Sajjada Nashin
The chain and tenure of the successors (Sajjada Nashins) of Khanqah Munamia Meetanghat Dargahsharif
1. Hazrat Maulana Syed Hassan Raza Raipuri
(1185 – 1215 Hijri)
He was born in1154 Hijri at Fatuha, Raipura village in Patna. His father, Hazrat Syed Abdullah, was a heriditary preceptor (peer). The tradition and order of sufism was descending in his family from generation to generation. As per tradition he started acquiring education. He attained expertise in Islamic education in accordance with the contemporary curriculum. He then got attracted towards the accompaniment of Aulia Allah. It was those days when Hazrat Munam Pak had arrived at Patna from Delhi and his popularity had spread all over. At the age of 16, he came to Hazrat Makhdoom and, being influenced by him, became a disciple (murid) under his sacred hands. After that he continued to remain in his service for 15 years, attained all around perfection and achieved accomplishment. Hazrat Makhdoom Munam Pak granted him Ijazah and Khilafah. He was very dear to his preceptor (peer-o-murshid). That is why when Hazrat Makhdoom Munam pak was asked as to which caliph did he want to be his successor (Sajjada Nashin), he replied that he liked Hassan Raza. When he was 31, Hazrat Makhdoom departed his life on 11th Rajab 1185 Hijri and, on the day of his Chaharum, all the scholars (Ulemas) and Mashayekhs of the city appointed him as the successor of Hazrat Makhdoom Munam Pak. He ornamented the seat of Hazrat Makhdoom Munam Pak for 30 years.
He was strictly bound to Islamic canon (Shariah) and he never missed telling the beads (wird-o-wazaif) together with Namaz and other prayers in the silence of the night time. He also used to teach the globally renowned Masnavi of Maulana Rumi to his disciples. He was unconquered by the materialistic fascination of the world. He spent all his life relying on Allah in an ascetic way (faqirana). He like smoking Hubble Bubble (Hooqa). Whenever he tossed up the smoke from his hubble bubble on someone, he would be lost in pure and unrestrained joy.
One he went to Phulwarisharif to attend the annual urs ceremony in the month of Rabi-ul-Awwal. The program of pure Sufi Qawwali was going on and people were delightedly swinging. Two Englishmen came from somewhere and started laughing at the emotions of the people. At that time, he was smoking Hooqa at the veranda next to the hall where Qawwali was going on. Seeing the mock laughter of the foreigners, he drew a pulling from the hooqa and threw its smoke on them. Their laughter disappeared instantly and both of them got carried away by the emotion. They started heaving a sigh, raising slogans and rolling on the floor. Seeing their condition, people somehow removed apart the weapons from their belts so that they might not get hurt or injured while they were elated. After sometime when their condition improved, both of them fell on his feet with extreme veneration and were accepted. Thereafter, they always used to come see him at Meetanghat and got benefitted.
He was very soft-spoken and kind-hearted. A huge number of common people were his disciples (murids), especially the number of his murids in Patna, Barh, Surajgadha, north Bihar and eastern Bihar was vey large.
He departed his life on 12 Muharram-ul- Haram 1215 Hijri at the age of 60. His shrine (mazar-e-mubarak) is still a centre of reverence for the people in the premises of his Eidgah at his village Raipura in Fatuha of Patna district. He left after him a son named Syed Shah Ghulam Hassan and to daughters. His famous caliphs are as follows:
- Shah Rahmatullah (Biharsharif)
- Maulana Shah Abdur Rahman Muwahhid Lucknavi
(Pandayan, Lucknow, U.P.)
- Syed Shah Shamsuddin Hussain Danapuri
( the father of Aalahazrat Syed Shah Quamruddin Hussain Munami)
- Hazrat Syed Shah Abdul Quadir
( the maternal uncle of Aalahazrat Syed Shah Quamruddin Hussain)
- Hazrat Shah Ibrahim Hussain Naoabadi
(Shah Bhoju Saheb)
The famous poet Quazi Muhammad Sadique Khan Akhtar etc. included his disciples (murids)
2. Hazrat Syed Shah Ghulam Hassan Munami Raipuri
(1215 – 1266 Hijri)
He was the son of Hazrat Maulana Syed Hassan Raza Raipur and, after the death of his father, he became the second successor (Sajjada Nashin) of Hazrat Makhdoom Munam Pak, at the age of 20, on 16th. Muharram-ul Haram 1215 Hijri.
