Hazrat Maulana Shahbaz Muhammad Baha Gilpuri (RA) was a profound Islamic scholar and a revered Sufi spiritual leader. Hailing from Gilpur Sharif, Azad Kashmir, he was known as "Gilpuri" due to his origins. He excelled in both Islamic law (Sharia) and spiritual paths (Tariqat), dedicating his life to guiding and educating people in his Khanqah (spiritual center).
A Beacon of Spirituality in the Indian Subcontinent
Hazrat Maulana Shahbaz Baha Gilpuri is considered a distinguished spiritual emperor and a king of the spiritual path in Eastern and Central India. His esteemed personality is a source of pride for the entire subcontinent.Birth of Hazrat Maulana Shahbaz Muhammad Baha Gilpuri
Hazrat Maulana Shahbaz Muhammad Baha Gilpuri (RA) was born in 956 Hijri during the reign of the Suri kings. His father was Syed Muhammad Khattāb, and his grandfather was Haji Khairuddin. His ancestors originally hailed from Bukhara, from where this noble family migrated to the Indian subcontinent. Hazrat Shahbaz Muhammad Baha Gilpuri was a descendant of Hazrat Jalal Bukhari in the fifteenth generation, and his lineage traces back to Hazrat Imam Hassan (AS) in the twenty-fifth generation. This illustrious lineage not only granted him a high status in religious knowledge but also elevated him in spirituality and mysticism.Some credible historical accounts also mention that Hazrat Shahbaz Muhammad Baha Gilpuri (RA)'s grandfather, Hazrat Haji Syed Khairuddin, returned to the subcontinent with his son, Syed Muhammad Khattāb, after completing the Hajj pilgrimage. Due to their spiritual blessings and perfections, they resided in Deora Sharif for some time, fulfilling the duty of guiding and educating the local community. Later, after the demise of Hazrat Haji Syed Khairuddin, his son Syed Muhammad Khattāb, along with his son Hazrat Maulana Shahbaz Muhammad Baha Gilpuri, moved towards Bahawalpur, where this family began their academic and spiritual services, and Hazrat Shahbaz's personality further flourished.
Early Education of Shahbaz Gilpuri
His early education was overseen by his esteemed father, Shah Muhammad Khattāb, who was a great scholar and a man of spiritual insight. Within a few years, Hazrat Maulana Shahbaz thoroughly acquired both exoteric and esoteric sciences from him. Even at a young age, his scholarly prowess and spiritual state were such that prominent scholars respected and revered him. After receiving education from his father, he also benefited from scholars and spiritual masters in Qannauj and other places.Pledge of Allegiance (Bay'ah) to Syed Yaseen (RA)
The story of his pledge of allegiance to Syed Yaseen (RA) is quite remarkable. It is said that Syed Yaseen made a mistake and felt deep remorse. He then traveled to Mecca and Medina, serving at the Prophet's (PBUH) shrine for several years. Allah accepted his repentance and illuminated his heart with a new light. Then, Syed Yaseen received a command from the Prophet's (PBUH) shrine that a person named Shahbaz resides in Munger; go there, and either you pledge allegiance to him, or he will pledge allegiance to you. Upon receiving this command, he went to Shahbaz and expressed his desire for allegiance, but Shahbaz said, "We will pledge allegiance to you." Thus, Syed Yaseen accepted his allegiance.Hazrat Shahbaz Muhammad Gilpuri's Student Life
Although he had acquired a considerable amount of education from his parents in his native region, his thirst for knowledge remained unquenched. He then traveled to Qannauj, the capital city of that era, where many great scholars had their teaching institutions. Upon arriving there, he began to acquire more exoteric knowledge.At that time, his financial situation was quite constrained, and there was no arrangement for him to stay in the madrasa. Therefore, he worked as a watchman at a grocer's shop at night and, in return, studied under the light of a lamp in the shop.
One night, there was dancing and singing at a house in front of the grocer's shop. In the morning, when the grocer arrived, he asked Hazrat if he had enjoyed the singing and dancing. Hazrat replied with surprise that he knew nothing about it, meaning he was so engrossed in his books that he had no time to notice the festivities.
Arrival in Baha Gilpur
He arrived in Baha Gilpur during the reign of Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar. At that time, Baha Gilpur was a small town. Upon reaching Gilpur, he expressed a desire to meet Hazrat Naik Naam Shah Bandagi and proceeded towards his Khanqah. Upon arrival, he informed the attendant that he had come to meet Hazrat Naik Naam Shah.When the attendant conveyed his message to Hazrat Naik Naam Shah, he simply sent back a bowl of water in response. When this bowl reached Hazrat, he placed a few rose petals in it and sent it back.
He later clarified that Hazrat Naik Naam Shah's intention was that "Baha Gilpur was already overflowing with his spiritual influence, and there was no more room." However, by adding rose petals, he conveyed the message that "my presence here is not by my own will but under the glad tidings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). My presence will not cause any harm; rather, everyone will benefit."
