Hazrat Imam Bari Sarkar (RA), whose real name was Hazrat Syed Abdul Latif Shah (RA), was one of the most famous saints of the Indian subcontinent. He belonged to the Qadria order and was renowned for his spirituality, worship, and service to people.
Noble Lineage and Family
He was a distinguished member of a highly respected and honorable Syed family, prominent in knowledge and piety. His lineage is noble and sacred, tracing back to Hazrat Ali Al-Murtaza (RA), the crown of Imamate, and further to the seventh Imam, Hazrat Imam Musa Kazim (AS). Due to this esteemed lineage, he is known as "Syed Bari Imam Kazmi." His family elders held prominent positions in knowledge, spirituality, and religious service, and this spiritual legacy reached its peak in the personality of Hazrat Imam Bari Sarkar (RA).
Hazrat Imam Bari Sarkar Birth
He was born in 1026 Hijri (approximately 1617 AD) in Karsal (Kamah), Tehsil Chakwal. His father's name was Syed Abdul Hamid. He belonged to a Syed family, meaning he was a descendant of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). His esteemed father was Hazrat Syed Mahmood Shah (RA), and his honorable mother was Syeda Ghulam Fatima Kazmi, a virtuous Syed woman.
When he was ten years old, he moved with his respected father from Chakwal to Bagh Kalan—the area now known as Abpara in Islamabad.Education and Training of Imam Bari Sarkar
Hazrat Imam Bari Sarkar Education
Since Hazrat Imam Bari Sarkar's (RA) father was a great saint himself, he received his initial education from his esteemed father, Hazrat Syed Mahmood Badshah (RA). Later, he traveled to Najaf-e-Ashraf (Iraq) to study Fiqh (jurisprudence), Hadith (prophetic traditions), and other Islamic sciences. There, he not only gained knowledge from many esteemed scholars but also benefited from their spiritual blessings.
He acquired knowledge of Fiqh, Hadith, and other religious sciences from Najaf-e-Ashraf (Iraq), where he received spiritual enlightenment from renowned scholars and mystics. After completing his education, he embarked on a sacred journey, visiting Mecca, Medina, Karbala-e-Mualla, and other Islamic countries. This spiritual journey lasted approximately twelve years. During this time, he also received spiritual blessings from Hazrat Hayat Al-Mir (Qaddas Sirruhu).
After completing his journey, upon his return, he received spiritual blessings from Hazrat Jamalullah, also known as Bala Peer, who resided in Hujra Shah, and pledged allegiance to him. Later, Bala Peer bestowed upon him the title of Bari Imam.
Residence in Syed Kasran
When he returned from his twelve-year long journey of knowledge and spirituality in Iran and Iraq, he resided in Syed Kasran. At this time, news of his miracles and spiritual status spread far and wide. Devotees, scholars, and seekers of truth from distant areas began to visit him, benefiting from his teachings, preaching, sermons, and guidance.
After residing in Syed Kasran for some time, Hazrat Imam Bari Sarkar (RA) moved to the northern part of what was then Rawalpindi district and settled in Bagh Kalan (located at the present-day Abpara Market, Islamabad).
Residence in Bagh Kalan
The residents of Bagh Kalan welcomed him with great respect and devotion, offering some land as a token of their love and reverence. Bari Imam Syed Shah Abdul Hakeem Kazmi (RA) stayed there for some time, sincerely engaging in spreading Islam, reforming morals, and propagating the faith. Soon, all the residents of the area joined his circle of disciples. Through his blessings, spirituality and piety became widespread in the area, and during this time, several miracles occurred, deeply imprinting his sainthood and greatness in the hearts of the people.Miracles of Imam Bari Sarkar
One famous incident from those days is that one day, he was engrossed in worship. His focus and absorption were so intense that he did not even realize his cattle had entered a nearby farmer's field and destroyed the entire crop. When the farmer saw this, he became furious and went to complain to his respected father, Hazrat Syed Mahmood Shah (RA).Syed Mahmood Shah (RA) came to him with the farmer and said in an annoyed tone: "Son! Due to your inattention, the poor man's entire crop has been destroyed." He remained silent, and after a while, when his esteemed father reprimanded him again, he raised his head with great calm and dignity and softly said: "Father, please observe the crop."
When Syed Mahmood Shah (RA) and the farmer looked at the field, they were astonished—the same field that had been completely destroyed just moments before was now lush green and flourishing, as if nothing had happened. Upon seeing this sight, tears flowed from the farmer's eyes. He fell at his feet in awe and remorse, begging for forgiveness. This incident is considered one of Bari Imam's (RA) first apparent miracles, a clear proof of his spiritual power and Allah Almighty's special grace and favor.
Prophecy of Imam Bari Sarkar
Approximately three and a half centuries ago, Hazrat Imam Bari Sarkar (RA) made a highly blessed prophecy in his time. He stated that: "This region of Noorpur Pothohar (present-day Islamabad) will one day achieve such a status that it will become a center for the children of monotheism, lamps of knowledge and wisdom will be lit here, and this area will become a magnificent, shining city whose fame will spread throughout the world."This statement has astonishingly come true today, as Islamabad is not only the beautiful capital of Pakistan but is also considered among the most beautiful cities in the world. This prophecy is a clear testament to Bari Imam Sarkar's (RA) spiritual insight, intuition, and perfect sainthood.
