World of Tasawwuf

Sultan Sayyad Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Semnani [d.807]
Ghawth al-A'lam, Mehboob-e-Yazdani, Hadrat Mir A'had 'al-Din
Radi Allahu anhu
 - Kicchocha Shareef -

EDUCATION

CROWNED SULTAN

THE DIVINE CALL

THE JOURNEY

RELIGIOUS SERVICES

MYSTICS & KHADIMS

BOOKS

TITLE OF MAHBOOB-E-YAZDANI

TITLES OF GHAWTH AL-A'LAM & JAHANGIR

KHULIFA OF HADRAT MAKHDOOM ASHRAF

THOUGHTS OF OTHER SUFIS & ULEMA

The MISSION

KARAMAT (MIRACLES)

WISSAL

SUFI MARTYR OF LOVE : CHISTI EXPERIENCE

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"Chuna Mashhoor Ghasht Az Darse Talim,
ke Pas Ahle Funun Kardand Taslim"

Map of Semnan province

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At once he notified his beloved mother about the meeting with Sayyadina Khidr alaihis-salaam and seeked their permission to fulfill the task expected of him by the Almighty Lord. It was at this point that his mother revealed to her son that before his birth it was foretold that a saint 'wali' would be born who would illuminate, inspire and guide the hearts of those drowned in the darkness of the world. She gladly gave her full approval and blessed her son to make this journey purely for the pleasure of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala.

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(Abandon this world so that you become king,
and beloved friend of Allah).

And the famous couplet by Hadrat Shaykh al-Islam,

"takhte Semnan ko mar kar thokar,
sarai alam kai tajdaar huwai"

(by abandoning the throne of Semnan,
you have become the King of the World)

This was the initiation of a highly spiritual and devotional journey destined to change the lives of millions of people all over the world for generations to come. Hadrat Sultan Sayyad Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh was the guardian and comfort for the people limited within the boundary of Semnan, but Allah The most Merciful, had chosen His servant to inspire humanity throughout the world.

"saathi hai koyi aur na kutch jaatai safar hai,
bas Allah pai bh'rosa to Muhammad pai Nazar hai."

The spiritual attraction of Hadrat Ala al-Haq Wadeen Rahmatullahi alayh, was so great that he didnt stay at any particular place for too long, rather striving to journey on towards his destined goal. This journey took him through large rivers, mountains and deserts, encountering many difficulties on the way. When Hadrat Ala al-Haq Wadeen Rahmatullahi alayh, arrived at Bihar, Hadrat Makhdoom Sharfuddin Yahya Muneri Rahmatullahi alayh, had passed away the same day. Before his death, he willed that his funeral prayer would be performed by a Sayyad who was Hassani and Hussayni - noble on both sides (that is -najibut tarfain), a Hafiz with seven Qiriats and a deserter of throne who would be coming westwards. Hadrat Sultan Sayyad Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh had known this beforehand by revelation (Kashf). The funeral prayer was said according to the will of this departed saint. At night in the khanqah, Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh, had a glimpse of Hadrat Makhdoon Bihari who gave him his khirqah-(a cloak like patched garment). The khadim (keeper) of the shrine kept the garment until it was decided it would come onto the rightful owner if he asked for it by stretching his hands. With the khirqah placed on the shrine and everyone present stretching out to receive it that is until Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh, stretched out his hands and immediately the garment came onto his hands. He put on the khirqah and lost himself in a world of ecstasy and said the following words : 

From Bihar, Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh, left for Bengal and arrived at Malda where his Murshid was anxiously waiting for him. It was here that he had started his spiritual journey towards his is destination of fulfilment. When he was nearing Pandawa Shareef, Hadrat Ala al-Haq Wadeen Rahmatullahi alayh, woke up from his sleep and said "Sayyad Ashraf Semnani is coming : let us go and greet him". Hadrat Ala al-Haq Wadeen Rahmatullahi alayh, went out with thousands of his followers to go and meet Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh, which was surprising to the locals as they had never met him. This shows the extraodinary spiritual status of Hadrat Sultan Sayyad Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh  in the eyes of Hadrat Ala al-Haq Wadeen Rahmatullahi alayh. No sooner did Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh see his Shaykh then he placed his head on his Shaykh's feet and tears rolled down his eyes. This was a spirtually emotional time for Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh  and was the reason for him leaving Semnan. After a while he embraced his Shaykh and said the following words ;

"Che Kush Bashad Bad ke az intazare
Ba omide Rasad Omidware " 

'What a good thing that after waiting long,
reaches the hopeful to his destination'

After the fulfilment of the usual rituals Hadrat Shaykh Ala al-Haq Wadeen Rahmatullahi alayh made him his disciple in the Chistiya and Nizamiya order and gave him permission (ijazzah) of Salasil (orders). This led to extreme joy for Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh as this was what he had longly cherished. He went onto recite the following :

"Nehadah Taje Doulat Bar Sare Man
Ala al-Haq Wadeen Ganje Nabat "

'Hadrat Ala al-Haq Wadeen placed
the kingly crown on my head '

After years in the company of his Shaykh, during which he was attributed with the honour of all secrets of akhlaq and ihsaan, Hadrat Shaykh Ala al-Haq Wadeen Rahmatullahi alayh said;  '' O' Ashraf, I have completed all haqiqah-al-marif (realities and knowledge) on you: I would like to set a place for you where you have to light the candle of rectitude and reformation.''  Tears filled Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh's eyes at the thought of being separated from his Shaykh but he knew he had to leave Pandawa Shareef for this destined and final place - Kicchocha Shareef. It was explained that this was to his permanent place of reformation and eternal abode.