He received his education and training from his father and he was the disciple and caliph of his father. He was also kind and generous like his father and he was also very punctual about his daily routine of telling the beads and worshiping Allah. He used to organize the urs ceremony of his preceptors (peers) in very orderly manner. He was also a poet of high quality and his literary pseudonym was ‘Munami’. Manuscripts of many of his masnavis and poems are safely preserved at the library of the Khanqah Munamia, Meetanghat.
He departed his life on 24th Muharram-ul-Haram at the age of 76. His shrine (mazar) is situated closely towards the foots of his father’s grave at Raipura, Fatuha. He had two sons, Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Ahsan (Syed Mian), Hazrat Syed Shah Amanat Hussain and a daughter who was married to Hazrat Syed Shah Alimuddin Raipuri.
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3. Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Ahsan
(Syed Mian) Munami
(1247 – 1248 Hijri)
He was born in 1214 Hijri at Raipura in Fatuha. He was the eldest son of Hazrat Syed Shah Ghulam Hussain Munami. He had the privilege of being disciple (murid) and caliph of his father after attaining expertise in Islamic education based on the contemporary curriculum. His father was an intimate friend of Aalahazrat Syed Shah Quamruddin Hussain Munami and an admirer of his personality and greatness. His father had entrusted him to Aalahazrat. Aalahazrat paid personal attention on him and taught him special lessons of spiritualism. That is why he became a Sufi saint of very high standard at a young age. Aalahazrat also granted him caliphate of his order. He was also a protector (Hafiz) of 15 paras of the holy Quran. With the permission of Aalahazrat, he also used to impart education and training and the aspirants of spiritualism were strangely benefitted by him. When his father, Syed Shah Ghulam Hassan, planned to leave for Haj he appointed him his third successor (Sajjaa Nashin) considering him suitable for the job in all respects. At the age of 34 he became a patient of pain in legs and left for heavenly abode on 7th Muharram 1248 Hijri and he was put to grave close towards the foot of the his grandfather’s shrine. He left a son, Syed Shah Tajammul Hussain Munami, after him.
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4. Hazrat Maulana Syed Shah Tajammul Hussain
Munami Raipuri
(1266 – 1271 Hijri)
He was born in 1235 Hijri at Raipura in Fatuha. He received his education and training from Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Ahsan and grandfather, Hazrat Syed Shah Ghulam Hassan Munami. After education he got the privilege of being a disciple (murid) of his grandfather. Thereafter his grandfather entrusted him to the accompaniment of Aalahazrat Syed Shah Quamruddin Hussain Munami. Aalahazrat took special interest in his training and he got duly benefitted from him. After the death of Aalahazrat he devoted himself to the service of his son Hazrat Syed Shah Mubarak Hussain Munami and obtained Ijazah and Khilafah from him.
He had no issues and generally resided in the north Bihar. That is why he handed over the successorship of Hazrat Makhdoom Munam Pak and all the concerned authorities to his preceptor in 1271 Hijri. He departed in Jamadi-ul-Ukhra 1273 Hijri.
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5. Hazrat Syed Shah Mubarak Hussain Munami
(Tenure 1271 – 1273 Hijri)
His name was Syed Shah Fakhruddin Hussain but his father used to call him Mubarak Hussain. So he became popular by this name.
He was born in Shah Mannan Ki Gadhi, Mughalpura, Patna City on 18th Zeeqada 1231 Hijri. He received his education and training from Aalahazrat (his father). Then, as desired by his father, he became murid of his grandfather, Hazrat Syed Shah Shamsuddin Hussain Danapuri. His father granted him Ijazah and Khilafah of all his orders and declared him his inheritor. His father Aalahazrat Syed Shah Quamruddin Hussain Munami gave special attention to ensure his spiritual advancement. He always kept him in his company and made him competent and accomplished in all respects and thereafter granted caliphate of all his orders.
