Written by: Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro
Posted on: November 12, 2024 | 
| 中文
Devotees at the grave of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi. (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
Shikarpur is a city of mystics, mosques and madrasahs. Many mystics and scholars came from outside the city and settled in Shikarpur. One of the earliest Naqshbandi saints in Shikarpur was Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi, who came from Afghanistan to Shikarpur. He was among the most distinguished religious scholars and Sufi saints of 18th-century Shikarpur. Professor Aminullah Alavi (1984:108) mentions in his article “Shikarpur Ja Sufia Karam," which was published in Shikarpur Mazi Ain Haal (Shikarpur: Past and Present), a book compiled by Dr. Memon Abdul Majeed Sindhi, that Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi was born in 1689 at Rohtas, Jalalabad in Afghanistan.
He received his early education from the esteemed scholar Muhammad Sadiq Dindar in Nangarhar, Afghanistan. His father passed away when he was only nine years old. At the age of 21, he was sent to a madrasah in Peshawar, where he studied under the guidance of Muhammad Masood Peshawari (d.1722).
Tomb of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi, Shikarpur. (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
After spending nine years in Peshawar, he migrated to Lahore. From Maayar-e-Salikan-e-Tariqat (written in Persian in 1202 AH/1787 AD) by Mir Ali Sher Qani (2010:665), one knows that Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi was a disciple of Muhammad Saeed Lahori (d.1749). It was in Lahore where he became a disciple of Muhammad Saeed Lahori. Under his guidance, he studied Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), Tafsir (Quranic exegesis), and Hadith (Practices of the Holy Prophet (PBUH)). Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi spent thirteen years with his mentor, Muhammad Saeed Banuri Lahori, in Lahore. In 1737, he moved to Shikarpur in Sindh, where he established his khanqah (a place for spiritual retreat) at Lakhidar. Tuhfat ul-Kiram (written in Persian in 1181/1767-68/) by Mir Ali Sher Qani (1989:343) mentions the piety of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi.
Many people became his disciples there. One of his friends, Haji Abdul Latif Shah Qadiri, came from Uch and stayed at his khanqah. Haji Abdul Latif Shah was a close friend of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi and was well-known for his piety and religiosity. Haji Abdul Latif Shah died in Shikarpur and was buried near the mosque of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi at Lakhidar. Later, Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi established his khanqah, mosque and madrasah, in what is now known as Alavi Mohallah in Shikarpur. His khanqah served as a rendezvous for both sufis, scholars and ordinary travelers.
Ceramic tiles in the tomb of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi. (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi was a renowned scholar and Sufi poet who composed poetry in Persian and Arabic. During his time in Lahore, Haji Faqirullah Shah learned Punjabi and composed poetry in that language as well, which was influenced by his mentor, Muhammad Saeed Lahori, who was Punjabi. His reputation spread, attracting the attention of famous Sufis in Sindh. Many people flocked to his khanqah to enroll as his disciples. It is also believed that Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi spent some time at the madrasah of Makhdoom Muhammad Hashim Thattvi (1692-1761) to further his studies in Hadith and Fiqh. Makhdoom Muhammad Hashim Thattvi was a prominent scholar and Sufi saint during the Kalhora period (1700-1783).
Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi wrote many books. Some believe that he wrote around 18 books. However, Professor Aminullah Alavi (1984) has given a list of his 26 books. He also wrote one book titled "Fawaid Faqirullah" in Pashto. His writings primarily focused on Hadith, Fiqh, Tafsir and Sufism.
Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi maintained friendly relations with the rulers of Sindh, Balochistan, and Afghanistan. It is believed that Ahmad Shah Abdali (d.1773) was a devoted follower of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi. From "Maktubat Shah Faqirullah Alavi," which is a collection of Faqirullah Shah Alavi’s letters, we learn that he corresponded with friends and rulers from Sindh, Balochistan and Afghanistan. He wrote two letters to Mian Sarfaraz Khan Kalhoro (r.1772-1776), as well as one letter each to the Kalhora governors of Thatta, Sheikh Shukarullah and Sheikh Ghulam Muhammad, and four letters to Ahmad Shah Abdali, amongst others.
Shrine complex of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi. (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi often travelled to meet his friends, who were prominent Sufis of 18th-century Sindh. These friends included Makhdoom Muhammad Muin Thattvi, Syed Muhammad Moosa of Ghotki (d. 1760), Mir Murtaza Sewistani, Mula Tayib Thattvi, Taj Muhammad Khusnaves Thattvi, Muhammad Saleh Halakundi, Muhammad Yaqub Halakundi, Qabul Muhammad and Syed Muhammad Wafa Lakhvi.
