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{{infobox
{{Infobox person

| honorific_prefix =
| bodyclass = vcard
| name = Muhammad Juanpuri
| above = Hazrat Syed Muhammad Mahdi Mau'ood
| honorific_suffix =
| image = The Holy Tomb of Imam Mahdi AS at Farah,Afghanistan.jpg
| image = [[File:The Holy Tomb of Imam Mahdi AS at Farah,Afghanistan.jpg|250px|center|The Holy Tomb of Hazrat Syed Muhammad Mahdi Mau'ood]]
|label4= Full Name
| caption = The Tomb of Muhammad Jaunpuri
| birth_name = Muhammad Juanpuri<br /> (سید محمد جونپورى)
|data4= Syed Muhammad Mahdi Mau'ood<br /> (سید محمد جونپورى)

| birth_date = 14, Jamadi ul Awal 847 (September 9, 1443)
|label6= Born
| birth_place = [[Jaunpur Sultanate|Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.]]
|data6= 14, Jamadi ul Awal 847 [September 9, 1443]
| death_date = 19, Ziquada 910 (April 23, 1505 AD)

| death_place =
|label7= Birthplace
| death_cause =
|data7= [[Jaunpur Sultanate|Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.]]
| resting_place = [[Farah, Afghanistan]]

| resting_place_coordinates =
|label10= Father
| monuments =
|data10= Syed Abdullah alias Syed Khan
| residence =

| nationality =
|label11= Mother
| other_names =
|data11= Syeda Aminah
| education =

| alma_mater =
|label8= Died
| occupation =
|data8= 19, Ziquada 910 [April 23, 1505 AD]
| known_for =

| notable_works =
|label15= First Claim Of Mahdi
| style =
|data15= [[Kaaba]]
| home_town =

| religion =
|label9= Resting place
| spouse =
|data9= [[Farah, Afghanistan]]
| children =

| parents = {{Plainlist|
|label21= Other Titles
* Syed Abdullah titled Syed Khan (father)
|data21= ''''Shams-e-Vilayat'''' , ''''Khalifatullah'''', ''''Imam-al-’Arifin'''', ''''Mubayyan-al-Quran'''', ''''Sultan al Awlia'''' , ''''Noor-e-Muhammadi'''', ''''Sarim-al-Hind'''', ''''Saheb-e-farman''''
* Syeda Aminah (mother)
}}
}}
}}


'''Syed Muhammad Jaunpuri''' ([[Urdu]]: '''سید محمد جونپورى''') (September 9, 1443 &ndash; April 23, 1505 AD), claimed to be [[Imam Mahdi]] at Mecca in the Hijri year 901, and is revered as such by [[Mahdavia]] and [[Zikri]]s. He was born in [[Jaunpur Sultanate|Jaunpur]], traveled throughout [[India]], [[Arabia]] and [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]], where he died at the town of [[Farah, Afghanistan]] at the age of 63.
'''Syed Muhammad Mahdi Mau'ood''' ([[Urdu]]: '''سید محمد جونپورى''') (September 9, 1443 - April 23, 1505 AD), (14, Jamadi ul Awal 847 - 23, Ziquada 910) [[Islamic calendar|Hijri]]), commonly known as [[Nur Pak]] was a perfect Saint who claimed to be [[Imam Mahdi]] at the holy city of Mecca, right in front of Kaaba (between rukn and maqam) in the Hijri year 901(10th Hijri), and is revered as such by [[Mahdavia]] and [[Zikri]]s. Syed Muhammad Bin Abdullah was born in [[Jaunpur Sultanate|Jaunpur]], traveled throughout [[India]], [[Arabia]] and [[Greater Khorasan|Khorasan]], where he died at the town of [[Farah, Afghanistan]] at the age of 63.

==Ancestry==
Syed Muhammad was a descendant of the Noble Prophet [[Muhammad]], through his grandson [[Husayn bin Ali]]. His ancestors had migrated into the Indian sub-continent after moving from [[Baghdad]] earlier and then [[Isfahan]]. His grandfather Syed Osman came from [[Bukhara]] to [[Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh|Jaunpur]] on invitation from [[Sharqi dynasty#Ibrahim Shah|Sultan Ibrahim Sharqi]]. His father Syed Abdullah alias Syed Khan started his service as a military general and later served as an envoy of Jaunpur in the Court Delhi Sultanate, on the other hand his mother Amina was the sister of Qaiyyam Ul Mulk, who were [[Hasani Syed]] ([[Sayyid]]).

