Hazrat Khawaja Muhammad Zaman QS (1st Pir of Luari Sharif)
Hazrat Sultanul Aulia Khwaja Muhammad Zaman’s (QS) forefathers belonged to Arabia. Following is the genealogy which shows his direct Lineage from Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) the first Caliph of Islam:
1. Hazrat Sultanul Aulia Khwaja Muhammad Zaman (Q) s/o
2. Shaikh Haji Abdul Latif s/o
3. Shaikh Tayyaab s/o
4. Shaikh Ibrahim s/o
5. Shaikh Abdul Wahid s/o
6. Shaikh Abdul Latif Kalan s/o
7. Shaikh Ahmad s/o
8. Shaikh Baqa s/o
9. Shaikh Muhammad s/o
10. Shaikh Faqrullah s/o
11. Shaikh Abid s/o
12. Shaikh Abdullah s/o
13. Shaikh Taoos s/o
14. Shaikh Ali s/o
15. Shaikh Mustafa s/o
16. Shaikh Malik s/o
17. Muhammad s/o
18. Abul Hassan s/o
19. Muhammad s/o
20. Tayyar s/o
21. Abdul Bari s/o
22. Aziz s/o
23. Fazal s/o
24. Ali s/o
25. Ishaq s/o
26. Ibrahim Abi Bakr s/o
27. Qaim s/o
28. Ateeq s/o
29. Muhammad s/o
30. Abdul Rehman s/o
31. Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA).
The 24th man of the above-mentioned line Ali bin Ishaq first arrived in Dibal (near Thatta in Sindh) circa 169 AH, or 786 AD. They lived in Thatta for about two-and-half centuries and probably, because of civil wars during the early reigns of Samaa dynasty, when Thatta reached the brim of ruination, they bode farewell to Sindh and the 21st man of the above line Abdul Bari bin Aziz moved to nearby state of Katchh circa 417 AH, or 1026 AD. The family returned to Sindh in 1071 AH and settled in old Luari Sharif.
Hazrat Sultanul Aulia Khwaja Muhammad Zaman (Q) was born in old Luari on Ramazan 21, 1125 AH or October 9, 1713 AD. Since his early age, he was leaned towards religious education. He completed the recitation of Holy Quran under the guidance of his father Shaikh Haji Abdul Latif(Q). Then he moved to Thatta, where he got formal schooling. Here he met the famous Naqshbandi saint Shaikh Muhammad, known as Abul Massakeen(Q). Hazrat Abul Massakeen (Q) immediately admitted him to his circle of disciples and made him busy in Muraqiba (meditation). After six months, Hazrat Sultanul Aulia (Q) attained such a status that Hazrat Abul Massakeen (Q) allowed him to make his own disciples. A few years after the death of Hazrat Abul Massakeen (Q), he returned to old Luari Sharif and in 1150 AH, or 1741 AD shifted to the present Luari Sharif, where he established his own school of the Naqshbandia order and guided the people towards the divine destination, the entity of Allah.
For 38 years he remained the tutor and guide of the masses and led them on the path of Allah. He passed away on Zul Quad 4, 1188 AH or January 6, 1775 AD and was laid to rest in his chamber in Luari Sharif. He was succeeded by his able son Hazrat Mehboob-us-Samad Khwaja Gul Muhammad (Q), who later built a tomb over the grave of Hazrat Sultanul Aulia (Q), which is known as Dargah Luari Sharif and famous all over the world for its contribution towards preaching of Islam.
The message, which Hazrat Sultanul Aulia (Q) gave to the world, is simple, which emphasises the human being not to be oblivious of cause of his creation ie, to worship Allah.
Hazrat Khwaja Gul Muhammad (Q) (2nd Pir of Luari Sharif)
Hazrat Khwaja Gul Muhammad, known as Hazrat Mehboob-us-Samad, was the second Sajjadah Nashin of Dargah Luari Sharif. He was born in Luari Sharif on Rabi-ul-Awwal 11, 1177 AH or September 19, 1763 AD.
