Blessed Birth
Hazrat Baba Farid al-Din Ganj-e-Shakar (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) was born on the 29th Sha'ban in 569 A.H. (April 4, 1179 C.E.) in Khotwal, a village near Lahore. He is the direct descendant of Hazrat Umar Farooq (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho), the second Caliph of Islam.
Genealogy tracing back to Hazrat Umar Ibn al-Khattab
- Hazrat Umar Bin Khattab for second Caliph
- Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Umar
- Nasir
- Suleman
- Adham, King of Balkh & Bukhara
- Ibrahim Bin Adham aka Abou Ben Adham
- Ishaq
- Abdul Fattah
- Abdullah Wa'iz Kubra
- Abdullah Wa'iz Sughra
- Masood
- Suleman
- Ishaq
- Muhammad
- Naseeruddin
- Farrukh Shah Kabuli, King of Afghanistan
- Shahabuddin Kabuli
- Muhammad
- Yousuf
- Ahmed, died fighting Hulaku Khan
- Shoaib
- Jamaluddin Suleman
- Baba Fareed Ganj Shakar
It is narrated that a miracle occurred before his birth proving his Saintship. One day, during the pregnancy of his mother, she wanted to pluck some plums from her neighbour's tree without his permission, but the child in her womb (Hazrat Baba Farid) created a severe pain in her stomach that forced her to abandon the idea of plucking. After a few years after Hazrat Baba Farid’s Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho birth, his mother lovingly expressed: “My dear son, during your confinement I never ate anything which was unlawful.” Hazrat Baba Farid Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho, however, smiled & said, “But, my dear mother, you wanted to pluck some plums from our neighbour's tree without his permission when I had created a severe pain in your stomach which saved you from this unlawful act.”
Hazrat Shaikh Nizam-ud-Deen says that once while Hazrat Shaykh Farid-ud-Deen’s mother was performing Salaat, a thief entered. When he gazed at her, he immediately became blind. The thief cried out: “I came with the intention of stealing & have become blind. I pledge never to steal again.”
At this time Hazrat age was approximately 6 years. He made dua & the man’s sight was restored. In the morning he came with his entire family & accepted Islam. He was named Abdullah. He remained in Hazrat service to the end.
Early Education
After he had completed his early religious education at the age of 7 in Khotwal, his mother sent him for higher education to Multan. Here he stayed in a masjid where he learnt the Holy Qur'an by heart & studied Hadith, Fiqh, Philosophy & Logic under the tutorship of Maulana Minhajuddin.
Under Spiritual Guidance of Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (Alaihir Rahmah)
During his studies, Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) of Delhi visited Multan where Hazrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) became his Murid (disciple) in the Chishtiyya Silsila. Upon the instructions of his Pir-o-Murshid, he undertook a tour of Islamic countries, for about 18 years from 593 A.H. to 611 A.H. (1196 C.E. to 1214 C.E.) he traveled to Ghazni, Baghdad Sharif, Jerusalem, Afghanistan, Syria, Iran, Makkah Mukarrama & Madinah al-Munawwarah meeting many great saints & Sufis. After the demise of Hazrat Khwaja Qutbuddin Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anho the mantle of spiritual leadership in the Chishtiyya Silsila fell on the shoulders of Hazrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) when Khwaja Qutbuddin (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) nominated him to be his Khalifa or spiritual successor.
Baba Farid's Sufi Order
- Hasan al-Basri
- Abdul Wahid Bin Zaid
- Fuzail Bin Ayaz
- Ibrahim Bin Adham
- Huzaifah Al-Marashi
- Abu Hubayra Basri
- Mumshad Dinawari
- Abu Ishaq Shami
- Abu Ahmad Abdal
- Abu Muhammad Bin Abi Ahmad
- Abu Yusuf Bin Saman
- Maudood Chishti
- Shareef Zandani
- Usman Harooni
- Moinuddin Chishti
- Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki
- Fariduddin Ganj Shakar
It is narrated that when Hazrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) visited Madina Sharif he was spiritually commanded by the Holy Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam to visit Baghdad Sharif & meet Hazrat Abdul Wahab, son of Hazrat Ghous-al-Azam Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho). He was to receive some sacred relics from him. Accordingly, when he reached Baghdad Sharif, he received a box from Hazrat Abdul Wahab (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) which contained the following holy relics: Two flag-poles which were used by the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) in some of the battles fought by him; one wooden bowl in which the Prophet Sallallaho Alaihi wa Sallam used to eat from; one pair of scissors & one turban which was used by the holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam).
Because of political upheavals in Delhi, he was obliged to shift the centre of the Chishtiya mission from Delhi to Ajodhan now known as "Pakpattan". The Khanqah of Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho), with his patronage, became a great university of "moral & spiritual training." Thousands of aspirants, scholars, dervishes & Sufis reaped benefit from this spiritual university. Hazrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) reached the pinnacle of spiritual glory through extremely hard Mujahidas (spiritual striving) to gain mastery over the Nafs.
Why Called "Ganj Shakar"?
There are several views for him being known by his famous title of Shakar Ganj. When he decided on mujaahidah, his Shaikh advised hunger. He therefore began fasting. After three days a man came & presented some bread. Thinking this to be by divine direction, he accepted & ate the bread. Within a few moments he became nauseous & vomited out whatever he had eaten. He reported this incident to his Shaykh who said:
“After three days you ate the food of a drunkard. Shukr unto Allah that the food did not remain in your stomach. Now remain hungry for another three days & then eat what comes from the Ghaib.”
After three days nothing came. He was overcome by weakness. On account of the extreme hunger he put some pebbles into his mouth. The pebbles turned into sugar. Fearing that this may be some deception, he spat it out. A short while later, the extreme hunger again constrained him to put pebbles into his mouth. These too became sugar which he again spat out. This happened again for a third time. In the morning he reported to his Shaykh who said:
“It would have been good if you had ate it.”
