Imam Ali & Hussain in Sufi Shah Niyaz's Poetry

Tomb of Hazrat Shah Niyaz in Bareilly

Dr.Mazhar Naqvi

“Zahay Izzo Jalaale Bu Turaabe Fakhre Insaane

Ali al-Murtaza Mushkil Kushaye Shere Yazdane”

(The honor and valor of Abu Turab is the pride of mankind.
No doubt. Ali al-Murtaza, helper in the time of need, is the Lion of God.)

The above couplet highlighting the exalted status of Maula Ali was composed by prominent Sufi Shah Niyaz. He had a great love and respect for ‘Ahle-Bait’ (Progeny of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad) and his views about Muharram and Taziadari need to be propagated to frustrate followers of Yazid in the present era. Right now the legacy of carrying on the mission of Shah Niyaz mostly rests on the shoulders of his followers. His name is rarely mentioned as a ‘Muhibb-e-Ahle-Bait’ (Lover of Ahle-Bait) in the assemblies hosted every year to recall the martyrdom of Imam Hussain. Such attitude is a grave injustice to a Sufi who used to go for ziarat of Tazias (Symbolic shrine of Imam Hussain and icon of Muharram Processions) on ‘Yaum-e-Ashura’ with his companions.

 Once he could not proceed to pay respect to Tazias being stricken with paralysis. He decided to meditate to overcome the feeling of disappointment for being unable to visit Tazias. In his meditation, he saw  Bibi Fatima asking him as to why did he not go to visit Tazias dedicated to her  children. Shah Niyaz burst into tears. He asked his disciples to take him immediately to Tazias with tears rolling down on his cheeks. In view of his inability to walk, the disciples arranged a cot for carrying him to Tazia but he flatly refused out of his respect for Hasnain. He directed his followers to take him on foot and he visited all the five tazias in accordance with his usual practice.Shah Sahib never considered ziarat or kissing of tazias as ‘Shirk or Biddat’ as is being propagated by anti-Ahle-Bait elements powered by so called purifiers of Islam. He never found Taziadari or distribution of eatables as Un-Islamic practice. 

Once during Muharram, Maulvi Akbar Ali of Surat was staying in the hospice of Shah Niyaz. Maulvi Akbar went with Shah Sahib on Ashura and found him bowing  to kiss the wooden platform of Tazia. Maulvi Akbar thought the gesture amounting to ‘Shirk’ but did not utter even a single word. Shah Niyaz sensed what was in the mind of Maulvi Sahib through the divine power. He simply asked Maulvi Sahib to look at Tazia and moved ahead .The moment Maulvi Akbar cast his glance at Tazia; he shrieked, screamed and dropped senseless. People asked him what had happened to him when he regained consciousness. He then replied that he had seen Hazrat Imam Hasan in green dress on the one side of the Tazia and Hazrat Imam Hussain in red on the other side. 

Shah Niyaz also clarified certain other doubts of Maulvi Sahib. He told Maulvi Akbar that the name of Imam Hussain gives matchless sweetness to the tongue while mention of Yazid’s name only pollutes it. His following composition amply demonstrates his love for Imam Hussain:

“Ae Dilbigeer Daaman-e-Sultaan-e-Aulia,

Yaani Hussain ibn-e-ALi Jaan-e-Aulia.

Daarad `Niyaz' Hashr Khud Ummeed ba Hussain,

Ba Aulia-e-Hashr Muhibbaan-e-Aulia.”

(“O heart be with the skirt of garment of King of Aulias (friend of Allah)

That means Hussain, who is the essence of Aulias.

Niyaz has put judgement day's decision in hope of Hussain),

The faith of Lover of Aulias will be similar to that of Aulia's.

Shah Sahib was born on August 7, 1742 C.E. He traced his lineage from father’s side to Maula Ali and from mother’s side to Bibi Fatima. His ancestors belonged to the royal family of Bukhara. The family later moved to India and settled in Multan. His father Shah Muhammad Rahmat Ullah made Delhi his base. His mother was  famous by the name of  Bibi Gharib Nawaz .She was daughter of Syed Maulana Said Uddin, who traced his descent from Hazrat Imam Musa Kazim. She herself was an eminent Sufi. Shah Niyaz received her early education from his mother only. For advance education, He joined Madarsa Faqriya Delhi and completed his education related to Quran, Hadis, Tafseer and Fiqh at the age of 15. Sufi Syed Fakhruddin Muhammad Dehalvi in whose care Shah Niyaz was given by Bibi Gharib Nawaz initiated him to order and stationed him at Bareilly to further the cause of Sufism and humanity. He attained Purdah on October 9, 1834 C.E. and lies buried at a magnificent tomb in Bareilly. His shrine attracts large number of devotees and is also a symbol of the great love of Sufis for the family of the Prophet and their hatred for tyrants like Yazid. On 12^th of Muharram ( Sayum/ Teeja of Imam Hussain ),  Khichra ( a dish prepared with mixture of wheat, pulse, mutton and other cereals) is cooked in large quantity for distribution among the devotees. The practice that dates back to the lifetime of Shah Niyaz, is being continued till date at his ’Khanqah’ (Hospice).

(The article is based on the inputs from literature available on Shah Niyaz on web and discussion with one of his devotees who works for an Urdu daily)