He was only 11 years old when his father, Hazrat Sultan-ul-Oliya Khwaja Muhammad Zaman (Q), passed away. At that time many disciples objected that due to his childhood, he might not be able to become the spiritual head but Shaikh Abdul Rahim of Girhori (Q) allayed that fears of the people and was the first to accept his leadership.
Despite his young age, Hazrat Khwaja Gul Muhammad bestowed the similar spiritual bounties upon his followers, which were associated with his reverend father. His circle of disciples comprised people from every strata of the society. The included from ordinary peasants and artisans, to the elderly followers of Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad Zaman (Q) and to the political elite, such as the Talpur generals in the Sindh army.
It was his time when the Talpurs rebelled against the Kalhora rulers. Though the Kalhoras had apparently called themselves very respectful towards Luari Sharif, but in fact, the ruling elite had turned their back on the pledges their elders made to Khwaja Muhammad Zaman (Q). The Talpurs leader, Mir Bijar Khan, approached Khwaja Gul Muhammad (Q) for his blessings in his quest for the takeover of the Sindh throne, but he chose not to indulge in politics. Instead he referred Mir to Shaikh Abdul Rahim Girhori (Q), who sided with the Talpurs only after Mir Bijar Khan undertook to introduce certain social reforms in Sindh during his rule. With the blessings of Shaikh Girhori (Q) the Talpurs emerged victorious.
For whole his life Khwaja Gul Muhammad (Q) remained the personification of piety always busy in prayers. He used to offer Tahajud (after midnight) prayers regularly besides routine five times prayers. He passed away on Rabi-ul-Sani 27, 1218 AH or August 14, 1803 AD. He was laid to rest beside his father in the shrine of Luari Sharif. He was succeeded by his son Hazrat Ghaus-e-Alam Khwaja Muhammad Zaman II (Q).
Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad Zaman (Q) (second) (3rd Pir of Luari Sharif)
Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad Zaman (Q) is known as Hazrat Ghaus-e-Alam. He was the eldest son of Hazrat Mehboob-us-Samad (Q). He was born in Ramazan, 1199 AH or July 1785 AD. He was the namesake of his grand father, but the people who had seen Hazrat Sultan-ul-Oliya Khwaja Muhammad Zaman (Q) used to say that it was not the name, which was common among them but also the same features and same habits.
He became the third Sajjadah Nashin of Dargah Luari Sharif at the age of 19 years. During those days, Ahmad Shah Abdali, ruler of Afghanistan invaded Sindh. Due to worsening law and order situation Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad Zaman (Ghaus-e-Alam) (Q) left Luari Sharif and moved to a nearby place. After peace returned to the area, he came back. Later, he built a fort in Luari Sharif for self protection.
Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad Zaman (Ghaus-e-Alam) had five brothers, out of them four became envy to him and tried to oust him from Luari Sharif. They convinced Mir Ghulam Ali, the then ruler of Sindh and provoked him to demolish the fort which he did. The fort was rebuilt later when Mir Ghulam Ali died in mysterious conditions. The jealous brothers on many occasions attacked the fort and killed hundreds of servants and followers of Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad Zaman (Ghaus-e-Alam) (Q).
Hazrat Ghaus-e-Alam (Q) passed away on Safar 17, 1247 AH or July 28, 1831 AD. He was laid to rest in the Shrine of
Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad Hassan (Q) (4th Pir of Luari Sharif)
Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad Hassan (Shah Madani) (Q) was born on Muharram 1, 1235 AH or October 24, 1819 AD. In 1247 AH when he became the fourth Sajjadah Nashin of Dargah Luari Sharif, he was only 12 years old. His hostile uncles were out to pose a great threat to his life and the sanctity and dignity of the religious institution, he headed. He courageously faced all the odds and maintained the sanctity of Luari Sharif.
