Abul Hassan Ali Ibn Usman al-Jullabi al-Hajvery al-Ghaznawi Full name Abul Hassan Ali Ibn Usman al-Jullabi al-Hajvery al-Ghaznawi
Abul Hassan Ali Ibn Usman al-Jullabi al-Hajvery al-Ghaznawi or Abul Hassan Ali Hajvery (Arabic: علی بن عثمان الجلابی الهجویری الغزنوی) (sometimes spelled Hujwiri), also known as Data Ganj Bakhsh (Persian/Urdu: داتا گنج بخش ) or Data Sahib, was a Persian Sufi saint and scholar during the 11th century. He significantly contributed to the spreading of Islam in South Asia.[1]
Born around 990 CE in Ghazni, Afghanistan during reign of the Ghaznavid Empire and died in Lahore (in present day Punjab, Pakistan) in 1077 CE. His most famous work is The Kashf Al Mahjub ("Unveiling the Veiled") written in Persian language. The work, which is one of the earliest and most respected treatises of Sufism, debates Sufi doctrines of the past.
Hujwiri belonged to the Junaidia school of Sufism, founded by Junaid Baghdadi, a major Sufi saint of Baghdad. Hajwiri is also viewed as an important intercessor for many Sufis. Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti Ajmeri, a chief saint of the Chishti silisilah, stated that an aspiring murid (disciple) one who does not (yet) have a murshid (spiritual master), should read Hazrat Ali Hujwairi's book Kashf al-Mahjub, as that would be (temporarily) enough for his spiritual guidance.
Life
Hujwiri probably entered the Sufi path very early in his life and spent many years travelling to Iran, Iraq, Syria etc., during which he met several Sufi saints. He studied Sufism under Abu'l-Fadl Muhammad b. al-Hasan al-Khuttali through whom he is spiritually connected) with Junaid Baghdadi.[2]. He settled for some time in Iraq where he had a short experience with married life. Finally he was taken as a captive to Lahore[3], where he spent the rest of his life and compiled the major portion of his book, The Kashf Al Mahjub.
Although a Sunni Hanafi, Hujvery's theology was reconciled with the concept of Sufi annihilation. However he strenuously campaigned against the doctrine that human personalities can be merged with God, instead likening annihilation to burning by fire which allows the substance to acquire fire like properites while retaining its own individuality. He also was a great upholder of the Sharia and rebuffed the idea that outward observances of Islam are not important for Sufis. Hujwiri believed that individuals should not claim to have attained "marifat" or gnosis because it meant that one was prideful, and that true understanding of God should be a silent understanding.
[edit] Practice of Sufi Saints Migrating to the Sub-Continent
It has a been a practice of Sufi saints coming to the South Asia to first visit the shrine of Hazrat Usman Ali Hujwiri. Hazrat Khwaja Muinuddin Chishti first came to Lahore to pay his respects at Data Ganj-Bakhsh upon his arriving in the subcontinent where he spent quite some time in meditation and prayer before reaching enlightenment. There he was directed to settle in Ajmer Sharif and commence his spiritual mission to go further east and preach into India. Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti paid homage to Hazrat Usman Ali Hujwiri in the following words:[4][5]
Ganj Bakhsh-e faiz-e aalam, mazhar-e Nur-i Khuda
Naqisaan ra pir-e kaamil, kaamilaan ra rahnuma
گنج بخش فیضِ عالم مظہرِ نورِ خدا
ناقصاں را پیرِ کامل، کاملاں را رہنما
Translation:
Ganj Bakhsh is a manifestation of the Light of God for the people
A perfect guide unto the imperfect ones and a guide unto the perfect ones
[edit] Cultural Significance
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His mausoleum, popularly known as Data Durbar (i.e. the court of the one who gives), is located in the center of Lahore, Pakistan.
Thousands of Muslims visit the Data Darbar everyday. Culturally and religiously, people of Lahore and of the Punjab have become emotionally dependent on the shrine. Food stalls, flower sellers and numerous beggars are dependent on Shrine visitors.
On special occasions, the shrine is lit up with lights, dinner is prepared for hundreds of people.
Within the boundary of shrine complex, devout Muslims from all walks of life recite the Qur'an and pay tributes (salawaat) to Prophet Muhammad. A notable distinguishing feature is that around the shrine the Quran is read incessantly, around the clock, as visitors come in at all hours of the day and the night. The fact that there is never a single minute when the Quran is not recited by someone makes this one of those special religious places where the Quran is always "alive", which is a sign and proof that the Data Darbar is a special place of divine blessing and mercy.
[edit] Works
His book, Kashf-ul-Mahjoob, is one of the earliest writings on Sufism. It has been translated in various languages, including English. He wrote a few more books, but he himself mentions that all of those were stolen by other people, some people think that Magzine Kashf-ul-Israr is also his book but Hakeem Muhammad Mosa Amaratsari defies it with regard to the content of that Magzine which is no match to Data Gunj Baksh's erudition
His other writings
* Deewan
* Minhaj ud Deen
* Kitab ul Fana wal Baqa
* Israr ul Kharq wal Mo'dabat
* Kitab ul Biyan
* Behr ul Quloob
* Riayat ul Huqooq Allah
* Sharah Kalam Masoor Hilaj
* Kitab Ander Biyan e Iman
Recent News
ISLAMABAD — Two suicide bombers struck Pakistan’s most important Sufi shrine on Thursday night, a devastating attack by hard-line militants on the moderate, more flexible blend of Islam that is practiced by most Pakistanis.
The bombers attacked in the city of Lahore just before midnight, the peak worship time for the shrine, known as Data Ganj Baksh. Thousands of people were at the shrine at the time, according to the Pakistani police. At least 37 were killed and 175 injured, according to police officials.
article courtesy
www.nytimes.com/2010/07/02/world/asia/02pstan.html
