Written by: Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro
Posted on: June 26, 2024 | 
| 中文
Interior view of the tomb of Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
Thatta, a spiritual hub since the 14th century, has been a beacon for scholars and Sufis from the Islamic world. It served as a sacred sanctuary for Sufi saints in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries, with many choosing to settle there. These Sufis, and their descendants, spread their profound teachings in Sindh with Thatta as their spiritual nucleus. The Makli ridge is dotted with the graves and shrines of these revered saints.
Makhdoom Adam Thattvi, a prominent Naqshabandi Sufi saint and scholar of the 17th century, was born in Thatta, and was known for his unwavering piety. His lineage can be traced back to the first Caliph, Hazrat Abu Bakr. According to Tuhfat ul-Kiram (written in 1181/1767-68/) by Mir Ali Sher Qani (d.1203/1788), Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi alias Makhdoom Adu, was a contemporary of Makhdoom Adam, son of Makhdoom Ishaque. Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi, a renowned scholar and saint of Thatta, was initiated into the Naqshbandiyya silsila by Khwaja Muhammad Masum, son of Shaikh Ahmad Sirhnidi (d.1624). This initiation marked a significant point in his life, as it set him on a path to fortify the Naqshbandi Silsila in Sindh, a path he followed with dedication and devotion, leaving a lasting impact on the region's religious landscape.
Tomb of Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi, Makli (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
It is said that Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi heard that Emperor Aurangzeb was an ardent admirer of Islamic theologians, and he decided to go to Delhi. On the way to Delhi, Ijaz ul Haq Quddus, the author of Tazkira-e Sufia-e-Sindh (1959), writes that he met Khwaja Muhammad Masum. Dr. Qureshi Hamid Ali Khanai, who wrote a useful article on Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi’s hagiography in Maqalat Khanai (2006), believes that he might have met Khwaja Muhammad Masum circa 1660. Khwaja Muhammad Masum was impressed by Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi's knowledge and asked him to teach his sons. Following the instructions of Khwaja Muhammad Masum, Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi began teaching the children of Khwaja Muhammad Masum. Makhdoom Muhammad spent about seven years in Sirhind, teaching the sons of Khwaja Muhammad Masum and serving him. Later, Khwaja Muhammad Masum initiated him into Naqshbandiyya Silsila and instructed him to return to Sindh to preach Naqshbandiyya Silsila there. Dr. Qureshi Hamid Ali Khanai (2006) asserts that Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi returned to Sindh in 1077/ 1666, and established a khanqah in Thatta from where he started preaching Naqshbandiyya Silsila.
Domed ceiling of Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi's tomb (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi strengthened Naqshbandi Silsila in Sindh. He played a significant role in establishing links between the scholars and Sufis of Sindh with Sirhind. Later, following his instructions, numerous people visited Sirhind, and a handful received robes of initiation from the grandsons of Shaikh Ahmad Sirhandi. Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi is believed to have written letters to his spiritual master seeking clarification and guidance whenever he encountered theological issues. Khwaja Muhammad Masum responded to Makhdoom Adam Thattvi's letters, which were later published in Maktubat-e-Masoomia Vol II, translated into Urdu by Maulana Syed Zawar Hussain Shah. Letter numbers 59, 63 and 76 can be found on pages 111, 121 and 137 of the book, respectively.
Interior view of Makhdoom Adam's tomb at Makli (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
After his spiritual mentor, Khwaja Muhammad Masum died in 1079/16668, Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi went to Sirhind again. He lived in Sirhind for about two to three years, serving Khwaja Saifuddin (d.1096/1685), the son of Khwaja Muhammad Masum. After a few years in Sirhind, he returned to Thatta. He spent the last years of his life in Thatta, where he died. The specific date of his death is still unknown. Scholars who have written about him have not provided an authentic date of his death. Dr. Qureshi Hamid Ali Khanai believes that he died around 1082-84/1671-73. He also disputes the 1066/1656-57 date of death for Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi which was provided by Dr. Ghulam Mustafa Khan in the introduction (Muqadama) to Maktubat-e-Saifia. He claims that Dr. Ghulam Musfta Khan provided the date of death of Makhdoom Adam, son of Makhdoom Ishque, not Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi, son of Abdul Ahad. 1066/1656-57 is indeed the date of the death of Makhdoom Adam, son of Makhdoom Ishaque, and the same is also written in Tuhfat ul-Kiram. However, Dr. Abdul Ghaffar Soomro writes in Muqadamo of Maarif: Sultan Auliya Khwaja Muhammad Zaman Luariwaro, translated into Sindhi by Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Ramzan Maheri (2018), that Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi died after 1081/1670. The mystery surrounding the dates of death of the Sufi saints has always intrigued and challenged scholars.
