fell upon his mother. She enrolled him in a local school under the tutelage of Mulla Yusuf, where he studied half of the Holy Quran. Afterwards, his mother entrusted him to another teacher named Haji Sahib for further education, with whom he completed the Holy Quran and studied some elementary Persian books.
Driven by a thirst for more knowledge, he was sent to Taunsa Sharif to study under Mian Hassan Ali. Upon joining the madrasa there, he observed that most students either begged or worked for their livelihood. One day, he also attempted to beg. Coincidentally, he went to the house of a Hindu woman who was baking bread. He asked for bread, but she did not respond. He then took a piece of bread and returned. The woman complained to his teacher, who forbade him from begging and advised him, "You should work for wages."
Consequently, he started working for wages, but whenever he received payment in flour, he would bring it all home, have bread baked, and not only eat it himself but also distribute it among the poor. When the teacher saw this, he said: "Now you should not work for wages either, but eat from our house."
Thus, he continued his education and became one of the most brilliant and capable students in the madrasa.
The Search for a Murshid (Spiritual Guide)
From childhood, Hazrat Khawaja Muhammad Suleman Taunsvi (RA) possessed a spiritual inclination and a desire for the path of Sufism. After completing his worldly education, he began his search for a spiritual guide. A remarkable incident is narrated in this regard: even before he met Hazrat Khawaja Noor Muhammad Maharvi (RA) directly, his Sheikh, Hazrat Maulana Fakhruddin (RA), instructed his Khalifa, Khawaja Noor Muhammad Maharvi, saying, "A divinely connected young man, who will be the Suleman of his time, will soon come to you. Include him among your sincere followers, for he will be a source of blessing for us and for you."
Thus, Hazrat Noor Muhammad Maharvi (RA) awaited this spiritual personality. Finally, by spiritual attraction, Hazrat Khawaja Muhammad Suleman Taunsvi (RA) presented himself to his Murshid and pledged allegiance at his blessed hands. After the pledge, Hazrat Noor Muhammad Maharvi was extremely pleased and said: "Congratulate us, for that falcon of the spiritual path, for whom we have been searching for years, has now come into our embrace."
After this, upon his Murshid's command, he also went to Delhi to meet Hazrat Fakhruddin and then returned to the service of Khawaja Noor Muhammad in Mahar Sharif.
This pledge of allegiance proved to be a great spiritual turning point in his life, after which he traversed the stages of Sufism and gnosis and benefited millions of people.
Meeting with His Mother
Hazrat Khawaja Muhammad Suleman Taunsvi (RA) remained separated from his mother, Bibi Zulaikha, for a long time. His mother was deeply distressed by his separation and did not know where her beloved son was. Finally, his mother sent her son-in-law to search for him. He found him in Multan, where he had come for some work. His brother-in-law immediately wanted to take him back, but he said: "I will certainly come after seeking permission from my Pir-o-Murshid."
So, he returned to Mahar Sharif, and Hazrat Khawaja Noor Muhammad Maharvi (RA) himself said: "Your mother is distraught in your separation; go to her and bring peace to her heart."
When he reached his mother, he learned that his elder brother, Muhammad Yusuf, had passed away. Hearing this news caused him further grief. He spent some time serving his mother, but the longing to see his Murshid remained in his heart. When he intended to leave again, his family strictly prevented him, even locking the doors at night. But his spiritual yearning was so intense that he would somehow find a way to reach the service of his Pir-o-Murshid.
After this, it became his routine to seek permission to visit his mother and also benefit from the spiritual grace of his Pir-o-Murshid.
Demise of His Murshid and Succession
When Hazrat Khawaja Noor Muhammad Maharvi (RA) fell ill with his final illness, he called Hazrat Khawaja Muhammad Suleman Taunsvi (RA) to his service and said: "We entrust the caliphate to you not by our will, but by the command of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH)."
