Sultan-ul-Faqr is an exalted and eminent spiritual Saint whom Allah Almighty, by His special grace, appoints as the custodian of the Divine Trust (Amanat-e-Elahiya), Faqr and gnosis of Allah. The purpose of these chosen souls is to lead the creation of Allah away from outward worship, worldliness and the slavery of the inciting self, and to guide them towards the recognition of Allah, ardent love for the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), inner purification and Divine closeness. Allah manifested seven Sultan-ul-Faqr souls. The seventh Sultan-ul-Faqr is Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman.
BLESSED BIRTH AND EARLY LIFE
Sultan-ul-Faqr VII Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman was born at four o’clock in the morning on 19 August 1959 (14 Safar 1379 AH) in Tehsil Chishtian, District Bahawalnagar, Pakistan. His respected father named him “Najib-ur-Rehman”. From childhood, signs of sainthood and Divine proximity were evident in his blessed personality. He was brought up in a pure and religious environment. The affection of his respected mother, the guidance of his respected father and family values embedded purity and sincerity in the foundation of his personality.
SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH AND INNER RESTLESSNESS
Despite success in worldly life, there was an intense yearning for the Truth within him. Although he had outward comforts, his inward found no peace. This restlessness was, in reality, the quest for the ultimate Reality and the longing for union with Allah Almighty. He sought to reach the Truth through worship, invocation and day-and-night spiritual struggle. These devotions granted temporary peace, yet lasting peace was still not attained.
SPIRITUAL OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
On the night of 12 April 1997, after the Tahajjud prayer, while he was reciting Durood, he found himself in Masjid-e-Nabawi in the sacred Majlis-e-Mohammadi (peace and blessings be upon him). The Eternal Light, the Master and Lord, the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), was seated in the centre. On his right were Hazrat Ali Karam Allah Wajhahu, Hazrat Imam Hasan Razi Allah Anhu and Hazrat Imam Husayn Razi Allah Anhu. On his left were Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq Razi Allah Anhu, Hazrat Umar Farooq Razi Allah Anhu, Hazrat Usman Ghani Razi Allah Anhu and the revered spiritual masters of the four Sufi orders.
The Master of the Universe, Hazrat Ali Karam Allah Wajhahu, stepped forward, took the hand of Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen in his blessed hand, presented him before the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), seated him at his blessed feet and submitted, “O Prophet! This is Najib-ur-Rehman, your slave. He is the spiritual and enlightened son of your beloved daughter, the Lady of Paradise Razi Allah Anha. She has chosen him to be granted her spiritual legacy and has sent him to your exalted court for this purpose.”
When Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman heard this, he immediately placed his forehead upon those blessed feet upon which both worlds are sacrificed. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Yes, the recommendation has reached us and We have accepted it. Now he is also our enlightened son, but which son’s legacy should We grant him?” Hazrat Imam Hasan Mujtaba Razi Allah Anhu submitted, “O revered Grandfather! Our mother, the Lady of Paradise Razi Allah Anha, has requested that he be granted our legacy.”
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) held Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman by both shoulders with his blessed hands, raised him from his blessed feet and said, “You are our spiritual and enlightened son, our heir. An era will receive beneficence from you, and we shall make you our proof. You have pleased our beloved daughter, the light of our eyes; We are pleased with you.”
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) extended both blessed hands for the oath of allegiance and Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen placed both of his hands in the blessed hands of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). The Holy Prophet took oath of allegiance. Then the Holy Prophet looked towards the spiritual leaders of the four Sufi orders and said to the leader of all Saints, Sayyidna Ghaus al-Azam Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Razi Allah Anhu, “His legacy is with you.”
Then the Holy Prophet placed Sultan ul Ashiqeen’s hand in the hand of Sayyidna Ghaus al-Azam Razi Allah Anhu and said, “He is the enlightened son of our beloved daughter. Now he is also your enlightened son. We entrust him to you. His inward spiritual education is your responsibility.” Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman states that after receiving this supreme blessing, he kissed the feet of People of the Cloak (Ahl al-Bayt) and all four Rightly Guided Caliphs Razi Allah Anhum present in the gathering. They all congratulated him and placed their hands of affection upon his head. Afterwards, Sayyidna Ghaus al-Azam Razi Allah Anhu sought permission from the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), brought him back from the Majlis-e-Mohammadi, and his inward training began.
PRESENCE IN THE COURT OF THE PERFECT SPIRITUAL GUIDE AND OATH OF ALLEGIANCE
One night in February 1998, Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh appeared in dream of Sultan ul Ashiqeen and said, “Son, We are waiting for you. Come.” Upon awakening, Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen set out in search of that unknown saint, but that captivating countenance was nowhere to be found.
On Monday night, 1 March 1998 (2 Dhu al-Qadah 1418 AH), Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh appeared again in his dream. He opened an old box lying near him. From it, the golden Ism-e-Allah Zaat rose and began to shine like the sun near his blessed head. He said, “Son, you have struggled much; now come.” Pointing towards Ism-e-Allah Zaat, he said, “This Trust of yours has long been waiting for you with us, and we too have been waiting for you.”
In his search for the Truth, Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen reached the sacred shrine of Sultan Bahoo, where he received the inward command to go to the court of Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali, for he was his Murshid. From there on 12 April 1998 (14 Dhu al-Hijjah 1418 AH), he presented himself in the court of Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali. As soon as he saw Sultan-ul-Faqr VI, he realised that he was the very saint who had called him in the dream. Their eyes met; the beloved recognised the beloved, and servitude to his Murshid became the purpose of his life. He swore oath of allegiance and received the blessing of Ism-e-Allah Zaat.