He was very fond of performing Hajj and true lover of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). During his life time he performed Hajj six times. He passed away in Madina Munnawara, while on his sixth pilgrimage on Safar 7, 1298 AH or January 9, 1881. He was laid to rest in Janat-ul-Baqee, Madina Munnawara.
Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad Hasan (Shah Madani) was very punctual practitioner of Islamic prayers. He spent his nights in Zikr (reciting the name of Allah). He was succeeded by his son Hazrat Khuwaja Muhammad Saeed (Shah Makki) (Q).
Hazrat Khwaja Muhammad Saeed (Q) (5th Pir of Luari Sharif)
Khawaja Muhammad Saeed, also known as Hazrat Imam-ul-Oliya [QS] was born in 1264 AH in Luari Sharif. His reverend father, Khawaja Muhammad Hassan [QS], took the utmost care of his education and arranged the top-most teachers for that purpose.
Khawaja Muhammad Saeed [QS] was the author of many books on religion, Sufism, jurisprudence, and other religious sciences and ‘Sahib-e-Diwan’ poet. He also performed Hajj six times, following in his father’s footsteps.
His circle of disciples was very wide, including leading scholars, leaders, and government officials from India and Arab countries. Sharif of Makkah Aun al-Rafiq and his family, and the next Sharif of Makkah, Hussein bin Ali, also held him in the highest esteem. Whenever he would land in Hijaz for Hajj, Sharif Aun al-Rafiq and his sons used to welcome him at the Jeddah Port. Arab scholars used to wait for his arrival to elicit his opinion on complex religious issues before issuing an edict.
World renowned scholar Shaykh Muhammad Abd al-Hayy al-Kattani records in his voluminous biographical compendium Fehris al-Faharis that he met Khwaja Muhammad Saeed in Makkah in the year of his passing there, i.e. 1323 AH. He says 'Murshid al-Kabir' Khwaja Muhammad Saeed granted him both general and specific authorisation, particularly for ‘Ḥaṣr al-Shārid’.
The then district magistrate of Hyderabad wrote in an official communication to his higher authorities on September 27, 1887, saying that “the Pir lived in complete seclusion within the four walls of his fort, never leaving on any pretext except when proceeding on pilgrimage to Mecca; having to appear in court was religiously impossible for him. More importantly, the Pir’s influence cannot be ignored. He was held in the highest esteem for his extensive learning, boundless liberty, and blameless life; the gadi had been venerated for centuries. Mureeds included Mirs and Baluch sardars, as well as wealthy Cutchi Memons and merchants living as far away as Zanzibar, Mauritius, and Southern Africa. Even the local branch of the National Muhammadan Association had written in his support.”
Throughout his life, Khawaja Muhammad Saeed [QS] worked tirelessly for the cause of Islam. He was strict observant of Naqshbandia rituals and the teachings of the Qur’an and Sunnah. He penned several books on Sufism and the teachings of the Luari Sharif. His fatwas [edicts on religious issues] were unchallengeable.
He played an important role in the spread of education in the country. Once, during a Hajj trip, Khan Bahadur Hasan Ali Effendi approached him in Karachi, requesting financial support for the construction of the Sindh Madrasatul Islam. Granting the request, he gave all the money he had taken for the Hajj journey to Khan Bahadur Effendi, albeit with the condition that his name would not be disclosed. This event was narrated by the late Khan Bahadur Effendi’s grandson on the occasion of the centenary celebrations of the Sindh Madrasatul Islam.
Khawaja Muhammad Saeed [QS] passed away in 1324 AH in Makkah while on his sixth Hajj journey. He was laid to rest in Jannatul Maala, next to the final abode of Hazrat Abdul Rahman bin Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq [RA]. He was 60.
He was succeeded on the seat of Khawaja Muhammad Zaman [QS] by his son, Pir Haji Ahmad Zaman [QS].
