The Blessed Name, Genealogy and Appellations

The blessed name of Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh was Haji Muhammad, which was given according to a divine inspiration. Famous by the name of Haji Naushah, his teknonym was Abu Al Hashim whereas, Bhoorey Wala (the cloaked one) and Mujadid e Azam (The great reviver) were his popular appellations. Hazrat Naushah was a pure Syed descendant and his family tree reaches Amir Al Momineen Syed of all Imams and Syeds, Hazrat Ali Al Murtaza by thirty-two means.[1]

Date of Birth

 Hazrat Naushah Ganj Baksh was born on 1^st Ramadan Al Mubarak 959 Al Hijri in village of Ghooganwali, District Gujrat, Punjab. The blessed name of his glorious father was Syed Alaudin, who was considered one of the greatest saints of his time. It is stated in Tazkira e Naushahiya and Risala Al Ejaz that he travelled to Mecca and Madina seven times, in those days when means to travel were almost none existent.

Family

The family of Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh was famous in faraway places for its knowledge and grace, asceticism and piety, miracles and nobility. Honourable Sadaqat Kunjahi writes, “The family as a whole was a bundle of miracles and was illuminated through practice of peace and piety throughout the country.[2]

Predictions

Before the birth of Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh eminent Saints had predicted of his birth such as: Qutb-e-Aulia Hazrat Syed Mubarak Haqani Uchi, Hazrat Qutb ul Konain Shah Maroof Khushaabi, Sheikh Al Mashaikh Hazrat Sakhi Shah Suleiman Noori, Syed Ul Aulia Hazrat Syed Alaudin and Hazrat Syed Raheemudeen Qadri.[3]

The Axis of Makkah, Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Wahhab Shazli had also given glad tidings of his advent.  Author of Jam’e Al Dar has copied a hadith wherein the blessed name of Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh and era of advent has been elucidated and explained.

Education

Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh was a born saint, but also he was extremely intelligent and had very strong memory.  It is written in books that he had memorised the Holy Quran within a short period of three months.  Hazrat Naushah Pir was educated in madrasa of Qari Qaim  Jagoti, who was unparalled in worldly knowledge and also spiritual knowledge.  In Tazkira Siddiqiyan it is written Hazrat Naushah Pir was also educated in the madrasa of Shaikh Abdul Haq, nicknamed Haqu.

Qazi Al Qaza Hazrat Allama Raziudin Kunjahi writes that Hazrat Naushah Pir told him that after acquiring worldly Knowledge he turned towards spiritual struggle and path.

From books written by Hazrat Naushah Pir it is apparent that other than Arabic and Persian he also had complete command of Kashmiri, Sanskrit, and many other languages.

Spiritual Knowledge

Hazrat Mirza Ahmed Baig Lahori writes:

“One night two angels met Hazrat Naushah Pir and they put their index finger in his mouth by blessings of which all knowledge was revealed unto him. Following morning when the respected teacher saw his condition he discharged Hazrat Naushah Pir with these words:

“You now have no need to learn from me; However, Thanks to Allah Almighty that you took some lessons from me. Maybe in the life hereafter due to the blessings of these lessons I will find salvation.

Bait

Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh received bait at the age of 29[4] at the hand of Famous saint of his time Shaikh Al Mashaikh Hazrat Sakhi Shah Suleiman Noori (d. 1012 H)[5]. This bait took place by travelling from Ghooganwali to Bhalwal Shareef in company of Hazrat Sakhi Pak’s mureed Hazrat Mulla Kareemudin of Jokali

It is in Tazkratul Mashaikh  that the above mentioned Mulla when he interceded before Hazrat Sakhi Pak in favour of  Hazrat Naushah Pir, Hazrat Sakhi Pak stated “ O Kareemudin you have no need to intercede for him. I have his entrusted thing and I have been waiting for him for a long time. So, Thanks to Allah, today I entrust him what had been entrusted to venerable spiritual teachers one after the other. Thereafter, Hazrat Sakhi Pak performed the bait of Hazrat Naushah Pir according to the Sunnah. Hazrat Naushah Pir by the blessings and consideration of Hazrat Sakhi pak travelled the spiritual path and was stationed at high ranks.   Hazrat Mirza Ahmed Baig writes in his booklet that by Hazrat Sakhi Pak’s spiritual consideration Hazrat Naushah Pir came under such spiritual condition that for whole three months he remained laying on his side in state of unconsciousness.  When Hazrat Naushah returned from his state of spiritual intoxication to soberness he had by then mastered all states of the spiritual path.

