Abdul Ghafoor Shah
Sultan ul Sabireen – The King of Enduring Ones
Abdul Ghafoor Shah was born in Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan (then India) on 9th July, 1827 (14th Dhul al-Hijjah, 1242 Hijri). His genealogy eventually links back in twenty-six steps to Holy Prophet’s uncle Hamza ibn Abdul Muttalib.
Divine Inspiration Of Abdul Ghafoor Shah’s Birth
The Divine Inspiration regarding the birth of Pir Mohammad Abdul Ghafoor Shah was already given by Khawaja Suleman Taunsvi who was a great Saint of the Chishtia order. He also revealed Abdul Ghafoor Shah’s highest spiritual rank. His father, Pir Fazal Shah was the disciple of Khawaja Suleman Taunsvi and often visited his gatherings. Once, Khawaja Suleman Taunsvi asked him:
“Is there any good news, Fazal Shah?”
He replied, “Ya Hazrat! My wife is expecting a baby.”
Khawaja Suleman Taunsvi exclaimed, “Congratulations! Your son would be a Wali-e-Kamil (Perfect friend of Allah)”.
Search For Divine Reality
Since childhood, Abdul Ghafoor Shah was completely inclined toward religion. Till the age of eighteen years, he had acquired almost entire religious education. Even then his soul was restless and his urge to find the Divine path was increasing day by day. At last, at the age of twenty-five years he had the privilege of seeing the Holy Prophet, Sultan ul Faqr 5th Sultan Bahoo and Sultan ul Faqr 3rd Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani in a dream. Thereby, the Holy Prophet ordered him:
- “You have been chosen for entrusting the Trust of Faqr. So, go to Ahmedpur East where Sultan ul Tarikeen Sayyid Abdullah Shah, the Khalifa of Sultan Bahoo is waiting for you”.
On waking up Abdul Ghafoor Shah immediately set on journey to Ahmadpur East as per given orders.
Finally, he reached Ahmadpur East in 1851. There, he pledge allegiance upon the hand of Sayyid Abdullah Shah and started serving him wholeheartedly. Thereafter, he remained in his service for about nine years. Under the guidance of his spiritual guide he ultimately reached the extremities of Faqr. Hence, Sayyid Abdullah Shah, before his death in 1860, passed on Divine Trust of Faqr to his beloved disciple, Abdul Ghafoor Shah at the shrine of Sultan ul Arifeen Sultan Bahoo.
Beneficence of Ism e Allah Zaat
After the death of his beloved spiritual guide (Murshid), Abdul Ghafoor Shah migrated to Shorkot in 1861. Afterward, he went to Mud Sharif, District Jhung, Pakistan (then India) in 1862. There, he guided thousands of seekers of Allah on the Divine path. Thus, he remained stationed in Mud Sharif for about fifty years. Thence, he blessed people with the beneficence of Faqr and invocation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat till the end of life.
Title of Abdul Ghafoor Shah
The Holy Prophet titled him as Sultan ul Sabireen meaning ‘the king of enduring ones’. It was because he showed remarkable patience towards the hardships of life. Furthermore, Sultan ul Sabireen also endured extreme pains which his own people inflicted upon him.
Mystic Poetry of Abdul Ghafoor Shah
Sultan ul Sabireen’s son Pir Abdul Haq compiled his poetry which is full of devotion and love for his spiritual guide Sultan ul Tarikeen Sayyid Mohammad Abdullah Shah. Certainly, his mystic poetry is a masterpiece of expression of Divine realities.
Spiritual Successor of Sultan ul Sabireen
Moreover, Sultan ul Sabireen Pir Mohammad Abdul Ghafoor Shah entrusted the treasure of Faqr to Shahbaz e Arifan Sultan Pir Sayyid Mohammad Bahadur Ali Shah.
Sacred Death of Sultan ul Sabireen
Sultan ul Sabireen Abdul Ghafoor Shah died on 21st February, 1910 AD (10 Safar, 1328 Hijri). His shrine is in village Mud Sharif, thirteen kilometers towards east of Garh Maharaja, District Jhang, Pakistan. His devotees hold his death anniversary annually on the 9th and 10th of Safar.
NOTE:
For detailed study of life history of Sultan ul Sabireen Pir Mohammad Abdul Ghafoor Shah, please study Chapter # 3 of book The Spiritual Guides of Sarwari Qadri Order.
Author: Sultan ul Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman.
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