Meeran Mauj Darya

Hazrat Syed Meeran Muhammad Shah Bukhari  Suharwardi Rehmat Ullah Aliha

Generally known as Meeran Mauj Darya

Meera Mauj Darya Shrine
Meera Mauj Darya Shrine

The arrival of Muslims in indo-pak subcontinent was a prelude to a huge revolution. The natural talents of the local population, which were deep rooted in superstitions and a caste system, were now open for new chapter.  It has been a badge of honor for Muslims to promote their culture as a revolution wherever they have gone, either resulting in the local culture and traditions dying out slowly or evolving to adapt with the Muslim culture. This promotion of culture has always started a new outlook on life within the local area and it wouldn’t be wrong to say that Southeast Asia got a new heartbeat due to the Muslim arrival. Muslim Rulers and soldiers have stood alongside Sufis and scholars and have played a great role in the promotion of Islam as they were a practical example of the teachings of Islam. These Godly people were loving and kind souls who truly cared about the other human beings around them. People used to come from afar to enjoy their company as it gave the common man peace and solace. Among these many famous and respected people was Hazrat Meeran Muhammad Shah, also known as Mauj Darya Bukhari Suhurwardi whose name has been preserved for eternity in the pages of history.

Mosque Enterance
Mosque Entrance

Guardianship stayed within Hazrat Makhdoom’s family for many generations. The contributions by your family in spreading the Suhurwardiya line in Punjab and especially Lahore are noteworthy. Even though Suhurwardiya teachings had gained a foothold in Lahore, prior to Hazrat Meeran Mauj Darya Bukhari Suhurwardi arrival; his presence still strengthened the teachings even further. Hazrat Meeran Mauj Darya Bukhari was among the noteworthy scholars and guardians of the Mughal time period. His real name was Meeran Muhammad Shah. Every guardian has a unique presence, and it is this presence that becomes the source of countless blessings from the Almighty which flow like the water through open floodgates. It was this very presence that resulted in his famous name Mauj Darya.

Shrine View From Entry way
Shrine View From Entry way

Birth and Family

Meeran Mauj Darya belonged to the Syed’s of Uch Sharif. Uch Sharif is the land of God fearing people. Mauj Darya was akin to Jahan Gasht in more than one way. He was the progeny, through a few generations, of Hazrat Makhdoom uddin Jahaniyan Jahan Gasht. His father’s name was Hazrat Syed Safiuddin; a respected and comprehensive sage. Mauj Darya was born in the year 1533 (940 Hijri) in the rein of the Mughal Empire of Naseeruddin Humayoun. Meeran Mauj Darya’s lineage to Syed Sher Shah Jalal Ud Din Surkh Posh Bukhari goes as follows:

  • Syed Meeran Muhammad Shah Son Of
  • Syed Safiuddin Son Of
  • Syed Nizamuddin Son Of
  • Syed Ilmuddin sani Son Of
  • Syed Jalaluddin Son Of
  • Syed Aleemuddin I Son Of
  • Syed Jalaluddin Mukhdoom Jahaniya Jahan Gasht Son Of
  • Syed Ahmed Kabir Son Of
  • Syed Sher Shah Jalaluddin ul Azam Ameer Surkh Bukhari.
Graves of Relatives
Graves of Relatives
Courtyard View
Courtyard View
Main Tomb
Main Tomb

Education & Upbringing

Meeran Mauj Darya was named Meeran Muhammad Shah at birth. His father’s name was Syed Safi Uddin who was a tall figure in anagogic as well as spiritualistic matters. Therefore, Mauj Darya inherited the qualities of nobility and miraculousness. Nature has always found a way to arrange the best form of education for the people it values and chooses. Therefore, Allah also led his father to make the implicit and inherent knowledge of Koran available to Mauj Darya. Since he was brought up under the august guidance of his father, he was interested in achieving a thorough understanding of jurisprudence and to achieve imperceptibility. In his early years education Mauj Darya learned to read the Holy Quran with Nazrah and then went on to Hifz (memorize) the Holy Quran.He continued rounding out his remaining education through hard work amongst the company of other teachers. Upon completion of his studies Mauj Darya swore fealty to his father under the Soharwardia Order.