Hazrat Pir Haji Ahmad Zaman (Q) (6th Pir of Luari Sharif)
Hazrat Pir Haji Ahmad Zaman (Imam-ul-Arfeen) (Q) was born in Luari Sharif on Zul Hajj 16, 1297 AH or November 9, 1881 AD. At the time of his birth, his father was in Makkah with his grand father Hazrat Khuwaja Muhammad Hassan (Shah Madani) for performing Hajj.
After the demise of his father Khwaja Muhammad Saeed in 1906, he became the Sajjadah Nashin of Dargah Luari Sharif. After a few years stay in Luari Sharif, he migrated to Karachi in 1915. Here, he invited all human beings to come under the sacred flag of ‘Kul’ for acquiring faith, right path and peace. His call caused anguish among followers of a particular Muslim sect. Later, he shifted to Amritsar (Now in Indian Punjab) in 1922. But after a decade, he returned and continued his preach.
Hazrat Imam-ul-Arfeen (Q) was the man of words and wisdom and unique in his calibre. Many scholars came to have debate with him over his religious thoughts, but could never convince rather they accepted that Hazrat Pir Haji Ahmad Zaman (Imam-ul-Arfeen) (Q) was the true preacher of Islam.
He passed away on Rajab 1, 1357 AH or August 27, 1938 AD in Karachi and was laid to rest in the Shrine of Luari Sharif.
Hazrat Pir Gul Hassan (Q) (7th Pir of Luari Sharif)
Hazrat Pir Gul Hassan (Pir Badshah) (Q) was the only son of Hazrat Pir Haji Ahmad Zaman (Imam-ul-Arfeen) (Q) who became the seventh Sajjadah Nashin of Dargah of Luari Sharif after the demise of his father. At the time of his elevation as the Pir of Luari Sharif, he was facing severe criticism from sectarian priests, who were then enjoined by some of his close relatives. But Hazrat Pir Gul Hassan (Pir Badshah) (Q) never budged before them and always remained firm in his faith and determined to carry on the mission left by his reverend father Hazrat Pir Haji Ahmad Zaman (Imam-ul-Arfeen) (Q).
Many scholars of present times agree that Hazrat Pir Gul Hassan (Pir Badshah) (Q), besides worldly sagacity, had the vast knowledge of spiritualism. A selfless, humble and unassuming Pir Gul Hassan (Pir Badshah) (Q) lived a very simple life. He was man of conviction and never compromised on faith and principles.
He passed away on Zul Quad 27, 1402 AH or September 16, 1982 AD. He had no issue, therefore, he nominated his able disciple and lieutenant Hazrat Pir Haji Faiz Muhammad (Rahimee Badshah) (Q) as his successor.
Hazrat Pir Haji Faiz Muhammad (Q) (8th Pir of Luari Sharif)
Hazrat Pir Haji Faiz Muhammad (Rahimee Badshah) belonged to the Hashemite branch of the Quresh through Abdul Mutalib, the grandfather of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). He was born in Qazi Ahmad, District Nawabshah, Sindh, on Sha’ban 14, 1348 AH or January 15, 1930 AD. He was the direct descendent of Hazrat Qazi Ahmad (RA) – One of the most prominent devotees of Hazrat Sultanul Oliya Khawaj Muhammad Zaman (Q).
Hazrat Pir Faiz Muhammad (Rahimee Badshah) became Sajjadah Nashin of Dargah Hazrat Qazi Ahmad (Q) after the demise of his father Pir Mian Pir Muhammad (Q) in 1956.
Hazrat Rahimee Badshah (Q) was a true lover of his spiritual guide, Hazrat Pir Badshah (Q). Always punctual in all religious obligations as well as rituals of Naqshbandi order, he dedicated his life to the cause of Luari Sharif.