This place of mystical exercise of Hazrat Naushah Pir wherein he remained for three months absorbed in Allah’s essence, is opposite to the shrine of Hazrat Sakhi Pak and adjacent to Chashma e Faiz e Suleimaniya. By endeavours of the author, under supervision of Chauhdry Muhammad Aslam Naushahi (B.A) and Haji Sultan Khan Bhalwana, a beautiful twelve arched shrine has been erected. The expense of this building has been borne by Honourable Malak Noor Hayat Nun, the beloved son of previous Prime Minister of Pakistan.

Spiritual Family Tree

The Great Reviver, Hazrat Syed Naushah Ganj Bakhsh قدس سرہٗ  was the mureed and khalifah of Hazrat sheikh Sakhi Shah Sulieman Noori Qadri, He of Hazrat Shah Muhammad Maroof Qadri Kushaabi, He of Hazrat Syed Mubarak Haqani Uchi, He of his father Hazrat Syed Shah Ghaus Muhammad Bandagi He of his father Hazrat Syed Shamsudin Gilani, he of his father Syed Shah Mir Gilani, He of his father Hazrat Syed Ali, he of his father Hazrat Syed Masoodudin Halbi, he of his father Hazrat Abu Al Abbas Ahmed, he fo his father Hazrat Syed Safiudeen Sufi he of his father Hazrat Syed Saifudeen Abdul Wahhab, he of his father Hazrat Ghaus Ul Azam Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani. Mehboob e Subhani Qutb e Rabbani Hazrat Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani  Ghausul Azam قدس سرہٗ was Mureed and Khalifa of Qazi Abu Saeed Mubarak bin Ali bin Hussain Makhrami, he of Hazrat Abu Al Hasan Ali bn Muhammad Qarshi Hinkari, he of Hazrat Shaikh Abu Al Farha Yusuf Tartoosi, he of Hazrat Abu Alfazal Abdul Wahid bin Abdul Aziz bin Hars bin Asad , he of Hazrat Abu Bakr Jafar bin Yunas shibli he of Master of the Saints  Abu Al Qasim Junaid Baghdadi, he of Hazrat Khawaja Abu Al Husain Sari Saqti he of Hazrat Abu Mahfooz Khawaja Maroof Karkhi he of Hazrat Abu Sulieman Daud Tai he of Hazrat Abu Muhammad Habeeb Ajmi, he of Hazrat Abu Saeed Khawaja Hasan Basri, He of Ameer Al Momineen Asadullah Al Ghalib Hazrat Ali Al Murtaza and he was Mureed of Leader of All Prophets and Messengers The seal of Prophets Syed Al Rasul Hazrat Ahmed Mujataba Muhammad Mustafa ﷺ

Rewarding of the blessed address of Naushah

The noble name of Hazrat Mujadid e Azam was Haji Muhammad.  The address of Naushah was blessed unto him by Allah Almighty.  Mirza Ahmed Baig Lahori writes that Hazrat Naushah was absorbed in mystical exercises in a well. A tribesman pulled him out of the well and put a few drops of goat milk down his throat. As Hazrat Naushah returned from spiritual intoxication to soberness then according to a divine instruction Hazrat Naushah stationed himself under a dry withered tree.  At that moment from a divine source he was called out by the name ‘Naushah’ immediately that dry withered tree became fresh and fruitful and from every leaf of that tree name of Naushah, Naushah was raised and heard. Maulvi Muahmmad Ashraf Manchari writes:

“A Neem tree looted the kindness of Almighty

From its every leaf the name of Naushah was heard” [6]

Reason for being called Ganj Bakhsh

Since Hazrat Naushah was a statue of generosity and manifestation of Allah’s blessed name Al Wahhab (The Provider) thence from Allah Almighty’s divine court he was bestowed with the address of Ganj Bakhsh (The Fount of Blessings).

Residence at Naushehra

The native ancestral residence of Hazrat Naushah Pir was the village Ghooganwali adjacent to Qadirabad district Gujrat, where his elders had been living for many generations.  After Nausha Pir had received the garment of caliphate from Hazrat Sakhi Shah Sulieman Noori he was ordered to take residence in village Naushehra Taradran. Sadaqat Hunjahi writes:

“Therefore, I was ordered to take residence at Village Naushehera which was well known everywhere.”[7]

Hazrat Naushah Pir obeying the command of his Murshid abandoned his abode at Ghooganwali and took up residency at village Naushehra and therein became occupied in teaching and guiding.