His lineage is as follows:
Syed Muhammad Bin Syed Abdullah Bin Syed Osman Bin Syed Khizr Bin Syed Musa Bin Syed Qasim Bin Syed Najmuddin Bin Syed Abdullah Bin Syed Yusuf Bin Syed Yahya Bin Ameer Syed Jalaluddin Bin Ameer Syed Naimathullah Bin Syed Ismail Bin [[Musa al Kadhim]] Bin [[Jafar al Sadiq]] Bin [[Muhammad al Baqir]] Bin [[Zayn al-Abidin]] Bin [[Husayn bin Ali|Husayn]] Bin [[Ali]] Bin [[Abu Talib ibn Abdul Muttalib|Abu talib]] Bin [[Abdul Muttalib]].

He was born on Monday September 9, 1443 in Jaunpur. Both of his parents belonged to prosperous and honorable families of Jaunpur; his father, as said, held the title 'Syed Khan', a mark and a recognition of combination of high descent and affluence, granted by the [[Sharqi dynasty#The rulers of the Sharqi dynasty|Sharqia Kings]].


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Syed Muhammad was known for his intelligence as a child, having memorized the [[Qur'an]] at a young age of seven. He took an elementary religious education under Shaikh Daniyal who was a [[Sufi]] [[Shaikh]] of the [[Chisti]] order. The shaikh later on admitted the child into his school for religious studies. The child was very keen at studies and used to perform extraordinarily.
Syed Muhammad took an elementary religious education under Shaikh Daniyal.

By 14 he was already being called ''''Asad ul Ulema'''', Arabic for lion of the learned or metaphorically to say best of the scholars. That was in the city of [[Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh#Overview|Jaunpur]] of that day. Which is also remembered as [[Sharqi dynasty#Art and architecture|Shiraz-e-Hind]].
Like [[Shiraz]] was then a [[Shiraz#Islamic period|center for scholars in Persia]],<ref>[http://www.isocarp.net/Data/case_studies/730.pdf (pdf file)]</ref> [[Jaunpur Sultanate#Art and architecture|Jaunpur]] was the answer to it in India.

By 21 years of age he was hailed as ''''Syed ul Aulia''''; that is Arabic for - '''The Master (leader) of saints (spiritual saints, friends of God)'''. This historical status of Syed Mohammad is an established fact recognized by many scholars of Islamic studies and historians, particularly those of Indian sub-continent.<ref name="others">1.[http://www.promisedmehdi.com/mehdi/others.asp ''About What Others Say''] 2.[http://khalifatullahmehdi.info/books/Holy_Angels_of_High_Heavens_Revised_Edition_2006.pdf PDF file 687KB] - English Translation of Excerpts from ''TAZKIRA'' by [[Maulana Azad]]</ref>

He would strictly adhere to the sunna of Muhammad and accordingly the commandments in Qur'an. He is said to have observed extreme devotion and maximum trust in God, to the extent he never consumed even a penny from his parent's wealth after reaching adulthood, for the sake of religious piety.<ref name="smm0">Sawaneh Mahdi Maoud AHS (Urdu/Persian Book) سوانح مهدي موعود</ref>


==Travels==
==Travels==
He left Jaunpur along with his family and a small group of followers. Migrating from place to place and gathering more companions the Mahdavia group reached [[Farah, Afghanistan|Farah]] in [[Afghanistan]] where he is killed and is buried.
He left Jaunpur along with his family and a small group of followers. Migrating from place to place and gathering more companions the Mahdavia group reached [[Farah, Afghanistan|Farah]] in [[Afghanistan]] where he died and is buried.


