Among the distinguished saints of the Exalted Madari Order who established lofty examples of spiritual retreat (khalwah), remembrance of God (dhikr-e-ilahi), and trust in the Divine (tawakkul), the name of Hazrat Sheikh Karamullah (may Allah have mercy on him) is mentioned with great reverence and respect. He is counted among the special and God-conscious disciples of Hazrat Syed Jamal al-Din Janman Jannati (may Allah sanctify his noble secret), who himself was a highly esteemed khalifah of Hazrat Syed Badi‘ al-Din Qutb al-Madar (may Allah be pleased with him).
Birth and the Incident of Dedication
The birth of Hazrat Sheikh Karamullah (may Allah have mercy on him) carries an extraordinary spiritual background. His parents—especially his mother—were initially childless. A request was made in the court of Hazrat Syed Jamal al-Din Janman Jannati (may Allah sanctify his noble secret) for prayers for offspring. On that occasion, Hazrat Janman Jannati said:
“The Almighty will grant you seven sons, but the seventh son must be given to me.”
When Allah Almighty blessed them with children and, in accordance with the promise, he was born as the seventh son, his parents fulfilled their vow and dedicated him to the service of Hazrat Jamal al-Din Janman Jannati (may Allah sanctify his noble secret).
Name, Upbringing, and Education
Hazrat Jamal al-Din Janman Jannati (may Allah sanctify his noble secret) named him Karamullah. He not only bestowed special spiritual attention upon him but also arranged thoroughly for his education and training, entrusting him to learned scholars.
When he completed his studies, Hazrat Janman Jannati (may Allah sanctify his noble secret) personally accepted him as a disciple. Within a few days, he granted him the cloak of spiritual succession (khirqa-e-khilafat). Through the blessings of a perfect spiritual guide’s attention and companionship, he soon became a man of spiritual excellence.
Natural Inclination and Seclusion
It is mentioned in Tazkirat al-Salihin that Hazrat Sheikh Karamullah (may Allah have mercy on him) was naturally inclined toward seclusion. He felt discomfort amid crowds and frequent social interaction. When the constant coming and going of people began to disturb his devotional routine, he preferred a life of retreat.
Thus, in 964 AH, during the reign of
Hazrat ‘Arsh Astani Jalal al-Din Muhammad Akbar Badshah Ghazi,
he went to Mandwa and adopted complete seclusion there.
Forty Years of Spiritual Striving
Hazrat Sheikh Karamullah (may Allah have mercy on him) spent approximately forty years in Mandwa in deep peace and serenity of heart, engaged in remembrance, contemplation, and devotion to Allah. This prolonged seclusion further illuminated his spiritual greatness, and he became a shining example for the people of inner realization.
Passing Away
This man of God ultimately returned to his Most Generous Lord.
He passed away on 11 Ramadan al-Mubarak 1004 AH.
Poetic Chronogram of His Death
He set out for Paradise from this world,
The chief of ascetics, Karamullah Shah.
A heavenly voice declared the line of his date:
“Karamullah Shah — whose abode is in Paradise.”
Summary
The life of Hazrat Sheikh Karamullah (may Allah have mercy on him) is a clear proof of the reality that the prayers of saints, fulfillment of vows, sincerity, and seclusion elevate a person to the highest spiritual ranks. He is among those spiritually influential saints of the Exalted Madari Order whose memory remains, even today, a source of guidance for people of the heart.
Source:
Book: Sair al-Madar
Author: Zaheer Ahmad Sahaswani Badayuni
Page: 160