Upon hearing this, Hazrat Suleman Taunsvi humbly refused and submitted: "I am not worthy of accepting such a great responsibility."
During this time, Hazrat Khawaja was blessed with an audience in the court of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The Master of the Two Worlds (PBUH) said: "Why do you refuse the caliphate?"
Hazrat Suleman Taunsvi submitted: "O Messenger of Allah (PBUH)! I am not worthy."
Then, from the court of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), the command came: "We say, accept it."
Thus, Hazrat Suleman Taunsvi (RA) had to accept the caliphate. When he accepted the caliphate from his Murshid, Hazrat Khawaja Noor Muhammad Maharvi smiled and said: "I had already said that this is the command of Allah and His Messenger (PBUH)."
After this, Hazrat Suleman Taunsvi began to accept pledges of allegiance from people, and after a short period, his Murshid passed away.
Miracles of Hazrat Khawaja Muhammad Suleman Taunsvi
Hazrat Khawaja Muhammad Suleman Taunsvi (RA) had a profound love and passion for Qawwali. Famous Qawwals would present their performances in his service. Biographers have mentioned that not only humans but also jinn would come to his service to listen to Qawwali.
Once, it happened that the renowned Qawwal Mian Ahmed Qawwal came to his service. As he approached the Khanqah, he heard the melodious and captivating sound of Qawwali, a voice so enchanting that it stole hearts. Mian Ahmed was surprised, wondering who this Qawwal was performing inside. But when he entered, there was no one present except Hazrat Khawaja Taunsvi, who was absorbed in the ecstasy of the remembrance of Allah.
Seeing Mian Ahmed, Hazrat said: "Ahmed! You don't even see the time and occasion!"
Mian Ahmed, flustered, submitted: "Hazoor! I came with a request from Sardar Sher Muhammad, I apologize."
Then Hazrat asked Ahmed: "Did you just hear the sound of Qawwali?"
Ahmed replied: "Yes, Hazoor!"
Then Hazrat said: "A jinn had been insisting for days that I listen to his singing; today I heard it and found great pleasure."
Saying this, Hazrat again fell into a state of ecstasy. When Ahmed Qawwal started to leave and stepped out of the door, the captivating sound of Qawwali began again.
Once, a person brought his wife to his service, who was possessed by a jinn. He commanded the jinn to leave the woman. The jinn said that his son was ill and asked for an amulet for him. He told the jinn that if his son was ill, why was he troubling the woman? The jinn replied that he had no other way to reach him. Consequently, the jinn left the woman, and she recovered.
Demise of Hazrat Khawaja Suleman Taunsvi
Hazrat Khawaja Muhammad Suleman Taunsvi (RA) became very weak due to lifelong devotion to the remembrance of Allah, ascetic practices, and worship. Finally, he suddenly fell ill with a severe sickness and ultimately departed from this mortal world forever on the 7th of Safar, 1227 Hijri, after performing the Fajr prayer.
After his demise, his esteemed son, Hazrat Allah Bakhsh (RA), ascended the seat of the caliphate and further propagated the teachings of the noble order. His successors spread not only throughout India but also to every corner of what later became Pakistan, and millions of people benefited from his spiritual grace and blessings.
Hazrat Khawaja Suleman Taunsvi (RA) holds a very high position among the great saints and mystics of the Indian subcontinent. His spiritual and academic services will always be remembered, and he is considered a source of pride and mercy for the subcontinent.
When is the Urs (Annual Commemoration) of Hazrat Khawaja Suleman Taunsvi Celebrated?
The blessed Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Muhammad Suleman Taunsvi (RA) is celebrated annually from the 5th to the 7th of Safar at his shrine in Taunsa Sharif (District Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan) with devotion and reverence.
On this occasion, Sufi gatherings of remembrance, supererogatory prayers, Qawwali, and gatherings of Durood and Na'at are held, and thousands of devotees from far and near come to participate in the spiritual blessings.