Shrine of Prophet's Sahabi Hazrat Ukkhasha

Shrine of Prophet's Companion Hazrat Syedina Ukkhasha in Tamilnadu

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

Shrine of Hazrat Ukkhasha-another great companion of the holy Prophet is also longing for the recognition it deserves. The popularity of the shrine has traditionally been restricted to coastal region of Tamilnadu (India) whereas it should have been one of the most favored destinations among the Muslims of Indian Sub-Continent. The shrine fondly called as “Kandeduttha Dargah Shareef” by locals is located in Parangipettai (historically called Porto Novo) town of Cuddalore district. The shrine is famous since 7^th century as Hazrat Ukkhasha is believed to have arrived there in Parangipettai Shareef along with his favorite disciple Hazrat Syed Saheb Ganj who also lies buried near his spiritual master.

Legends say that Hazrat Ukkhasha was among the 313 companions who had taken part in the battle of Badr and belonged to Baddu tribe of Arabia. He also ranks as the only companion (Sahaba) who kissed the seal of prophet hood (Mohar-e-Nabuwat).Keepers of the shrine tell an interesting account of how Hazrat Ukkhasha earned the distinction of kissing the seal. They reveal that before proceeding to perform his last hajj, Prophet called all his companions and people for an open announcement in Masjid-e-Nabuwi. He declared that anyone from the crowd can come in front of him if  ever he  cheated anyone, ever done wrong to anyone, ever beaten anyone, or ever had dues with anyone.

After the announcement, Prophet waited for people to respond and suddenly Hazrat Ukkhasha  came forward told Nabi Kareem  that he was once beaten by the latter and wanted  justice. All the Sahabas became stunned and their anger rose. One of them took out the sword to kill Hazrath Ukkhasha .But Nabi- Kareem asked them to stop and not to interfere. Hazrat Ukkhasha explained to the Prophet that when he was without a Jubba in the Masjid standing for the Jamat in the first saf(row), Rasul Allah  instructed him to stand straight and make proper saf and also beat him. After hearing it, the Prophet attempted to remove his Jhubba but Hazrat said that he was beaten by a rope. Rasul Allah then ordered Hazrat Bilal to bring the rope (Kolda) from his house.

When Hazrat Bilal went to the holy house , he narrated the complete incident to Prophet’s  daughter of  Hazrat  Fatima  Zahra, her husband Hazrat Ali  and sons,  Imam Hassan and Hussain. They all cried and told Hazrat Bilal that they would accept the beatings from Hazrat Ukkhasha since Nabi was suffering from illness. When Hazrat Bilal insisted on the plea that he was bound to obey the command of the prophet, they gave rope to him. Bilal rushed back to Masjid gave the rope to Nabi Allah who in turn gave it to Hazrat Ukkhasha and asked him to settle his score. Hazrat Ukkhasha then told that he was without ‘Jhubba’ when he got beating. Then, Rasul-e-Khuda removed his Jhubba and a jubilant Hazrat Ukkhasha threw the rope and kissed the seal with excitement and reverence. Everybody present on the spot then realized as to why Hazrat Ukkhasha wanted justice. Finding Ukkhasha crying with tears in his eyes, Rasul-e-Khuda tightly hugged him and announced Paradise for the companion. All the companions heard the declaration with happiness and the entire mosque plunged into an elated status.

Hazrat Ukkhasha also went into a state of ecstasy and arrived in India like many other companions to propagate the message of Islam. He reached   Parangipettai and settled there with his disciple. As his influence grew, more people joined his mission and became Sufis. The influence of Hazrat Ukkhasha is evident from the fact that Parangipettai town boasts of more than 2360 Dargahs of Sufis.(Reference available on request-Photo Courtesy: Google Images).