All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds, and blessings and peace be upon the Seal of the Prophets and Messengers, and upon his family and companions altogether. To proceed: I seek refuge in Allah from the accursed Satan. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

With utmost reverence and respect, let us present our humble greetings and salutations in the luminous court of the Intercessor of the Day of Resurrection (peace be upon him). O Allah, send Your blessings, peace, and mercy upon our master, our leader, and our beloved Muhammad, and upon his family and companions altogether.

Brothers in Islam! The status and rank of the revered saints (Awliya) in the court of Allah, the Lord of the worlds, are exceedingly high. Pleased with their worship, spiritual struggles, and piety, Allah grants them His special closeness. Their hearts are filled with the love of Allah and His Messenger, and they possess such trust in their Lord and detachment from worldly attachments that Allah Himself describes their glory in the Quran:
“Behold! Verily, the friends of Allah have no fear, nor do they grieve.” (Surah Yunus, 10:62)

The sign of these beloved servants of Allah is that seeing them reminds one of Allah. It is narrated from Sayyiduna Abdur Rahman bin Ghanm (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
“The best of Allah’s servants are those who, when seen, remind others of Allah.” (Ibn Majah)

Hakim al-Ummah, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan Na’eemi (may Allah have mercy on him), explains this hadith by stating, “The light and signs of worship on their faces are such that merely seeing them brings Allah to mind.” Their faces reflect the divine presence. These noble souls remain steadfast in obedience to Allah, distancing themselves from worldly pleasures. They are appointed as guides for humanity, and their companionship reforms both the outer and inner selves. Their role in conveying the message of Islam through knowledge and action is pivotal in Islamic history and can never be forgotten.

Among these pure souls is the distinguished personality of Shams al-Arifeen, Burhan al-Ashiqeen, Sheikh al-Islam, Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Masood Ganj-e-Shakar (may Allah have mercy on him). He illuminated the land of the Indian subcontinent, making it a garden rivaling Paradise. He is the radiant sun of sainthood whose blessed presence lit the lamps of Islam in this region. Through his knowledge, actions, and pure character, he nurtured the growth of Islam in this land.

Birth and Place of Birth

The great spiritual leader of the Chishti order, Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Masood Chishti Farooqi (may Allah have mercy on him), was born around 571 AH (1175 CE) in the town of Khotwal, near the city of saints, Multan Sharif. Today, this place is known as Kothewala, located on the Budhla Sant Road, approximately 15 kilometers from Multan.

Name and Lineage

His full name is Sheikh Fariduddin Masood bin Sheikh Jamaluddin Suleiman bin Sheikh Qazi Shuaib (may Allah have mercy on them). His lineage traces back through eight generations to King Farrukh Shah Kabuli (Afghanistan), through seventeen generations to Sultan Ibrahim Adham (may Allah have mercy on him), and through twenty-three generations to Amir al-Mu’minin, Sayyiduna Umar al-Farooq (may Allah be pleased with him). Due to this lineage, he is also known as “Farooqi.”

Parents

His parents were among the most pious and learned personalities of their time. His father, Sheikh Jamaluddin Suleiman (may Allah have mercy on him), was a highly knowledgeable and authoritative scholar of Islam. His mother, Bibi Qursum, was a devout, ascetic, and prayerful woman. Her father, Maulana Sheikh Wajihuddin Khujandi (may Allah have mercy on him), was a great scholar who raised her with deep faith. She was known for her voluntary worship, rigorous spiritual discipline, and protection of her honor and chastity.

Education and Training

Baba Farid (may Allah have mercy on him) received his early education in his hometown, memorizing the Quran and studying basic religious texts. Later, he traveled to Multan to further his studies in theology, jurisprudence, Arabic, and Persian under the guidance of Maulana Minhajuddin Tirmidhi (may Allah have mercy on him).

Marriage and Children

He was married four times and was blessed with five sons and three daughters:

1. Sheikh Nasiruddin Nasrullah
2. Sheikh Shahabuddin
3. Sheikh Badruddin Suleiman
4. Khwaja Nizamuddin
5. Sheikh Yaqub
6. Bibi Mastoora
7. Bibi Sharifa
8. Bibi Fatima

All his children were pious and devoted to faith. His eldest son, Sheikh Nasiruddin Nasrullah, was a great ascetic and scholar. His second son, Sheikh Shahabuddin, was renowned for his wisdom. His third son, Sheikh Badruddin Suleiman, succeeded him as the spiritual leader. His fourth son, Khwaja Nizamuddin, was known for his bravery and was martyred in battle. His youngest son, Sheikh Yaqub, lived a life of anonymity and devotion.