When he was 24, his father, Aalahazrat, departed his life. On the day of Aalahazrat’s Fatiha-e-Chaharum, he was adorned with the successorship (Sajjada Nashini) by lots of Sufi saints and Sajjada Nashins who had come from far and near places.
Showing respect to his father when his father was alive, he never accepted anyone as his disciple (murid). After his father a large number of people had the privilege of becoming his disciples (murids). Even the disciples of other preceptors, with their permission, got themselves spiritually benefitted by him.
His clothing was truly like that of his father. His manners and conduct reminded of great Sufi saints. Both the young and the old eagerly loved and respected him.
His first wife was the daughter of Hazrat Syed Shah Murad Ali. When she died, he married the daughter of his maternal uncle (mamu), Shah Hassan Ahmad. She also died and he was married to the daughter of Khwaja Zakir at Shah ki Imli, Patna City. He had four sons from her:
- Hazrat Syed Muniruddin Hussain Munami
- Hazrat Syed Shah Azizuddin Hussain Munami
- Hazrat Syed Shah Sharfuddin Hussain Munami
- Hazrat Syed Shah Raziuddin Hussain Munami
He earned his bread and butter through the business of hansom (bagghi). Sometimes he traveled to Calcutta for this purpose. Wherever he went people got attracted towards him by seeing his luminous and impressive gesture, became his murids and brightened their future.
He always kept himself away from display of miracles but people used to benefits from his miracles everyday.
In AD 1848, he purchased a plot of land to the north of his Khanqah at Meetanghat and extended its premises. He accepted the successorship (Sajjada Nashini) of Hazrat Makhdoom Munam Pak on insistence of Hazrat Syed Shah Tajammul Hussain Munami Raipuri in 1271 and from that time onwards he went on discharging all the responsibilities of Khanqah Munamia, Meetanghat. That is how three successorships got collected in him.
- He was appointed by his grandfather as the 21st. successor of Quadri Mannani order that descended from Hazrat Shah Abdul Mannan Quadri Dehlavi cum Azimabadi.
- He is the first successor (Sajjada Nashin) of his
father Aalahazrat Syed Shah Quamruddin Hussain.
- He became the fifth successor of the Khanqah-e-Munamia of Hazrat Makhdoom Munam Pak after Hazrat Syed Shah Tajammul Hussain Munami Raipuri.
He departed his life at the age of 41 on Monday the13th. of Zilhijja 1273 Hijri at his ancestral house at Shah Toli, Danapur. Next day after the Namaz of Zohr, he was put to grave in the tomb of his ancestors. As those during his lifetime, many miraculous happenings were observed at the time of his death too. His disciples have compiled them separately in the form of a book. His famous Caliphs are:
- Hazrat Maulvi Syed Shah Hamiduddin alis Maulvi Mangan
- Hazrat Maulvi Syed Wajid Hussain Balkhi
- Hazrat Syed Shah Tajammul Hussain Munami Raipuri
- Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Yahya Abul Olai Azimabadi
- Quazi Muhammad Ismail Quadimi
- Hazrat Shah abul Barkat Madanpuri Danapuri
- Hazrat Syed Shah Wazir Ata Danapuri
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6. Hazrat Maulana Syed Shah Muniruddin Hussain Munami
(1273 – 1287 Hijri)
He was born in 1263 Hijri at his paternal house in Shah Toli, Danapur. He was the eldest son of his father, Hazrat Syed Shah Mubarak Hussain Munami. At a young age he had become the protector (Hafiz) of the holy Quran. When he was only 10 his father passed away. This great tragedy compelled him to take tall responsibilities on his shoulders. He was appointed the successor of the Khanqah Munamia Quamaria on the day of his father’s Fatiha-e-Chaharum. In addition to this important responsibility he also had to take care of his three younger brothers who were 7, 5 and 2 years old respectively.
He began the journey of his spiritual education under the patronage of Hazrat Shah Muhammad Quasim Danapuri (the eldest caliph of Aalahazrat Syed Shah Quamruddin Hussain Munami). He became his murid. Hazrat Shah Quasim Danapuri reverently paid special attention to him as he was his preceptor’s son which resulted in his very fast spiritual advancement. Hazrat Shah Quasim Danapuri granted him Ijazah and Khilafah and always felt proud of him.
