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Introduction
- In the shelter of Tajuddin r.a.
- Still the time had not came
- Drive him out
- Awarding Fakiree
- Yusuf
- Traveling
- Bestow with Khalafit
- Honesty
- Tajuddin is not a Majzoob
- Raining
- Elevation of Sadhu
- What a Fakir he was!
- On embrace eternity
- Unity with Allah
- Annual Urs
- His Family
- Pasha Mi'an
His name was Mulana Abdul Karim Shah Sahib, but His Highness
Baba Tajuddin (r.a.) named him "YUSUF". He was born at Jaipur.
His father was serving in Custom Department. At a young age he
got his spiritual training from a great Sufi divine and learned
scholar Ala Hazrat Shah Ahmed Raza Khan Barelvi at his madressa.
He was closely associated with Hazrat Mujib Shah (r.a.) a great
mystic poet and a scholar who was a grand disciple of his Pir
Sufi Abdul Hakim Shah of Sabri Chishtia order.
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Being a learned scholar and having command over Urdu, Persian
and Arabic languages, he would have a large audience spell-bound
for hours together delivering lectures on Islamic Philosophy, on
the life of Holy Prophet (s.a.w.s.), His companions, and Saints
etc.
On bestowing him Khilafat, his Pir Sufi Abdul Hakim (r.a.)
directed him to go to Nagpur and become a devotee of His
Highness Baba Tajuddin (r.a.) for the rest of his life. He told
him frankly that whatever spiritual training he had received
from him was just a mere beginning and as such for the real
enlightenment and purification of his soul, he should place
himself at alter of His Highness Baba Tajuddin (r.a.) who was
the greatest Saint of the century.
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On reaching Nagpur Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.) met His Highness (r.a.).
As soon as His Highness cast a glance over him he told him
"Abhi der hai"
“Thereby that the time has not yet reached and he had
to wait further.”
Yusuf Baba started reading the mode of life of His Highness (r.a.).
Many thoughts creped into his mind, he saw there was no Khanqah
for the devotees for prayers and meditations. No Library with
books on Islamic knowledge. His Highness (r.a.) was not
following Shari' at strictly. How he could have spiritual gains
from a person who was roaming about in dense jungles in a state
of ecstasy, having lost worldly senses and did not appear to be
a person of sound mind? Why at all his Pir had sent him there?
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One day clustered with all these unpleasant thoughts, he went to
His Highness (r.a.) who was surrounded by a large number of
attendants. No sooner he joined the followers, His Highness (r.a.)
pointed towards him and ordered
"Is moulvi ko yahan se nikal do"
Drive out this religious teacher from here.
His Highness's (r.a.) orders were complied with, and within no
time he was made to leave the place.
Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.) was very much perturbed. He though that,
he was not wanted here. He passed his days in grief, and
disappointment, but did not return to his Pir Hakim Shah (r.a.).
He had to comply with the order of his Pir by staying with His
Highness Baba Tajuddin (r.a.) for his future spiritual guidance
and enlightenment.
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One day he saw His Highness (r.a.) resting under a tree; a few
attendants were pressing His legs. With some courage and
confidence he availed the opportunity by joining the attendants
and started pressing His Highness's legs in all the humbleness.
No sooner did His Highness (r.a.) see him, He immediately sat
down and took out His Kurta (holy cloak), and threw it towards
him saying
"Teri shari’at toojhe Mubarak"
“Whatever Shari’at (Islamic code of law) you follow is
a greeting to you.”
An attendant brought a fresh Kurta and placed it over his holy
body. No sooner Baba Yusuf Shah wore the bestowed cloak; a state
of ecstasy ran through him. Bare-footed and bare-headed he
roamed about the jungles having no liking for food or water or
any worldly desires. He was then asked by His Highness (r.a.) to
live on tea alone without any other food.
Few months later he was asked to stay in a cavity made in a well
near Sakar Dara. Baba Yusuf Shah stayed there for a period of
nearly three years, living on tea and Moong Phali (Nuts) which
he used to receive from a basket lowered from above the well.
From a Religious teacher he turned into an enlightened Fakir
(Saint). He then realized that he would have never gained such a
spiritual height, if had he not come to the shelter of His
Highness (r.a.).
