Hazrat Makhdoom Ali Mahimi ‎

Name: Hazrat Makhdum Fakih Ali Mahimi
Titles: Qutb-E-Kokan
Predecessor: Hazrat Muhiyuddin ibne Arabi (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ)
Date of Birth: 10th – Muharram – 776 Hijri (1372 A.D.)
Date of Wisaal: 8th Jumada al-Ukhra
Date of Urs: 8th Jamadi-al-Awwal
Resting at: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India

 

Makhdum Ali Mahimi‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) was born on 10th Muharram 776 Hijri, (1372 A.D.) in Mahim, which was then part of Thane, into the Nawait family, so called because they were newcomers who had landed in Mahim as early as 9thcentury. Their actual Surname was Paro. They were people of Arab origin, who left their home land to journey to Baghdad and Basra before they came to settle along the west coast of India.

He traces his origins to the descendants of Hazrat Ja’far Tayyar (Radi Allah Anhu) Bin Hazrat Abi Talib (Radi Allah Anhu).

His Father Maulana Shaikh Ahmad‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ), a learned and saintly man, was a well to do merchant who belonged to the Paro or Prave family, while his mother Fatima bint Nakhuda Husain‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ), a pious and devout lady came from the wealthy Ankolio family.

His father’s auspicious mausoleum is situated in Amman (the capital of Jordan) in the city of Moutha, situated at the distance of 112 kms from Amman.

Even before attaining the age of 9 years, under the training of his father, Maulana Shaikh Ahmed Bin Ali‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ), Hazrat Makhdum Ali Fakih Mahimi‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) acquired full fledged knowledge of recitation of the Qura’n with correct phonetics, theology, logic, philosophy, hadith and all other extra-religious fields of knowledge and traditionally reported sciences etc.

His father died when he was nine years old, after which he grew up under his mother guidance whom he greatly revered. The incident when he stood by his mother’s side for the whole night with a glass of water in is hand, because she asked for it and fell asleep before he could get it, is ample proof of his love and affection for his mother. He did not wake his mother up out of respect and love for her and when she realized his obedience and respect, she prayed to Allah to bestow his choicest blessings on him.

Sources indicate that after his father’s death, he acquired knowledge from Khawaja Khidr (R.A.), whom he met in secret on mahim seashore every morning. (Khawaja Khidr – is regarded as patron saints of travelers and mysterious figure connected with initiation and the highest sources of mystical inspiration). Though there is no confirmed proof of the same.

Makhdoom ali mahimi‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) belonged to a group of Sufis named Uwaysi – those who have not received a formal initiation by a living master and are not affiliated to any known order like the Chishti or Suhrawardi in India.

Makhdoom Ali Mahimi‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) is credited with more than one personal name, among them are Ali, Aluaddin and Abul Hasan. He is also known as Ali Paro and to later followers as Makhdum Ali Mahimi‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

He also holds appellations that highlight his achievements. He is called Qutb-e – Kokan (Kokan’s Pole Star) in recognition of the 19 critically acclaimed books written by him and for his spiritual eminence and large following along the kokan coast.

Mahimi was the first Indian scholar to write an exegesis on the Qur’an, which gained critical acclaim from numerous Islamic scholars including Shah Waliullah‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

He is also referred to as Faqih Ali Mahimi‎ for is knowledge of jurisprudence. In fact, Sultan Ahmad Shah of Gujarat appointed him as Qadi for the Muslims of the then, thane district, for both civil and criminal cases and also gave his sister in marriage to him.

He died where he had lived, in mahim, on 8th Jamadi-al-Awwal and was buried in the nearby graveyard. His mother, who died forty days later, lies next to him.

Teachings and Achievements:

His biographies in Persian and recently in Urdu, state that Makhdum Ali Mahimi‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ)was well versed in the traditional Islamic sciences, including theology, jurisprudence, philosophy, and mysticism.

He was one of the first Islamic scholars in India to have written a commentary in Arabic on the Quran, as well as expounding Shaikh ul –Akbar; Ibn-e-Arabi’s doctrine of Wahdat al-wujud, or unity of being.

There is little biographical information on his daily conduct but he is known to have observed the obligatory namaz as well as occupying himself with additional prayers, dhikr and contemplation of the Divine.