Among the notable khalifas (deputies) of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi who gained recognition in Sindh were Haji Qaim Shikarpuri (d. 1751), Mufti Muhammad Arif, Maulana Muhammad Owais and Muhammad Wafa Lakhvi. Pir Syed Muhammad Rashid (1756-1818), also known as ‘Rozay Dhani,’ was also an ardent follower of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi. Haji Qaim Shikarpuri (d.1757) was also a Persian poet. In addition to his disciples and deputies, the descendants of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi also played a significant role in spreading his teachings, reaching not only Sindh but also Balochistan, Punjab and Afghanistan. The Alavi family from Shikarpur produced numerous notable scholars and Sufis who preached Naqshbandi silsila in Sindh, Balochistan and Afghanistan. The prominent alims (scholars) and Sufis from the Alavi family of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi included Hamid ul Haq Alavi (1770-1839), Mir Sirajuddin Alavi, Fakharuddin Alvi (1825-1851), Hifzullah Alavi (d. 1816), Faiz ul Haq Alavi, Zain ul Abedin Alavi, Muslehuddin Alavi, Din Muhammad Alavi, Faiz Bakhsh Alavi, Abdullah Alavi, Hazir ul Haq Alavi, Naseer ul Haq, Nooruddin Hasan Alavi, Rafiul Haq Alavi, Shahbuddin Alavi and Jamaluddin Alavi.
According to Maulana Din Muhammad Wafai (2005:351), the author of Tazkira Mashaheer -e-Sindh, Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi died on 3rd Safar 1195 AH/ January 28, 1781 AD and was buried in Alavi Mohallah of Shikarpur. According to Professor Aminullah Alavi (1984), Haji Faqirullah Alavi had 17 sons: Maulana Sirajuddin, Maulana Faiz ul Haq, Maulana Zain ul Abidin, Maulana Muslehuddin, Maulana Hifzullah, Maulana Din Muhammad, Maulana Ahlullah, Maulana Faiz Bakhsh, Maulana Daleel ul Haq, Maulana Abdullah, Maulana, Hazir ul Haq, Maulana, Naseer ul Haq, Maulana Nooruddin Hasan, Mir Ghiasuddin Muhammad, Maulana Rafi ul Haq, Muhammad Tahir and Maulana Hamid ul Haq. Maulana Mir Ali Fakharuddin Alavi (d. 1854), son of Hifzullah Alavi, was a prominent scholar and poet who composed poetry in Persian. Maulana Mir Ali Nawaz Alavi (d. 1920), son of Maulana Fakharuddin Alavi, was a scholar, author and poet. He composed poetry in Persian, Sindhi and Saraiki. Other eminent poets from the Alavi family included Mir Muhammad Aslam Alavi, Mir Faiz Muhammad Alavi (d.1925), Mir Safiullah ‘Fida’ Alavi (d.1942), Mir Shafi Ahmad ‘Auj’ Alavi and others.
An impressive tomb over the grave of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi was built in the last quarter of the eighteenth century. This tomb, built in a square, is noted for beautiful mural ceramics and paintings. The interior of the tomb is octagonal and adorned with paintings. The western wall contains the inscription in Persian and bears the date of the death of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi in 1195 AH/ 1181 and the renovation of the tomb in 1337 by his great-grandson Mir Ali Nawaz Alavi. Apart from the grave of Haji Faqirullah Ali, other graves in the tomb are of Maulana Siruddin, Maulana Hifzullah and Maulana Fakharuddin Alavi.
Interior view of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi's tomb. (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
Later in 1337 AH/1919 AD, Mir Ali Nawaz Alavi renovated the tomb, which is evident from the inscription on the western wall of the tomb of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi. Recently, the façade of the tomb has been decorated with new ceramics.
The books of Haji Faqirulah Shah Alavi are a significant contribution to Sufi literature in Sindh. They also leave a deep impression and imprint on his descendants, disciples and deputies and the present students of madrasah ‘Darul Uloom Al Haj Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi’. This madrasah is believed to have been built by Haji Faqirullah Alavi after he arrived in Shikarpur. According to Professor Abdul Hayee Moryani (2019:132-3), the author of Shikarpur Jun Masjidoon Ain Eidgah that Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi laid the foundation of a mosque, madrasah, library and khanqah in 1150/1737. The mosque underwent several renovations over the years. According to a seminal article about the Faqirullah Alavi Library Shikarpur, written by Allama Ghulam Mustafa Qasimi in Nai Zindgi (a monthly Sindhi magazine) in 1960 and later reproduced in Sindh Ja Kutabkhana compiled by Dr Abdul Rasool Qadri in 2014, the Faqirullah Alavi Library of Shikarpur ranks as the second most unique library in Sindh, only ranked second to the library of Makhdoom Muhammad Hashim Thattvi in Makli. Its popularity extended not only throughout Sindh but also across British India. This library housed rare manuscripts that were initially collected by Haji Faqirullah Alavi and later expanded by his knowledgeable descendants. Mir Ali Nawaz Alavi, great-grandson of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi, considerably expanded the collections of rare books and manuscripts in the library.
The author (left) with late Professor Israr Alavi (centre) and Nazir Shakir Brahui (right). (Picture credits to Zulfiqar Ali Kalhoro)
The late Professor Israr Ahmad Alavi, a descendant of Haji Faqirullah Shah Alavi, established a library known as Al Faqir Academy, which houses many rare books on theology. In 2019, I had the opportunity to view several rare manuscripts alongside Nazir Shakir Brahui, a historian and linguist, during my meeting with Professor Israr Ahmad Alavi. He was a mystic, teacher, scholar, writer and poet, who passed away on April 17, 2021.
The writer is an anthropologist. He has authored 16 books on Pakistan's cultural heritage and anthropology. He tweets @kalhorozulfiqar.
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