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One day His Highness (r.a.) ordered him to come out of the well
and named him "YUSUF". Prophet Yusuf (Joseph) was laid down in a
well by His brothers who wanted to get rid of him. But His
Highness's (r.a.) spiritual philosophy in laying down Baba Yusuf
Shah (r.a.) in a well was, to get him rid of worldly
enchantments.
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Finding Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.) at a spiritual height, His
Highness ordered him to travel to Kalbiawar to preach the
mission of Islam and Taji Silsila. In Kalhiawar thousands of
people embraced Islam and became his disciples and devotees. On
return from Kathiawar he was ordered to go to U.P. (India). Soon
after his successful return from U.P, His Highness (r.a.) gave
him a pair of footwear (Nalain) and told him
"Lo aur phailau"
“That he should keep on traveling and spread His
mission.”
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In response to a thought traveling in the mind of Baba Yusuf
Shah (r.a.) that His Highness had not bestowed Khilafat on him.
His Highness wrote on a piece of paper four times "SHEIKH...
SHEIKH... SHEIKH... SHEIKH" and gave it to Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.).
It was a kind of His ways to bestow Khilafat. His Highness used
to love him very dearly and used to say
"Yusuf mere beta hai"
Yusuf is my son)
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His Highness set an example of honesty and discipline. Once it
so happened that a devotee of His Highness (r.a.) from Bombay
brought a basket of mangoes for Him. Since His Highness was in
jungle, at that time he requested Baba Yusuf Shah to present the
same to His Highness (r.a.) on his return. Baba Yusuf Shah
(r.a.) picked up two ripe mangoes from the basket and ate them
mindful of the fact that His Highness Baba Tajuddin (r.a.) would
not eat them and ultimately ask him to eat and distribute them
to others. Incidentally, His Highness returned from the Jungle.
The devotee from Bombay came running to Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.),
picked up the basket of mangoes and placed it at the feel of His
Highness (r.a.).
His Highness blessed the devotee and summoned Baba Yusuf Shah
(r.a.). He ordered the devotee to take out his shog and hit it
on the back of Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.) for nine times and count
them as only seven "Nau maro aur saat gino". Baba Yusuf Shah
gracefully received the nine thrashes with all the reverence and
took them as a great lesson to observe discipline in life.
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Some ignorant people are under the impression that His Highness
Baba Tajuddin (r.a.) was a merely "Mejzoob" — A God- intoxicated
person having nothing to do with the worldly affairs and not
being in his senses when he would speak to the people.
There a numerous examples of his being in analytical frame of
mind, one of which is quoted below:
In a wedding ceremony in Karachi, Mr. Ahmed Dama was introduced
to an aged Pir of Sabri Silsila (order). Pir Sahib asked Mr.
Ahmed Dama as to which Silsila (order) he belonged to. Mr. Dama
replied that he was a humble dog of His Highness Baba Tajuddin
(r.a.) Pir Sahib without any hesitation remarked that His
Highness Baba Tajuddin (r.a.) though a great Aulia was a
"Mejzoob" —A God intoxicated Saint. It was as such not proper
for him to remain a disciple of that Silsila. It is neither
permissible nor acceptable as laid down in codes of "Silsila".
Mr. Dama asked the aged Pir Sahib as to whether he had an
opportunity to meet His Highness (r.a.) in his young age? He
replied, unfortunately he had not met His Highness, (r.a.) but
His Pir-Brother had met His Highness (r.a.) In next breath he
added that His Highness had told his Pir-brother
"Aray too yahan kahan aya, tera pir to tere ko milne tera ghar
aya hai, ja jaldi."
“Why had he come here, when his Pir had come to his
place to meet him and asked him to go back soon.”
Mr. Dama was told that when the Pir-brother rushed back home,
he found his Pir waiting for him there. Mr. Dama then asked Pir
Sahib as to how far was the house of his Pir-brother from
Nagpur? The Pir Sahib replied that it was over 250 miles from
there. Mr. Dama smiled and enquired of Pir Sahib that whether it
was not a sufficient evidence to prove that His Highness was not
merely a Majzoob, but also a sane person. Pir Sahib then
remarked that he agreed in to with Dama Sahib on that point.
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His Highness Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.) as per orders of His
Highness (r.a.) used to travel to the nook and corner of India
to spread His Highness's mission. Wherever he went, people
clustered around him like honey bees. People of all caste and
creed became his disciples by joining His Highness's
Taji-Silsila (order). People from State of Chattari including
Nawab of Chattari and his family members, high government
officials, learned scholars including Dr. Mehmood Ahmed, who in
later years became Dean of the Faculty of Art and Acting
Vice-Chancellor of the University of Karachi.
In a village in Chattary, people gathered around and pleaded to
Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.) for rain as they were threatened with
severe famine. Animals were dying for want of fodder; the plants
were on verge of ruins. Green leaves turning into yellow were
falling to their despair. The starvation point was reaching its
heights. Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.) said to them
"Don't worry the rain would fall tomorrow at 1-00 in the
afternoon" and advised them to see him at noon the next day.
Next day at noon, people gathered and went to Yusuf Baba (r.a.)
he accompanied them to a certain distance. While moving along
with people a man stood with folded hands on the road side
complaining that his Garden was on the verge of ruin. His
Highness enquired of him as to what did he do? He meekly replied
that he was a Gardener by profession. His Highness said that he
and the Mails were in the same line adding that he was a
gardener of Baba Tajuddin's (r.a.) garden his job was to plant
spiritual fruit trees. After walking to some distance he looked
at the sky and told that the clouds were gathering slowly. At 1
p.m. the rain started with a thunder, so much so that it became
very difficult for the people to return their homes.
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Once, in a village a person in a Sadhu dress raised himself
about seven feet high from the ground without any support.
People were aghast at seeing this and started worshipping him,
placing flowers, money and fruits below his feet. This feat
lasted for about two days. Devotees and other Muslims went to
Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.) complaining that some ignorant and
immature Muslims were bowing before him. Yusuf Shah (r.a.) gave
a bit of smile and did not respond to them. Next day, as usual
he started moving towards jungle. On the way he saw the Sadhu
performing his feats. He pointed his Finger towards him and
recited Qur'anic verse
"LA HAULA WALA KUWATTA ILLAH BILLAH HIL ALI YOL AZIM",
and moved his Finger from right to left. The Sadhu reeled down
on the ground on his head with his legs upwards. He stood up in
pain and shock, looked here and there, then bent down and
collected the offerings and started running away like a mad man.
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In year 1983, Mr. Ahmed Dama paid a visit to the Holy Shrine of
His Highness Makdum Allauddin Sabir at Kalyar Sharif, a few
miles from Rurki Railway Station. After paying his respect to
the great Saint Sabir Piya, he came across a very elderly person
aged about 80 years who was just sitting near the Holy Shrine.
The old man inquired of Dama Sahib as to where from he had come
and which his Silsila was. Mr. Dama replied that he was from
Pakistan and was a humble dog of His Highness Baba Tajuddin
(r.a.) the old man's face glittered with a smile. He said that
he had never seen a Fakir of His Highness Baba Yusuf Shah's
type. He told that he was there for over half century and had
come across so many Pirs and Fakirs who visited the Shrine of
Sabir Piya. Oh, what a Fakir he was! When His Highness Baba
Yusuf Shah Taji (r.a.) used to visit Sabir Piya people including
Nawabs and rich persons used to cluster around him and offer him
handsome money but when Yusuf Baba (r.a.) used to rise from his
scat, he used to search his Kurta to know as to whether anything
was left over. He would distribute entire money to Sufi song
singer (Qawals), the poor and the needy and returned empty
handed. Oh, what a grand Fakir he was!
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When His Highness Baba Tajuddin (r.a.) embraced eternity, His
Highness Baba Yusuf Shah was not present at Nagpur. He
immediately rushed to Nagpur as soon he heard the news.
A committee was formed at Tajabad, the burial place of His
Highness Baba Tajuddin (r.a.) to select and appoint his
spiritual successor, as His Highness had not appointed anyone as
his successor, and it was unanimously decided to appoint His
Highness Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.) as His Highness's successor and
Sajjada Nashin.
After Fateha ceremony devotees came with garlands for
Dastarbandi requesting His Highness Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.) to
accept as Sajjada Nasheen of His Highness Baba Tajuddin (r.a.).
His Highness Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.) replied in negative and said
"Sher ka sajjada kon ho hakta hai?"
How could anybody claim to be a spiritual successor of a Lion?
He got up and took the garlands and the Dastar from the devotees
and proceeded towards Abdul Jabbar Sahib, a very close relative
of His Highness Baba Tajuddin (r.a.) and announced him to be
Sajjada Nasheen of His Highness Baba Tajuddin's (r.a.) Dargah.
People claiming themselves as the Sajjada Nasheen of His
Highness Baba Tajuddin (r.a.) are not genuine and their claims
are misleading and unfounded.
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Soon after 40 days of burial of His Highness Baba Tajuddin
(r.a.) His Highness Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.) left for his usual
tour. He used to visit Ajmer Sharif frequently and stay at
Dargab Sharif at "Mehboob Manxil". He twice performed Hajj,
first in year the 1930 and the second one in 1935. In the year
1947 in middle of September, he fell very seriously ill at Ajmer
Sharif. Doctors had lost hope of his survival; he was in last
stage of T.B. Maulana Zaheen Shah who was declared by him as his
Sajjada Nasheen was very much perturbed. After consultation with
Maulana Rafee Mian who was devotee of Garib Nawaz, Khawaja
Moinuddin Chishty Dargah started searching proper place for the
grave of Baba Yusuf Shah Sahib at sacred grave yard of Dargah
Sharif. When he came back His Highness Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.)
opened his eyes and rebuked Maulana Zaheen Shah with a remark
"Yan khadaah dhund raha hai?" Meaning thereby why was he
searching a place for Baba Yousuf's grave? He said "my place of
burial is not here" adding that he would not be buried at Ajmeer
Shareef as he had to go to Pakistan and asked that necessary
arrangements for the journey be made accordingly.
Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.) arrived at Karachi on 30th September
1947, stayed in a hotel behind Cotton Exchange Building for one
day and then shifted to a Quarter at Jacob lines belonging to
Janab Vaqarul Haq Siddiqui brother in law of Baba Yusuf Shah's
(r.a.) son-in-law, Hajee Izharul Haq. On 16th of October 1947 at
2 a.m. he breathed his last. He was laid to rest at Mewa Shah
grave yard through the efforts and influence of Nawab Abdul
Sadiq Khan Son of Abdul Sami Khan of Talib Nagar (India) and
also by Janab Khaliq Ahmed Farooqi.
Zaheen Shah Baba, Baba Kazi Amjad All and other devotees wanted
to occupy a large place for the shrine purpose but every time
when they started erecting a boundary wall, the very next day
K.M.C. staff would demolish it. This happened many a limes.
Finally, they decided to erect the wall again. When the K.M.C.
staff came to pull down the wall, they were restricted to do so.
They were told that the place was for building a Mosque and as
such the boundary wall was for the Mosque. After few months both
the Mosque and the shrine (Tomb) of His Highness Baba Yusuf Shah
(r.a.) were built with the resources of His Highness Baba Kazi
Amjad Ali and other devotees of Taji Silsila.
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Annual Urs of Baba Tajuddin (r.a.) and Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.)
were held at residence of Baba Zaheen Shah Taji, but at the
insistence of Baba Amjad Ali Taji, (r.a.) and other devotees,
the Urs thereafter started to be held at shrine of His Highness
Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.)
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His Highness Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.) left behind a widow, two
daughters and one son without any worldly wealth. He lived as a
Fakir and passed away as a Fakir, but left behind lakhs of
devotees to remember him and follow in his footsteps.
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His Highness Baba Yusuf Shah's (r.a.) only son His Highness Baba
Aftab Karim known as Pasha Mian is now quiet matured and is
endeavoring to follow in the footsteps of his father His
Highness Baba Yusuf Shah's (r.a.). He also travels to Sind and
Punjab every year. Thousands of his disciples cluster around him
for spiritual gains and guidance and for solving their worldly
problems. Annual Urs of His Highness Baba Tajuddin (r.a.) and
Baba Yusuf Shah (r.a.) are held at his residence. Son lmran of
Baba Aftab Karim has all the signs and symptoms of blooming into
a great Saint. In times to come people will witness his
spiritual heights InshAllah.
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