Since that day he was called Shakar Ganj.
It is also narrated that once a trader was taking a caravan of camels laden with sugar from Multan to Delhi. When he was passing through Ajodhan, Hazrat Baba Fariduddin (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) enquired casually as to what he was carrying on his camels. The trader sarcastically replied, "It is salt." Hazrat Baba Fariduddin (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) also affirmed, "Yes, it may be salt." When the trader reached Delhi, he was awfully perturbed to find that all his bags of sugar had turned to salt. He immediately returned to Ajodhan & apologized before Hazrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho). Hazrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) said: "If it is sugar then it shall be sugar." The trader returned to Delhi & was pleased to find that the salt had turned back to sugar by the Grace of Almighty Allah. This is how Hazrat Baba Sahib (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) received the title of "Ganj-e-Shakar."
An staunch devotee of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam)
He fasted throughout his life & maintained his nightly prayers & devotions. Fear of Allah always dominated him. He was an staunch devotee of Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) & dedicated his entire life to the veneration of the beloved Prophet's (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) immortal glory. At the mention of the Holy Prophet's (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) character he would often weep out of his love & devotion. Hadrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) avoided kings, government officials & the rich. He also warned his Khalifas, devotees & Murids to avoid their company. He was a living picture of humility. Whatever he received was spent in the name of Allah & his chest overwhelmed with mercy & forgiveness. Many miracles are attributed to him during his lifetime & after his passing away.
Anecdotes of Hazrat Baba Farid
One of the devotees of Hazrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) named Mohammad Nishapuri lived in Gujrat & was going to Delhi with three other companions. On their way through the jungle, robbers encountered them. Mohammad Nishapuri & his companions had no weapons to defend themselves. In such a helpless state, Mohammed Nishapuri remembered his Pir, Hazrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) & also offered prayers seeking Allah's help in their predicament. Surprisingly, the robbers threw away their weapons & offered an apology to the party & went away.
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One day some poor people came from Arabia to see Hazrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) & said that they were strangers to the land & that all their money was spent before the end of the journey. Hazrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) gave them some dried dates which were lying in front of him at the moment & said, “Take them & go. Your journey shall be completed by the Grace of Allah.” Apparently, these persons were very disappointed with such a "cheap gift". After leaving the Khanqah, they wanted to throw away the dates, but just as they were about to do so, to their amazement, the dates turned into gold. Regretting their thoughts, these people left happily uttering their heartfelt gratitude & prayers for Hazrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho).
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Once seven hundred holy men were sitting together. An inquirer put them four questions to which Baba Farid replied.
A. 1 He who refrain from Sin.
Q. 2 Who is the most intelligent?
A. 2 He who is not disconcerted at anything.
Q. 3 Who is most independent?
A. 3 He who practices contentment.
Q. 4 Who is the most needy?
A. 4 He who practice it not.
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Once an old woman came to Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) & said that her son had disappeared some twenty years ago & that his whereabouts had not been traced since then. She requested him to pray for her son's return. Baba Farid (Radi Allah Anho) went into a trance & after some contemplation told to the old woman:" Go, your son has reached home.'' The old woman was overjoyed to learn this & met her son on her way home.
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The Officer-in charge of Lahore sent Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) one hundred Dinars through someone. The man kept fifty Dinars for himself & offered the remaining fifty to him. Accepting the fifty Dinars he told him: "Indeed, you have divided them equally well.'' The man was ashamed. Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) returned the fifty Dinars to the man too, warning him that criminal breach of trust is a sin that render's all prayers futile & ineffective.
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Once, due to utter weakness, Hazrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) helped himself to walk with the aid of a staff. But after a few steps, the colour of his face suddenly became purple, as if he was under heavy pressure. He threw away the staff. When Hazrat Khwaja Nizamuddin (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho), who was escorting him, inquired the reason for this, Hazrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) replied, “I wanted to take help of the staff, but Allah’s Displeasure frowned upon me for depending on other’s help instead of His. I, therefore, threw away the staff & felt highly ashamed of this weakness in my faith in Lord, the Almighty.”
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A man came to Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) once & submitted that he had no son & requested Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) to pray for one. There upon, Hazrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) said that he had given him seven sons. After some years, the person came to him again, but this time, He was not alone, but accompanied by his seven sons.
Journey to other World
On the 5th of Muharram, during the Isha prayer while in the act of Sajdah, he uttered "Ya Hayyu Ya Qauyum" [O Self-Subsisting, O Eternal] & with these words on his lips his soul disappeared into the eternal bliss of his Lord Almighty.
An old woman that was one of the devotees of the Saint presented a piece of cloth for the kaffan of Hazrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho). She implored:
“I have not spun even a single thread of this cloth without having Wudu. I had prepared it for my own coffin but if it is accepted for the kaffan of this great Saint, I feel confident, Allah would be pleased with to pardon my sins & grant me salvation.”
Hazrat Baba Farid’s (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) son accepted this cloth as the Kaffan.
Mazar Sharif
His Mazar Sharif is in Pak Pattan, Pakistan. Hazrat Sabir Pak, Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya & Hazrat Jamaluddin Hanvsi rehmatullah alaihim are among his favorite Murids & Khalifas. It is generally recognized that he had three wives & many children. Hadrat Baba Farid (Radi Allah Ta'ala Anho) was indeed one of the most brilliant stars of the Chishtiya Order & is held in high esteem by one & all.
My restlessness has reached such a level - I spend morning & evening in your love. Look upon me now with a merciful eye! Salutations to you, do now make my heart pleased, O Fariduddin Ganj-e-Shakar!
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