The village Naushehra Taradran was populated at the east of the current Holy Shrine in Ranmal Shareef at the shore of river Chinab, which is now underwater. Since the tribe of Taradr dwelled in this village thence it was called Naushehra Taradran. But when Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh took residency there it became famous as Qutb Naushehra, which was named after him.  It was this very village where Nawab SaadUllah Khan Minister of Chinniot came to Hazrat Naushah Pir for him to pray to conquer the fort of Qandahar.

Hazrat Mujadid e Azam Naushah Ganj Bakhsh resided for a long period of time in this village. He passed away in this village and was initially buried in this village too.[8]

Teaching

Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh had also started to teach and train. Hazrat Allama Hafiz Noor Muhammad of Sialkot had learned from Hazrat Naushah Pir.

Emphasis on acquiring religious education

Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh use to emphasis about religious education.  Hence, Hazrat Naushah stated that a Salik’s first duty is to acquire religious knowledge. He had sent his eldest Son Hazrat Syed Barkhurdar to Lahore for studies and youngest son Syed Muahmmad Hashim Shah Drayadil in madrasa before The Sun of Punjab, Mulla Abdul Hakim of Sialkot. It is in Risala Al Ejaz that when Hazrat Naushah despatched his sons for education he instructed them not to return until they had graduated and if they hear news of his death just recite the Fateha there because by coming home they will miss their lessons. It was due to this emphasis that the sons of Hazrat Naushah Pir remained in education for twenty years and after acquiring religious knowledge they became renowned amongst Muhadditheen and Fuqha.

Marriage

Hazrat Naushah Pir was married to a daughter of Naushehra’s saint Syed abu Nasr fateh Muhammad Shah. She was pious, god fearing and a saintly woman.  This marriage was arranged by Hazrat Naushah Pir’s noble mother.

Hospitality

Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh was extremely hospitable. Mirza Ahmed Baig Lahori writes that he kept his visitors at his place with great reverence and would organise their dinner himself.

Allama Jamalullah sates that, “I, along with some students, once stopped in his Masjid and Hazrat sent for dinner from his house.

Allama Pir Kamaludin Lahori has written that when Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh appointed his youngest son Syed Muhammad Hashim Shah Daryadil, The Great Muhadith, as his heir, Hazrat emphasised to him to serve and care for visitors.

“He said; Wash the hands of people yourself

Do not ask others to serve the dish”[9]

Bravery

Hazrat was indeed very brave. In Risla Al Ejaz it is written of Hazrat participating in various battles. Once in Lahore a royal wrestler Sher Ali Khan Mughalzada Bejapuri wanted to check out Hazrat’s strength. Hazrat squeezed his hand so hard that blood came out of it. In Al Ejaz it says:

“He fell at his blessed feet and begged for forgiveness”

General Popularity

The blessed personality of Hazrat Mujadid e Azam was a collection of knowledge and erudition, abstinence and mystical exercises, bravery and piety, Miracles and beautiful etiquettes.  He who saw him once was forever encapsulated by his presence. After residing in Naushehra, Hazrat had started teaching as well. Hazrat himself taught lessons to his students.

The Qutb of Sialkot, Hazrat Allama Hafiz Noor Muhammad Sialkoti who lived in the same village, thereafter when Hazrat Naushah gave him the wilayat of Sialkot he permanently resided there.  He, Hazrat Allama says that: When Hazrat Naushah came to Naushehra in beginning people only considered him a scholar and no one was aware of his excellence and high nobility. But then shortly his news of his spiritual excellence and miracles reached to faraway place.

Mirza Ahmed Baig writes that in those days it was his usual practice to remain in the masjid of Naushehra and recite the Holy Quran, perform salah five times with Jamat and after Isha he use to go to the bank of the river and perform voluntary Salah until dawn.  When the news of his piousness and excellence spread in all four corners people came to his service in flocks and were initiated into the spiritual order.  In a very short time, other than general public, scholars, nobilities, poets, and a vast party of wealthy people began to be associated through bait. Other than Indo-Pak, even up to Kashmir, Qabul and Qandhar he was famous and daily numerous needy were blessed by coming and attending his court.

