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Books by Hazrat Sultan Bahu (R.A) |
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The actual number of books written by Sultan Bahu is not certain. According to tradition, he is supposed to have authored over one hundred works and treatises. The following is a list of the important works of Sultan Bahu that still exist today, and can be traced back to him with credibility.
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The 17th century saint, Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) authored over 140 books, of which around 40 are still available. All of his books are in Persian except the collection of his poetry, which is, in the form of Punjabi couplets. Risala Roohi Shareef, is one of his most concise & representative books. Also, the 'Risala' is the only of his books, which has been often prescribed as Wazeefa, by the saints of the order. This is why original text & transliteration has been included in this compilation, so that reader could get maximum benefit & barakah.
Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) is acknowledged as one of the most prominent Sufi poets of the Indo Pak subcontinent. He is known to be the author of over 140 books in Persian and Arabic dealing with a variety of religious and mystic subjects.
The poems of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA.) are coloured by the consciousness of Faqr and mystical leanings. He is the leader amongst Punjabi Sufi Poets. For centuries now, the people of the Indo Pak sub continent have been captivated by his poems and books on Spiritual Knowledge. His Poems contain extreme impressions of spiritual reality and facts of life rooted in human existence.
To class the poetry of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA.) within the boundary of normal poetry is a great error for it sinks into the depths of the heart and soul. Whosoever listens or studies his works is effected and transported into higher realms of spiritual truths. The joy and ecstasy is such that even a casual reading produces spiritual attraction.
Visualize dervishes sitting around a fire, the light of which giving an occasional glimpse of those sitting around it. The Abyat of Sultan Bahu (RA) is being recited. Suddenly, the hearts of the dervishes is effected by a resounding ` HU '. That ` HU ' extinguishes the awareness of the surroundings and the listener and reciter is transported to higher levels of reality going back to his ` original ' homeland.
The effects of the journey are so profound that the lesson learned is not obtainable at any university or madrassa. There is so much dept in his teachings that it distinguishes him from other Sufi poets.
Sultan Bahu (RA) works is a true guide to the lost soul. It influences the seeker so much so that he is strengthened in his resolve for higher knowledge. His message is clear...... spend your Life for Allah, His Prophet (PBUH) and Truth. Your living and dying should be for Allah alone. Sultan Bahu's (RA) philosophy or original idea is the Zaat of Allah.
To him attainment to Allah is the `goal' and `reality'. His works should be widely translated and distributed to make people aware of this great soul, so that his works Heal the hearts of man. It is a most Urgent need especially in the English language. It should be noted that Hazrat Sultan Bahu's (RA.) works is couched in simple language, making it easily understandable.
It is for this reason that some so-called learned persons do not regard these works as of high literary status. We should note that it was customary for the writers of that time to decorate their prose and poetry, in an incomprehensible fashion. Thus, unfortunately these so-called scholars are unable to see, and experience the practical effects of Hazrat Sultan Bahu's (RA) works.
Due to simplicity, and effectiveness of these works, one is almost obliged to think that this great holy personality knew through intuition that there will be a time like the present, when it will be difficult to find a perfect spiritual master. This is the reason why Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) clothed his spiritual treasure & Barakah, in the shape of his books.
The master himself says in `Nurul Huda' that `for many years a true seeker has not passed my path to whom I could impart my spiritual wealth which is given to me as a trust. Thus he put his esoteric knowledge and spiritual wisdom and teachings in writing and in this way has forever made its benefit available for generations to come.
In his books the Saint discusses the realms of Tasawwuf (Sufism) and its domains. His writings give a clear insight into the reality and the realm of Sharia, Tariqat, Haqiqat, and Marifat of Allah. Essentially two unique and distinctive concepts and impressions underlie the philosophy of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA). His original idea is the `Zaat' of Allah.
This is attained through `tasawwur' of the Personal Name Allah, i.e. through reflection, contemplation and meditation of the Name Allah. Its object is to bring the seeker from the world of pluraty towards the chamber of unity and to take the seeker from the darkness of opacity towards the light of subtlety. The other concept is the knowledge of `Dawatul Qubur' or invocation of the spirits. The concept of `kashf -ul- qubur'is found in many books but the concept of `dawatul qubur' is unique and only to be found in the writings of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA). It is an invocation whereby the seeker comes out of the darkness of the opaque world and enters the luminous macrocosm of the invisible world and there mixing and meeting with the resplendent invisible creation of that world, he derives maximum esoteric benefits from them .These ideas will be discussed in the chapter on the Saints philosophy.
