URS OF HAZRAT SHAH JAHANGIR (I) MAWLANA MUKHLISUR RAHMAN (QSA)

URS OF HAZRAT SHAH JAHANGIR (I) MAWLANA MUKHLISUR RAHMAN (QSA)

We are wishing everyone a blessed URS (annual commemoration of passing) of the great Sufi Saint, Hazrat Shah Jahangir (I) Shaikhul Arefin Mawlana Mukhlisur Rahman (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu). 

He was born on 15 Dhul Hijjah, 1229 A.H.  (November 28, 1814). His blessed father passed when he was only 2 and a half years old, so his blessed mother took care of him in his early years.  

As a teenager, he left home and went to Calcutta, India for higher Islamic studies at Aliah Madrasah.  He had such sharp memory that he once said that after he went through a subject, he remembered it for 14 years. 

He later earned the highest formal degree, “Mamtazul Muhaddithin” in 1259 A.H. (1843).  He was highly respected by both Muslims and Non-Muslims as “Bade Mawlana” (Big Scholar). 

Later in his life, he was in search of a shaykh (spiritual guide).  He was advised that this illuminated soul was in city of Bhagalpur, India.  He immediately went and presented himself for service to Hazrat Shah Syed Imdad Ali (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) who was a Chief Judge at the time.  Hazrat Syed Shah Imadad Ali (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) showed great love and affection to Hazrat Mawlana Mukhlisur Rahman Jahangiri (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) and gave him Khilafat and Ijazat after only six months in 1266 A.H. (November 26, 1849).  Hazrat Syed Shah Imdad Ali (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) later also gave him the title “Shah Jahangir.”  

Hazrat Mawlana Mukhlisur Rahman Jahangiri (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) then visited his grand shaykh, Hazrat Shah Mohammad Mahdi Faruqi (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) in Chapra, India who also received him with great love and affection. 

Hazrat Mawlana Mukhlisur Rahman Jahangiri (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) spent 30 years in hard and tireless spiritual exercise while keeping distance from the people. He did not sleep much, and would instantly respond when called by anyone while he was asleep.  He also famously traveled to Ajmer Sharif, India from Chittagong, Bangladesh which was a journey of 6 months. 

He was known as the greatest scholar of his time due to his mastery in both Shari’ah (Islamic Law) and Tariqah (Spiritual Path).  He had such a high spiritual station that he received the message of his passing away three times, which is only reserved for the khas o khas (special of special) awliya (saints).  

He passed ahead on 12 Dhul Qaidah, 1302 A.H. (August 24, 1885) at the age of 73 years old.  His resting place is in Darbar Mirzakhil Sharif in Chittagong, Bangladesh. 

It must be noted Darbar Mirzakhil Sharif in Bangladesh is of extreme importance for our spiritual lineage as it holds the tombs of the great saints, Hazrat Shah Jahangir (I) Mawlana Mukhlisur Rahman (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu), Hazrat Shah Jahangir (II) Fakhrul Arefin Abdul Hai (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) and Hazrat Shah Jahangir (III) Shamsul Arefin Mawlana Mohammad Maksusur Rahman (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu). 

Our shaykh, Hazrat Khawaja Mawlana Mohammad Khushhal Shah (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) would narrate the lives of our shuyukh in Bangladesh to mureeds from the book, Seerat-e Fakhrul Arifeen, and would relate quotes directly from Hazrat Shah Jahangir (II) Mawlana Abdul Hai (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu).  He also visited Darbar Mirzakhil and presented Hazrat Shah Jahangir (IV) Tajul Arefin Mawlana Areful Hai (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) with beautiful garlands that is still remembered to this day. 

Hazrat Khwaja Mawlana Mohammad Khushhal Shah (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) was amazed at the love, manners, respect and aura of the Darbar.  He would tell his mureeds about how silence is religiously observed at Darbar Mirzakhil.  He spoke about how he stayed at Hindustani Hut and the great hospitality shown in the Khanqah for the visiting people.  He often spoke about how Hazrat Shah Jahangir (IV) Mawlana Areful Hai (Qaddas Allahu Sirrahu) resembled his forefathers along with his extreme humility and hospitality. 

Hazrat Sufi Jawwad Ahmed Khushhali (The only custodian, First successor and the Current Sajjada Nasheen of Darbar E Khushhaliya) makes it a point to attend Jashne-e-Jahangiri in New Delhi, India to meet and pay high respects to Hazrat Shah Jahangir (IV) Mawlana Areful Hai and Hazrat Shah Jahangir (V) Dr. Maksudur Rahman who is the Nayeb-e-Sajjadah Nashin (Successor) of Silsila-e-Aaliya, Jahangiria.  Hazrat Shah Jahangir (V) Dr. Mawlana Maksudur Rahman has produced excellent works to spread the teachings of Islam and promote humanitarian work.  

The same love is also shared between Hazrat Sufi Jawwad Ahmed Khushhali and Mohammad Masudur Rahman (Sarfaraz Mia) who coordinates with all the Jahangiri branches and is engaged in great charity work.

(Ref: Hazrat Ashraf Jahangir Simnani (R.A) and his odd encounters in Sultanat-i-Bangalah: Mirzakhil Darbar Sharif - a case study, pages 18 to 28)

Syed afzal Ali shah Maududi. 

Editor cum Bureau chief. 

Lucknow