Men of Letters Series: Sufi Barkat Ali (1911 – 1997) Commemorative
Postage Stamp April 27, 2013:- Birth And Bay’at-e-Tareeqat:- Name of the great
saint is Muhammad Barkat Ali (R.A Rehma-ulla Alain). The filial appellation is
“Abu Anees” (father of Anees – his daughter).
He was born on 27th
Rabi-ul-Sani 1329th HIjra Thursday, (27th April 1911) at
Barhami District Ludhiana. He belongs to Dhariwal, jat family. His honourable
father’s name is Hazrat Nigahi Baksh (R.A) and respected mother’s name is
Hazrat Jannat Bibi (R.A). His father served in the British Army. He took his
bay’at at the hands of Shah-e-Walayat, Hakeem Ameer-ul-Hasan Saharanpuri (R.A).
Childhood:- Since childhood, Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali (R.A)
was inclined towards virtue. By nature, he was a sober person and he loved
solitude. He learnt the Holy Quran in his own village and, afterwards, went to
Halwara for his formal education. He had the distinction of building the first
mosque in his village.
Selection in Army:- Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali (R.A) joined the
army and became an officer as per the desire of his father. He got recruitment
in the British army on 9th April 1930. After passing the Indian Army
special education course, he was selected as a Y-Cadet. His Corps Commander
Genral Veitch, was a great admirer of him because of his sterling qualities,
modest nature and graceful personality. He treated him as a friend. Even
amongst the common youth he was known for his graceful personality. He often
quoted the example of his noble character and disposition to other officers. He
treated him with respect and dignity, so much that he abstained from eating and
drinking during the holy month of Ramdan in order to show respect to him.
Resignation from the Army:- If Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali had
stayed in the army, he would have been promoted to the rank of a genral. However,
he preferred to be a FAqeer (a dervish) of Allah by sacrificing everything. To
commence his journey towards the auspicious and righteous path of the Holy
Prophet (S.A.W) he resigned from the army on 22nd June 1945 911
Rajab-ul-Murajjab 1364 A.H.
He discarded his army uniform,
wore simple sufi tunic and declared: “I am no more an employee of the British
Government but am a servant of Allah.
Three Main Objectives:- As soon as Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali
(R.A) was released from the army, he renounced the world and what it contained
and announced to spend the rest of his life for achieving the following three
holy objectives for the sake of Allah the Almighty”.
·
Constant Zikr of Allah the Almight.
·
The invitation to and the spread of Islam.
·
Selfless service of humanity.
Migration to Pakistan:- He migrated to Pakistan on the 14th
of August 1947. He finally arrived at Salar Wala, where he was allotted a piece
of land (in lieu of his ancestral agricultural land left in India). This piece
of land was located near Salar Wala railway station. He put in nearly forty
years of continuous struggle to transform this place into a heavenly complex
consisting of a huge beautiful mosque, a Quran-e-Kareem Mahal, a hospital, a
library and a minaret as a monument to the momory of Asahab-e-Babar.
Final Migration to Camp Dar-ul-Ehsan:- Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat
Ali (R.A) migrated to camp Dar-ul-Ehsan in 1984 from his abode at Salar Wala.
The place was soon transformed into something that looked like a land of peace.
Quran Kareem mahal, offices of Dar-ul-Ehsan library, almshouse (Langar) and
medical centre were constructed rapidly. He named this place as “Almustafeez
Dar-ul-Ehsan” and “Camp Dar-ul-Ehsan”. He chose to stay here for the rest of
his life and after demise.
Zikr-e-Ellahi and Preaching of Islam:- Thousands of his followers
are spreading the light of Islam throughout the world. These volunteers are
organized into preaching teams / centers. Around six hundred preaching centers
have been established in various cities and towns for Zikr-e-liahi and
preaching of Islam. Sufi Barkat Ali wrote letters to some of the non-Muslims
word leaders inviting them to the fold of Islam. By doing so he revived the
Sunnah of Holy Profit (S.A.W).
