Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Ganj-e-Shakar r.a

Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Ganj-e-Shakar r.a. was born in Khotwal, a village near Lahore [Pakistan], on the 29th Sha'ban in 569 A.H. [April 4, 1179 C.E.]. He was a direct descendant of the second Caliph of Islam, Hazrat Umar Farooq r.a.

It is said that a miracle happened before his birth, certifying his Sainthood. During his mother's pregnancy, she tried to take some plums from her neighbor's tree without his permission, but the child in her womb (Hazrat Baba Farid) caused tremendous discomfort in her stomach, forcing her to abandon the notion.

After a few years, Hazrat Baba Farid's r.a. mother tenderly stated, "My dear son, during your confinement, I never ate anything which was unlawful." "But, my dear mother, you wanted to pluck some plums from our neighbor's tree without his permission when I created a severe pain in your stomach which saved you from this unlawful act," Hazrat Baba Farid r.a. stated with a smile.

His mother sent him to Multan for higher education after he finished his early religious instruction at the age of seven at Khotwal. He resided in a masjid [mosque] and memorised the Holy Qur'an as well as Hadith, Fiqh, Philosophy, and Logic under the tutelage of Maulana Minhajuddin.

Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Baktiar Kaki r.a. of Delhi visited Multan during his studies, and Hazrat Baba Farid r.a. became his Murid (disciple) in the Chishtiyya Silsila. For nearly 18 years, from 593 A.H. to 611 A.H. [1196 C.E. to 1214 C.E.], he travelled to Ghazni, Baghdad Sharif, Jerusalem, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Mecca, and Medina on the orders of his Pir-o-Murshid, meeting many famous saints and Sufis. When Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin r.a. died, the mantle of spiritual leadership in the Chishtiyya Silsila went to Hazrat Baba Farid r.a., whom Khwaja Qutbuddin r.a. nominated to be his Khalifa or spiritual successor.

When Hazrat Baba Farid r.a. visited Medina Sharif, the Holy Prophet s.a.w.s. spiritually directed him to visit Baghdad Sharif and see Hazrat Abdul Wahab, son of Hazrat Ghaus-al-Azam Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani r.a. He was supposed to give him some sacred treasures. As a result, when he arrived in Baghdad Sharif, he was given a box containing the following holy relics by Hazrat Abdul Wahab r.a. : Two flagpoles used by the Holy Prophet s.a.w.s. in several of his fights; one wooden bowl used by the Prophet s.a.w.s. to eat from; one set of scissors and one turban used by the Holy Prophet s.a.w.s.

Due to political events in Delhi, he was forced to relocate the headquarters of the Chishtiyya mission from Delhi to Ajodhan, presently known as "Pak Patan." With his patronage, the Khanqah of Baba Farid r.a. grew into a major university of "moral and spiritual training." This spiritual university benefited thousands of seekers, scholars, dervishes, and Sufis. Hazrat Baba Farid r.a. attained the summit of spiritual glory by arduous Mujahidas (spiritual striving) to conquer the Nafs.

Once Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin r.a. directed Hazrat Baba Farid r.a. to conduct the "Chilla-e-Maakoos" for a period of 40 days. This chilla was rare among Sufis, and it was one of the most rigorous tests of Hazrat Khwaja Baba Farid's r.a. faith and courage. It was to be done in a well by hanging himself in a reverse or headlong position, with his feet connected to a stout branch of a treetop by a rope.

Hazrat Baba Farid r.a. once walked with the use of a staff due to extreme frailty. But after a few paces, the colour of his face changed to purple, as if he was being severely punished. He flung the stick away.

When Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin r.a., who was accompanying him, inquired as to the cause for this, Hazrat Baba Farid r.a. said, "I wanted to use the staff, but Allah's Displeasure frowned upon me for relying on others' assistance instead of His." As a result, I threw away the staff and felt deeply embarrassed of my lack of faith in Rabb, the Almighty."

It is also said that a trader once led a caravan of sugar-laden camels from Multan to Delhi. When Hazrat Baba Fariduddin r.a. was going through Ajodhan (now Pakistan), he casually inquired as to what he was carrying on his camels. "It's salt," the trader said cynically. Hazrat Baba Fariduddin r.a. also said, "Yes, it may be salt." When the trader arrived in Delhi, he discovered that all of his sugar bags had turned to salt. He returned to Ajodhan instantly and apologised in front of Hazrat Baba Farid r.a. "If it is sugar, it shall be sugar," remarked Hazrat Baba Farid r.a. " When the trader returned to Delhi, he was relieved to see that the salt had been converted back to sugar by the Grace of Almighty Allah. This is how Hazrat Baba Sahib r.a. came to be known as "Ganj-e- Shakar."

Mohammed Nishapuri, a disciple of Hazrat Baba Farid r.a., lived in Gujerat and was travelling to Delhi with three other companions. Robbers met them on their journey through the jungle. Mohammed Nishapuri and his companions have no means of defence. In such a helpless state, Mohammed Nishapuri remembered his Pir, Hazrat Baba Farid r.a., and offered prayers to Allah for assistance in their situation. Surprisingly, the robbers threw away their weapons, apologised to the guests, and then left.

Throughout his life, he fasted and kept up his nighttime prayers and devotions. Allah's fear had always ruled him. He was a devoted follower of Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.s., devoting his entire life to the reverence of the adored Prophet's s.a.w.s. immortal grandeur. He would often cry out of love and devotion when the Holy Prophet's s.a.w.s. persona was mentioned. Hazrat Baba Farid r.a. shied away from kings, government officials, and the wealthy. He also cautioned his Khalifas, worshippers, and Murids to stay away from them. He was the epitome of humility. Whatever he received, he spent in Allah's name, and his heart was overflowing with mercy and forgiveness. Many miracles have been attributed to him both during his lifetime and after his death.

On the 5th of Muharram, during the Isha prayer [evening prayer], while performing Sajdah [prayer prostration], he uttered "Ya Hayo Ya Qayum" [O Self-Subsisting, O Eternal – two names of God], and with these words on his lips, his soul vanished into the eternal bliss of his beloved Allah. "Dost ba Dost Pewast" - Friend has merged into the unity of "Friend" (Allah), declared a "Nida" or Divine Voice.

An elderly follower of the Saint presented a piece of fabric for the kaffan [shroud] of Hazrat Baba Farid r.a. "I have not spun a single thread of this cloth without having Wudu [purification]," she begged. I had prepared it for my own coffin, but if it is accepted for this great Saint's kaffan, I am convinced that Allah will be pleased to forgive my sins and grant me salvation." This cloth was acknowledged as the Kaffan by Hazrat Baba Farid's r.a. son.

Pak Patan, Pakistan, is the location of his Mazar Sharif [noble shrine]. Among his favourite Murids and Khalifas are Hazrat Sabir Pak, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, and Hazrat Jamaluddin Hansi rehmatulla alaihim [may Allah have pity on them]. It is widely assumed that he had three wives and many offspring. Hazrat Baba Farid r.a. was one of the most dazzling lights of the Chishtiyya Silsila, and he is revered by all.