Syed Abdullah Shah Qadri (1680–1757), known popularly as Bulleh Shah (or Bullhe Shah), was a 17th-century Punjabi revolutionary philosopher, reformist, and Sufi poet universally regarded as the “Father of Punjabi Enlightenment” and the “Poet of the People.” He spoke against powerful religious, political, and social institutions. He was born in Uch Gillanian near Multan, and his family moved to Kasur. After his early education, he went to Lahore, where he met with Shah Inayat Qadri. Bulleh Shah practiced the Sufi tradition of Punjabi poetry established by poets like Shah Hussain (1538–1599), Sultan Bahu (1629–1691), and primarily employed the Kafi verse form.
There was enmity between Mullahs and pundits as Mullahs did not like Baba Bulleh Shah. It is depicted in his poetry that Bulleh Shah did not like Mullahs. According to one of his verses, he says that these Mullahs waste their lives in the mosque, their inner side is filled with filth, they are unable to promote unity, and they are used to making loud noises.
During that time, he was a ray of hope and an instrument of peace for the inhabitants of Punjab. Bulleh Shah always preached that if violence is answered with violence, it will lead to strife only. He propagated non-violence and did not support either Muslims or Sikhs in the bloodshed.
His notable works include “Makkeh gaya,” “Gal Mukdee Nahee,” “Bulleya Ki Jana Main Kaun,” “Main Jana Jogi De Naal,” “Bas Karjee Hun Bas Karjee,” “Gharyali Diyo Nikal Ni,” and “Ek Nukta Yaar Parhaya Ae.”
Among Sufi poets, Bulleh Shah’s writings highlight his supernatural spiritual journey through the four stages of Sufism: Shariat (Path), Tariqat (Observance), Haqiqat (Truth), and Marfat (Union). Bulleh Shah’s writings symbolize him as a humanist, providing solutions to the sociological problems of the world around him as he lived through it while concurrently searching for God.
Bullah preached fearlessly that the guidance of a Master was indispensable for spiritual realization, and the caste of the Master did not matter at all in this pursuit. Even if he belonged to the lowest caste, his help would remain indispensable. Thus, he proclaimed that pride in being a Sayyid would lead to hell, and the one who held the skirt of a Master like Inayat Shah would enjoy the pleasures of heaven.
He did not get married and remained celibate for the rest of his life. He died in 1757 at the age of 77. He was declared non-Muslim by religious fundamentalists of Kasur, who claimed it was prohibited to offer prayers at his funeral. His funeral was offered by a few transgender individuals. He was buried in an uninhabited area of Kasur, which has now become the most populated area of Kasur, honoring the great saint called Bulleh Shah. Recently, his death anniversary was observed from August 25th to August 28th, 2023, with a large number of his followers participating to pay tribute to the friend of God.
Hazrat Syed Ali Hujwiri, better known as Data Ganj Bakhash, was a Muslim ascetic, saint, missionary, and author of Kashf-ul-Mahjoub. He was a follower of Junaid Baghdadi, and his shrine is in Lahore, Pakistan.
Data Saheb was born in Ghazni and was highly brilliant and studious since his childhood. He received initial education in Ghazni and extensively traveled to various Muslim countries, including Azerbaijan, Turkey, Levant, etc., before reaching his final destination in Lahore to carry out missionary work. He was a mureed of Hazrat Abul Fazal Khutli Rahmatullah Alaih. Scholars claim that it was Data Saheb’s Pir’s order that led him to move to Lahore, where he spent 30 years of his life until his death.
A Dargah is constructed over the shrine of Data Ganj Bakhsh, and it is said that no one can remain hungry at his place due to the 24/7 free food facilities.
The Urs festival of Hazrat Data Ganj Baksh is a three-day-long event comprising many seminars on Sufism and spiritualism. One can witness the unique tradition of distributing free milk as Tabarruk, along with free food during Urs. The tradition of distributing milk started in 1962, and the Punjab government looks after Urs’s security arrangements. The Mahfil-e-sama or the qawwali Sufi songs gathering during the Urs is the largest gathering in Pakistan, attracting brilliant singers from all over the country.
Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin performed chilla in the shrine of Data Ganj Bakhsh before settling in Ajmer, India. He praised Data Ganj Bakhsh as “Ganj Bakhsh e Faiz e Aalam,” “Mazhar e Noor e Khuda,” “Nakisaara Peer e Kamil,” and “Kamil aara Rehnuma.”
Different scholars have stated various points regarding Hazrat Syed Ali Hujwiri’s married life. However, the main source of information has been his book, “Kashf al-Mahjub.” According to the book, after God had preserved him for eleven years from the dangers of matrimony, he fell in love with the description of a woman whom he had never seen, and for a whole year, his passion absorbed him to the point where his religion was nearly ruined. However, God, in His bounty, eventually protected his heart and mercifully delivered him. [Source: Kashf al-Mahjub, Page 364.] His experience of married life was not pleasant, and he died in 1072 CE. His death anniversary (Urs/feast) will be observed from September 5th to September 7th, 2023, at his shrine in Lahore.
