The life of Qutb-e-Alam Ghaus-e-Zaman Hazrat Allama Hakim Syed Muhammad Wali Shikoh (may Allah have mercy on him) passed in worship and spiritual discipline, in God-consciousness and in serving the servants of God, and in acquiring knowledge, wisdom, and the stages of spiritual realization and gnosis. He helped the poor very quietly and arranged provisions for their livelihood. This secret was revealed after his blessed passing, when the poor themselves spoke and lifted the veil from this matter.
Manifestation of the blessings of Madar-ul-Alameen upon Baba-e-Qaum wa Millat
The Sadat and Mashayikh of Makanpur Sharif said that Wali-e-Kamil, Arif Billah, Qibla wa Kaaba Syed Ali Shikoh Miyan (may Allah have mercy on him) was extremely pious and pure, devoted to litanies and prayers, and was among the beloved servants of Allah who showed great kindness to God’s creation. Once, while resting on his bed, Sayyid-ul-Auliya, Qutb-e-Wahdat, Sayyidna Syed Badiuddin Ahmad Madar-ul-Alameen (may Allah be pleased with him) appeared in his dream and said: “O Ali Shikoh, rejoice! The son who is about to be born to you will be a beloved saint of Allah. Name him Wali Shikoh.” Subhan Allah.
Thus, the glad tidings of the birth of Baba-e-Qaum wa Millat were given by Sayyid-ul-Auliya, who also selected his name. Meaning, the personality chosen in connection with Muhammad Rasulullah (peace and blessings be upon him). Baba-e-Qaum wa Millat is the chosen one of that sacred personality.
Receiving spiritual grace from the sacred shrine of Khursheed Madariyat
Qutb-e-Zaman Wali Akmal Huzoor Syed Khursheed Ahmad Dada Miyan (may Allah have mercy on him) rests in Bahedi Sharif, district Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India, and his sacred shrine is a place of visitation for both common people and the elite.
Baba-e-Qaum wa Millat received spiritual grace directly from the sacred shrine of Khwaja Syed Khursheed Ahmad Dada Miyan and entrusted the sacred spiritual lineage (shajra) to me. That Khursheediya Madariya lineage document is present in my library. Due to shortage of time and length of the topic, I am not writing it here. If life permits, I will write it on another occasion. Until then, due to my own practical limitations, I was unaware that unveiling of graves and spiritual connection without living in the same era is possible, and that receiving spiritual grace and continuation of the chain is possible.
Later, I understood the meaning of the saying of Madar-ul-Alameen (may Allah be pleased with him), when Sheikh Mahmood Kanturi requested him to write his spiritual lineage. He replied:
“Write your name, then my name, then the name of Rasulullah (peace and blessings be upon him).”
Similarly, Baba-e-Qaum wa Millat received spiritual grace directly from the shrine of Dada Khursheed Ahmad, and Alhamdulillah, he also granted this servant permission.
Guidance of a misguided man upon seeing Baba-e-Qaum wa Millat’s worship and piety
During his final visit, Huzoor stayed for 26 days at Al-Jamia Al-Arabia Sayyid-ul-Uloom Badiyya Madariya, Mohalla Islam Nagar, Bahedi. During this stay, a man named Khalil Ahmad lived in the neighborhood and people were upset with his strange views, believing his beliefs were not sound.
One morning, when I came to the madrasa and did not find Baba Huzoor, I asked Baba Haji Zuhur Ahmad, who told me Khalil Ahmad the contractor had taken him home. Knowing Khalil Ahmad’s strange thinking, I worried and asked Baba Zuhur to bring Baba Huzoor back quickly lest improper talk occur. Later, Baba Zuhur returned alone and informed me that the contractor and his wife were becoming disciples at Baba Huzoor’s hands.
Surprised, I later asked the contractor what caused this change. He replied that he used to observe crowds around Baba Huzoor late into the night, yet when he came to the mosque late one night, he found Baba Huzoor already engaged in worship. He realized Baba Huzoor hardly slept, spending his days with people and nights in worship. That night he decided all spiritual leaders are not alike; Baba Huzoor was a true saint, so he became his disciple and repented from his previous beliefs.
(Sahib Jamal Madariyat’s spiritual unveilings and miracles)
Hazrat passed away on 14 January 1996, corresponding to 22 Shaban al-Muazzam 1417 Hijri, on Sunday at 10:20 AM at Hallet Hospital, Kanpur.
According to the saying, “When death arrives, even the wise become helpless.”
Doctors operated on his abdomen but immediately closed it, saying the entire body had decayed and advising that after death he should not be given a formal ritual washing and that his body should not be touched, otherwise the skin would peel off. However, his blessed body was brought to Makanpur Sharif and given ritual washing according to the Prophetic tradition.
Fateh Ajmer, Hazrat Allama Dr. Syed Muhammad Marghoob Alam, was among those performing the washing, and I was also present. I was called to participate and was instructed to wash the body thoroughly without fear, as this was the body of a beloved saint of Allah. I personally witnessed that the more the body was washed, the more radiance appeared and its luminosity increased.
After shrouding, the funeral prayer was performed at Damal Sharif. After funeral procession, burial began. Huzoor Fateh Ajmer called people close to witness the beautiful fragrance coming from the grave. I and others came near and sensed that fragrance; by Allah, I have never before or after smelled such a unique and pleasant fragrance. Such was the saint’s dignity shown both in life and after passing.
After burial, while sitting with Huzoor Fateh Ajmer, Syed Azeem al-Baqi asked me when Baba Huzoor would become stern and scold people. It was then explained that Baba Huzoor used to see the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) regularly in dreams, and on days when this vision did not occur, his temperament would become uneasy. Such was his spiritual rank.
May we too be granted, through his blessings, the vision of the Prophet in dreams.
A true dream of the servant
By Allah’s grace, I have five daughters and one son. Earlier I had only daughters and longed for a son. In a dream, Baba Huzoor told me that this time a son would be born in my home. This happened exactly so, and Allah granted me a son named Nadir Husain, who today is a religious scholar known as Maulana Nadir al-Khaliq Misbahi Madari.
Announcement of passing before death
On the blessed night of Qul Sharif in 1417 Hijri, Baba-e-Qaum wa Millat granted me spiritual succession and tied the turban of succession on my head. He then called Fateh Ajmer to do the same, but Fateh Ajmer requested it be done next year. Baba Huzoor publicly said, “Will I remain alive until next year?” Meaning his passing would occur, which indeed happened three months later on 14 January 1996.
Indeed we belong to Allah and to Him we return.
This brief article is based on my personal memory. If Allah grants health, I intend to write a complete biography. If any mistakes occurred unintentionally, may Allah forgive them and accept this humble effort. Ameen.
Dust at the feet of the saint
Alhaj Maulana Khaliq Ahmad Madari
Servant, Al-Jamia Al-Arabia, Sayyid Uloom Badiyya Madariya
Mohalla Islam Nagar, Bahedi, District Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, India
