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Muslims of this subcontinent are eternally grateful to thosewho spread faith and Islam, Sunday is the 638th death anniversary of one of their leaders, Sultan Hazrat Mir Awahad ad-Din Syed Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Semnani (RA).
The Ursh Sharif of his holiness is being held with due reverence in “Kichhauchha Sharif” in Faizabad District of Uttar Pradesh, India.
He was born in 708 Hijri in Semnan province of Khorasan, which is located 200 kilometers east of Tehran, the current capital of Iran. His father was Sultan Syed Ibrahim Noor Bakshi (RA). His mother Sayeda Khadija (RA) was a pious descendant of the famous Sufi and Dervish Khwaja Ahmad Basvi (RA).
In due course, his father performed the “Sobokdan” ceremony of Hazrat according to Sunnah and appointed the greatest scholars of that era to teach him. Among them were Hazrat Sheikh Ruknuddin Alauddin Semnani, Hazrat Sheikh Abdur Razzaq Kashiul Kashani, Hazrat Imam Abdullah Yafeei and Hazrat Syed Ali Hamdani.
He was indescribably brilliant. At the age of seven, he completed Hifz with the Holy Qur'an al-Kareem "Keraat-e-Saba" with seven Qirat. After completing it, he started learning various branches of theology such as Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) and similar subjects.
He attained full proficiency in all these branches of Islamic education at the age of fourteen. His name and reputation as an accomplished Islamic scholar spread far and wide.
After his father's death, Sultan Syed Ashraf Jahangir Semnani (RA) ascended to the throne of Semnan at the age of 15. He ruled with great fairness and efficiency. He gained popularity in Semnan as a true, sincere and just king.
During his reign peace reigned everywhere, the subjects were prosperous and happy.
This great sultan would soon leave the throne because of his love for god, as he became drawn to the spiritual world.
At the age of 25, on the 27th night of Ramadan – the night of Shab-e-Qadr – Hazrat Khwaja Khizir (AS) ordered him to leave the throne and go to Hindustan in search of worthy PirMurshids.
After that in 733 Hijri, with permission from his venerable mother Sayeda Khadija, he voluntarily entrusted the responsibility of the state to his younger brother Sultan Mohammad Araf.
Without all the royal amenities, even a horse, he set off on foot towards Hindustan. On the way, he met Hazrat Jalaluddin Bukhari Jahanian Jahangasht (RA) in Multan, Pakistan and received spiritual Faiz.
He then bade him farewell, saying, “Congratulations on this journey. At Pandua in Bengal, Shaikh Alauddin Ganjenabat (RA) is eagerly awaiting your arrival. Do not be late on the way.”
After journeying a long way, he finally reached Manjile Maqsud and received a wonderful spiritual blessing by taking Bayat at the holy hands of Hazrat Alauddin Ganjenabat (RA). Once upon a time, his Pir and Murshid Hazrat Alauddin Ganjenabat (RA) granted him the title of "Jahangir" with an invisible sign.
He then devoted himself to the great responsibility of Shariat and Tariqat. Sultan Syed Ashraf Jahangir Semnani was a spiritual man of fascinating energy, whose teachings emphasised the esoteric, mystical side of Islam.
His profound spiritual insight and practice of Sufism attracted numerous followers, contributing significantly to the spread of Islamic spirituality in the Indian subcontinent.
He established several khanqahs which became centers of spiritual education and social service. These khanqahs served as centers of religious and social activities, playing an important role in the propagation of Islamic learning and Sufi practices.
A dedicated preacher, he traveled widely to spread the message of Islam and Sufism. His inclusive and compassionate approach resonated with people from different backgrounds in society, inspiring people to embrace Islam and broadening the reach of Islamic spirituality.
He traveled to most of the countries of Arabia and Azam, and brought thousands of misguided people to the right path by clearly preaching and presenting Islamic theology.
He had complete command over Arabic, Persian and Turkish languages. As a result of which he delivered highly impactful discourses, in which the audience became lost in the world of spirituality and monotheism of Allah.
Sultan Syed Ashraf Jahangir Semnani was not only a great saint, but also a great orator and an excellent writer. He made significant contributions to Islamic and Sufi literature.
His writings reinforced the principles of Sufism and Islamic theology, providing intellectual and spiritual guidance. His religious and literary services will remain a golden chapter in the history of Islam, and especially Sufism.
He brought the misguided people to the right path by lighting the lamp of spirituality in Kichhauchha Sharif, and dispelling the darkness of Kufr. It is narrated that thousands of non-believers embraced Islam after being impressed by the purity of his character and the height of his spirituality.
He was a great Sufi. He was also a famous scholar of Islam with unimaginable expertise in various branches of Islamic theology.
Hazrat Nizam Yemeni (RA) wrote in his book Lataaif-e Ashrafi that wherever he went, he spoke in the local language, wrote books in the local language, and left the written books there for the local populace’s benefit.
He ascended to the great honour of 1st Rajab Gausiat on 771 Hijri. This great Oli passed away on Muharram 28 of 808 Hijri.
