Lal Shahbaz Qalender
No Words For The Mesmerizing, Amazing, Huge Shirne Of Hazrat
Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. Soothing Fresh Calm Air Filled Of Love.
Saints such as Shahbaz Qalandar preached love and tolerance. They had a
transforming influence over the lives of the people they touched, which
is why his shrine still attracts thousands of devotees each year.
When you enter the shrine from the main bazaar, you are immediately
taken to another world. There are malangs with long hair and beards,
beautiful gypsies from the desert, bemused foreigners in jeans and
locals wearing ajrak. The rich and the poor, the young and the old rub
shoulders at the shrine.
Coming here, one realises that Islam was
spread in this part of the world by enlightened saints such as Shahbaz
Qalandar, who preached love and tolerance. They had a transforming
influence over the lives of the people they came into contact with —
that explains why Shahbaz Qalandar's shrine still attracts hundreds of
thousands of devotees each year, almost 800 years after his death.
Hindus still flock to his shrine to offer their prayers. They
believe he is the incarnation of one of their gods. In fact, his shrine
is visited not only by Muslims and Hindus but also Christians, Sikhs and
even Parsis!
The shrine around his tomb, built in 1356 has a dazzling
look with its Sindhi Kaashi tiles, mirror work and two gold-plated doors - one
donated by the late Shah of Iran, the other by the late Prime Minister Zulfikar
Ali Bhutto.
On one side of the marble floor is a row of about 12 inch
high folding wooden stands on which are set copies of Qur’an for devotees to
read. On the other side, beside a bundle of burning agarbattis (joss
sticks/incense), are rows of diyas (small oil lamps) lighted by Hindu devotees.
The Hindus regarded him as the incarnation of Bhartihari who is believed to
have worshipped Shiva at the venue where Hazrat Shahbaz's shrine is situated.
Shahbaz Qalandar was born in
Marwand to a dervish, Syed Ibrahim Kabiruddin whose ancestors migrated
from Iraq and settled down in Mashhad, a center of learning and civilization,
before migrating again to Marwand.He was a Sufi saint, philosopher, poet and Qalandar, born in 1143 in Marwand near Tabraiz, Iran.
His dedication to the knowledge of
various religious disciplines enabled him to eventually become a profound
scholar. During his lifetime, he witnessed the Ghznavid and Ghurids rules in
South Asia. He became fluent in many languages including Persian, Turkish,
Arabic, Sindhi and Sanskrit. His mysticism attracted people from all religions.
He was titled Lal (red) for his usual red attire, Shahbaz due to his noble and
divine spirit, and ‘Qalandar’ for his sufism and saintly attitude. Hindus
regarded him as the incarnation of Bhrithari.He is also known affectionately as
Jhulelal.
(Neither the power of crowns and kings nor the might of armies equals the force of a Qalandar)
Hazrat
Shahbaz Qalandar 's real name is thought to be Muhammad Usman - however
others claim it was either Shamsuddin Abdullah, Syed Shah Hussain or
Syed Usman Shah Marwandi.
Even as a young boy, Hazrat Shahbaz Qalandar showed strong religious
characteristics. He memorized the entire Holy Qur’an at the young age
of seven, and at twenty he embraced the Qalandar order of Sufism.
After completing his education, Hazrat Shahbaz left for Baghdad where he
met Baba Ibrahim Karbalai and became his disciple (Mureed). Baba
Ibrahim was the spiritual follower of Jamal Mujarrad (Mujarrad - the
celibate).
He met Sharf ud Din Boo Ali Qalandar
who advised him to travel to Sindh and stay there. Sehwan, in those days
was considered a strategic point from where areas around upper and
lower Indus could be easily accessed. Besides, it always remained a
significant city in the history of Sindh. As advised by Hazrat Boo Ali
Qalandar, Lal Shahbaz decided to settle in Sehwan and lived there for
six years till his death.
This legend spread far and wide by the time of his death in 1274, after living a good span for 97 years.
The golden domed shrine of Shahbaz Qalandar with its blue
tile work is reminiscent of the shrines of the Prophet's family in Iraq and
Iran. The shrine seems to have a palpable energy emitting from its centre,
where the saint is buried.
Marble steps take you into a large circular room which has the coffin placed
inside a metal cage. The cage is opened on special days and visitors are
allowed inside to pray right next to the grave. Outside is a large marble
courtyard where the dhammal takes place each evening.
The people dance facing
the shrine to the beat of the drums and some go into ecstasy. They say that
those suffering from any disease or ailment are cured by dancing.
Women also participate in the dhammal. This is indeed a special place where
tolerance and love permeate the heady atmosphere of the shrine.
