Sarwari Qadiri

The Sarwari Qadiriyya Sufi Order is combination of two Arabic words Sarwari and Qadiriyya.

First part Sarwari is derived from an Arabic word Sarwar (Arabic: سرور Persian: سرور) (English: translation Chief, Leader) which is associated with Prophet Muhammad.

The second word Qadiriyya (Arabic: القادريه, Persian:قادریه, also transliterated Qadri, Qadriya, Kadri, Elkadri, Elkadry, Aladray, Adray, Kadray, Qadiri or Qadri), (English: translation Capable, Competent, Adequate) is linked to famous Sufi Saint Abdul-Qadir Gilani (1077–1166 CE, also transliterated as "Jilani" etc.) who was a native of the Iranian province of Gilan.

The Sarwari Qadiri Sufi Order relies strongly upon adherence to the fundamentals of Islam. The Sufi Order, with its many offshoots, is widespread, particularly in the Arabic, Urdu and Persian-speaking world, and can be found in Afghanistan, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran, the Balkans, China, East and West Africa. There are many groups in Europe and the Americas of this Sarwari Qadiri Sufi Order.

History

Well known Sufi Saint Sultan Bahoo was the founder of this Sarwari Qadari Sufi Order. Being a vibrant Sufi writer and poet he wrote more than 140 books in Persian and Punjabi language. However, only forty books have published so far. His books have been translated in English, Hindi, Urdu and many other languages. His Punjabi and Persian poetry is very famous and best-loved. [1] [2] Due to his peace message, global prospective and Persian and Punjabi poetry, Sultan Bahoo is highly regarded among Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs. Although Sultan Bahoo was a Muslim Saint however his teachings are beyond religion and treats humanity as whole.[3]

The `Sarwari Qadiri` Sufi Order was originated by Sultan Bahoo in the seventeenth century. The first part of its name, Sawari, derives from the fact that Sultan Bahoo took an oath of allegiance directly from Prophet Muhammad and then Imam Ali. The second part, Qadiri, signifies that this order is essentially an offshoot of the Qadiri order, because Sultan Bahoo was also a disciple of Abdul-Qadir Gilani.

Basic Concept & Belief

The Sarwari Qadiri Sufi Order is very similar in its overall philosophy to the Qadiri order, but distinguishes itself in certain points, the most notable being Sultan Bahu's stress and extensive reliance on the practice of 'Tasswar-e-Ism-Zaat' for this disciples. The basic idea of this practice is to visualize the Arabic name of God, (Arabic: الله) (English: Allah) as having been written on the disciple's heart.

Sultan Bahoo about his Sufi Order, Sarwari Qadiri, records in his book `Ainul Faqr' that there are two categories of Qadiri mureeds (followers)[4]. One is referred to as `Qadiri Zahidi' and the second is Sarwari-Qadiri.

The first way of Qadiri mureed is Zahidi Qadiri is that the Sheikh places the seeker into established practices and techniques of spiritual exercises and striving. The seeker is ordered to devote much time to mystic struggles including to spend a certain period of time in seclusion to attain mystic communion and mystic union. This journey takes ten to forty years before the seeker is introduced in the court of Hazrat Sheikh Sayyid Abdul Qadir Gilani (RA) by their Sheikh (Murshid). Then Saint Abdul Qadir Gilani (RA) presents the seeker into the exalted and sublime court of his Holiness, the Prophet Muhammad.[[Image:Darbarsharif.jpg|thumb|300px|Shrine of Sufi Saint Sultan Bahoo in Garh Maharaja, Jhang, Pakistan.