Mauj Darya Tomb Closeup
Mauj Darya Tomb Closeup

Personal & Family Life

Mauj Darya would spend most days in service to Allah. Prayer and meditation were the inspiration for his soul. People from near and far started to visit his court and get blessed from the illuminating and rewarding personality. The news of his miraculous personality travelled vastly throughout India and caught the ear of the King Jalal uddin Akbar.

Doorway to Mauj Darya Grave
Doorway to Mauj Darya Grave

Hazrat Mauj Darya married twice. His first wife was Bibi Kalaan and his second wife’s name was Afifa Nourang Bibi. Both women were pious and religious and were regular in their Tahajud (late night) prayers. Hazrat Meeran Mauj Darya was bless with two sons

  1. Syed Safi Uddin
  2. Syed Baha Uddin
Inauguration Stone
Inauguration Stone

The Battle of Fort Chatodh:

The religious people of God are a channel for glory and Beatitude to be spread out amongst the believers. In other words, deprived and hurt humanity benefits from the existence of these ascended beings. Similarly during the era of Meeran Mauj Darya, King Akbar got engaged in the dispute of the fort of Chatodh. King Akbar utilized all worldly resources at his disposal, but to no avail. Eventually, upon the recommendation of his court appointed fortune tellers Hazrat Meeran Mauj Darya was called upon by King Akbar. Meeran Mauj Darya did not ride the fast camel provided by King Akbar; instead, he replied that he would come to the King’s court on his own.  The King’s advisors asked Meeran Mauj Darya

“How would we know when you have arrived?”

Mauj Darya replied

“There will be a huge Dust storm on that day and will plough down all tents and camps and blow out all lamps except the one in which I will be residing. “

This prediction came to fruition. The dust storm caused widespread damage and darkness all over, only Mauj Darya’s lamp kept on glowing. When King Akbar was informed of this he took off barefoot from the castle to Mauj Darya’s camp and requested that Mauj Darya pray for the King’s success. Not only did Mauj Darya prayed for the King that night but also walked up to the fort next morning and recited “Allah” three times. The fort fell for the Kings men shortly after. Right afterwards Mauj Darya planned to return to Uch Sharif but the King personally requested for him to stay right there if he chooses to do so; furthermore, he offered to help him settle down anywhere in the kingdom if he did not want to stay with the King. Hazrat Meeran Mauj Darya chose the city of Lahore as his city of residence.

Entryway Closeup
Entryway Closeup

Residence in Lahore:

Meeran Mauj Darya settled in Lahore after the triumph over the Chatodh fort. King Akbar gave an estate worth 200,000 Rupees in Batala as a gift to Mauj Darya. The idea behind this gift was that the people of religion including Meeran Mauj Darya would get a steady stream of income and not have to worry about the worldly affairs any more than they had to. Instead, Mauj Darya distributed all income to the poor and needy. The royal decree through which the land was gifted to Meeran Mauj Darya remained in his family through generations to come.

After making Lahore his permanent resident, Hazrat Mauj Darya started to teach the natives the knowledge of the visible worldly as well as the religious knowledge of the invisible faith. Through these teachings countless Hindus embraced Islam and were illuminated by the light of faith. His teachings also made the local Muslims more observant of the ways of Quran and Sunnah (teachings of the Prophet Muhammad S.A.W)

Engraved Headstone
Engraved Headstone

Spiritualistic Miracle:

Staying on a true path of the teachings of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (Sal Allah O Alihe Wasallam) is a miracle in itself. However, the spiritual beings that are close to Allah do perform extraordinary miracles from time to time unintentionally. There are several miracles associated with Hazrat Meeran Mauj Darya. One such miracle is when the advisors of King Akbar objected to him about gifting such a huge state to a dervish; instead, the advisors though that the King could have pleased many of his people by gifting many small pieces of land to many people instead of just one dervish. The King simply replied that there is no comparison between the general populous and Syed Meeran Mauj Darya as the latter is a man of Intuitionism and spirituality. The advisors insisted that the King make Mauj darya show some sort of miracle in court before giving out such a large estate or reconsider his decision to bestow such generosity.