Among his followers, the only known name is that of his principle disciple, Shaikh Muhammad Syed Kokani‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).

Makhdum Ali Mahimi‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) has left a legacy of religious and literary works. The most distinguished amongst these is his pioneering commentary on the Quran al-tafsir ar-rahmani. Written in a simple style, it comprehensively examines the subtle links between the different chapters in the Quran and their verses. He discusses the Quran’s mystical and non-mystical aspects and the relationship between them.

Uniquely, he explains how the bismillah at the head of each chapter has been named with reference to its contents and why each chapter bears a particular title. Handwritten copies of this work are known to exist but printed copies are difficult to obtain. His numerous treatises elucidating classical manuals and doctrines treatises were read and commented upon by Sufis and scholars like Shah Wajihuddin Alawi‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ), Ghulam Ali Azad Bilgrami‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ), and Shah Waliuallah‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) in India during later times.

They elaborate on the interpretation of the shariat and the Hadith (traditions) in the light of reason. With remarkable ease he quotes from famous Sufis and philosophers like Razi, Suhrawardi, Qushayri, Sullami, Makki, and Kalabadhi whilst discussing the doctrines of tawhid and predestination.

Not many scholars are aware of all his writings and there is need to publish and study them. Copies of his works are dispersed across libraries in Mumbai, Bankipur , Berlin and London . At one point, the Mahim Dargah itself was famous for its collection of books and manuscripts, but ravaged by time, vandalized, and neglected, the library no longer exists.

The Dargah, which dates back to 1674, is known for students to pray for success in their exams and police for success in a particular case.

For the last thirty years, the annual urs has been observed over a period of ten days between December 13 and 22, and today is attended by nearly three lakhs visitors, most of them from Mumbai.

There is one procession from the nearby Mahim Police Station, with the Chief Inspector and his colleagues carrying aloft flowers and other offerings in silver trays. (It is believed that the saint’s residence was where the police chowki stands now.)

An entry in the Bombay City and Island Gazetteer of 1910 shows how special arrangements were made for the urs.

It mentions how this was a socio-cultural event to which Bombay residents came to make vows as well as to enjoy the amusements. They partook in the fair on the causeway where “toys of European make, local metalware, sweetmeats and food” are sold.
Apart from the sandal processions, they watched devotees perform with swords and fly kites.

In an earlier publication, Towns and Islands of Bombay, a government order of 1694 quoted to give permission to “Moormen (Nawaits) to worship at the tomb at Mahim as customary”.

A 1739 order granted the chief officer at Mahim the liberty for keeping of the Mahim fair: “You are hereby ordered to permit the people to have the country music and to exercise such other diversions as are customary at that time and to give assistance to prevent any disturbances or disorder being committed.”

As important event in the annual life of the Dargah is the display of a highly treasured Quran – its ink and paper are in prime condition – believed to have been copied by Makhdum Sahib‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ) himself. (However some scholars are of the firm opinion that is was made later, in 1564 by Maulana al-Mukri‎ (رحمتہ اللہ علیہ).) The Quran is displayed just once a year, on the eve of Laylat al-Qadr, the night of Power when the Quran was revealed. This event is observed on the eve on 29th of Ramadan.

The scholar-saint of Mahim is remembered for many reasons. Many remember him for the very human qualities he possessed – his love for and obedience to his mother, his humility, his self-control, and his generous nature that made guests welcome – that are mentioned in biographies like Damir al-Insan.

Hazrat Makhdoom Zain-ud-deen Ali Mahimi rahmatullāhi alaihi :
♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦

Laqab :
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Qutb-e-Kokan.

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Aap ki wilaadat 10 Moharram 776 Hijri (1372 A.D.) me Mahim, Mumbai hui.

Aap ke waalid ka naam Maulana Shaikh Ahmad bin Ibrāheem rahmatullāhi alaihi aur Faatima binte Nakhuda Husain Ankolia hai.

Aap Quraish ke Nawait qabeele se ta’alluq rakhte hain.

Aap ke waalid wali ALLĀH hain aur un ka mazaar Kalyan (Mumbai) me hai.

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Aap ne apne waalid se ta’aleem haasil ki aur Qur’an, Hadeeṡ, Tafseer, Fiq’h, Kalaam, Falsafa, Tasawwuf, Ilm e Istadalaal aur dusre uloom ke maahir hue.