                        
Dargah Rasulpur, Kicchocha Sahreef, Dist: Faizabad

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Some of the known khadims of Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Rahmatullahi alayh.

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Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh knew the world better through his travels and journeys rather than through geography books. These travels took him to many countries preaching and vividly presenting Islamic theology and in doing so bringing thousands on the righteous path. Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh had full command of arabic, persian and turkish languages resulting in the most productive of lectures in the world of spirituality and the Oneness [tawhid] of Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala.

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Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh attained the status of Mahboobiyat (Belovedhood) on the 27th Ramadan 782 A.H. One particular day whilst he was amongst his disciples at Roohabad, all of a sudden from every corner came the cry "Ashraf is my Mahboob. "  This heavenley sound was glad tidings of the status of Mahboobiyat and ever since then he began to be called "Mahboob-e-Yazdani ".

It was the sublime spirituality of Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh that he performed fajr (dawn prayer) in Masjid-e-Haramain. The day he was bestowed with this spiritual honour Hadrat Nizam al-Din Asfahani Rahmatullahi alayh was at the Ka'aba Shareef, and upon seeing Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh coming to pray fajr at the Ka'aba, he said;

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The title of Jahangir tagged with Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh's name is also very famous. Once when he was in the Khanqah of his Murshid - Shaykh Hadrat Ala al-Haq Wadeen Rahmatullahi alayh & with his disciples when all of a sudden, there was an echo of  'Jahangir' resounding from the walls and doors of the Khanqah. Hearing it, Hadrat Ala al-Haq Wadeen Rahmatullahi alayh who was engrossed in meditation ( Muraqabah) after a while raised his head and honoured him with the title of Jahangir as it was a heavenly title confirmed on him.  

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Some of the known and recorded *Khulafa of Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh.

*Ridwanallahi ta'ala alayhi'majmain

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Hadrat Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlavi 
Rahmatullahi alayh



In his book 'Akhbar ul Akhyar', Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlavi Rahmatullahi alayh describes Hadrat Sayyad Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh  as a great Sufi saint of his time. He also wrote that the shrine in Kicchocha Shareef was very effective in repelling Aseb and Jinn, and was very well known for this. With reference to 'LATA'IF AL ASHRAFI' compiled by Hadrat Nizam Yemani Rahmatullahi alayh he acknowledged the greatness as a servant of Islam by presenting his theological and philosophical ideas particularly his notion about the belief of Firaun (Pharoah).

Hadrat Shaykh Abdur Rahman Jami 
Rahmatullahi alayh

Hadrat Shaykh Abdur Rahman Jami Rahmatullahi alaih  in his famous book 'Nafatullins' has derived his theological and philosophical sayings showing the utmost regard to this supreme Saint of Islam. The opinion of Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alaih and Shaykh Abdur Rahman Jami Rahmatullahi alaih are the same about Hafiz Sherazi. In this book 'Nafatullins' he wrote one of the holiest saints of the Chistiya Order deems no Diwan (collection of poems) better than the Diwan e Hafiz Sherazi. When referring to "saints of Chistiya Order" he actually means Hadrat Sultan Sayyad Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Rahmatullahi alayh.





Hadrat Shaykh Abdur Rahman Chisti
Rahmatullahi alayh


Hadrat Shaykh Abdur Rahman Chisti Rahmatullahi alayh wrote "He (Makhdoom Ashraf) had Khilafat from fourteen Orders because he has availed the company of all the Holy Sufi saints of his time."



After Hadrat Nizam al-Din 'Mahboob e Ilahi' Radi Allahu anhu  he revived the spiritual instructions and reformation : In the declaration of realities he was the interpretor of the words of Allah Subhanahu wa ta'ala, Hadith of the Most Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu Ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam, and sayings of Amir al Momineen Hadrat Imam Ali-e-Murtaza Karam Allahu waj'hu. 