Teachings:
Qalandar
in his life taught people about the true Islam. Mourning on Prophet’s
Family and taught people on how to mourn. His major lessons were not to
leave Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.), Imam Ali (A.S.) and Prophet’s Family
as, as soon as one left prophet and his family one is bound to go on a
wrong path.
In
most of his teachings, which is clear from his poetry, he emphasized on
following Imam Ali (A.S.) and mourning for Imam-e-Hussain (A.S.).
At
the end of this article I would like to quote one of the Qalandar’s
famous Persian verses showing his devotion, love and honour for Imam Ali
(A.S.), and are engraved on Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar’s shrine:
Haidariam Qalandaram Mastam
Banda-e-Murtaza Ali Hastam
Peshwa-e-Tamam Rindhanam
Keh Sag-e-Koo-e-Sher-e-Yazdanam
Translation:
I
am Haidery (Relating to Haider, a second name for Imam Ali (A.S.) ibn-e
Abu Talib (A.S.)), Qalandar (Free, Free of Boundaries, One who has
Control on Dimensions) and Mast (Intoxicated with inspiration)
I am slave of Imam Ali Murtaza (A.S.)
I am leader of all saints
Because I am the dog, of the street, of “Allah’s Lion” (referring to Imam Ali (A.S.) ibn-e Abu Talib (A.S.)
کلام: عثمان شاہ مروَندی علیہ الرحمہ معروف بہ لال شہباز قلند
نمی دانم کہ آخر چوں دمِ دیدار می رقص
مگر نازم بہ ایں ذوقے کہ پیشِ یار می رقصم
نہیں جانتا کہ آخر دیدار کے وقت میں کیوں رقص کر رہا ہوں، لیکن اپنے اس ذوق پر
نازاں ہوں کہ اپنے یار کے سامنے رقص کر رہا ہوں۔
do not know why while looking at my beloved i am dancing
But I feel proud of the fondness that before the Friend I am dancing
بیا جاناں تماشا کن کہ در انبوہِ جانبازاں
بہ صد سامانِ رسوائی سرِ بازار می رقصم
آجا جاناں اور دیکھ کہ جانبازوں کے گروہ میں، میں رسوائی کے صد سامان لیے سر بازار
رقص کر رہا ہوں۔
Come O Beloved and see in crowd of life offerers ,
With a hundred ignominious in Bazar I am dancing
تُو آں قاتل کہ از بہرِ تماشا خونِ من ریزی
من آں بسمل کہ زیرِ خنجرِ خوں خوار می رقصم
تُو وہ قاتل کہ تماشے کیلیے میرا خون بہاتا ہے اور میں وہ بسمل ہوں کہ خوں خوار
خنجر کے نیچے رقص کرتا ہوں۔
Your are that killer who is slaughtering me just for watching
and i am the victim who is dancing under a killing dagger
بقیہ اشعار
تو ہر دم می سرائی نغمہ و ہر بار می رقصم
بہ ہر طرزِ کہ می رقصانیَم اے یار می رقصم
تو جب بھی اور جس وقت بھی نغمہ چھیڑتا ہے میں اسی وقت اور ہر بار رقص کرتا ہوں،
اور جس طرز پر بھی تو ہمیں رقص کرواتا ہے، اے یار میں رقص کرتا ہوں۔
اگرچہ قطرۂ شبنم نہ پویَد بر سرِ خارے
منم آں قطرۂ شبنم بہ نوکِ خار می رقصم
اگرچہ شبنم کا قطرہ کانٹے پر نہیں ٹھہرتا لیکن میں وہ قطرۂ شبنم ہوں کہ نوکِ خار
پر رقص کرتا ہوں۔
خوش آں رندی کہ پامالش کنم صد پارسائی را
زہے تقویٰ کہ من با جبّہ و دستار می رقصم
واہ وہ رندی کہ جس کیلیے میں سیکنڑوں پارسائیوں کو پامال کر دوں، مرحبا یہ تقویٰ
کہ میں جبہ و دستار کے ساتھ رقص کرتا ہوں۔
منم عثمانِ مروندی کہ یارے شیخ منصورم
ملامت می کند خلقے و من بر دار می رقصم
میں عثمان مروندی کہ شیخ منصور (حلاج) میرے دوست ہیں، مجھے خلق ملامت کرتی ہے اور
میں دار پر رقص کرتا ہوں۔
Saints such as Shahbaz Qalandar preached love and tolerance. They had a transforming influence over the lives of the people they touched, which is why his shrine still attracts thousands of devotees each year.
When you enter the shrine from the main bazaar, you are immediately taken to another world. There are malangs with long hair and beards, beautiful gypsies from the desert, bemused foreigners in jeans and locals wearing ajrak. The rich and the poor, the young and the old rub shoulders at the shrine.