==Pilgrimage and claim to be the Mahdi==
==Pilgrimage and claim to be the Mahdi==
By the age of 53 he embarked on the [[Hajj]] pilgrimage to [[Mecca]], where in 1496 (901 Hijra), after circumambulating the [[Kaaba]], he declared that he was the Promised Mahdi and whoever believes in him is a Momin.
By the age of 53 he embarked on the [[Hajj]] pilgrimage to [[Mecca]], where in 1496 (901 Hijra), after circumambulating the [[Kaaba]],''' Imam Mahdi stood between Rukn and Maqam and declared that he was the Promised Mahdi and whoever believes in him is a Momin. Miyan Shah Nizam and Qazi Alauddin Bidri stood as witnesses to the Imam’s declaration and said, “Aamanna wa Saddaqana – We believe and we accept that it is true.” '''
In the ritual law laid down by Muhammad, if two trustworthy witnesses confirm the claim of a man, then his claim is considered established and valid.The pledge of these two men is mentioned because they were both very highly esteemed and respected leaders. One was the king of city of Ja'is, while the other was the Chief Judge of the city of [[Bidar district|Bidar]].<ref>http://khalifatullahmehdi.info/articles/english/Mubahisa-i-Alamgiri.pdf</ref>


He was generally ignored by the [[ulema]] of Mecca, and after staying in Mecca for nearly seven or nine months <ref>http://mahdavia.info/promised_one/index.html</ref> he returned to India where he proclaimed himself to be the [[Mahdi]] at [[Ahmedabad]] and later at Badhli (near [[Patan, Gujarat]]).
He was generally ignored by the [[ulema]] of Mecca, and after staying in Mecca for nearly seven or nine months <ref>http://mahdavia.info/promised_one/index.html</ref> he returned to India where he proclaimed himself to be the [[Mahdi]] at [[Ahmedabad]] and later at Badhli (near [[Patan, Gujarat]]). The announcement at Bardli is taken by his followers as the ultimate claim. In that announcement he stated that people should investigate his life, and compare it with the commandments of Quran and the path of the prophet of Islam. He also stated that if after his claim was investigated and he is found to be wrong and blasphemous, they could kill him and await Judgement day. If they chose to not kill him, he stated, people should accept and follow him on the way to God, dropping their own innovations which had crept in to their belief and by abiding by the 'sunnah of prophet' strictly.

== Opinion of Non-Mahdavi Scholars and Historians==

===[[Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlavi|Shah Abdul Haq Muhaddis Dehlavi]]===

A notable sunni divine and scholar [[Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlavi|Shah Abdul Haq]] of Delhi, quoting from a book of another renowned sunni divine, "[[Shah Abdul Aziz]]", "Tuhfa-e-Asnnai-Ashrya", states that many sunni divines and ulema who were the contemporaries of [[Syed Muhammad Jaunpuri|Mahdi]] and who were born just after his period, had great respect for him as a perfect saint. But in the matter of his claim to be the [[Syed Muhammad Jaunpuri|promised Mahdi]], either they accepted it or preferred to remain impartial and silent. But the worldly wise ulema bitterly opposed him and his mission.<ref>http://khalifatullahmehdi.info/bookdetails.aspx?whichpage=0&bookdetid=220</ref>

===Mohammed Husain Azad===

The famous historian and writer [[Muhammad Husain Azad|Mohammed Husain Azad]], in his work: "Darbar-e-Akbari" writing about Mahdi states: "[[Syed Mohammed Jaunpuri]] was in fact a great scholar, perfect in conventional and spiritual branches of knowledge. Not only common people accepted him as the promised Mahdi, but [[Mahmud Begada|Sultan Mahmood Baigda]], King of Gujarat also became his disciple. Syed Mohammed, apart from his scholastic and spiritual attainments had great will power and missionary zeal which made him travel extensively in India and ultimately he reached the domain of Iran." (In fact the last stage of the Imam's journey ended at [[Farah, Afghanistan|Farah]] which is now a part of Afghanistan).<ref>http://khalifatullahmehdi.info/bookdetails.aspx?WhichPage=165&BookDetId=4</ref>

===Khairuddin Mohammed Illahbadi===

Referring to Mahdi's followers in his book 'Junapuranama' (Chapter V), Janab Khairuddin Mohammed says: "The people who were inspired by [[Syed Muhammad Jaunpuri|him]] [Mahdi] were always ready to fight for the cause of God, for establishing truth and good things and for the effacement of falsehood and disbelief, they did not yield to anyone. In the course of true faith they were always in the forefront and whatever they get or earned, they divided equally among themselves and did not store for the coming day". He further says: "I have personally seen many persons of this group and found many of them in a state with burning heart and tearful eyes. Their sole work is to have deep understanding of the Quran and to implement its injunctions. In general matters they follow Imam Abu Hanifa, but in following the traditions of the Prophet they are very severe. They do not believe in guess work."

