Some 800 years ago, a famous Sufi saint of the Chishti order lived whose legacy has lasted until today. Sabir Pak, aka Baba Sabir, is still venerated for his miraculous abilities. Baba Sabir's mystical powers are highlighted in the story of his journey to the Dargah of Kaliyar Sharif and how he completed it.
His parents were Hazrat-e-Hazra and Hazrat Fakhar Uddin, and he was born in 1204 A.D. When Baba Sabir's father died, his mother relocated to Pakpatan, where her brother Baba Farid lived. When Sabir turned eleven, he traveled to Baghdad to visit his grandfather while predicting a death in the family, much to the astonishment of the entire family. After watching his spiritual endeavors, Baba Farid finally proclaims him to be a saint.
Along with worldly responsibilities, he appointed Sabir to administer the Bhandara. Sabir painstakingly took twelve years of his life to assist him, all the while stating that his soul nourished him far beyond food could. Baba Farid’s mystical teachings and Sabir’s service to the divine allowed him to stand out even in his youth.
The miraculous abilities of Sabir became evident when he could locate a goat that was lost simply by using mental power. He gained a cult following, and it did not take long for his influence to grow massively. In 1253 AD, Baba Farid sent Sabir to Kaliyar Sharif to further implant the word of Islam. There, Sabir was successful at drawing in crowds, but as his power grew, he started to get jealous of local Qazi and many wealthy individuals. Once he started demonstrating his abilities, he began facing lesser difficulties.
Sabir’s growing fame, alongside his extreme anger, was not something he could control, which mainly resulted in him cursing the town when confronting wealthy men from Kaliyar losing it. The small graveyard and Guler tree surviving means he could partially carry out the curse. While doing so, the Sultan of Delhi was much more worried because of his own life and began searching for Baba Farid to make his need known. After this, Baba Sabir attempting dedicating his life to sitting under a guler tree located in Kaliyar, which got him noticed, so now people celebrate this to seek blessings by lighting candles near the tree.
Legacy and Pilgrimage
Sabir’s legacy lived on even after his death. A great saint called Qutbe-Alam-Shah, in the year 1435, opened the doors of Kaliyar Sharif for the devotees again through his sincere devotion and humility. At present, Kaliyar Sharif stands as one of the most important pilgrimage sites in India, and the annual Urs, held around May to June every year, draws in thousands of devotees. Khatam Sharif, Fatiha, and Qawwali are some of the fantastic highlights of the Urs ceremonies, making it a mesmerizing experience.
Conclusion and Visit to Kaliyar Sharif
The Dargah of Baba Sabir in Kaliyar Sharif remains the most important spiritual center of the region. It is the greatest embodiment of divine love, grace, and devotion. Devotees worldwide visit the Dargah to seek blessings, making it a famous shrine that brings both spiritual and divine hope. Those wishing to have an utterly out-of-the-world experience can come to the shrine of Hazrat Sabir Pak in Kaliyar Sharif and feel the bliss that pours out of the shrine.
Go on a spiritual retreat to Ajmer Sharif Dargah India, and embrace the facets of Sufi mysticism that will leave you in awe.