He was married to the youngest daughter of renowned Sufi saint and author Hazrat Syed Ata Hussain Fani Munami Gayawi. Just one year after his marriage he passed away accidentally at Mohiuddin Nagar in Samastipur district where there were his grandfather, father and many of his disciples on whose invitation he had
gone there. This sad incident took place on the 12th. of Zilhijjah 1287 Hijri and he was put to grave next to his grandfathr’s shrine towards its east on the 13th of Zilhijjah.
He spent 14 years of his short span of life of 24 years as Sajjada Nashin and all the young and the old were not only pleased with him but also impressed extraordinarily by his conduct. He is regarded as one of the Sufi saints of the very high standard.
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7. Hazrat Maulana Syed Shah Azizuddin Hussain Munami
(1287 – 1340 Hijri)
He was the second son of Hazrat Syed Shah Mubarak Hussain Munami. He was born at Meetanghat, Patna City in 1266 Hijri. He completed his education and training under the supervision of his elder brother.
When he was 21, the incident of sudden and tragic death of his elder brother took place and he was appointed as the 7th successor (Sajjada Nashin) of Khanqah Munamia.
His tenure is very important in the history of the Khanqah Munamia. Talking about him, famous writer and historian Syed Badrul Hassan writes in “Yaadgar-e-Rozgar”:
“The seat and Khanqah of Hazrat Munam Pak is situates at Meetanghat. There is a large and ancient mosque which seems to date back to the imperial era. There is Hazrat’s grave (mazar) near the premises of the mosque. He was a great saint of the Abul Olaiya order. He is a man of miracles. The writer has not seen the ancient elders but used to hear much of praises of Shah Abul Barkat Saheb and Shah Quamruddin Saheb. These were the saints from this family. The writer saw Azizuddin Saheb at this seat. He was truly a noble man (Jawan-e-Saaleh) and I saw the dignity of asceticism (Faqeeri) in him. He was a simple, good mannered, kind-hearted, friendly and exhilarative. Earlier this Khanqah had ordinary status. Hazrat Shah Azizuddin Saheb shaped it to the present status. (addendum, Yadgar-e-Rozgar, page 8-9)
He became a disciple (murid) of Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Sajjad Danapuri and obtained Ijazah and Khilafah from him. Though he was his murid and much younger than him, Hazrat Shah Muhammad Sajjad had unprecedented respect for him. During urs ceremony if someone came for kissing the feet (Qadambosi) of Hazrat Shah Muhammad Sajjad Danapuri, he asked him to kiss the feet of Shah Azizuddin Hussain Munami instead of him. He also had the privilege of visiting the holy Makka and Madina and perform Hajj along with his preceptor (Pir-o-Murshid), Hazrat Shah Muhammad Sajjad Danapuri.
During his tenure, he got constructed a magnificent building of the Khanqah Munamia in place of the old one . He also got the Jama Masjid of Hazrat Mulla Meetan and the tomb of Hazrat Makhdoom Munam Pak renovated. A large number of his disciples (murids) is spread all over Bihar. He left for heavenly abode right at the time of Iftar (breaking the fast) on the 3rd. of Ramadhan 1340 Hijri. He left after him only to daughters whom he himself got married to the sons of the preceptor (pirzadas) of Khanqah Maulanagar (Surajgadha).
His grave is situated near the graves of his grandfather and elder brother in the premises of Khanqah Munamia, Patna.
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8. Hazrat Maulana Syed Shah Raziuddin Hussain Munami
(1340 – 1347 Hijri)
He was the youngest son of Hazrat Syed Shah Mubarak Hussain Munami. He was born in 1271 Hijri at Meetanghat, Patna City. He received his education and training under the supervision of his second elder brother Hazrat Syed Shah azizuddin Hussain Munami.
He became the successor (Sajjada Nashin) of Khanqh-e-Munamia after the death of his elder brother Hazrat Syed Shah Azizuddin Hussain Munami. He was a very soft spoken and kind-hearted man of the Sufi convention. Most often he observed fast and did his work himself.