Coming here, one realises that Islam was spread in this part of the world by enlightened saints such as Shahbaz Qalandar, who preached love and tolerance. They had a transforming influence over the lives of the people they came into contact with — that explains why Shahbaz Qalandar's shrine still attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees each year, almost 800 years after his death.
Hindus still flock to his shrine to offer their prayers. They believe he is the incarnation of one of their gods. In fact, his shrine is visited not only by Muslims and Hindus but also Christians, Sikhs and even Parsis!
On one side of the marble floor is a row of about 12 inch high folding wooden stands on which are set copies of Qur’an for devotees to read. On the other side, beside a bundle of burning agarbattis (joss sticks/incense), are rows of diyas (small oil lamps) lighted by Hindu devotees. The Hindus regarded him as the incarnation of Bhartihari who is believed to have worshipped Shiva at the venue where Hazrat Shahbaz's shrine is situated.
Even as a young boy, Hazrat Shahbaz Qalandar showed strong religious characteristics. He memorized the entire Holy Qur’an at the young age of seven, and at twenty he embraced the Qalandar order of Sufism.
The golden domed shrine of Shahbaz Qalandar with its blue
tile work is reminiscent of the shrines of the Prophet's family in Iraq and
Iran. The shrine seems to have a palpable energy emitting from its centre,
where the saint is buried.
Marble steps take you into a large circular room which has the coffin placed inside a metal cage. The cage is opened on special days and visitors are allowed inside to pray right next to the grave. Outside is a large marble courtyard where the dhammal takes place each evening.
Marble steps take you into a large circular room which has the coffin placed inside a metal cage. The cage is opened on special days and visitors are allowed inside to pray right next to the grave. Outside is a large marble courtyard where the dhammal takes place each evening.
The people dance facing
the shrine to the beat of the drums and some go into ecstasy. They say that
those suffering from any disease or ailment are cured by dancing.
Women also participate in the dhammal. This is indeed a special place where tolerance and love permeate the heady atmosphere of the shrine.
Women also participate in the dhammal. This is indeed a special place where tolerance and love permeate the heady atmosphere of the shrine.
Teachings:
Qalandar
in his life taught people about the true Islam. Mourning on Prophet’s
Family and taught people on how to mourn. His major lessons were not to
leave Prophet Mohammad (P.B.U.H.), Imam Ali (A.S.) and Prophet’s Family
as, as soon as one left prophet and his family one is bound to go on a
wrong path.
In
most of his teachings, which is clear from his poetry, he emphasized on
following Imam Ali (A.S.) and mourning for Imam-e-Hussain (A.S.).
At
the end of this article I would like to quote one of the Qalandar’s
famous Persian verses showing his devotion, love and honour for Imam Ali
(A.S.), and are engraved on Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar’s shrine:
Haidariam Qalandaram Mastam
Banda-e-Murtaza Ali Hastam
Peshwa-e-Tamam Rindhanam
Keh Sag-e-Koo-e-Sher-e-Yazdanam
Banda-e-Murtaza Ali Hastam
Peshwa-e-Tamam Rindhanam
Keh Sag-e-Koo-e-Sher-e-Yazdanam
Translation:
I
am Haidery (Relating to Haider, a second name for Imam Ali (A.S.) ibn-e
Abu Talib (A.S.)), Qalandar (Free, Free of Boundaries, One who has
Control on Dimensions) and Mast (Intoxicated with inspiration)
I am slave of Imam Ali Murtaza (A.S.)
I am leader of all saints
Because I am the dog, of the street, of “Allah’s Lion” (referring to Imam Ali (A.S.) ibn-e Abu Talib (A.S.)