The sun of Punjab, Allama Abdul Hakim Sialkoti, Hazrat Mujadid Alif Sani’s teacher Hazrat Mulla Kamaludin Kashmiri, Qazi Al Qaza Allama Raziudin Kunjahi, Qazi Khushi Muhammad Kunjahi, Haji Maktabdar Sialkoti, Allama Jamalullah , Nawab Saadullah Khan Minister of Chinniot, Hazrat Hafiz Mamoori, Mufti Nazr Muhammad Kunjahi, Allama Abul Baqa Mian Farkh Muhammad Sambhali,, Qutb of Qandhar Syed Shah Muhammad, Qutb of Qabul, Kahwaja Muhammad Fazeel Dami, Qutb of Kashmir Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Kashmiri, Imam of  Auliya Syed Salih Muhammad Gilani, Meeran Syed Husain Bhakhari, Pir Muhammad Sachyaar Kiyani, Syed Shah Muhammad Shaheed Rehtaasi,, Shah Abdulullah known as Dularshaab, Shah Sadr Dewan Hazrat Shaikh Muhammad Taqi Majzoob, Hazrat Mian Muhammad Mohsin Rehtaasi and Mian Shaha Peshawri and such alike famous Scholars of Islam and nobles were members of his inner circle. 

Staunch Practice of the Sunnah

Hazrat Nausha Ganj Bakhsh was a staunch practitioner of the Sunnah.  Whether standing or sitting, sleeping or awake, his attire, everything was according to the Sunnah.  He strictly followed the Shariah of the beloved prophet Muhammad ﷺ In Risalah Al Ejaz it is stated of him to have said:

“My way is the shariah of the Prophet ﷺ”

Hazrat Naushah use to emphasise his followers and disciples to follow the Sunnah. It is for this reason that directly or indirectly caliphs of Hazrat Naushah Pir enjoy a unique status in following the Sunnah.

Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh vehemently opposed faqirs who did not follow the shariah. He abhorred such false lauders of Waliyat who disregarded Shariah. In a verse he writes:

“The true Shariah is of the Prophet, rest is all a lie

Naushah declares: he who is against the Shariah has an empty vessel”

Travels and Tours

It is evident from Risala Al Ejaz, Chahar Bahar and other books  that Hazrat Naushah had visited Lahore and Sialkot. In Tashreeful Fuqara it is mentioned Hazrat Naushah Pir travelled to Sindh and in Chahr Bahar is is mentioned about travelling to Arab countries, which proves that Hazrat Naushah had toured the Arab countries for quite a while.

High spiritual ranks

Allama Kamaludin Muhammad Ehsan Naqshbandi writes in Rozatul Qayyumiya that Haji Naushah was a great Aziz Al Wajood Saint. Maulana Ahmed Ali chishti writes in Qasr-e-Arifan that Nausha Pir was a Noorani Pir and a Rehmani Faqeer. Muhammad Sadiq Mujadidi writes Hazrat Naushah Was Mujadid of a thousand year s. In Risalah Qadri Naushahi it elucidates Hazrat Naushah being a Mujadid

Hazrat Mirza Ahmed Baig Lahori states that Hazrat Naushah was a great Mujadid. In view of his missionary work it is clearly evident that without any doubt he was a Great Mujadid. He was stationed at the place of “Naushahat” which is collection of all stations of waliyat in faqr, and this was bestowed unto him by Almighty Allah.

Miracles

Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh was a born wali and from childhood there were signs of his wlaiyat. From his childhood miracles occurred from his blessed being.  All kinds of miracles came in to existence from him i.e. raising of the dead, command over  the elements of  earth, travelling the earth in a glimpse, controlling the sun, blessing with child, and curing the ill are a few  of many miracles that are talked about by common people and noble dignitaries . There are several miracles mentioned in books of the Naushahiya order with great details. Even today the shrine of Naushah Pir is the place of solace for people.  Several poor and needy visit the shrine daily and receive blessings.

Preaching of Islam

At the hand of Hazrat Naushah Pir hundreds of thousands of non-Muslims have reverted to Islam.   Non-Muslim Historians have acknowledged the missionary endeavours of Hazrat Naushah Pir. Hence, Professor Thomas Arnold[10] writes that two hundred thousand non-Muslims became Muslims at the hand of Naushah Pir.  Famous French orientalist Garcin de Tassy has mentioned Hazrat Naushah’s missionary endeavours in his lectures.[11]

Mufti Ghulam Sarwar Lahori has written that Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Kashmiri who left Islam and joined Hindu Faqeers reverted to Islam by Hazrat Naushah’s kindness and gained a high status in Tariqah[12]

Allama Pir Kamaludin Lahori has written that due to kindness of Hazrat Naushah Pir a Hindu Saadhu accepted Islam.[13]  Hazrat Naushah Pir wrote many poems in Hindi and Bahshah language for the guidance of Hindus on the veracity, glory and truthfulness of Islam and rejected with strong arguments the popular Hindu notions of reincarnation and rebirth of soul in different bodies.