He was married to the daughter of Hazrat Syed Shah Ali Hussain Munami Danapuri resident of Shah Toli, Danapur. He had two daughters and one son, Hazrat Syed Shah Taqiuddin Hussain Munami, from this wife. After the death of his first wife, her second wife brought forth a son, Syed Shah Azimuddin, and a daughter, Bibi Zaibun Nisa. In 1347 Hijri (AD 1928) he had the attack of stroke. When he recovered a little from the illness and felt better, he got his son Hazrat Syed Shah Taqiuddin Hussain Munami seated in his own place as the Sajjada Nashin. He had a second attack of stroke in 1348 Hijri and he departed his life on the 17th. Jamadi-ul-Ukhra 1349 Hijri. To days before his death he had not only informed about the time of his death but also got his grave dug in his presence.
His sacred grave is next to the eastern wall of the tomb of Hazrat Makhdoom Munam Pak.
9. Hazrat Maulana Syed Shah Taqiuddin Hussain Munami
(1347 – 1371 Hijri)
He was the eldest son of Hazrat Syed Shah Raziuddin Munami. He was born in 1295 Hijri at Meetanghat, Patna City. He completed his education and training in the supervision of his uncle and great Sufi, Hazrat Syed Shah Azizuddin Hussain Munami. He worked as a junior court officer (Peshkar) for sometime at Siwan court. When his father had a stroke in AD 1930, he deserted his job, as asked by his father, and took over the charge as 9th Sajjada Nashin of Khanqah-e-Munamia.
He had got the privilege of being a disciple (murid) of his uncle Hazrat Syed Shah Azizuddin Hussain Munami. His uncle had granted him Ijazah and Khilafah of all his orders. He loved him very much and often said to him,” Hazrat Munam Pak’s seat will flourish and prosper with your children. Besides his uncle, he had also received Ijazah and Khilafah from his father. Apart from Patna, a large number of his disciples was found at Giridih, Siwan, Danapur and Mohiuddin Nagar.
He was married to Bibi Bani Fatima, the daughter of Hazrat Syed Shah Athar Hussain Arwali who brought forth four daughters and a son. His son died at the age of 10. He also had an attack of stroke in 1371 Hijri and he appointed his eldest son-in-law and nephew, Hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Manzoor Munami, as the Sajjada Nashin of the Khanqah-e-Munamia Quamaria on 11th. Rajab1371 Hijri. Two years after it, he left for the heavenly abode on the 8th of Safar 1373 Hijri.
His grave is situated near that of his preceptor (peer-o-murshid) and uncle. His urs is also organized along with that of Hazrat Syedena Amir Abul Ula Ahrari at Khanqah-e-Munamia on the 8th of Safar every year .
10. Hazrat Maulana Syed Shah Muhammad Manzoor Munami
(1371 – 1398 Hijri)
He was born at Khanwah-e-Munamia, Ramsagar in Gaya. His father’s grandfather (maternal) and reknowned Sufi, Hazrat syed Shah Ata Hussain Fani Munami put his pious tongue into his mouth and offered lots of blessings. Seeing his smiling face, he used to call him Masroor (happy) in place of Manzoor. He completed his education and training under the supervision of his father, hazrat Syed Shah Muhammad Noor. He was the first person in his family to be admitted to the modern system of education after having received complete Islamic education in accordance with the contemporary curriculum. He passed matriculation with first division from Calcutta University in 1948. While his higher education was in progress he got a job as Kanungo with the Land Acquisition Department of the government of Bihar. In 1398, when he became the Sajjada Nashin of Khanqah Munamia, Meetanghat, he resigned from the government job.
He had the privilege of being a murid of his father in the Chishtiya Munamia order and also received Ijazah and Khilafah of all his orders. His father-in-law cum uncle, hazrat Syed Shah Taqiuddin Hussain Munami had also granted him Ijazah and Khilafah of all his orders.
He was married to Bibi Zohra, the daughter of Hazrat Syed Shah Taqiuddin Munami, who gave birth to three sons and seven daughters.