Service of Humanity:- Hazrat Abu Anees Muhammad Barkat Ali (R.A)
did full justice with service of humanity besides remembrance of Allah and
invitation to and spread of Islam. He gave monthly stipends to the disabled,
the deprived, widows, and the poor and needy students. He made special
arrangements for the marriage of poor girls. He took special care of prisoners
and lepers; and distributed bedding, flour and clothes among the sick and needy
at their doorsteps. In addition to these services, he set a peerless example of
selfless service to the humanity through the platform of Dar-ul-Hikmat.
The first free ey camp was
organized in 1976 and the practice has continued ever since without a break.
Unit March 2013, seventy four free eye camps had been organized. 417334
patients had their vision restored through operations. 656952 patients were
treated without surgery and 1732 born-blinds also regained vision with his
prayers and attention.
Quran-e-Karim Mahal:- His devotion to Allah and his Holy Prophet
(S.A.W) is the splendid edifice in the shape of elegant and graceful buildings
of Quran-e-Karim Mahal. Old, worn out and musty copies of the Holy Quran are
re-bound and preserved in a beautiful manner in the Quran Mahal. Preservation
of some very rare and precious handwritten copies are a true and everlasting
manifestation of his love for the Holy Quran.
Writings and Compilations:- He was a treasure of knowledge and
wisdom. His book “Kitab-ul-Amal bil Sunnah” is a beautiful compilation of
authentic “Ahadees”. This voluminous compilation has a high standard of
calligraphy and printing. When this book was presented to some of the
international leaders on the occasion of the Islamic Summit Conference, held in
Pakistan in 1974, they expressed their admiration for its high literary value
and elegant printing. Learned intellectuals and research scholars are
benefiting from this book available in the libraries the world wide.
He wrote hundreds of books which
are a precious treasure of knowledge, wisdom and interpretation of Islamic Law.
These books are distributed worldwide free of charge. His publications indlude:
·
Makshoofat Manazal-e-Ehsan, 5 volumes
·
Kitab-ul-Amal Bis-Sunnah, 5 volumes
·
Asma-un-Nabi-ul-Kareem, 6 volumes
·
Maqalat-e-Hikmat 30 volumes
·
Zikr-e-Elahi
·
Yusaloona-alan-Nabi
·
Altobato Wal Astaghfar
·
Al-Sammat, 1 volume
·
Jism-ul-wojood Al Barkat Ali
Love for Pakistan:- Sufi Barkat Ali was an ardent follower of
Allama Iqbal and a great lover of Pakistan. Always hopeful for the prosperity
of Pakistan he had prognosticated great achievement for Pakistan.
Demise and Burial:- No doubt he
was deeply immersed in the remembrance of Allah day and night. In this state of
meditation, remembrance and gratitude his time to depart from this mortal world
to the eternal world came on the 16th of Ramdhan Ul Mubarik 1417 (26
January 1997) at the time of Zuhar prayers. “Inna Lillah-e-eWa Inna IIaihi
Rajioon” (Undoubtedly, we are sent by Allah and have to return to him).
He was buried in the hut of Sabir
Sahib (R.A) according to his will. The atmosphere of his mausoleum is
illuminated with the auspiciousness of Zikr-e-IIahi and immersed in the
fragrance of flowers of Darood-o-Salam (Salutations to the Holy Prophet S.A.W)
all the time. The doors of the Darbar of this Faqir are open to all and sundry.
Urs Mubarak:- The Urs Mubarak of Hadrat Abu Anees Sufi Muhammad
Barkat Ali Al-Ludhianwi (QSA) is held every year on the 16th of
Ramdan-ul-Mubarak at Camp Dar-ul-Ehsan Chak 242 RB (Faisalabad, Pakistan) with
attendance in the tens of thousands.
On Men of Letters Sufi Barkat Ali
(1911 – 1997), Pakistan Post is issuing a commemorative postage stamp of Rs.
8/- denomination on April 27, 2013.
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