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It is a historical fact that Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh made Kicchocha Shareef the spiritual and guidance centre at the intimation of his Shaykh Hadrat Ala al-Haq Wadeen Pandawi Rahmatullahi alayh . He built Khanqah-e-Ashrafiya taking part in the construction work with his disciples. Together they built two Mosques as well as the tomb - a final resting place in his own private room. This wasnt an easy time for Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh as Hermits and other unsavoury people frequently darkened the facade of Kicchocha Shareef with their antics. But such was his spiritual presence and purity of character that he was able to light the candle of Islam. This special characteristic as a Sufi made the non-believers spellbound, and in a short period, millions of non-believers accepted Islam and came into Silsila-e-Ashrafiya (Order of Ashrafia).

In short, Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf's Rahmatullahi alayh services to the cause of Islam and tasawwuf are undoubtedly of great value and a landmark in that period of history of Islam. 

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[1] Ameer Taymur once advised Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh to travel to see him. When seeing Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alaih approach him, Ameer Taymur was captivated and showed utmost regard towards him. Climbing on a hill with Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh he said, "As far as your eyes can see;  I will make a gift of all areas coming in your sight'.  Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alaih said, " You are not the owner of the area coming in my sight," Then he kept his hand on his head and asked as to what he was seeing. He replied that he was seeing Makkah and Madinah then again he enquired if that area belonged to him. Ameer Taymur replied negatively and was thoroughly ashamed,and since his then his Aqeedah and supplication have increased a great deal after seeing such a great mystic in whose sight is the whole world.  

[2]  There was a woman who once came to the khanqah with her dying son, tearfully she asked Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alaih to pray for her sons life. During this time the boy took his last breath and died before him. The woman began to weep bitterly and said with folded hands, "You are a Walli-Allah bring my son to life." to which he replied, "life and death are in the hands of Allah; what can a banda (slave) do."  Hearing this the ill-fated woman started weeping hysterically and with such a mournful voice that Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh's heart filled with pity and an astonished condition prevailed on his face. Solacing the grieved woman, Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alaih said in full eminence, "I give ten years from my life so for ten years this boy will live."  He prayed to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala for his life and then ordered the dead boy to stand up in the name of Allah. The 'dead' boy suddenly stood up and lived exactly for a further ten years. 

[3] When Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh came to Kicchocha Shareef from Jaunpur, the first man to meet him was Malik Mahmood. They both had visited the area (where the main khanqah and shrines are today) surrounded by water and was told that this was the very place intimated by Shaykh Ala al-Haq Waddeen Rahmatullahi alaih. Malik Mahmood told him that there lived a stubborn and ageing hermit with five hundred of his disciples and who would not tolerate his presence there.  Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alaih asked one of his followers to go and ask the hermit to vacate the place and go elsewhere. The hermit in reply said the only way to remove him from there was through the force and power of a miracle. Hearing this Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alaih asked Jamal al-Din Rawat who had accompanied him via the chain of his disciples, to go and present himself daily before the hermit and ask of him whatever he desired. Jamal al-Din was reluctant at first, but  after Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alaih called him and put some betal leaf into his mouth and his courage returned. So Jamal al-Din Rawat went with renewed vigour and energy to face this juggler of a hermit. The hermit used all his powers of conjury but failed. Eventually he threw his hand stick in the air and Jamal al-Din Rawat too sent the stick of his Shaykh in the air, and brought down the stick of the hermit harshly. Finally the hermit admitted defeat and asked to go before Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alaih. When he got there with his five hundred followers  he bowed his head at the feet of Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alaih and embraced Islam with all of his disciples.

[4] One morning Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alayh was sitting with his disciples after Fajr prayer. Shortly after some rogues appeared there to ridicule him. They had brought with them a coffin with a man wrapped up pretending to be dead and asked Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alaih to say the funeral prayer. At first he refused, but these jokers kept pressing him so eventually he asked one of his disciples to say the funeral prayer to satisfy them. After the disciple said the prayer the rogues waited for their man in the coffin to rise up and surprise everyone. But to their amazement this man who was alive moments before had actually died. This news spread like wild fire in the town and caused great uproar. Hadrat Nizam Yemani Rahmatullahi alayh has a couplet on this incident ; 

                          Awliya Ra Hast Qudrat Azilah 
                          Teere Jasta Baz Gardanadz Rah    

The above stated miracles indicate Hadrat Sayyad Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Semnani Rahmatullahi alayh has mystical and spiritual status and also given his extra-ordinary and most valuable services to the cause of Islam. It can also be said without fear of contradiction that so long the world exists, the flag of his greatness and supremacy will continue unfurling and the candle of spirituality lighted by him will go on showing light to all humanity.



Every follower of the 'Ashrafiya Silsila' should endeavour to follow the doctrines laid down by him so that one may reap the benefits of both worlds.

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Hadrat Makhdoom Ashraf Rahmatullahi alaih left this world on the 28th Muharram 808 A.H. Some time before his passing away he had his dargah (shrine) constructed exactly the way he wanted. On the 26th of Muharram he went to visit his dargah and noticed a 'pen' and some paper on the side of the grave. He sat in the grave and wrote two booklets namely 'Basharat ul Muradeen' and 'Resal-e-Qubria', an extract from Resal-e-Qubria is presented below : 

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