After the oath of allegiance, every aspect of his life became devoted to love for the Murshid, obedience to the Murshid, service of the Murshid and Faqr. Through the company, spiritual gaze and inward training of his beloved Murshid, he attained those spiritual stations that cannot be attained by devotions alone. He sacrificed his self, desires, time, wealth, abilities and life—indeed, everything—for his Murshid.
LOVE FOR THE MURSHID AND SERVICES TO THE MURSHID
One of the most significant aspects of the life of Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Madd is his love for the Murshid. He considered service to Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali to be his greatest honour and obeyed every command with complete submission. Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen made the pleasure of his Murshid the centre of his life. He annihilated his self and made service to his Murshid and the mission of his Murshid the purpose of his life.
TRANSFER OF THE DIVINE TRUST
The transfer of the Divine Trust is not merely outward succession. Rather, it is the inward legacy of Faqr-e-Mohammadi which, by the command of Allah Almighty and with the permission of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), the Murshid transfers to his most beloved and capable disciple.
From 1998 to 2001, Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh put Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen Sultan Mohammad Najib-ur-Rehman through many outward and inward trials. By the grace of Allah Almighty and Divine favour, he succeeded in every trial and test. On 21 March 2001, his Murshid, Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali, presented him in Madina before the Mohammadan Assembly (peace and blessings be upon him). The Holy Prophet accepted him.
Then his Murshid looked towards him and said, “We have found the confidant of the inward.”
There, Sultan-ul-Faqr VI bestowed his kindness and favour upon Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen, inwardly satiated him, and also granted him the inward strength to keep this secret hidden.
After the death of Sultan-ul-Faqr VI, Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen ascended the throne of Divine guidance and persuasion, and began granting the seekers of Allah Ism-e-Allah Zaat and the greatest name of Allah “Hoo”. For the first time in the history of Faqr and Sufism, Sultan-ul-Azkar Hoo began to be granted on the very first day of oath of allegiance. In this way, he made the spiritual journey of the seekers of Allah even easier.
SPREADING FAQR AND THE PRESENT AGE
The present age is an age of materialism, ego-worship, outwardness and disorder. Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen has strived to take Faqr beyond a select few and convey it to the common person. The centre of his invitation is invocation and contemplation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat, purification of the self, love for the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), love for People of the Cloak and gnosis of Allah.
He has clarified that Faqr does not mean poverty or destitution. Rather, Faqr is the purity of the inward, recognition of Allah, presence in Mohammadan Assembly (peace and blessings be upon him), and the inward path. To walk this path, Zikr and Tasawur of Ism-e-Allah Zaat and the guidance of the Murshid are essential.
ESTABLISHMENT OF TEHREEK DAWAT-E-FAQR
Sultan-ul-Faqr VII Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen founded Tehreek Dawat-e-Faqr to advance the mission of his Murshid in an organised manner. The purpose of this movement is to spread Faqr-e-Mohammadi, carry the invitation of Ism-e-Allah Zaat across the world, guide seekers of Allah to the court of the perfect Murshid, arrange inward training, and present the teachings of the Sarwari Qadri Order in a clear, organised and effective way.
It is clearly stated in the constitution of the Tehreek Dawat e Faqr that it is neither a political party nor a sectarian organisation. Rather, it is a means of inviting towards Faqr, reforming the inward self and attaining Divine closeness.
ESTABLISHMENT OF THE KHANQAH
The purpose of a Khanqah is to provide the seekers of Allah with an environment where the company of the Murshid is available, so that purification of the self may take place. For this purpose, Sultan-ul-Faqr VII laid the foundation of Khanqah Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen.
WRITINGS, PUBLICATIONS AND SCHOLARLY SERVICES
An important aspect of the personality of Sultan-ul-Faqr VII Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen is his scholarly and literary service. He has rendered writing and publishing services on Faqr, Ism-e-Allah Zaat, Mohammdan Reality (Haqeeqat-e-Mohammadiya), the Rightly Guided Caliphate, the Ahl al-Bayt Razi Allah Anhum, the Sarwari Qadri Order, the teachings of Sultan Bahoo and other subjects of Sufism.
The purpose of his writings is not merely to provide information, but to make the seekers of Truth understand the reality of Faqr, remove misconceptions about the inward path, clarify the necessity of the Murshid and spread the beneficence of Ism-e-Allah Zaat. In accordance with the needs of the modern age, he has spread the teachings of Faqr through publications, translations, magazines, books and other means so that seekers of Truth, wherever they may be in the world, can gain access to the invitation of Faqr-e-Mohammadi.
EXCELLENCE OF CHARACTER AND PERSONALITY
The virtues and character, beauty and grace, daily conduct, affection towards family, compassion for disciples and gracious behaviour with common people of Sultan-ul-Faqr VII Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen are matchless. His personality reflects beauty, compassion, love, dignity, seriousness, forbearance, generosity and service.
For the spiritual reform of the seekers of Allah, he sometimes grants them affection, sometimes helps them through prayer, and sometimes transforms the inward being of the seeker through his gracious spiritual gaze.
STATUS AS THE SEVENTH SULTAN-UL-FAQR
Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen holds the station of Sultan-ul-Faqr VII. He is the heir to the beneficence, Trust and mission of Sultan-ul-Faqr VI Sultan Mohammad Asghar Ali Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh. He has rendered extraordinary services in making Faqr organised, clear, easy to understand and accessible at the global level in the modern age.
As the Seventh Sultan-ul-Faqr, his era holds special importance because materialism, ego-worship, heedlessness and disorder have greatly increased in the world. In such an age, his invitation returns the human being to his real essence. The blessed personality of Sultan-ul-Ashiqeen is a source of mercy, guidance and the light of Faqr for the seekers of Truth in the present age.