===[[Maulana Abul Kalam Azad]]===

The really practical period of the Islamic teachings were started by the [[Syed Muhammad Jaunpuri|Mahdavia]] society. In fact this was an initial period which, alas! ended very quickly. No one was excluded from the order of Mahdavieth and immortal reverence. Every Mahdavi was certain that he is a Muslim, and therefore, an Allah's official and his deputy in the world. Hence he looked at everything and action not with his eyes but with the eyes of Allah and gave precedence to the will of Allah on all his desires.

In this period thousands of such people were seen who, for the sake of pronouncing the truth leave all their beloved, and in the path of Allah gladly tolerate all these harsh oppressions which they have to undergo at the hands of the worshippers of falsehood.<ref>http://www.khalifatullahmehdi.info/bookdetails.aspx?WhichPage=13&BookDetId=5</ref>

===[http://archives.dawn.com/weekly/books/archive/030126/books7.htm Dr.Riaz ul Islam]===

Mulla Mohammad of Jounpur, who proclaimed himself Mahdi in 1495 at Mekkah was a man of different stamp than the many other Mahdis of history. He was a man of extraordinary intelligence and scholarship. His life was throughout marked by piety and nobility. Unlike the other Mahdis, he never aspired for political power. On two occasions, when his disciples offered him armed assistance to overcome his enemies, he spurned their offer and remarked “wield the sword on your inordinate desires. The helper of Mahdi is God.” “His success was primarily due to his sincerity and fervor, the purity of his character and the selflessness, whose personality had a chastening and purifying influence on their lives……Robbers and bandits would leave their profession and adopt dhikr and contemplation and would dedicate their lives to God. He breathed a spirit of love and amity among his contemporaries….It was the honesty and integrity, the resignation and unworldliness of Syed Mohammad which appealed to his audience, and secured converts to his way of thought.” (vide Mahdari movement in India by Dr. S.N Rizvi, Medieval India Quarterly, Aligarh, 1950).<ref>http://www.jhssuok.com/pdf/Vol.%201%20No.%201/1-RELIGIOUS%20TRENDS%20OF%20THE%20MUGHAL%20AGE.pdf</ref>

==Hadiths Confirming The Advent Of Imam Mahdi==

*...Ibn Asakar has narrated that Muhammad SAS said "How my Umma (adherents) would be ruined, when I am at the beginning and Isa (Jesus) the son of Mariam is at the end and Mehdi who is from my progeny (Ahl-e-Bait) is in the middle". There are several traditions of like contents and meaning which are reported by Hakim, Abu Na'im, Imam Jafar, Yahya Bin Abdullah and others.<ref name="khalifatullahmehdi.info">http://khalifatullahmehdi.info/hadith.asp</ref>

*...Quoted from Hakim, who says that Umm-e-Salmah narrates that she had heard Muhammad SAS saying that the Mehdi would belong to Bani Fatima (Holy Family). This is reported by Abu Da'ud also.

*...It is narrated by U'mar RZ that''' from the progeny of Imam Hussain, a person would appear from the east.''' Even if mountains stand in his way he would destroy them and carve his way. Hafiz AbuI Qasim, Hafiz Abu Nayeem Asfahani and Hafiz Abdullah Nayeem Bin Hamed have narrated this tradition in their books.

*...It is narrated by Abu Da'ud that Razeen Abdullah had reported that Muhammad SAS said that even if one day was left for the end of this world, Allah would prolong that day, so that a person from my family (Ahl-e-Bait) would be deputed, whose name would be my name and whose father's name would be my father's name.<ref name="khalifatullahmehdi.info"/>

*...Abu Hurayra RZ says: "People will pay allegiance to the Mahdi '''between rukn and maqam'''. Ibn Tawus, Kitab al-malahim wa al-fitan, p. 64