His daughters were also deeply spiritual. Bibi Mastoora was a devout worshiper, and her two sons were trained under Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya (may Allah have mercy on him). About his second daughter, Bibi Sharifa, Baba Farid said, “If women could be granted spiritual succession (Khilafat), I would have given it to her.” His third daughter, Bibi Fatima, had two sons who became his successors.

The Title “Ganj-e-Shakar” (Treasure of Sugar)

There are various explanations for this title:

1. The Miracle of Pebbles Turning into Sugar: Once, after fasting for 80 days, Baba Farid was extremely hungry. To suppress his hunger, he placed pebbles in his mouth, which miraculously turned into sugar.
2. The Merchant’s Sugar Turning into Salt: A trader lied about carrying salt instead of sugar. When Baba Farid said, “If it is salt, then let it remain salt,” the sugar turned into salt. Upon repentance, it turned back into sugar.

Spiritual Initiation (Bay’ah)

He received spiritual training from Khwaja Qutbuddin Bakhtiar Kaki (may Allah have mercy on him). Many great scholars and saints witnessed his initiation.

Worship and Spiritual Struggles

Baba Farid (may Allah have mercy on him) was known for his extreme asceticism, prolonged fasting, and deep devotion. He reached such a high spiritual rank that his prayers were instantly accepted.

Arrival in Pakpattan

To avoid fame, he moved to Ajodhan (now Pakpattan), a place dominated by sorcerers. His presence transformed the region, attracting countless seekers of truth.

Successors (Khulafa)

Some of his notable successors include:

1. Khwaja Jamaluddin Hansvi
2. Sheikh Najeebuddin Mutawakkil
3. Sheikh Badruddin Ishaq
4. Sultan al-Mashaikh Sheikh Nizamuddin Auliya
5. Sheikh Alauddin Ali Ahmad Sabir Kaliyari
6. Sheikh Nasiruddin Mutbani
7. Sheikh Badruddin Suleiman (his eldest son)
8. Sheikh Arif (may Allah have mercy on them all).

Religious Services

He actively countered heretical movements, particularly the Qarmatian sect, which denied the Hereafter. He traveled across Islamic lands, refuting their false beliefs.

Wisdom and Sayings

Some of his teachings include:

1. “Sufism is about concealing faults, not displaying them.”
2. “Spending beyond necessity is wastefulness.”
3. “Indulgence in worldly pleasures leads to heedlessness.”
4. “A true guide adheres to the Sunnah; otherwise, he is a deceiver.”
5. “If people knew the value of knowledge, they would pursue it above all else.”
6. “Learn a skill, even if it requires hardship.”
7. “Avoid those who pretend to be wise but are ignorant.”
8. “Keep your inner self purer than your outer self.”
9. “Be grateful for blessings.”
10. “Do not degrade your soul for worldly wealth.”

Emphasis on Shari’ah

He strictly followed Islamic law and instructed his disciples to:

• “Guard your tongue and hands from harming others.”
• “Protect your gaze and speech from sin.”
• “Keep your heart engaged in divine remembrance.”

Avoiding the Wealthy

He warned against the company of the rich, saying:
“The companionship of the wealthy is poison for the poor. The more you avoid them, the closer you get to Allah.”

Purification of the Soul

He emphasized:

“In the court of Allah, a believer’s heart holds great value. Yet, people neglect its purification—they are truly lost!”

The Heavenly Gate (Bihishti Darwaza)

His shrine in Pakpattan has two gates:

1. Noori Darwaza (Gate of Light) – Eastern side.
2. Bihishti Darwaza (Heavenly Gate) – Southern side.

It is believed that passing through the Bihishti Darwaza brings divine mercy. However, this does not guarantee Paradise—it is a symbol of seeking Allah’s forgiveness through righteous deeds.

Demise and Burial

He passed away on 5 Muharram 664 AH (17 October 1265 CE). His funeral prayer was led by his disciple, Sheikh Badruddin Ishaq (may Allah have mercy on him). Due to the massive gathering, the prayer was held outside the city.

Shrine

His blessed shrine is in Pakpattan, Pakistan, attracting millions of devotees annually.

Prayer (Dua)

O Allah! Grant us the ability to respect our elders, follow their footsteps, and adhere to Shari’ah. Protect us from misguidance and false beliefs. Shower Your mercy upon the shrine of Baba Farid (may Allah have mercy on him) and bless us with his spiritual blessings.

O Allah! Purify our hearts, grant us sincerity, and make us true lovers of the Prophet (peace be upon him). Unite the Muslim Ummah, protect the oppressed (especially in Palestine and Kashmir), and grant us success in this life and the Hereafter.

Ameen, Ya Rabbal ‘Alameen!

May Allah’s blessings and peace be upon the best of creation, the light of the Throne, our master, our Prophet, our beloved Muhammad, and upon his family and companions altogether. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds.