Hamza Makhdum (1494-1563), also called Mehboob-Ul-Alam, and Sultan-Ul-Arifeen, and popularly known as "Makdoom Sahib", was a sage born to Baba Usman, of the Chandra-Vanshi Rajput family hailing from Kangra, (Hindu Pandits or Brahmins in the region of India-held Kashmir). He was a hereditary landlord, a scholar and a mystic Sufi Muslim saint of high order.[1][2][3][4]
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He inherited his mysticism, and from his early childhood, he was inclined to the company of holy men, and to the truth.
Once he was playing instead of going to elementary school (maktab), and his father happened to be there, grew angry, and beat him so severely that he fell ill. From that day he pledged that he would never play with his grandfather Zaiti-Rayna. He went to see Fatah Ullah (son of Hazrat Baba Ismail), the spiritual teacher of the Rena tribe, and learnt the Qur'an for a year in the monastery at Shamsi-Chak. Later, he was enrolled into the seminary of Baba Ismail Kabroi, as a student, for higher studies. He studied Jurisprudence, Tradition, Logic, Philosophy, Ethics, and Mysticism.
The title 'Sultan-Ul-Arifeen' indicates his serious efforts and painstaking prayers. During his studies, he meditated. Baba Davood opines that Hazrat Makhdoom did not rest during the night for years but remained engaged in prayers.
Sultan-Ul-Arifeen says, "I was directed to say the daruds, mention the names, and prayers because of His kindness and whenever I was sluggish in conduct I was reprimanded. " Hard work and painstaking prayers in early youth made him old before his time.
The great sage followed the Sunni Muslim tradition strictly, not only in prayers but also in table manners, dress, manners, etc. He scrupulously followed the Prophet and his love for him knew no bounds. These things helped him to reach the highest rank. Later, he had to forsake his love for isolation in order to serve the people. He remarks:
"In the early days I had completely abandoned the company of the people. God granted me the gift of peace at heart and composure of mind. He ordered me to serve the people so I came and started delivering the Message."
Generally the sages are indifferent to the Shairah. In the case of the persons of the Rishiyat Order, the indifference is evident. The suppression of self, renunciation of physical demands, asceticism, and other local effects are clearly visible on sages and Islam here. His greatest contribution was that he delivered it in its purest form to the people. He followed the Shairah strictly but asked others to do it; opposed to their reluctance of legitimate things; joined the Shairah with Rishiyat and asked the people to follow into the footsteps of the Prophet; and relieved them of their superstitions. He made Hirdey Rishi eat meat under his orders, wore rich dress, declared superstitions as untrue, opposed and exposed the hypocrites, advised to work hard continuously, observed personal hygiene and cleanliness and instructed to take lawful food and to lead a pious and pure life. These are the teachings that show that he tried to build a society on the pattern of the Book and Shairah.
Sunni Muslim authorities would agree that one of his greatest contributions was that he instructed the people to forsake superstitions and un-Islamic activities through his speech and actions. Numerous instances can be cited from his life. One of them is:
Two streams flowed in Nadi-hil, and there stood a bied tree between them. The blasphemous held it sacred and observed many rites. Nobody could go by it during night. If anyone did, he was stuck in superstitions and made offerings for his relief. When the Sheikh reached the place he declared, "The djinns and Satans have fled." He ordered the cleaning of the streams and building of bathrooms.
He relentlessly fought against such superstitions and practices, stayed at the places to make the people fearless, got mosques built there, for instance, he cleansed the stream 'Bech-nag' at Karora and built a mosque there. Similar practices and superstitions were prevalent at Shinga-pal stream in the village Barar; he too stayed there and built a mosque under the supervision of Abdul Rashid. He also built a mosque in the village Aham. Wherever he observed people entangled in superstition, he reached there, and removed their fears by his deeds.
Sunni authorities hold that the greatest contribution of Sheikh Hamza Makhdum was the negation of the spread of the Shi'a Muslim sect, by Sheikh Mir Shamsuddin the Iraqi, under state patronage. He made Sheikh Mir Shamsuddin's efforts ineffective and strengthened the tottering beliefs of the people.
Sultan-Ul-Arifin's whole life was full of strange revelations and miracles. One quote:
One day he went to the house of a saint Sheikh Khawaja Ishaq, and was served with roasted birds for the breaking of the fast (Iftar). The sage ate them, collected their bones, raised his hands in prayer, and the bones joined together, the birds came to life and flew out of the window.
Sheikh Hamza Makhdum died in the Hijri year 984 (1563 AD) during the reign of Sultan Ali Shah Chak. His colleague Tahir Rafique said his funeral prayer. He was buried near Hari Parbat. Thousands of people visit the shrine to pay their respects and receive his blessings.
See Also