The second way of Qadiri mureed is Sarwari-Qadiri at which Sultan Bahoo emphasized the most. In this Sufi Order the Sheikh guides and presents the seeker directly into the sublime and celestial court of his holiness the Prophet Muhammad without having to undergo undue spiritual hardships and striving. The seeker is nourished by the Prophetic light in that he receives directly from his Holiness Prophet Muhammad favor and beneficence. After receiving guidance, direction and religious instructions from this exalted court, he is then handed and advanced to the Saint of Jilan, Sheikh Abdul-Qadir Gilani (RA) for further polish. Hazrat Sultan Bahu (RA) own testimony to this effect is found in many of his writings where he records his esoteric initiation at the hands of His Holiness, Prophet Muhammed (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa sallim) himself and his own life is full of such wonders where he elevates many a seeker in one instant to the court of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad (Sall Allahu ‘alaihi wa sallim). The wonder and excellence of his bounty is that it manifests itself in the form of a spiritual perfection of the highest order. He makes the seeker attain to his goal in a very short time without having to undergo the burden of difficult spiritual straining.

Main Features

Although Sarwari Qadiri Sufi Order is very similar to Qadiri Sufi Order however there are some bantam changes in attributes of both Sufi Orders. [[Image:hoo 1.jpg|thumb|400px|(Persian verse of Sufi Saint Sultan Bahu (English translation: Behold that there is nothing in this world or hereafter except Almighty) (The verse mediates the unity of being)]]

• Sarwari Qadiri Sheikh can not be an ordinary soul, rather he must be the most dignified and esteemed spiritual leader and should have direct approach to the most honorable and holiest courts of Prophet Muhammad, Imam Ali and Abdul Qadir Jilani.
• Seekers gets direct guidance from his sheikh and thus not thrust or curiosity is left.
• Mureed (determined and devoted) achieves his goal in short time without going into extra hassle, spiritual hardship and adversity of worship.
• Sarwari Qadiri Sufi Order paves an easy path for the seeker to attain impossibilities in his spiritual doorway.
• True Seeker, under Sarwari Qadiri Sufi Order, passes through many mystic spiritual experiences in his way to Divine Truth.
• Intent Searcher soon sees God's visuals everywhere under the course of unity of being.
• Sarwair Qadiri Sufi Order leads, directly, to the most honorable courts of Sufi Saint Abdul Qadir Jilani, Imam Ali and Prophet Muhammad.

Difference Between Qadiri and Sarwari Qadiri Sufi Orders

Major Differences Between Qadiri and Sarwari Qadiri Sufi Orders

Sarwari Qadiri Sufi Order (Founded by Sultan Bahoo)	Qadiri Sufi Order (Founded by Abdul Qadir Jilani)
Sarwari Qadiri thoughts	Qadiri leadership is not centralised. Each center of Qadiri thought is free to adopt its own interpretations and practices.
cell	Names of God are prescribed as wazifas (mantras) for repetition by initiates (dhikr). Formerly several hundred thousand repetitions were required, and obligatory for those who hold the office of sheikh.
cell	Teachings emphasise the struggle against the desires of the ego. Gilani described it as "the greater struggle" (jihad) This has two stages; first against deeds forbidden by religious law and second against fundamental vices such as greed, vanity, and fear. A true seeker of God should overcome all desires other than wishing to be taken into God's custody.
cell	Any person over the age of eighteen may be initiated. They may be asked to live in the order's commune (tekke) and to recount their dreams to their sheikh.
cell	Though the sunna is the ultimate source of religious guidance, the wali (saints) are God's chosen spiritual guides for the people. Such local Sufi saints command considerable local reverence. Sufi masters are not necessarily divinely-inspired but they are still responsible for guiding their disciples.

Notable Sarwari Qadiri Sufis

• Hazrat Sultan Bahoo (founder of Sarwari Qadiri order)
• Hazrat Noor Muhammad
• Mian Rahmat
• Noor Ahmed
• Hafiz Faiz Sultan
• Hazrat Faqeer Noor Mohammad
• Hazrat Faqeer Abdul Hameed

See also

• Ahmad Raza
• Barelwi
• Dawat-e-Islami
• Farhan Ali Qadri
• Ilyas Attar Qadri
• Owais Qadri
• Qari Muhammad Muslehuddin Siddiqui
• Tahir Allauddin
• Tahir ul Qadri
• Sufi Orders