Haji Ratan-Prophet's Hindu Sahabi(Companion)?

Grave of Haji Ratan Baba with Sikh Devotees at Bhatinda

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

India is also last resting place of another great companion of the holy Prophet. He is known as Haji Baba Ratan and revered by Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs alike. His shrine is near Bhatinda city of Indian Punjab and attracts large number of devotees every day. Dr.Yoginder Sikand in his book, "Sacred Spaces" has documented  shrine of Baba Ratan as a  religious places where a syncretic form of worship, combining parts of varying religions, is practiced. He has done so in view of his reverence by all the major communities despite his apparently strong Muslim connections most notably pointed out by the addition of Haji before  his name. Every one knows that  Haji may only be added to a Muslim's name after they have attended and done all of the events associated with the Hajj (the Pilgrimage to Mecca).

According to legends, he was a companion of the Prophet Muhammad and lived for over 700 years. Baba Ratan twice visited Mecca and met the Prophet on both occasions. He is believed to have seen the miracle of splitting of moon with his own eyes. There is controversy as to whether he embraced Islam or not but there is no doubt that he spent considerable time with Rasul Allah. The first reference to Haji Ratan in Islamic literature dates back to twelfth century. Several Hadith collectors traveled from as far as Andalusia and Central Asia to collect the supposed traditions from him. Abu Marwan Andalusi, a Spanish Muslim chronicler, visited Haji Ratan and penned an interesting sketch of him. When he arrived at the Baba’s monastery, he was taken aback to see an ancient, wrinkled man, his cheeks covered with hair ‘as white as cotton’. The Baba addressed him in a language he could not understand. When he heard the translation, Abu Andalusi came to know that Baba Ratan present in Medina during the famed Battle of the Trench./He was just fourteen years of age at that time. When the Prophet saw him laboring at the trenches, he blessed him with a long life. His name is mentioned by Ibn Hajar Asqalanl in his’ Asabafl Marifati s-Sahdba’ and also by A'dh-Qhahabiin his ‘Tajrid’. Ibn Hajar calls  him as one of the companions of Rasul Allah. Baba Ratan is said to have died in 1234-5 A. D. and lies buried in his present shrine at Tabar Hind(former name of Bhatinda).The shrine of Baba Haji Rattan is associated with the popular legends of the visits of ‘Sikh’ Gurus; Guru Nanak, Guru Hargobind and Guru Gobind Singh. Punjab Wakf Board manages the shrine and an iron railing protects the grave of the saint. Before partition, it was the most popular shrine of Indian sub-continent but today it stands as a shadow of its regal past. An annual Mela also takes place every year at the shrine.(References available on request.(Photo Courtesy Google Images)