Ashrafiyah Silsila
The Ashrafiyah Silsila founded by Sultan Syed Ashraf Jahangir Semnani is growing day by day. His descendants and disciples continue to preserve and propagate his teachings, thereby maintaining a vibrant spiritual tradition that spans generations.
The arrival of the Silsila Mashaikhs took place in the beloved motherland Bangladesh almost a hundred years ago. The first to come was the great-grandfather of the present SajjadanashinAaleRasool, AwladeGhause Pak, SyedulMunazireenHazratAllama Syed Ahmad Ashraf Ashrafi Jilani (RA).
They first came to Bhati region, for example Kishoreganj, Austagram and its surroundings and gradually spread the message of guidance to other regions.
Kichhauchha Sharif
The shrine of Sultan Syed Ashraf Jahangir Semnani at Kichhauchha Sharif in Uttar Pradesh, India is famous as a significant pilgrimage site. Thousands of devotees visit this holy shrine in search of spiritual blessings and education.
One of the conditions for becoming a Sazzadanshin of this court is that he should be a scholar of a caliber capable of teaching Sahih Bukhari Sharif. Being conducted by skilled scholars, this Durbar is always kept free from anti-Shariah activities.
Sultan Syed Ashraf Jahangir's Semnani was Mujarrad or unmarried in personal life.
In the present Astana Sharif, through which the Shariah-Tariqat and AhleSunnatwalJamaat are being served tremendously, are full of the descendants of Hazrat Syed AbdurRazzaqNurulAin (RA), the descendant of Huzur Ghause Azam Dastgir (RA).
As such, in the Kichhauchha Sharif PiraneKeram consists of Aale Rasool and Awlade Gause Azam (RA). The history of this Darbar spans more than 700 years. All recognised scholars of the subcontinent have great respect for this court.
Shaykh Abdul HaqqMuhaddesDehlaviAkhbarulAkhiyar has presented a serious discussion about him. Similarly, AllamaAbdurRahmanChishti in “Mir AtulAsrar,” Professor GhulamSaqlain has also discussed his book about Sufi saints, published by Islamic Foundation.
Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Reza Khan Beralvi (RA) was very respectful towards this Darbar as well.
SadrulAfazilAllama Syed NaeemuddinMuradabadi (RA) and Hakeem UlUmmat Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan NaeemiAshrafi (RA) were murids of Silsila-e-QadriaChishtiyyahAshrafiyah, and Caliphs of this Darbar.
The original name of “TafsirNaimi” written by Mufti Ahmad Yaar Khan NaeemiAshrafi (RA) is named after the holy name of Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Semnani (RA).
The teachings of Sultan Syed Ashraf Jahangir Semnani promoted the values of love, tolerance and unity, which contributed significantly to the beautiful coexistence of different communities.
His series is devoted to efforts to integrate cultural and religious diversity, always emphasizing on instilling a sense of communal harmony.
His influence also extended to other Sufi orders in the subcontinent. The principles and practices he taught have been incorporated into the wide tapestry of South Asian Sufism, enriching its spiritual heritage.
Current mission of Ashrafiyah Silsila
Promotion of peace and tolerance: Ashrafiyah Silsila continues to work for peace, and tolerance. The correct form of Islam and Sufism is being propagated through various programmes and initiatives.
The Ashrafiyah Mission has played an important role over the ages against terrorism in the name of religion and against various conspiracies of Islam.
Educational initiatives: Ashrafiyah Silsila operates numerous educational institutions providing both religious and practical education. These institutions aim to develop religious and social leaders, and good citizens through good education, who can contribute positively to religion and society.
Social Welfare Programme: Ashrafiyah Silsila is actively involved in various social welfare activities, including healthcare, poverty alleviation and disaster response.
Silsila e Ashrafiyah embodied the Sufi principles of compassion and service by running many clinics, distributing food and clothing, and helping the poor.
Promotion of spirituality and workshops: Ashrafiyah Silsila organises various workshops and seminars to promote the teachings of Sufism.
These events offer an opportunity to understand and learn spirituality, attracting participants from various walks of life and professions to Sufism.
Publications and promotions: In Ashrafiyah Silsila continues to publish writings and research on Sufism and Islamic theology.
Through which the rich intellectual and spiritual teachings of Sultan Syed Ashraf Jahangir Semnani and his successors – other great scholars and Sufis of the Ashrafi Silsila – are being brought to the contemporary audience.
Ashrafi Silsila is dedicated to preserving and promoting the spiritual teachings of Sultan Syed Ashraf Jahangir Semnani, keeping the principles of Silsila to meet the needs and challenges of the modern world today
Under the capable leadership of Sazzadanshin Huzur Quaid Millat, Shaykh Tariqat, AaleRasool, AwladeGhause Pak (RA), HazratAllamaAbulMokhtar, the Silsila continues to work across the globe.
Anjuman e Ashrafiyah Charitable Trust has been formed in Bangladesh as well.
Currently, several mosques and madrasahs – under the management of the trust – are making significant contributions to the society in Dhaka’s Ashulia, Rajshahi, Habiganj, Cumilla, Chandpur, Syedpur, Kishoreganj and Chattogram.
This writer is the Shaikhul Hadis of Sobhania Kamil Madrasa in Chattogram.