کلام: عثمان شاہ مروَندی علیہ الرحمہ معروف بہ لال شہباز قلند
نمی دانم کہ آخر چوں دمِ دیدار می رقص
مگر نازم بہ ایں ذوقے کہ پیشِ یار می رقصم
نمی دانم کہ آخر چوں دمِ دیدار می رقص
مگر نازم بہ ایں ذوقے کہ پیشِ یار می رقصم
نہیں جانتا کہ آخر دیدار کے وقت میں کیوں رقص کر رہا ہوں، لیکن اپنے اس ذوق پر
نازاں ہوں کہ اپنے یار کے سامنے رقص کر رہا ہوں۔
do not know why while looking at my beloved i am dancing
But I feel proud of the fondness that before the Friend I am dancing
بیا جاناں تماشا کن کہ در انبوہِ جانبازاں
بہ صد سامانِ رسوائی سرِ بازار می رقصم
آجا جاناں اور دیکھ کہ جانبازوں کے گروہ میں، میں رسوائی کے صد سامان لیے سر بازار رقص کر رہا ہوں۔
Come O Beloved and see in crowd of life offerers ,
With a hundred ignominious in Bazar I am dancing
تُو آں قاتل کہ از بہرِ تماشا خونِ من ریزی
من آں بسمل کہ زیرِ خنجرِ خوں خوار می رقصم
تُو وہ قاتل کہ تماشے کیلیے میرا خون بہاتا ہے اور میں وہ بسمل ہوں کہ خوں خوار خنجر کے نیچے رقص کرتا ہوں۔
Your are that killer who is slaughtering me just for watching
and i am the victim who is dancing under a killing dagger
بقیہ اشعار
تو ہر دم می سرائی نغمہ و ہر بار می رقصم
بہ ہر طرزِ کہ می رقصانیَم اے یار می رقصم
تو جب بھی اور جس وقت بھی نغمہ چھیڑتا ہے میں اسی وقت اور ہر بار رقص کرتا ہوں، اور جس طرز پر بھی تو ہمیں رقص کرواتا ہے، اے یار میں رقص کرتا ہوں۔
اگرچہ قطرۂ شبنم نہ پویَد بر سرِ خارے
منم آں قطرۂ شبنم بہ نوکِ خار می رقصم
اگرچہ شبنم کا قطرہ کانٹے پر نہیں ٹھہرتا لیکن میں وہ قطرۂ شبنم ہوں کہ نوکِ خار پر رقص کرتا ہوں۔
خوش آں رندی کہ پامالش کنم صد پارسائی را
زہے تقویٰ کہ من با جبّہ و دستار می رقصم
واہ وہ رندی کہ جس کیلیے میں سیکنڑوں پارسائیوں کو پامال کر دوں، مرحبا یہ تقویٰ کہ میں جبہ و دستار کے ساتھ رقص کرتا ہوں۔
منم عثمانِ مروندی کہ یارے شیخ منصورم
ملامت می کند خلقے و من بر دار می رقصم
میں عثمان مروندی کہ شیخ منصور (حلاج) میرے دوست ہیں، مجھے خلق ملامت کرتی ہے اور میں دار پر رقص کرتا ہوں۔
do not know why while looking at my beloved i am dancing
But I feel proud of the fondness that before the Friend I am dancing
بیا جاناں تماشا کن کہ در انبوہِ جانبازاں
بہ صد سامانِ رسوائی سرِ بازار می رقصم
آجا جاناں اور دیکھ کہ جانبازوں کے گروہ میں، میں رسوائی کے صد سامان لیے سر بازار رقص کر رہا ہوں۔
Come O Beloved and see in crowd of life offerers ,
With a hundred ignominious in Bazar I am dancing
تُو آں قاتل کہ از بہرِ تماشا خونِ من ریزی
من آں بسمل کہ زیرِ خنجرِ خوں خوار می رقصم
تُو وہ قاتل کہ تماشے کیلیے میرا خون بہاتا ہے اور میں وہ بسمل ہوں کہ خوں خوار خنجر کے نیچے رقص کرتا ہوں۔
Your are that killer who is slaughtering me just for watching
and i am the victim who is dancing under a killing dagger
بقیہ اشعار
تو ہر دم می سرائی نغمہ و ہر بار می رقصم
بہ ہر طرزِ کہ می رقصانیَم اے یار می رقصم
تو جب بھی اور جس وقت بھی نغمہ چھیڑتا ہے میں اسی وقت اور ہر بار رقص کرتا ہوں، اور جس طرز پر بھی تو ہمیں رقص کرواتا ہے، اے یار میں رقص کرتا ہوں۔
اگرچہ قطرۂ شبنم نہ پویَد بر سرِ خارے
منم آں قطرۂ شبنم بہ نوکِ خار می رقصم
اگرچہ شبنم کا قطرہ کانٹے پر نہیں ٹھہرتا لیکن میں وہ قطرۂ شبنم ہوں کہ نوکِ خار پر رقص کرتا ہوں۔
خوش آں رندی کہ پامالش کنم صد پارسائی را
زہے تقویٰ کہ من با جبّہ و دستار می رقصم
واہ وہ رندی کہ جس کیلیے میں سیکنڑوں پارسائیوں کو پامال کر دوں، مرحبا یہ تقویٰ کہ میں جبہ و دستار کے ساتھ رقص کرتا ہوں۔
منم عثمانِ مروندی کہ یارے شیخ منصورم
ملامت می کند خلقے و من بر دار می رقصم
میں عثمان مروندی کہ شیخ منصور (حلاج) میرے دوست ہیں، مجھے خلق ملامت کرتی ہے اور میں دار پر رقص کرتا ہوں۔