In 1982, he became Sajjadah Nashin of Dargah Luari Sharif, according to the will of Hazrat Pir Gul Hassan (Pir Badshah) (Q) and assumed the sacred office of guiding humanity towards the path of Allah. He passed away on Jamadi-us-Sani 18, 1416 AH or November 11, 1995 AD. He was laid to rest in the shrine of Hazrat Qazi Ahmad (District Nawabshah).
Hazrat Pir Muhammad Sadiq Qureshi, 37th Imam (9th Pir of Luari Sharif)
Hazrat Pir Muhammad Sadiq Qureshi is the present Sajjadah Nashin of Dargah Luari Sharif. He was born on Rajab 24, 1399 AH or June 20, 1979 AD. He got his early education from his father Hazrat Pir Haji Fazi Muhammad Qureshi (Rahimee Badshah) (Q) and later schooled in prestigious institutions in his native town Qazi Ahmad and then in Islamabad (the capital of Pakistan). He holds MA Arts Policy and Management, Birbeck, University of London.
Hazrat Pir Muhammad Sadiq Qureshi became the 9th Sajjadah Nashin of Dargah Luari Sharif and the 10th Sajjadah Nashin of Dargah Hazrat Qazi Ahmad (RA) after the passing of his father, Hazrat Pir Haji Faiz Muhammad Qureshi (Rahimee Badshah) (Q), in 1995. Since then, Hazrat Pir Muhammad Sadiq Qureshi is engaged in the furthering the sacred mission of his elders, preaching and propagating the universal message of peace and spiritualism of Hazrat Sultan-ul-Aulia (Q).
Hazrat Pir Muhammad Sadiq Qureshi is heading a number of welfare organizations such as Hazrat Sultan-ul-Oliya Foundation, as Chairman, Pir Gul Hassan Shah Trust, as Managing Trustee, Nishat Welfare Organization, (NWO) as Patron-in-Chief and The Sufi Institute, as Chairman of the Board of Governors. These organizations are serving the people in sectors of healthcare, education, and general welfare.
Hazrat Pir Muhammad Sadiq Qureshi is also an active member of Global Sustainability Network (GSN), The Organization is working on SDG Goal 8, anti human trafficking and eradication of child / forced labour.
Nishat Welfare Organization which operates under the umbrella of Hazrat Sultan-ul-Oliya Foundation, has 6 adopted schools in Luari Sharif town Badin, from mid-primary level with 600 girls and 800 boys students (Total 1400 Students) currently enrolled. In these schools NWO facilitates teachers’ training, builds basic facilities for students and faculty, and provides students with free books/stationery. In addition, NWO runs Nishat Quality Education programme, which provides education support to students and focuses on Women Empowerment initiatives by creating safe learning environments and providing scholarships and financial aid to the youth to give equal access to knowledge and opportunities for women.
NWO also organizes free medical camps in rural areas of Sindh / Balochistan on a regular basis and special relief camps are set up in times of floods, cyclones, and other crises such as the recent Covid-19, wherein ration packages and first-aid kits were distributed to needy families. NWO in partnership with IOM (International Organization for Migrants, a UN Agency) has successfully built and handed over more than 800 Houses in Dadu district and 500 Houses in Badin district, Sindh. The residents were trained in construction methods so that in future they are able to repair and even rebuild their houses in case of any future damages by floods or storms.
In education sector, Hazrat Sultan-ul-Oliya Foundation fully funds and manages The Sufi Institute, Luari Sharif Badin (TSI www.thesufiinstitute.com ). The Institute offers quality education at highly subsidised rates. Programmes at TSI include Bachelors of Science in IT , free of cost English Language classes for Mothers and Housewives, Language classes for English, Arabic, Chinese, Persian and German in collaboration with Goethe-Institut Karachi.
TSI is also planning to start Information Technology training for Microsoft, SAP , Salesforce and Oracle certifications.
Hazrat Sultan-ul Oliya Foundation awards scholarships each year to deserving students from non affluent backgrounds and supports them in their future endeavors. Medical grants are also generously awarded to the needy patients on an immediate basis.
