Khawaja Ghulam Farid History of shrine | خواجہ غلام فرید کی سوانح عمری اور ان کے مزار کی تاریخ

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Biography of Khawaja Ghulam Farid and the history of his shrine

Dekhti Aankhooon aur sountay kaanoon ko Asslamoalaikum, sisters, brothers friends and elders, in informative series videos of Islamic ascolars, sufisaints, cultural heritages, islamic philosophys, islamic mysticisms and historical figures. today we are describing biography of Khawaja Ghulam Farid and the history of his shrine.

Khawaja Ghulam Farid (also romanized as Fareed was a 19th-century Sufi poet and mystic from Bahawalpur, Punjab, British India, belonging to the Chishti Order. Most of his work is in his mother tongue Multani, or what is now known as Saraiki. However, he also contributed to the Standard Punjabi, Urdu, Pashto, Sindhi, Hindi and Persian literature. His writing style is characterized by the integration of themes such as death, passionate worldly and spiritual love, and the grief associated with love.

He was born into a branch of the Koreja family who claimed descent from Umar, the second Rashidun caliph through an early migrant to Sindh. The family was established as saints associated with the Suhraward? Sufi order. Originally from Thatta, Sindh, the family seat later moved to Mithankot in the early 18th century on the invitation of a disciple and subsequently transferred their allegiance to the Chishti order. Khawaja Farid was born 1841/1845 at Chachran. Farid's father died when he was around eight years of age. He was then brought up by his elder brother, Khawaja Fakhr al-D?n, and grew up to become a scholar and writer. He received a fine formal education at the royal palace of ??diq Mu?ammad IV, the Nawab of Bahawalpur. His brother Fakhr al-D?n, who had brought him up after their parents' deaths, also died when Farid was 26 years old. Farid performed hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca) in 1875, and then retired to the Cholistan Desert (also known as Rohi) for chilla (retreat) where he spent a total of eighteen years. He died at Chachran on 24 July, 1901, and was buried at Mithankot.

The shrine of Ghulam Farid, one of the most revered Sufi saints of the Sindh region in Pakistan, stands in Mithankot, a town in the Rahim Yar Khan District of Punjab. Ghulam Farid, also known as **Sain Ghulam Farid**, was a prominent figure in the Sufi tradition, admired for his profound spirituality, poetic works, and contributions to mysticism. His shrine, located in Mithankot, continues to be an important place of pilgrimage for thousands of devotees who visit it every year to seek spiritual solace and blessings.

Born in 1845 in the village of **Chachran Sharif**, which lies in the present-day Rahim Yar Khan District of Punjab, Ghulam Farid belonged to a noble family with a rich heritage of religious scholarship and mysticism. He was a direct descendant of **Shah Shams Tabriz**, a renowned Sufi mystic and the spiritual guide of **Rumi**. From a young age, Ghulam Farid exhibited extraordinary qualities of spiritual insight, humility, and an intense devotion to God. He spent much of his life in the pursuit of divine love, emphasizing the importance of inner transformation and self-realization.

Farid was a follower of the **Chishti order** of Sufism, a tradition that places a strong emphasis on love, tolerance, and devotion to the Divine. His Sufi practices were deeply centered on the principles of love for God, service to humanity, and the renunciation of material desires. Farid’s teachings revolved around the idea of divine union and the transcendence of the ego, encouraging his followers to strive for spiritual purity.

Farid’s poetry, composed in **Sindhi**, **Seraiki**, and **Urdu**, is regarded as one of the cornerstones of the rich literary tradition of the region. His poems, often mystic in nature, express the intense longing for divine presence and the quest for self-purification. Many of his works reflect the themes of divine love, the beauty of nature, and the pains of separation from God. His famous verses and poetry continue to be widely read and sung by his followers today, especially during religious gatherings and festivals.

The shrine of Ghulam Farid is located in **Mithankot**, a town located on the banks of the **Indus River** in the Punjab province of Pakistan. It is a significant spiritual site for the followers of Sufism and has become a major pilgrimage destination. Ghulam Farid died in 1901, and his shrine was constructed over his grave as a place of reverence for his disciples and admirers. Over the years, the shrine has attracted a large number of devotees, not only from the local area but from all parts of Pakistan and abroad.

The shrine is surrounded by a peaceful and serene atmosphere, with visitors often coming to meditate, pray, and reflect upon the spiritual wisdom of the saint. The site has become an important center for Sufi rituals, including **qawwali** performances (devotional Sufi music), **dhamaal** (Sufi dance), and **zikr** (chanting the names of God), all of which are central to the worship practices of the Chishti order. The qawwals, who sing devotional songs in honor of the saint, attract large crowds, especially during the **urs** (death anniversary) of Ghulam Farid, which is celebrated annually at the shrine.

The urs of Ghulam Farid is a particularly significant event, drawing thousands of pilgrims from across Pakistan. During the urs, devotees gather at the shrine for prayers, recitations of his poetry, and performances of qawwali. The atmosphere is charged with spiritual energy, with people singing, dancing, and seeking blessings from the saint. This event is marked by an overwhelming sense of devotion and communal participation, emphasizing love, peace, and the unity of all people regardless of their background or social status.

The architectural design of the shrine itself is a reflection of traditional Islamic and Sufi styles, with intricate tile work, calligraphy, and symbolic elements. The shrine is an imposing structure, with a large dome and beautifully decorated minarets, evoking a sense of grandeur and spiritual elevation. Visitors often gather around the shrine to offer flowers, light candles, and make prayers, seeking both spiritual and material blessings from the saint.

The shrine of Ghulam Farid not only serves as a place of pilgrimage but also as a center for the propagation of Sufi teachings and practices. It plays a vital role in preserving the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of Sindh and Punjab, where Sufism has had a profound influence over centuries. Farid’s teachings continue to resonate with the local population, particularly in rural areas, where his emphasis on love, humility, and devotion to God inspires many to lead lives of service, compassion, and simplicity.

Ghulam Farid’s legacy, preserved through his poetry and the continued vibrancy of his shrine, is a testament to the enduring power of Sufism in the subcontinent. For his followers, the shrine in Mithankot is not merely a physical resting place but a symbolic portal to spiritual elevation and closeness to the Divine.

With this, we seek your permission until tomorrow, tomorrow we will describe the biography of Ghousi Shah and the history of his maqbara. Allah Hafiz.

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