Not Achieved Without Divine Grace

“No honor can be achieved by strength alone; it requires the mercy of God.”

Among those who played an exceptional role in the propagation of Ilm-e-Deen (religious knowledge), especially Ilm-ul-Hadith, in the Indian subcontinent, Sultan-ul-Arifeen Sayyid Shahbaz Muhammad Bhagalpuri (رحمت اللہ علیہ) stands as a great and eternally unforgettable figure. Huzur Sultan-ul-Arifeen is known among the Awliya-e-Kiram (saints) as a midday sun in the realm of Wilayah. He is remembered for both Zahiri (outward) and Batini (esoteric) knowledge, remaining a timeless luminary across generations. Below is a brief account of his life.

Birth

Huzur Sultan-ul-Arifeen was born in 956 Hijri (1549 CE) in the village of Deora, Gaya district, India, during the reign of Salim Shah Suri. His father was Hazrat Sayyid Haji Khattab (رحمت اللہ علیہ) and his mother was Bibi Majida (رحمت اللہ علیھا).

His grandfather, Hazrat Haji Sayyid Khairuddin Husaini Bukhari (رحمت اللہ علیہ), originally from Bukhara’s Zarokha, migrated to Makkah Sharif around 920–927 Hijri due to persecution under the Abbasid rule. He performed Hajj with his son Sayyid Khattab and later visited the Rauza of Rasulullah (صلى الله عليه وسلم), where he received the glad tidings:

“Your son, Sayyid Muhammad Khattab, will have a Noor Amanat, and he will become Protector of Shariah, King of Tariqa, and Imam of the Ummah. His name will be Shahbaz Muhammad.”

Soon after, his grandparents passed away in Makkah Sharif and were buried near Jabal-e-Abu Qubais at Safa hill.

Childhood

At the age of 4 years, 4 months, and 4 days, Huzur Sultan-ul-Arifeen began Bismillahkhani (initial education) under a local elder scholar. From an early age, he was distinct from other children: uninterested in sports, displaying wisdom, patience, obedience, manners, and tolerance, and always checking on his peers.

Student Life

He completed primary education under his father and mastered 17 subjects, including:

• Nahv & Sarf (Grammar & Morphology)
• Mantiq & Falsafa (Logic & Philosophy)
• Ilm-e-Ma’ani & Ilm-e-Bayan (Meaning & Rhetoric)
• Ilm-e-Tafseer & Usool-e-Tafseer (Quranic Exegesis & its principles)
• Ilm-e-Hadith & Usool-e-Hadith
• Astronomy, Engineering, and more

He also studied under Shah Muhammad Abbas Deoravi (رحمت اللہ علیہ) in Fiqh and other fields.

Higher Education

Huzur traveled to Jaunpur, the center of knowledge in India, enduring extreme hardship. He studied day and night, sometimes sleeping at a bakery with a single lit lamp to continue learning. Later, he moved to Kannauj, continuing studies under prominent scholars.

In 970 Hijri, he journeyed to Hijaz for further knowledge, enduring all hardships to reach Makkah Sharif, where he studied Hadith for 3 years under Imam Shihabuddin Ahmad ibn Hajar Al-Haytami Al-Makki (رحمت اللہ علیہ) and received Sanad-e-Hadith.

Return from Makkah

After 3 years, he performed Hajj in Makkah and visited Madina Munawwarah. His spiritual yearning led him to Najaf, Karbala, and Kadhimain before returning to India.

Miraculous Event in Afghanistan: While crossing Herat’s forests, he was aided by a mysterious figure who handed him three dates, which he learned symbolized:

1. Shariah
2. Ma’rifat
3. Haqqiqat

Arrival in Bhagalpur & Establishment of Madrasa

In 985 Hijri, Huzur arrived in Bhagalpur, then a small village, and established a Madrasa that became a renowned university, attracting students from Multan, Lahore, Delhi, Bihar, Bengal, Orissa, Jaunpur, Kannauj, Gazipur, and beyond. He taught over 50 subjects, including:

• Hifz, Tajweed, Qira’at, Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh, Ilm-ul-Kalam, Tasawwuf, Ethics, Astronomy, Philosophy, etc.

Initially, he personally taught all classes but later delegated duties due to increasing student numbers. He also assigned students to serve in local mosques, madrasas, and khanqahs.

Study of Ilm-ul-Hadith

Huzur had an extraordinary attachment to Hadith, studying day and night. His book “Sittin Sharif” records 60 Hadith directly from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).

One incident involved correcting a misprint in Mishkat Sharif, where he directly consulted the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) in spiritual presence to clarify the text for students.

Piety and Devotion

He strictly adhered to Shariah and Sunnah, never allowing innovation in worship and remaining vigilant about obligations in all matters.

Audience of Emperor Shah Jahan

When Shah Jahan visited his court in Bhagalpur, seeking blessings for kingship, Huzur advised him:

“Your throne will only be rightful if you follow Shariah. Disobedience leads to corruption.”

Shah Jahan later became emperor, gifting Huzur land and wealth, which Huzur rejected, stating:

“True wealth is knowledge, impervious to theft.”

Sunnah-Following Life

Every moment of Huzur’s life exemplified obedience to Allah and the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). He believed in Wahdat-ul-Wujud, living entirely for divine love.

• Dress: wore kurta, lungi, pentagonal cap, and during teaching wore jubbah or aba.
• Sleeping habits: slept on a cord-bed, often directly on the floor, forming the word “Muhammad” with his posture.
• Diet: ate minimal food, fasting six days a week for around 40 years, consuming rice, bread, chicken, ghee, yogurt (“Maktai”).

Miracles

• Supernatural events occurred, including a Hindu yogi witnessing Fana and Baqa under Huzur’s observation, ultimately entering Islam.
  

• His teachings were miraculously confirmed by prior scholars and students, e.g., Bu Ali Sina appeared to validate answers given by Huzur.

Reliance on Allah

Despite having many children (50+) and a large household, Huzur lived in financial austerity, never accepting gifts from rulers, relying entirely on Allah’s providence, including the care of students and the poor in the khanqah.

Bay’ah (Spiritual Allegiance)

He received Bay’ah and Khilafat from Sayyidul Muhaddisin Mir Sayyid Yasin (رحمت اللہ علیہ) while in Munger, later authorizing Huzur to initiate followers and grant Bay’ah across ~127 Silsilas.

Respect for His Shaykh and Family

Huzur served his Shaykh for 9 years, performing both spiritual and physical duties with humility and devotion. He also showed utmost respect to his Shaykh’s children, even when they were his students.

Famous Titles

Some of Huzur Sultan-ul-Arifeen’s titles include:

• Mahiul Bida’at (Dispenser of Religious Innovations)
• Tajush Shari’ah (Crown of Shariah)
• Badrut Tariqat (Full Moon of Tariqa)
• Mujaddid-e-Mi’ate Hadi Ashar (Reviver of the 11th Century)
• Malikul Ulama, Sayyidul Fuqaha, Naib-un-Nabi, Imamul Aulia, and many more.

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May Allah grant us success in this world and the hereafter through his blessed intercession. Ameen.

Readers are requested to recite Surah Al-Fatiha and convey its reward to his noble soul.