Arrival of Imam Bari Sarkar in Noorpur
Once, Hazrat Imam Bari Sarkar (RA) was on a journey. His special disciple, Hazrat Mitha Shah (RA), was also with him. They had barely traveled four kilometers when suddenly, a few robbers emerged from the jungle and blocked their path with the intention of looting them.However, as soon as the robbers saw his radiant face and heard his influential words, a revolution occurred in their hearts. They all repented from their crimes and immediately pledged allegiance to Hazrat Imam Bari Sarkar (RA), becoming his disciples. He settled there and began preaching Islam. As a result of his spiritual gaze and sermons, the people of the area also became acquainted with the teachings of Islam, and the darkness of disbelief and error ended.
Thus, the place, which was previously called Chorpur (meaning "place of thieves"), was illuminated by the light of Islam through his blessings and was forever named "Noorpur" (meaning "place of light"). And this is Noorpur Shahan, where Hazrat Imam Bari Sarkar's (RA) blessed shrine is now a place of pilgrimage for devotees.
Marriage of Sarkar Bari Imam
After Hazrat Imam Bari Sarkar (RA) achieved perfection in both exoteric and esoteric sciences and traversed spiritual stages, he resided in District Hazara for some time. There, he married a very virtuous woman, Bibi Daman Khatoon (RA), daughter of Syed Muhammad. Allah Almighty blessed him with a daughter, but sadly, his respected wife passed away after a short period.Meaning of the Term "Bari Imam"The term "Bari Imam" actually holds a very deep spiritual meaning. "Bari" refers to land and sea—meaning mountains, plains, rivers, streams, springs, and deserts—and "Imam" refers to the spiritual leader of all these.
Thus, Bari Imam Sarkar (RA) is the personality to whom Allah Almighty granted spiritual dominion over all earthly and marine creatures, skies, winds, and water bodies. He is the saint who performed spiritual austerities in remembrance of Allah, disregarding the harshest weather conditions, stormy winds, rains, and desert heat—remaining engaged in worship day and night, until his very being became a manifestation of the light of sainthood.
Two Great Miracles of Imam Bari Sarkar
Numerous miracles are attributed to Hazrat Imam Bari Sarkar (RA), but among them, the greatest and most prominent miracle is that he spiritually trained two Mughal princes. He reformed their inner selves and purified their souls in such a way that one prince was so enlightened by his spiritual gaze that he became lost in the path of spiritual journey. He bestowed upon him the name "Shah Hussain," who later achieved a distinguished position in the world of gnosis and sainthood.Similarly, near Noorpur Shahan, there is a place still known as "Loi Dandi." This is the place of worship where Hazrat Imam Bari Sarkar (RA) often engaged in remembrance and worship of Allah. His routine was to meditate and perform spiritual austerities in solitude.
One day, while he was deeply engrossed in worship and contemplation, a jinn appeared there and began to disturb him, trying to disrupt his worship. He patiently and tolerantly advised the jinn, but when it did not desist, he prayed to Allah Almighty for deliverance from this evil. By Allah's command, the jinn turned into stone right there.
Even today, a stone exists at Loi Dandi, which people consider a sign of that jinn—and this incident is one of the clear proofs of Hazrat Bari Imam Sarkar's (RA) spiritual power and perfect sainthood.
Demise of Imam Bari Sarkar
Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi (RA), known as Bari Imam Sarkar (RA), spent his entire life in the service of Islam, spiritual training, preaching truth, and reforming humanity. He presented such a high example of knowledge and wisdom, asceticism and piety, and worship and devotion that his name became eternally bright among the perfect saints of the Indian subcontinent.He lived for 91 blessed years and finally passed away in 1117 Hijri, corresponding to 1708 AD. He was laid to rest in Noorpur Shahan (Islamabad), where his sacred shrine is a place of pilgrimage for believers today. Devotees and pilgrims from all over the world visit his shrine, offer prayers, and benefit from his spiritual blessings. His shrine remains a beacon of peace, love, and brotherhood that illuminates hearts and calls humanity towards God.
When is the Urs of Imam Bari Sarkar Celebrated?
In earlier times, the annual Urs (death anniversary) celebrations of Hazrat Imam Bari Sarkar (RA) used to be five-day events, starting from Sunday of the first decade of the Punjabi month of Vaisakh and continuing until Thursday. Thus, this blessed Urs was celebrated annually in the last decade of April.During that era, after the wheat harvest was completed in Punjab, a series of fairs and spiritual gatherings would begin. In this context, the Urs of Bari Imam Sarkar (RA) was also held in the month of Vaisakh, serving as a spiritual festival for devotees.
However, in 2005, a suicide attack occurred at the shrine of Bari Imam Sarkar (RA), resulting in the loss of many precious lives. Following this tragic incident, the Urs celebrations were suspended for the next 17 years.
Later, the current Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Mr. Ishaq Dar, decided at the government of Pakistan level to associate the Urs of Bari Imam (RA) with Pakistan's Independence Day (August 14). Therefore, from now on, this Urs is officially celebrated every year on August 15, 16, and 17 in Noorpur Shahan (Islamabad) under government patronage.