History

Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani (Rahmatullah Alaih), was a Sufi of Suhrawardiyya order (tariqa). His full name was Abu Muhammad Bahauddin Zakariya. He was from the lineage of Hadhrat Asad Ibn Hashim hence Hashmi.

Sheikh Baha-ud-Din Zakariya was born at Kot Kehror (Karor Lal Esan), a town of the Layyah District near Multan, Punjab, Pakistan, around 1170. His grandfather Shah Kamaluddin Ali Shah Qureshi arrived in Multan from Mecca en route to Khwarezm where he stayed for a short while. In Tariqat, he was the disciple of renowned Sufi master Shaikh Shahab al-Din Suhrawardi who awarded him Khilafat only after 17 days of stay at his Khanqah in Baghdad. For fifteen years, he travelled to different cities in order to preach Islam and finally settled in Multan in 1222.

Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya was born a wali. From his childhood he showed signs of spiritual greatness as if marked out for a great spiritual destiny. It is said that when his father recited the Holy Quran, he would abandon his milk and listen to the recitation of the verses of the Holy Quran very respectfully and attentively. He committed the Holy Quran to memory at the age of seven and also learnt the seven rhythmic methods of reciting it. At the age of twelve he lost his father, Hazrat Khwaja Wajihuddin. After his father's death he went to Khorasan, and there engaged in acquiring the outward knowledge and in attaining the inward graces for a period of seven years. He then went to Bukhara to complete his education. There he was nicknamed "Bahauddin Firishta" (angel) for his gentle nature and obedience.Having finished with his course, he went to Mecca & Medina for Hajj where he stayed for five years and studied the hadith from a distinguished muhaddith Shaykh Kamaluddin Muhammad Yamani from whom he received a sanad i.e., a formal authorization, to teach hadith. From Medina, he went to Jerusalem, and from there to Baghdad.

When in Baghdad, he heard a great deal about the name, fame, and spiritual attainments of Hazrat Shaikh Shihabuddin Suhrawardi and wanted to be his spiritual disciple. After reaching Baghdad he indeed became his disciple. Sheikh Bahauddin was so receptive to spiritual teachings that it took him a mere 17 days to grasp the entire spiritual course. He had khilafat conferred upon him within such a short period that the other disciples felt jealous, for they had not been able to achieve this even after many years of training under the Sheikh. When the Sheikh learnt of their complaint, he explained that Hazrat Bahauddin was like dry wood that caught fire immediately, whereas they were like wet wood that takes time to catch fire.
Before having khilafat conferred upon him, Hazrat Bahauddin dreamt of a house of light in which the Holy Prophet Mohammed was seated with his spiritual guide Hazrat Sheikh Shihabuddin Umar Suhrawardi standing respectfully in his presence. There was a rope upon which several robes were hung. He was summoned by Hazrat Shihabuddin who took him by the hand and presented him to the Holy Prophet. The Holy Prophet pointed to a certain robe and said: "O, Umar, take this robe and give it to Sheikh Bahauddin to wear. He took the robe from where it was hung and asked Hazrat Bahauddin to wear it, which he did before bowing down and touching the blessed feet of the Holy Prophet When he awoke, he was summoned by Hazrat Shihabuddin the following morning. When he entered the house, he found it mirrored that which he had seen in his dream the previous night. His spiritual guide and teacher asked him to come close to him took the same robe from the hanger that had been pointed out by the Holy Prophet Hazrat Shihabuddin adorned Hazrat Bahauddin with the robe.

Hazrat Bahauddin was directed by his Sheikh to return to the subcontinent and settle in Multan to spread the teachings received from him. After an arduous journey, he eventually reached Multan. Multan was then an established centre of learning and was also the home of many outstanding and accomplished dervishes.

Initially his stay in Multan was uneventful. He spent the period in equipping himself for the great task that awaited him, leading a life of seclusion. He devoted himself to prayer, remembrance of God, meditation and ascetic practices. Later, he began to preach and propagate the doctrine of truth.
Sheikh Bahauddin reputation as a scholar, and the distinctive place he acquired among the disciples of Sheikh Shihabuddin Suhrawardi, soon made him an important figure in Multan. Merchants from Iraq and Khurasan were attracted to him in large numbers. The Sheikh erected an extensive khanqah containing granaries. However, it was not a meeting place for the common people; only eminent religious people and perhaps state dignitaries and wealthy merchants were admitted. The Sheikh discussed with them topical theological and spiritual problems and in his own estimation they all benefited from him company.

Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya married in Multan and had seven sons: Hazrat Sheikh Sadruddin Arif, Sheikh Burhanuddin, Sheikh Ziauddin, Sheikh Alauddin, Sheikh Shahabuddin, Sheikh Quwwatuddin, and Sheikh Shamsuddin.It is known that he spent enormous resources on the education of his sons and he was extremely fond of his elder grandson Hazrat Ruknuddin Abul Fath (son of Sheikh Sadruddin Arif) who was a great Sufi saint in his own right.

Hazrat Bahauddin is said to have passed away after a prolonged illness. He died in mysterious circumstances. One day a disciple brought a letter, and gave it to his son, Hazrat Sheikh Sadruddin , saying: ‘A man gave me this letter and said, "Take it to Sheikh Bahauddin Zakariya".’ Sheikh Sadruddin, when he read the address on the letter, turned pale. He went and gave that letter to Sheikh Bahauddin Zakariya. The Sheikh, on reading the letter, turned aside and uttered loud cries. That night Sheikh Bahauddin Zakariya – may God have mercy upon him – died. Thus, came to an end to a noble and illustrious career on Thursday the seventh of Safar in 666 AH/1267 AD

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