Aap ki umr 9 saal ki hui tab 785 Hijri me aap ke waalid ka inteqaal hua.

Is ke kuchh arse baad Aap ilm e deen sikhne ke liye Hind ke baahar jaana chaahte the. Magar apni waalida ko chhodkar jaana nahi chaahte the. Aap ki waalida ko jab pata chala to unho ne aap ko khaas uloom ata karne ke liye ALLĀH ta’ala se dua ki.

Aap roz namaaz e fajr ke baad samundar ke kinaare jaate the. Ek din aap ne dekha ki ek buzurgh shakhs samundar ke kinaare baithe hain. Us ne use apne paas bulaaya aur farmaaya ‘Tumhari maa bahot nek hain aur ALLĀH ki wali hain. Us ki dua se ALLĀH ta’ala tumhe ilm ata farmaega. Tum roz namaaz e fajr ke baad mere paad ilme deen sikhne ke liye aa jaana. Magar ye baat kisi ko bataana nahi.’ Is tarah aap roz namaaze fajr ke baad samundar kinaare us buzurgh ke paas ilm e deen sikhne ke liye jaate. Wo buzurg Hazrate Khizr alaihis salaam the.
Ek din aap ki waalida ne aap se puchha ‘Bete! Roz subah tum kaha jaate ho?’ Aap tashweesh me pad gaye kyun ki aap ke ustaad ne aap ko ye raaz kisi ko bataane se mana kiya tha. Magar aap ne apni waalida ko sach baat bata di. Dusre din subah jab aap samundar ke kinaare gaye to Hazrate Khizr alaihis salaam waha nahi the. Aap ne waapas aakar apni waalida ko bataaya. Unho ne phir se ALLĀH se dua ki.
Dusre din jab Makhdoom saahib samundar ke kinaare gaye to Hazrate Khizr alaihis salaam tashreef laaye aur bataaya ki ‘ALLĀH ta’ala ne tumhari waalida ki dua qubool ki hai’ Aur phir unho ne aap ko koi cheez khaane ke liye di. Jaise hi aap ne use khaaya ALLĀH ta’ala ne aap ko zameen wa aasman ka tamaam ilm aap ko ata farma diya.

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Ek baar namaaz e isha ke baad aap ki waalida ne aap ko paani laane ke liye kaha. Aap paani lekar aaye to dekka ki aap ki waalida so gai thi. Aap paani ka gilaas lekar wahi khade rahe. Aap ne socha ki jab ammi jaan ki aankh khulegi aur wo paani maangegi to main foran unhe paani de dunga. Tahajjud ke waqt jab aap ki waalida ki aankh khuli to aap ne puchha ki ‘Tum ne mujhe jagaaya kyun nahi?’ To aap ne kaha ‘Main aap ki neend me khalel pahunchaana nahi chahta tha.’
Aap ki waalida ne aap ke liye dua ki ‘Tum meri itni khidmat karte ho ek din tum bhi Makhdoom aur Faqeeh ke naam se mash’hoor honge.’

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Aap apna zyada waqt Ibaadat, Riyaazat aur Muraaqaba me guzaarte.

Aap bahot ameer the. Magar aap apne maal ko ghareebo aur mohtaajo ki madad me aur mehmaano ki khidmat me kharch karte.

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Gujarat ke Sultaan Ahmad Shah ne aap ko Thane jila ke Qaazi banaaya tha.
Aur apni bahen se aap ka nikaah karaaya tha.

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Karaamat :
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(1) Makhdoom saahib ke ghar me ek bakari thi. Jo aap ko bahot pasand thi. Aik baar aap ghar par aaye to us bakari ko na dekha. Aap ne apni waalida ko us ke baare me puchha. Aap ki waalida ne bataya ke wo bakari mar gai hai aur hamari khaadima ne use samundar me phenk diya hai. Aap foran us khaadima ke saath samundar ke kinaare gaye aur jis gajah par bakari ko phenka thaw aha pahunchkar aap ne use ghar waapas jaane ke liye kaha. Wo khaadima waha se gai aur thoda door jaakar waapas aai. Jab wo waapas pahunchi to us ne dekha ki Makhdoom saahib us bakari se keh rahe the ‘Chalo utho. Hame ghar jaana hai. Waha ammi jaan intazaar kar rahi hain.’ Us ne dekha ki ye kehte hi ALLĀH ke hukm se wo bakari zinda ho gai aur aap ke saath chalne lagi. Us waqt aap ki umr 10 saal thi.

(2) Ek baar ek hindu vyapaari ka be-shumaar saamaan bhara hua jahaaz Mahim se rawaana hua. Magar 7 saal tak waapas na aaya. Us ne jyotishi se puchha to us ne bataaya ki jahaaz samundar me doob gaya hai.
Us ke ek muslim dost ko pata chala to wo use Makhdoom saahib ke paas lekar aaya. Aap ne use niche baithkar apni aankhen band karne ke liye kaha. Us ke baad aap ne farmaaya ‘Tumhara jahaaz aaj sham ko waapas aa jaayega.
Jab sham ko wo shakhs samundar ke kinaare gaya to us ne dekha ki us ka wo jahaaz jo 7 saal pehle paani me doob gaya tha wo sab saamaan ke saath kinaare par salaamat aa pahuncha hai.
Ye karaamat dekhkar us ka tamaam pariwar islaam me daakhil ho gaya.

(3) Ek baar ek shakhs ko kahi door safar par jaana tha. Us ke paas qeemati heere jawaahirat the. Us ne socha ki inhe apne saath le jaana theek nahi. Behtar hai ki kisi ke paas amaanat rakh du. Us ne Makhdoom saahib ke baare me suna tha. Is liye wo aap ke paas aaya aur apne heere jawaahirat unhe diye aur kaha ‘Jab main safar se waapas aaunga to le jaaunga.’ Aap ek kuen ke paas khade the. Aap ne unhe kuen me phenk diye. Wo kehne laga ‘Ab aap use waapas kaise laayenge?’ Aap ne farmaaya ‘Tum jab chaahoge main tumhe waapas de denga.’ Magar wo nahi maana.
Aap ne kuen me haath daala aur apni mutthi me jawaahirat lekar haath baahar nikala. Ye dekhkar wo sharminda hua aur maafi maangi. Aap ne un me se kuchh heere use waapas diye aur baaqi ko phir se kuen me phenk diye.

(4) Ek shakhs Makhdoom saahib ke ghar ke qareeb rehta tha. Us ki ek ladki ke saath mangni hui thi aur kuchh dino me un ki shaadi hone wali thi. Is dauran aik arab taajir ne us ladki ko dekha aur use wo pasand aa gai. Wo us ladki ke baap ke paas aaya aur us ladki ke saath shaadi karne ka iraada zaahir kiya. Us ladki ke baap ne saari baat batai to us arab ne kaha ki main mangni todne ke liye us ladke ko bahut saara maal dene ke liye tayyar hu. Ye sunkar us ka baap raazi ho gaya. Mohalle me ye baat fail gai.
Jab Makhdoom sahib us ladki ke baap ko samjhaane ke liye gaye to us ne kaha ‘Ye ladka aur Arab taajir dono hajj ke liye jaaye aur dono me se jo pehle Mahim waapas aaye us se main apni beti ka nikaah karunga.’ Is ke baad wo arab foran hajj ke liye nikal gaya. Magar wo ladka maayoos aur ghamgeen ho gaya.
Makhdoom sahib ne use masjid me dekha to 2 rak’at nafl namaaz padhne ke liye farmaaya. Jab wo ladka namaaz padhkar waapas aaya to aap ne farmaaya ‘Apni aankhen band kar lo aur jab tak main na kahu aankh kholna nahi.’ Us ne aisa hi kiya. Aap use lekar paani ke hauz ke andar daakhil ho gaye. Aur jab aap ne kaha to us ladke ne aankh kholi to us ne dekha ki wo Makka shareef me pahunch gaya hai.
Aap ne us se farmaaya ‘Jaakar us arab se mil lo magar use ye sab baaten na batana’ Us ne us arab se mulaqat ki. Aur Hajj ke tamaam arqan ada kiye. Phir wo Makhdoom saahib ke paas aaya. Aap ne use phir se Mahim pahuncha diya.
Dusre din jab wo arab waapas aaya to us ne kaha ki ‘Maine us ladke ko Makka me dekha tha.’ Phir use pata chala ki wo ladka to ek din pehle Mahim pahunch gaya hai. Aur shart ke mutaabiq us ladki ka nikaah us ladke ke saath hua.