The idea struck a cord with the King and he asked for suggestions regarding the type of miracle to be performed. His advisors mentioned that the legend goes that fire does not damage people of “Syed” lineage. As Mauj Darya is Syed through his genealogy so the fire miracle could be asked of Mauj Darya.

Grave of Meeran Mauj Darya
Grave of Meeran Mauj Darya

So with this intention the royal man-sized oven was fired up and all the courtiers and advisors gathered to watch the miracle test. When his son Syed Shahab Ud Din came to know of this forced demonstration he also arrived at the Fort. The guards at the Fort entrance did not allow him to go inside at which point he transformed into a Lion and got to royal court and raised his hand to slap King Akbar. The King got afraid and apologized to Meeran Mauj Darya about the whole incident. Hazrat Meeran Mauj darya called upon his son—the Lion—“O Shahab Ud Din, you lost control and are out of your element. Ascetics should not lose control or get hot headed”. Upon hearing his father, Shahab Ud Din transformed back into his human form and requested permission that he is allowed to go into the fire before his father to satisfy all of the people in the court. Mauj Darya did not grant permission stating that this is an ordinary task that can be performed even by an exiguous worker. Thereafter, Mauj Darya commanded his servant Farid to jump into the blazing fire in the oven. Farid exclaimed the Takbir “Allah O Akbar” and jumped into the fire pit and began to pray to Allah. After seeing such miracle the court attendees apologized to Mauj Darya and became his followers.

Intricate Artwork Inside Tomb
Intricate Artwork Inside Tomb

Death & Tomb:

Mauj Darya Died at the age of 73 in the year 1604, on 17 Rab-e-Ul-Awal in the era of King Akbar. Eventhough, he died in Batala his son Syed Safi Uddin—who loved his father immensely—brought him back to Lahore for burial according to the will of Meera Mauj Darya.

His mausoleum is located on Edward Road near the Customs House in Lahore. The green dome marks the spot.  This tomb was constructed by King Akbar during Mauj Darya’s life as his last resting place. There is a spacious Mosque next to the tomb. Several of the relatives of Mauj Darya are buried in the courtyard of the Mosque. The tomb is an example of the Mughal construction showing strength and artistic finesse at the same time.

Inside Tomb
Inside Tomb

After the passing away of Mauj Darya, his sons continued his works. Hazrat Syed Baha Uddin spent the most time under his father’s supervision in Lahore; Hazrat Syed Baha Uddin is also buried in the main Dome of Meera Mauj Darya next to his father. Unique personalities like Hazrat Syed Meeran Mauj Darya are born once in a lifetime.

Mauj Darya’s favorite pupil and successor was Hazrat Abdul Razaq Makki Suharwardi who spent most of his life in service of Mauj darya. Hazrat Abdul Razaq Makki was an obedient student and excelled in all avenues and aspects taught to him by Mauj Darya. As a natural result he got more attention from Mauj darya and this helped him becoming a wali and qutab-e-zamana.

Phenomenal Mosaic
Phenomenal Mosaic

Urs:

Mauj Darya’s Urs is celebrated on the 16-17-18 of Rab-e-Ul-Saani. People gather from far and beyond and get their prayers answered through the wasila of Hazrat Meera Mauj Darya.

Final Resting Place Meeran Mauj Darya
Final Resting Place Meeran Mauj Darya

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