On the 11th of Rajab 1371 Hijri, on the occasion of the 186th urs of Hazrat Makhdoom munam Pak, his father-in-law cum uncle, Hazrat Syed Shah Taqiuddin Hussain, appointed him his successor (Sajjada Nashin) and all the
Sufi saints and Sajjada Nashins of various Khanqah from far and near place adorned him with turban (dastaar) and expressed their consent. He devoted his 28 years of tenure of Sajjada Nashini to reverence and service of the people. He spent the last 40 years of his life having relinquished the consumption of non vegetarian food (meat, fish, egg, etc.) and not only regularized bu also limited his daily meal. He never took more than one or two rotis that too not in presence of anyone. Because of extensive Ibadah and Riyazah (worship and observances), his personality became memoir of great Sufi saints. People from far away places used to come to him to find peace in his company and seek his blessings (dua) and he also used to sit along with them till late at night listening to their grievances and consoling them. Not a single day passed without someone praising him and expressing his thanks after having got his wishes fulfilled by the grace of his blessing (dua). People observed manifestation of a number of superhuman acts from him whose witnesses are still alive. He departed his life on 5 Rajab 14 Hijri at the age of 105 years.
As desired by him his grave is situated towards the feet of Aalahazrat Syed Shah Quamruddin Hussain Munami. His urs is organized every year at Khanqah Munamia on the 6th of Rajab together with that of Hazrat Khaja Gharib Nawaz.
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11. Hazrat Maulana Syed Shah Salimuddin Ahmad Munami
(1398 – 1419 Hijri)
He was the younger son of Hazrat Syed Shah Manzoor Munami. He received his education and trainning from many scholars (Ulemas) under the supervision of his father. Then he also acquired modern school education. He was the disciple (murid) of his father and had received Ijazah and Khilafah from him.
When his father was leaving for the holy Hajj in AD 1965, he handed over all the responsibility of the Khanqah to him. Right from that time he continued the Imamat (leadership) of the Jama Masjid and service of the Khanqah till he breathed his last.
Owing to his poor health and weakness, his father appointed him, in front of all, the 11th. Sajjada Nashin of Khanqah Munamia Quamaria on the 11th Rajab 1398 Hijri. All the Sufu saints and Sajjada Nashins of other Khanqahs who were present there adorned him with turban and expressed their consent.
He was married to the eldest daughter of Hazrat Syed Muhammad Shaukat Muzaffarpuri in AD 1959. She brought forth three sons:
- Hazrat Syed Shah Shamiddin Ahmad Munami
- Hazrat Syed Shah Shahab Ahmad Munami
- Hazrat Syed Shah Shakil Azimi Munami
He passed away at the age of 63 years on 27th Rabi-ul-Awwal 1499 Hijri.
He was born on the first night of the month (Chaand Raat). So he was called as Chaand and gradually his face
seemed to be glowing like moon. So whoever saw him was greatly impressed by the glow, radiance and glory of his face. He devoted his life to the service of mankind from 1965 to his death. Hundreds of people from all the religions and faith came to him for his blessing (dua) and returned satisfied. He behaviour was very polite and pleasing. Half of the sufferings of the afflicted used to be relieved just by talking to him. He made successful attempts to get some plots of land belonging to the Khanqah extended to its west and north freed from the custody of encroachers. Some disputes were taken to the court and all the decisions were in favour of the Khanqah. It was his tenure when some plots of land were freed after over 50 years of illegal custody and kahanqah got back its embezzled property. During his tenure important construction work took place in khanqah and the Dargah Sharif was also beautified.
He led the prayers (namaz) of 5 times everyday and that of Friday (Juma) and also delivered Khutba (Sermon) on Fridays continuously for forty years. Whatever was uttered by him used to prove true in near or late future. He gave clear clues about his death but people could not understand. Finally when he passed away, the secret of his high spiritual level and his being a Sufi of high standard was revealed.
During his tenure, a monthly magazine,”Al-Mun’im” continued ti be published by the Khanqah for four years.
On the 1st. of Rabi-al-Sani 1419 Hijri, on the occasion of his Fatiha-e-Chaharum, his eldest son,murid and caliph (khalifah), Hazrat Syed Shah Shamimuddin Ahmad Munami was appointed as the 12th. Sajjada Nashin of Khanqah-e-Munamia.
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