(5) Ek baar ek majlis me kuchh nek logo ke darmiyaan baat hui ki Makhdoom saahib ke ghar me hamesha mehmaan hote hain aur wo un ki bahot khidmat karte hain aur bahot badhiya khaana khilaate hain. Ek shakhs kehne laga ‘Jo ALLĀH ke wali hote hain wo dunya ki cheezo se mohabbat nahi rakhte.’ Bahot samjhaane ke baad bhi wo nahi maana. Unho ne use Mahim jaakar khud dekhne ke liye kaha.
Wo Mahim aakar Hazrat ke ghar par aaya. Aap ne use rehne ke liye ek karma diya. Aur khaane ka waqt aap bhi us ke saath khaana khaane baithe aur use har cheez ko chakhne ke liye kaha. Aap thoda pehle khaana khaakar uth gaye aur aap ne waha se machhli ki chand haddiya utha li. Aur haath dhone ke baad aap ne use paani ke bartan me daal diya. Jab wo shakhs khaana khaane ke baad haath dhone ke liye gaya ato us ne dekha ki us bartan me haddiyo ke bajay zinda machhliya tair rahi hain. Ye dekhkar wo saari baat samajh gaya aur Hazrat ki maafi maangi.

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Tasannif :
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Aap ki likhi hui mash’hoor kitaaben :

(1) Tafseer -e-Rahmāni (Tafseer e Quran)
(2) Fataawa Makhdoomiya
(3) Fiqah Makhdoomi
(4) lna’am ul Malik-ul Ulam Jahkam Hukm-ul Ahkaam
(5) Awwalat-ut-Tawheed
(6) Ajallat-ut-Ta’id Fee Sharh-e-Adallatu-d-Tawheed
(7) An Noor-ul Athar Fee Kashf-e-Sirr-al Qaza wa Qadar
(8) Az Zawh-ul Azhar Fee Sharh al Noor-ul Azhar
(9) Khusus-un Na’am Fee Sharh-e-Fusus-ul-Hikam
(10) Mashra’al Khusus Fee Sharh-al Fusus-ul-Hikam
(11) Zawarif-ul lataif Fee Sharh-e-Awariful Ma’arif
(12) Azat-ud Daqaiq Sharh-e-Miraat-ul-Haqaa’iq
(13) Tarjuma wa Sharh-e-Lama’t –e-Iraqi
(14) Al Rutbat-ul Rafiatu Feel Jam’a wat Taufeeq bain al Asraar al Haqeeqat wa anwaar ush Shariah
(15) Imhaaz-ul Nashihaat
(16) lsjila’al basar fil radd ala istiqsa’an nazar
(17) Al wajud Fi Sharh-e-Isma’al Ma’bood
(18) Risaala-e-Ajeeba.

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Aap Hazrat Shaikh Mohiy-ud-deen Muhammad ibne Arabi rahmatullāhi alaihi ke mureed aur khalifa hain.
Aur ‘Maghribi Akbari’ silsila ke shaikh hain.

Aap ke Khalifa Hazrat Shaikh Sayyed Muhammad Kokani‎ rahmatullāhi alaihi hain.

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Aap ka wisaal 8 Jamaadi uṡ ṡaani 835 Hijri (February 1431 A.D.) ko Shab e Jum’aa ko hua.

Aap ka mazaar Mahim (Mumbai, Maharashtra) me hai.

Aap ka Urs 13 Shawwaal ko manaaya jaata hai.

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ALLĀH ta’ala us ke Habeeb sallallāhu alaihi wa sallam ke sadqe me
Aur Hazrat Makhdoom Ali Mahimi rahmatullāhi alaihi aur Auliya Allah waseele se
Sab ko mukammal ishq e Rasool ata farmae aur Sab ke Eimaan ki hifaazat farmae aur Sab ko nek amal karne ki taufiq ata farmae.
Aur Sab ko dunya wa aakhirat me kaamyaabi ata farmae aur Sab ki nek jaa’iz muraado ko puri farmae.
Aameen.