Writings and Compilations

There is no mention in primary source books about any writings or compilations by Hazrat Naushah Pir. However, Iqbal Mujadidi Lahori has transmitted on authority of Syed Shareef Ahmed  Sahanpali Sahib following books by Hazrat Naushah Pir:

1. Kulliyat-e-Naushah-Urdu verse pages 476 (therein 76 booklets in alphabetical order have been collected of which the number of verses is 2400
2. Kulliyat-e-Naushah-Punjabi (therein the number of booklets is 126, again they have been collected in alphabetical order)
3. Mraarif-e-Tassawuf-Persian Verse
4. Muwaiz-e-Naushah Pir-Punjabi prose
5. Ganj-ul-Asrar[14]

Other than these writings there is exegesis of Surah Ghashiya and some other poems in Punjabi that are related to Hazrat Naushah Pir. Of these it is already well known of Ganj Ul Asrar having been written by Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh and there are many antique manuscripts in possession by the household of Naushahiya. There are three antique manuscripts safely kept in the library of the author (Syed Abu Al Kamal Barq).  However, its copy which Syed Shareef Ahmed Sahanpali published is very different from the antique manuscripts.

Other than Ganj ul Asrar, the names of all other books have been transmitted by Syed Shareef Ahmed Sahanpali Sahib.  The author has no research on this.

In a manuscript, Kitab Jame Al Fawaid, three verses in Punjabi are stated. In Tazkira-e-Sohra-e-Punjab, Khawaja Abdur Rasheed has written that Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh use to say poem in Farsi.[15]

Professor Ahmed Hussain Qureshi and Abdul Ghafoor Qureshi have also mentioned in their books about books by Hazrat Naushah Pir.[16]

Date of Passing Away of Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh May Allah bless his grave.

Mujadid e Azam e Hazrat Syed Naushah Ganj Bakhsh passed away on 5^th Rabi Al Awal 1064 Al Hijri

Poem on Date of Passing Away of Hazrat Mujadid e Azam

Syed of Syeds, pride of saints
Axis of the world, Naushah the Leader,

He who is The great Reviver and King of the deen
He is in the ceremony of the pure exalted,

Treasure house of blessings, Progeny of Mustafa
A lion of the Wilderness, on the path of Murtaza,

Guider towards the truth, helper of the true faith
He was the Proof of Allah in the universe

Almighty gave him leadership in the world
He is the pride of the Qadri family

Qibla of the faith, Lord of Ranmal Pak
His servents are such as Sachyaar and Pak(Abdul rehman)

When the grieved Barq searched for his(Naushah) year of union
A voice from heaven said “Departure of the king of the faith”

Final Resting Place

The shrine of Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhsh is present in Ranmal Shareef, Tehsil Phaliya, District Gujrat. The piece of land where the shrine actually is has the serial number 84/1

[1] Lawame ul Barkat, Intikhab Ganj Shareef

[2]  Thwaqibul Munaqib, Manuscript

[3] Nausha Ganj Bakhash p.30 ,Behrul Jaman, Al Ejaz Manuscript Bahaullah, Thwaqibul Munaqib, Kanzul Rahmat, Khazeenatul Asfiya,  Tarikh e Uch p. 256, Hadiqatul Auliya, Nausha Ganj Bakhash aur unki Talimaat, Al-Ejaz Manuscript p.12

[4] Al-Ajaz Manuscript. This date is written in an ancient hand-written manuscript, which is preserved in my library.

[5] Lamaat e Jami Manuscript

[6] Kanzul Rehmat

[7] Thwaqibul Manaqib

[8] Against the narration of books of the order (Naushahi) in the papers of financial department it is written that Hazrat Naushah Ganj Bakhash came for visit and built a house and mosque in Ranmal village that was situated on the corner of river at that time, and settled there. This is the Summary of the document of Financial Department from Ranmal village, makhzuna archive Gujarat.

[9] Khazeena-ul-Asfiya, Tahaif e Qudsiya, Manuscript Saadullah.

[10]Preaching of Islam, Translated by Dawat e Islam, p.530.

[11] Khutbat e Garcin de Tassy, 16^th Lecture, p. 501

[12] Hadaiqtul Auliya, p. 127

[13] Khazeenatul Asfiya, Persian 2^nd part, p.7.  Tahaif e Qudsai Anwar e Naushahiya

[14] Ahwal o Asaar, Sayyed Sharafat Naushahi

[15] The source of Khawaja Abdur Rasheed’s narration is Shareef Ahmed Sahanpali

[16] The narration of both of these writers is also Mr. Shareef Ahmed Sahanpali