THE PLACE OF HIS BIRTH
Deva Shareef earned the proud name of being the birth place of such an earnest personality as
our holy Saint Waris Ali Shah. It has also been historical as well as laudable land of illustrious,
intellectual luminaries, religious learned personalities and men of intellect who took birth
there. It is also a place of higher university education from whose portals come out savants of
universal fame, saints whose bounties from whose portals enlightened the dark hearts,
spiritual guides, who illuminated the path of rectitude to save the misguided from flowing off
the stream of piety, love, humanity and worldly brotherhood.
Many aged and especially venerated persons of Deva Shareef have declared when” the time for
the birth of our Saint was nearing his mother noticed at different times, wonderful signs and
incidents but the author of “Hayat‐e‐Waris” feels different to record them, since broad minded
and enlightened persons may mistake his temerity as an expression of his excessive zeal and
exaggeration of his firm belief. Hence, he would adhere to the sober versions which will not
five room for doubt.
Coming events cast their shadows and before Our Saint stepped into the domain of material
world, Scenes of marvels began to take shape. Still in the womb of his mother, means of
endurance and strength to face the vicissitudes of the world were formed.
Just like our Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon Him) Our Saint also lost his
Father’s protecting hand at the age of two years and the solacing care of his mother at the age
of three. His grandmother Janaba Hayatun‐Nisaa Sahiba under took the duty of carefully
bringing him up.
Ever since the period of suckling everyone in the family were astounded at his strange
behaviour. Unlike other children he would not drink his milk hurriedly but gradually and
slowly; moreover his thirst would be quenched with just a few gulps, which reflected the
future qualities of patience and contentment.
The ladies of Deva Shareef were also surprised at the noble behaviour of the child and
expressed that such a marvelous child is rarely to be seen. Unlike other children his sleeping
bed was clean, free from filth. Whenever he felt the urge to answer the calls of Nature he made
strange signs and the nurse promptly attended to help him ease himself. Unlike other children
he never cried but was mostly silent. During nights he was seen gazing at the moon and stars
as if to appreciate the artistry of the Creator. He used to sleep very little. He was a light sleeper
and whenever he opened his eyes awaken with a smiling face.Witnessing the and serene activity of this precocious child, elder people of Deva Shareef began
to respect and hold him in high estimation. As the child began to grow, his habits assumed
dignity and a spirit of independence. At the age of five his grandmother engaged a fit instructor
to begin his education. To accustom him to learn the lessons with interest, he began to teach
the Arabic primer and joined with him in his games.
CHILDHOOD GAMES OF SARKARWARIS
The aim of his plays and games was to display the quality of Divine truth dignity, generosity
and kindness, a legacy of his ancestors which ran in his blood. In the garb of games he was
distributing sweets purchased from a sweet meat seller named Lukai Halwai, Whenever a
reference was made to his childhood days Sarkar Waris would nostalgically recall, “In my
younger days I would secretly remove a rupee or a gold coin (Ashrafi) sovereign from my
grandmother’s casket and used to order LUKAI HALWAI to make a big Batasha (puffed up
sweet drops) and distribute them amongst my playmates. My grandmother on learning of the
raid on her casket, instead of rebuking, enjoyed my childish pranks.” Even through games one
can discern his aversion towards worldly life and glorification of Divine Love.
His most delightful pastime was to distribute clothes and coverings to the poor and needy. He
would even distribute home utensils of value. His grandmother on missing many of the
familiar house articles commented that possibly there is a Jinn (Spirit) who is the cause of their
removal. Our Saint just smiled knowingly.
Such feeling concern to help the children and poor in the garb of games and innocent acts of
charity are signs of revulsion towards mundane life.
Instead of enjoying, the fruits of his inherited property he lavishly spent out for the benefit of
the poor and this indicates his spiritual inclination and hatred for worldly life. These are the
manifestations of his ancestor’s blood in his veins and urgings to lead a life dedicated to serve
humanity and foster on then feelings of piety, sincerity and amity.
The well known scholar of traditions and doctor of Muslim jurisprudence Abu‐al‐Muwahib
Abdul Wahab Sherani quotes in his book “Tabqat‐ul‐Kubra” the sayings of the renowned
mystic Sheikh Dawood Kabirin Baqala, “Whoever Loves God, he would view with friendly eyes
everything of God’s creation.” It is the distinctive quality of love that anything made by his
beloved, even though it is mean and contemptible, the real lover without scorning regards
them with respect. Even if they are causing worry and trouble he views them is sources of
eternal delight because they owe their origin to his Beloved. It is a well known fact that Majnu
the legendary lover adored the legs of Laila’s puppy.
Since man is created by God his relationship with Him is eternal. Man is the non‐pareil of God’s
entire divine artistry decked with distinguishing features a treasure, mystery and a mirror of his Beloved. He is constant in his love towards his Beloved, irrespective of whatever troubles
and trials come in his way.
The secret of his hobbies was not apparent because he was a devotee of his Beloved.
Accordingly when he stepped into the world, the first thing he did is a mark of the
distinguishing quality of lovers, such as sympathy towards God’s creatures, helping them
according to tht1ir needs. For example, his distribution of sweets to the children is a trait of
affection of the elders for children, helping the poor willingly without any selfish motive. In
short this was an essential and inherent quality of Our Saint’s full and genuine love which
appears to us as children’s play.
Aal-e-Qutub Aal-e-Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi 