Bu-Ali Shah Qalander was born into a well-known family in 606 Hijri in Panipat, Haryana. His family was also connected to the world-renowned Imam Abu Hanifa. Qalander's mother was Bibi Hamiza Jamal, the daughter of Hamdani Moulana Nemat Ullah. Sheik Fakhar Uddin was an exceptional Iraqi scholar who settled in Panipat around 600 Hijri, where Qalander started his spiritual practices. Qalander's father is Sheikh Fakhar Uddin, a well-known saint and scholar. This is where Qalander's inspirational journey begins.
Studies and Early Teaching
When Qalander got older, he started teaching next to Qutub Minar after he turned 20. With the knowledge that Qalander possessed, he became very famous in Delhi. During this period, Qalander gained a lot of respect from the educated people around him and from the places he taught. He was also a well-regarded teacher and came in contact with Qalander and his teachings. He was still beginning his journey and had a lot left to discover.
When Sheikh Sharf Uddin spotted his transformation, he tried throwing away every book present to him into a river before meditating in the forest. The feeling this place gave him was surreal, and he was actively looking for peace, so he decided to bring a little more calmness to his life by praying. He started performing extreme self-denial a few days into standing in a river and granted the fish access to care for his legs.
A voice once addressed him while meditating, saying, ‘Sharf Uddin, we have granted your prayer. Ask, what do you wish for?” The Sheikh replied, “I need none but You. I will give my life in Your love right here.”
The voice said, “Leave the river, for you have much to do for us.” Sheikh Bu-Ali said, “I will not leave the river of love. If You wish it, then pull me out.” Suddenly, a saint was there, and he took him out of the water and put him on the river bank. Some chroniclers say this saint was Hazrat Ali himself. The saint then vanished after teaching him divine secrets. Since then, Sheikh Sharf Uddin has been known as Bu-Ali Shah.
Spiritual Connection and Mystical Experiences
There are different versions regarding how Hazrat Bu-Ali Shah Qalandar became a Sufi. Some claim that he never obeyed any spiritual leader but was directly enrolled in the divine path by Hazrat Ali. Others associate him with Mahboob-e-Ilahi or relate him to Hazrat Qutub Uddin Bakhtiyar Ka'aki and Sheikh Shabu Uddin Suharawardy.
No matter the lineage, his spirit became filled with celestial illumination, and he spent the rest of his life marveling and meditating at the same time.
His Life and Service in Panipat
Sheikh Bu-Ali Shah Qalandar spent his later years in Panipat, serving the masses as a spiritual guide to unlimited devotees. His fame was such that he single-handedly inspired countless people to convert to Islam. His specialty was teaching the over 100 Rajputs that populated the border of Delhi along with the royal family. He had compassion and love for people and practiced and preached it, which helped him gain respect from ordinary citizens and royalty.
Revelations and Mystical Acts
A famous story of his life tells us of a disciple from Shamsuddin Turk, who was given a chore in town. The disciple told his teacher how he had witnessed Hazrat Bu-Ali Shah riding a lion. Shamsuddin Turk asked the disciple to relay a message: "Let the lion dwell in the jungle." This caused the disciple to obey, and as he told the message to Hazrat Bu-Ali Shah, he jumped from his sitting position and headed towards Ghote.
The Traveler of the Divine Essence
Hazrat Sheikh missed the 17th day of Ramazan in 724 Hijri and died at Budha Khera, but he was buried in Panipat because the place is famous as the Center of the Sufis and his tomb is of great respect to his numerous followers.
Other places of religious importance on India's map include Ajmer Sharif Dargah India, another famous Sufi shrine where people of all religions come to pray and feel peace.