From Maayar-e-Salikan-e-Tariqat (written in 1202/1787) by Mir Ali Sher Qani, one knows that Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi, had three sons, Makhdoom Faizullah, Makhdoom Muhammad Ashraf, and Muhammad Afzal. Ijaz ul Haq Quddusi (1959), the author of Tazkira-e-Sufia-e-Sindh writes that Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi had two sons, Makhdoom Faizullah and Makhdoom Muhammad Ashraf. Both brothers were renowned scholars and Sufis who also visited Sirhind and were disciples of Khwaja Saifuddin (d.1685). They also visited Sirhind with their father. Makhdoom Faizullah was the successor to his father, and was known for his piety. After his death, Makhdoom Muhammad Ashraf succeeded him and became the custodian of his father’s shrine. Makhdoom Muhammad Ashraf had two sons, Shaikh Ahmad and Shaikh Muhammad alias Khwaja Abul Masakeen.
Graves of Makhdoom Adam, on the right, and his sons (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
Shaikh Muhammad alias Abul Masakeen studied under the guidance of Makhdoom Abul Qasim (1138/1726), who was a disciple of Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi. Shaikh Muhammad Abul Masakeen became a prominent Naqshbandi saint and played an instrumental role in spreading Naqshbandi Silsila. He also visited Sirhind and stayed for about three years serving Khwaja Muhammad Zaki, son of Khwaja Muhammad Hanif, and received a robe of initiation from him. Khwaja Muhammad Zaki (d.1143/1730) was a famous Naqshbandi scholar and sufi of Sirhind, who took bay’at from Khwaja Muhammad Masum’s son Khwaja Hujjatullah Muhammad Naqshband (d.1115/1703). On the instruction of his spiritual master, Shaikh Muhammad alias Khwaja Abul Masakeen also visited Khwaja Muhammad Zubair (d.1152/1740) in Delhi, who was the son of Shaikh Abu’l Ali and grandson of Hujjatullah Muhammad Naqshband.
Shaikh Muhammad alias Khwaja Abul Masakeen died in Makkah in 1149/1737 and was buried in the Jannat al Mu’alla graveyard. His leading deputy (khalifo), was Khwaja Muhammad Zaman of Luari Sharif (d.1188/ 1775).
Grave of Muhammad Sadiq in the tomb of Makhdoom Adam Thattvi (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi had many deputies and disciples who carried forward his legacy. Some prominent deputies included Makhdoom Abul Qasim, Shaikh Ibrahim Rohriwaro, Shaikh Fateh Muhammad, Muhammad Anas, Makhdoom Sabir Walhari, Hafiz Abdul Rauf Bhatti, Shaikh Abdul Khaliq Thattvi and many others. On the instruction of his spiritual master, Makhdoom Abul Qasim Naqshbandi travelled to Sirhind to become a disciple of Khwaja Saifuddin.
Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi left behind his descendants and deputies to carry his legacy forward. The shrine of Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi is situated north of Eidgah at Makli. Inside the tomb, there are several graves. Three of the graves are prominent in the tomb, and they belong to Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi and his sons, Makhdoom Faizullah and Makhdoom Muhammad Ashraf. To the south of the grave of Makhdoom Muhammad Adam Naqshbandi is the grave of Muhammad Sadiq, who was a famous religious scholar and poet. According to Tuhfat-ul Kiram by Mir Ali Sher Qani, he was the son-in-law of Makhdoom Muhammad Ashraf, son of Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi. I will write about his legacy in another article.
Inscription on grave of Makhdoom Adam (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
There are also a few other graves, mainly of those who were the caretakers of the Makhdoom Adam Naqshbandi Thattvi’s shrine.
The writer is an anthropologist. He has authored 15 books on Pakistan's cultural heritage and anthropology. He tweets @kalhorozulfiqar Note: Please mention that the writer has taken all the photos.
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