Although couched in simple language, he has recounted and explained, sometimes in a rhetorical fashion, the extreme limits of the different exalted and sublime phases and stations of Marifa and Faqr. Sometimes the novice seeker, due to his own shortcomings and sometimes by not being able to understand becomes desponded and relinquishes further study. This should not be allowed to happened.
The reader should keep on studying the books constantly because the spirit of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) runs through the pages of his books and the Saints esoteric and intrinsic attention (twajju) is concealed and hidden in his writings. It is this quality of his hidden esoteric attention, which makes the book, become ones teacher and instructor, helping thereby in automatically resolving all the subtle points of bewilderment and confusion. The above is true and has been experienced by many a scholar that sooner or later one reaches ones hearts desire .With sincere devotion and respect and by continues reading an electricity of divine light is created in the heart of the reader, inculcating in him a spiritual revolution and attraction which gives rise to a strong yearning and affectionate longing for Allah the Beloved. One should not forget that all the writings of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) are divinely inspired.
In fact, his works are a true means of gaining access and entrance into the court of Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). The effect of his works is such that a seeker, who peruses his works continually, will God-willing achieve his heart's desire. We would fail in our duty, if we do not mention in passing, the experiences of a great Sufi master Hazrat Faqir Nur Muhammad Sarwari Qaderi (RA.), regarding the works of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA.). He says: "Through calligraphy, I have penned the works of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA.) over and over for the last thirty years. During this period, I did not touch any work of Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA.) without being in a state of ablution.
Whatever spiritual reality & phenomena of 'the path' I copied in the day, was traversed in the night and the written esoteric reality & phenomena was made manifest to me. It appeared as though, the author had composed and bequeathed these books to me exclusively, because hither so far none has comprehended & benefited out of them like myself." It is a fact that the honour of acquainting the world with the real import of Hazrat Sultan-ul-Arifin's (RA.) works rests solely with Sultan-ul-Faqr Hazrat Faqir Nur Muhammad (RA.)
Due to vested interests, incorrect translations of Hazrat Sultan Bahu's (RA.) works are available, devoid of the 'true' meanings from the original, for the wealth of Faqr & Ma'arifat is passed from breast to breast. Some people, for their own purposes, read his holiness's books, expecting the spiritual realities mentioned to become manifest to them. But due to their own short-sightedness and shortcomings they give up further studies of the books.
This is their own loss. The opposite is however true. It is the true seeker whose courage is stronger than the mountains, who with the staff of patience, strong resolve and determination surmounts his inabilities and becomes successful in attaining the higher knowledge described in the works. Those, who live a life of luxury and licentiousness, can not reach the goals of ma'arifat.
Thus, it is advisable for true seekers of the path who wish to succeed in their search for truth, to obtain CORRECT translated works of his holiness and with true sincerity, purity of heart and great resolve, peruse and study his works continually. This will, God-willing, bring into play the TAWWAJJUH (spiritual attention) of his holiness on the seeker. And if a perfect teacher is his partner, he unites the capable seeker with Allah, the Most High through a single attention or enters him in constant attendance in the court of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon HIM.)
Of the below, Nurul Huda (Light of Guidance) and Risala-e-Roohi (Book of Soul) are the most popular, along with the poetry collection Abiyaate Bahu. |
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Nurul Huda,
Risala-e-Roohi,
Aql Baidaar,
Mahq-ul-Fuqara,
Qurb Daidaar,
Aurang-Shaahi,
Jami-il-Asraar,
Taufiq-Hedaayat,
Kaleed Tauheed,
Ainul Faqr,
Shamsul Arifeen,
Magzane Faiz,
Ameerul Quonain,
Asrare Qaderi,
Kaleed Jannat, |
Muhqamul Fuqara,
Majaalis-tun Nabi,
Muftahul Arifeen,
Hujjatul Asraar,
Jannatul Firdaus,
Kash-ful Asraar,
Risaala Ruhi Shareef,
Abyaat Bahu (poetry),
Muhabbatul Asraar,
Ganjul Asraar,
Dewaan Bahu,
Panj Ganj,
Fazlul Laqa,
Jhook Sultany,
Ameerul Mumineen
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The moment you are inattentive (careless of the love of Allah), you become an infidel (you deviate from the path of love). This is the lesson which my guide has taught me. After hearing such verdicts (true words) from him I have come to know the truth and I have turned my heart towards Allah. I earned such a great love after entrusting my soul to Allah's care. I died before my death O Bahu, and then I was able to understand the secret of life. |
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Inspiring Spritual Leader
Sahibzada Sultan Fiaz-ul-Hassan Sarwari Qadri |
Direct decedent of Sultan Al-Arifeen Hazrat Sakhi
Sultan Bahu (R.A)
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