An Index to life and services of SYED PEER MEHR ALI SHAH GOLRVI

Background

Human beings thrive on spirituality; history tells us that man has always reached out to a divine direction to have clear idea pertaining to complex institutions like life, family and own self. The divine direction always comes to us through a credible and pious source.The Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) exalted the servants of God with the wealth of sincerity, mysticism, and special closeness by purifying the hearts through his high morals, teachings, and the influence of the vision of Prophethood. After this, the purified Companions, members of his family (RA.), and the scholars and mystics fulfilled this responsibility and presented practical proof of the inheritance of prophethood.

The importance of the role of Sufis in the spread of Islam in the Indian subcontinent is obvious. Not only have their thoughts, characters and beliefs made a profound impact, but they also have attracted several well-versed elite personalities of society.

Sheikh Ahmad Sirhindi, Hazrat Bu Ali Qalandar Panipati, Hazrat Nosha Ganj Bakhsh, Hazrat Shah Waliullah Dehlavi, and many others are well-known Sufis and scholars. Hazrat Syedina Pir Mehr Ali Shah Golrvi is one of the shining stars of shariat and tariqat among the servants of God. He was the protagonist of the four chains of the spiritual lineage.

BIRTH, EDUCATION & LEARNING

Hazrat Pir Mehr Ali Shah was born in Golra Sharif (Islamabad) on Monday April 14, 1859 (Ramadan 1, Ramadan, 1275 Hijrah.) His family is a branch of Prophet’s (PBUH) family via Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Gilani (R.A) whose famous ancestor Hazrat Miran Shah Qadir Qamis, came to India on a mission and preached in different areas and settled permanently in the town of Sadhura in Anbala District where his family is today.

He seemed intelligent since his childhood and had devotion for God and Prophet. For further education he was sent to Bhoi near Hazara, Abbottabad. There he learned about fundamentals of Islamic Studies from Maulana Muhammad Shafi.

At the time of his stay in Inga, he had mastered most of the textbooks and at the same time, teachers encouraged him to teach the other students. He enjoyed his solitude composing poems and sonnets. The class-fellows would secretly benefit and enjoy his emotional state. After leaving Inga, he learnt from Maulana Burhanuddin, a famous scholar from Chakwal region. Later, he travelled to India for his higher studies and mastered in many academic disciplines under the patronage of intellectually glorious scholars.

ATTRACTION AND KHILAFAH

Along with acquiring external sciences, he also paid full attention to internal sciences. The spiritual attachment with Hazrat Maula Ali (R.A) and Hazrat Syedna Sheikh Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani is mentioned to have been benefited directly from the souls of these pious people. In addition, according to the rules of tariqat, Hazrat Khawaja Shams-ud-Din Sialvi, the famous Shaykh of the Chishtia Nizamiyah, and Hazrat Pir Fazlud-Din Shah Qadri Gilani, a well-known elder saint of his family, gave him permission to pledge allegiance, instruct and guide people.

Miracles

There are two kinds of miracles. One sensory and the other spiritual. Dispositions are usually copied from the saints, such as the miracles of the senses. For example, flying in the air, walking on water, covering long distances in a short time, paying attention to someone's needs with attention.

The other miracles like miracles of spirituality, fascination towards divinity, perseverance of Shariah and the blessed devotion and love of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and to face every calamity that befalls the Islamic nation as much as possible. Trying to keep Muslim Ummah on the right path by countering sectarianism with his influence and guiding the people towards path of Shariah and Tareeqah to its destination.

Jihad against Holy Struggle

He suggested that an academic dialogue under the light of Quran and Sunnah was the only way forward. He debated and addressed his issues and concerns (regarding Ahmadiyya, and Najdism) in an academic way. And proposed a peaceful resolution to the matter.

He wrote on the issues of Tawassul, Nazaruniyaz, Samaa Moti and Ilm-e-Ghaib; and highlighted the following points,

1. To Approach Allah Through Saints
2. The Offerings To Please the Lord
3. The Dead Also Listen The Living
4. The Knowledge About Unseen

He has done a very thorough research on this issue of Takfir (declaring one as non-believer). He highlighted the dire consequences of calling a Muslim as a Kaafir (Non-Believer) without any specific Shariah justified reason. He wanted to unite the Muslim Ummah for the cause of unity.

Education of Moderation and Righteousness

There are numerous examples in his archives and letters which propose a settlement of the differences between Shias and Sunnis. Also suggested refutation of some of the prejudiced views of each party to create harmony and unity among all these Islamic sects. He pointed out flawed views in both, Shia as well as Sunni sect. And always advocated harmony and peace among the Muslims. He’s highly regarded by all the sects of Islam as well other religions as well. He said that it was wrong to temporarily arouse the emotions of the people by attributing false traditions to the Prophet (PBUH).

The Theory of Unity of Existence & Unity of Evidence

The Sufis of Islam's theory of unity of existence on which most of the famous saints have come to an agreement up to one thousand years and the words of the masters of every sect and theory seems to be full of it including Jalaluddin Rumi, Hazrat Abdul Rehman Jami, Hazrat Gharib Nawaz Ajmeri, Hazrat Mehboob Ilahi Dehlavi, Hazrat Khawaja Baqi Billa and Hazrat Mujaddid Alf-Sani Sirhindi are especially noteworthy.

Selflessness and Message of Freedom from The British

Peer Mehr Ali Shah Goldrwi, opposed such movements and warned Muslims about the consequences. He did not allow the British government to take any advantage of this disagreement. He openly stated in his opposition to these movements is not his intention at all to co-operate with the British. Several representatives of the British government came for offerings like land, wealth, but he turned them down. In response to a British officer's offer of land and power, he said, "I do not need a jagir (Land ownership) from the government, but the whole world, from east to west, is the regime of our great-grandfather, Syedna Ghaus Azam." We have inherited it”, he said.

In this age of conflict, there is no unity or consensus of Islamic sects on any entity except him. Shias, Sunnis, non-Maqlid Deobandis, Barelvi clerics and most of the balanced people from Western academic community sincerely appreciate his sincerity. His sphere of influence transcends, besides Pakistan and India as well as Burma, Afghanistan, Iraq and Arabia & Turkestan, etc.

In addition, there is a need for a long office to teach the books of Sharia and the teachings of the mystics and mysteries of the books and to narrate other events of the revival of Islam and Sufism.

Here are some of his most popular books:

Shams-ul-Haq “in the word of truth”.

Shams-ul-Hidaya (per affirmation of the life of Christ.)

Saif Chishtiai (Against Qadiani Class).

Exalt the word of Allah at time sacrifice.

Conquest of Samadiya (Selfsufficient).

Settlement between Sunni and Shia.

Fatwas of Mahria 

Dr. Allama Muhammad Iqbal was also very appreciative of his personality. A letter from Allama Iqbal in the quarterly Tulo-e-Mehr mentions that “My dignity! At present, there is no door in the subcontinent other than you that can be knocked to solve the problems facing the Ummah”