Miracles of Hazrat Shahbaz Muhammad Gilpuri
First Miracle
After Hazrat's arrival in Baha Gilpur, his extraordinary popularity and the immense devotion of the people ignited the flames of jealousy in the hearts of some so-called scholars. They incited the ruler against him and succeeded in turning him hostile. Their aim was for the ruler to insult him in such a way that he would be forced to leave the place.Consequently, the ruler summoned him to the court. As he set off towards the fort and approached it, a voice from the unseen came:
"The ruler's intention is evil. If permitted, the entire fort can be overturned."
He replied:
"The fort contains not only the ruler but also countless innocent people. Punishing everyone for one person's ill intent is not justice. It is enough that the evil thought leaves his heart."
When he entered the fort and the ruler saw him, he said with a respectful tone:
"Who called him? Tell him to return to his residence."
Hazrat calmly returned. But when his caliph, Hazrat Manan, heard that the ruler had summoned him with the intention of insult, he was filled with righteous indignation. In a state of rage, he reached the fort's gate. There was a berry tree there. Hazrat Manan, in his spiritual fervor, shook the tree. At that very moment, by the command of divine power, the ruler suffered severe abdominal pain and died on the spot.
Second Miracle
Khwaja Khizr (AS) had immense affection for Hazrat. One day, he presented him with a precious stone as a gift. However, by chance, a boy playing threw the stone into a well. After some time, Khwaja Khizr (AS) came to meet him again and inquired about the stone.Upon investigation, it was discovered that the boy had indeed thrown the stone into the well. Hearing this, Khwaja Khizr (AS) said:
"That was no ordinary stone; it was a philosopher's stone. Whatever it touched would turn into gold. But you did not appreciate its value."
Hearing this, Hazrat picked up a piece of clay from nearby and forcefully threw it against a wall. Instantly, the entire wall transformed into pure gold. Then, turning to Khwaja Khizr (AS), he said:
"O brother! My prayer to the Divine presence is that among my children, only that blessing remains which no one can steal and which has no decline. The permanence of worldly wealth and gold and silver is not part of my objective."
After this, he said to Khwaja Khizr (AS):
"Go and retrieve your stone from that well."
When Khwaja Khizr (AS) reached the well, he was astonished to find not one but seventy-seven philosopher's stones there. Witnessing this scene, the greatness of Hazrat's special spiritual grace became even more evident to Khwaja Khizr (AS).
Demise of Hazrat Maulana Shahbaz Muhammad Gilpuri
He had foretold his own passing. As the time of his demise drew near, he appeared exceptionally joyful, for he was about to unite with the Divine truth. Thus, during the reign of Shah Jahan, on Thursday, 16 Safar 1050 Hijri, at the age of 95, he departed from this world. However, the chain of his miracles continued even after his demise.It is said that a virtuous woman from Lahore was a devoted follower of Hazrat, even though she had never met him. With a longing to visit him, she set out one day from her home towards Baha Gilpur. She carried with her a pure cloth, which she had prepared herself in a state of ablution, intending to present it as a gift to Hazrat.
When she neared Baha Gilpur, she learned from the people that Hazrat had passed away. Hearing this news, the woman was overwhelmed with grief and sorrow. The local people consoled her, saying:
"His son, Hazrat Maulana Abdus Salam, is his successor; you should present yourself to him."
Consequently, the woman went to Hazrat Maulana Abdus Salam. That very night, Maulana Abdus Salam received a command in a dream from his esteemed father:
"Dig up my grave and take out the coffin, and show this woman my visitation. Give me the cloth she has brought as a gift."
At dawn, Maulana Abdus Salam arranged for the grave to be opened as commanded. The coffin was brought out, and when it was opened, a strange sight occurred during the visitation: Hazrat's blessed hand moved, as if giving a sign of acceptance, and then remained still.
The woman reverently presented the cloth as a shroud and returned, content. Later, some people objected to Maulana Abdus Salam, asking why all this was done. Maulana Abdus Salam replied:
"All this happened by the command of my father, Hazrat Sahib; I did nothing of my own accord."
Hazrat Shahbaz Muhammad Gilpuri Urs Date
The annual Urs of Hazrat Shahbaz Muhammad Gulpoori (رحمۃ اللہ علیہ) is observed with great devotion and reverence every year on the 16th of Safar al-Muzaffar at Baha Gulpoor (District Gujrat, Punjab). Devotees from far and near visit the blessed shrine, where gatherings of dhikr, Qur’an recitation, naats, and spiritual sama‘ are held. During the Urs, special arrangements of langar (free food) are made for the visitors, reflecting the Sufi tradition of service to humanity. This sacred occasion not only revives the remembrance of his teachings of Divine love, patience, contentment, and service to mankind but also becomes a source of spiritual peace and blessings for the faithful.