Little is known about Bahu's life, other than what is written in a hagiography called Manaqib-i Sultani, which was written by one of Bahu's descendants seven generations after Bahu's own time.[4]
According to these records, he was born in Shorkot, Jhang, in the current Punjab Province of Pakistan, in the Awan tribe.[5][6] He was son of Bayazid Muhammad, an officer in the Mughal Army, and Rasti.[7] He belonged to QadiriSufi order,[6] and started the mystic tradition known as Sarwari Qadiri.[3]
More than forty books on Sufism are attributed to him (mostly written in Persian), largely dealing with specialised aspects of Islam and Islamic mysticism. However, it was his Punjabi poetry which had popular appeal and earned him lasting fame.[4]: 14 His verses are sung in many genres of Sufi music, including qawwali and kafi, and tradition has established a unique style of singing his couplets.[4]: 14
Education
Sultan Bahu's first teacher was his mother, Mai Rasti. She pushed him to seek spiritual guidance from Shah Habib Gilani.[3]
Around 1668, Sultan Bahu moved to Delhi for further training under the guidance of Syed Abdul Rehman Jilani Dehlvi, a notable Sufi saint of the Qadiriyya order, and thereafter returned to Punjab where he spent the rest of his life.[3]
Literary works
The exact number of books written by Sultan Bahu is not known, but it is assumed to be at least one hundred. Forty of them are on Sufism and Islamic mysticism. Most of his writings are in the Persian language except Abyat-e-Bahu which is in Punjabi verse.[8]
Only the following books written by Sultan Bahu can be found today:
Mian Taj Muhammad was successor of Sultan Bahu as his spiritual master, however Mian Taj Muhammad was born long after the death of Sultan bahu.[11] Bahu was follower of Abdul Qadir Jilani's Qadiriyya tradition, Sultan Bahu initiated an offshoot of his own which he named Sarwari Qadiri.
According to tradition, the lineage reaches Mian Taj Muhammad as follows:[12]
The Sultan Bahu's tradition is still practised to this day by Mian Taj's successors.
Descendants
Sultan Bahu's spiritual teachings and poetry have been kept alive by his descendants. Each descendant played an important role in spreading Sufi teachings. Here are Sultan Bahu's notable descendants in order:
Hazrat Sultan Wali Muhammad (1691-1747) - He was the 1st descendant of Sultan Bahu. He carried on the spiritual teachings and emphasized Sufi practices.
Hazrat Sultan Muhammad Hussain (1747-1785) - As the 2nd descendant, he made sure the Sufi tradition started by Sultan Bahu continued.
Hazrat Hafiz Sultan Muhammad (1785-1809) - Known for memorizing the Quran, the 3rd descendant focused on spiritual education.
Hazrat Sultan Ghulam Bahu (1809-1847) - The 4th descendant was devoted to serving the Sufi path. He nurtured love and devotion in his followers.
Hazrat Saleh Muhammad Sultan (1847-1901) - The 5th descendant had a deep understanding of Sufism. He guided followers on their spiritual journey.
Hazrat Sultan Noor Ahmad (1901-1920) - As the 6th descendant, he was a shining light. He guided people based on key Sufi principles.
Hazrat Muhammad Amir Sultan (1920-1931) - The 7th descendant worked to reinforce and spread core Sufi values like love and peace.
Hazrat Muhammad Habib Sultan (1931-1970) - His time as the 8th descendant was a spiritual reawakening, showing Sufi teachings are timeless.
Hazrat Hafiz Faiz Sultan (1970-1987) - The 9th descendant was a scholar. His works helped spread Sufi teachings.
Hazrat Muhammad Najeeb Sultan (Present) - Najeeb Sultan Bahoo is the 10th descendant of hazrat sultan bahoo. As a spiritual guide and custodian of Sultan Bahoo's legacy, he ensures the teachings of this Sufi master remain relevant for seekers of truth in the 21st century.
Shrine
The shrine of Sultan Bahu is located in Garh Maharaja, Punjab.[13] It was originally built on Bahu's grave site until the Chenab River changed its course causing the need to relocate twice and as witnessed by those present at the time of relocation, claims that his body was still intact at the time.[13] It is a popular Sufi shrine, and the annual Urs festival commemorating his death is celebrated there with great fervour on the first Thursday of Jumada al-Thani month. People come from far-off places to join the celebrations.[14][12]
Sultan Bahu also used to hold an annual Urs to commemorate the martyrs of Karbala from the 1st to the 10th day of the month of Muharram. This tradition continues to this day and every year, thousands of pilgrims visit the shrine during the first ten days of Muharram.[12]
This table only includes figures venerated traditionally by the majority of Muslims in the Subcontinent, whence persons honored exclusively by particular modern movements are not included.