*...Abu Nayeem said and Abu Bakr bin al Mukhri has recorded in his book "Mujeem" that, "Ibne Umar said that Mohammed SAS said that "Mahdi's advent will occur at such a city or village which will be known as Krimiah". Book number 319, Vol. "Al Arful Wardi Fi Akhbar il Mahdi", by Jalaluddin Suyuti at Asafiya Library's manuscript (Hyderabad, India)<ref name="khalifatullahmehdi.info"/>

*...'''Mohammed SAS said "After me, in my Umma, there shall appear a Mehdi at the interval of every hundred years. Among them nine shall be Mahdi in literal sense and the Tenth shall be the Promised Mahdi. Whoever confirms him confirms me and whoever denies him denies me." This Hadith has been reported by Imam Abu Khasim, in his introduction to Sharah-Al-Seer and Hazrat Syed Abdul Khader Jeelani Mahboob Subhani in his "Malfoozat" and also in his "Masharikh-ul-Anwar."'''<ref name="khalifatullahmehdi.info"/>

*...Suban narrated that Rasool Allah SAS said "Two branches of my Ummah are such that Allah has saved them from the fire of Hell. One of them is that who will fight in Hind (India) {group of Mahdi}, the other will accompany Isa ibn-e-Maryam. (Sunan Nasai)

*...Ibne Umar RZ said that Mohammed said "Mahdi's advent will occur at such a village called as Kar'ah" {"The name of city of Jaunpur in ancient India was Karيahî See the Book: Bharat Ka Pracheen Etihaas ٌ ref. Braheen-e-Mahdavia by Abdul Hakim Tadbir} ("Al Arful Wardi Fi Akhbar il Mahdi" Jalaluddin Suyuti, Abu Nayeem, Abu Bakr bin Muqri, Ma'jam, Ibn Adi AlKalam, AlKuniji AlBayan, Dr.Taher Ul Quadri "Amad Sayyidina Imam Mehdi")<ref name="khalifatullahmehdi.info"/>

==Quotes==
*O people! listen to me. Since past several years I am being directly instructed by Allah that I had been ordained Mehdi-e-Mawood and the seal of the Vilayeth-e-Mohammedia <sup>sas</sup>. Of course, I know it was not a misguidance from Shaitan. But I thought that Allah wanted to test me. Thus, I avoided to declare it till the Hajj pilgrimage. Then the orders were emphatic and thus I declared it, standing in between Rukn and Maqaam. Again at Ahmedabad, as per the command of Allah, I proclaimed as the Promised Mehdi...

*...But In view of the reprimanding orders, I proclaim myself as the Promised Mehdi . At this time of proclamation I am in full consciousness. I am fed by Allah, the food which is pure I am not having any disease nor any need or desires. Under this condition, as per the command of Allah, I proclaim-that Allah had made me his vicegerent Khalifa and the Promised Mehdi . I am that person who had been promised...

*... I bring two witnesses for this proclamation. They are the Book (Quran) and my adherence to the Prophet (PUH).

He also wrote letters to the kings and other central figures stating himself to be the Promised Mahdi and inviting to accept and follow. Some excerpts of the translations of his written invitations include:

*...At The time of my proclamation I am not intoxicated and I am in full consciousness and do not need to be awaken. I am fed, by Allah, the food which is pure. I am neither for the land nor for the wealth. I am not for crown or power to rule. I consider them as scum. I am for renunciation of the world. The reason for this proclamation is that Allah had made it a must on me...

*...Obedience to me is obligatory. As per Allah's wish I convey this message to all beings that I am Allah's Khalifa (Khalifatullah AS). He who obeys me. obeys Allah. He who disobeys me, disobeys Him...

*'''...if in your opinion I am lying and concocting lies in the name of Allah - do investigate my deeds and do so hastily. If you avoid to do so you would be proved false. For you have the competence to do so. If (according to you) you allow me to (continue) to lie, you only would be conniving in the sin. I take oath in the name of Allah - the sole witness, that I am the protector of the followers of Mohammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and a reformer to them. Thus live not In illusion, compare with the Quran and scrutinize my utterances, my deeds and my activities...'''

Following these events the community of his followers was looked upon as separate sect. The courtiers and scholars at the courts of kings encouraged their kings to suppress to uprising ideology lest the kingdoms would be lost to the Mahdawis. The more optimistic ones among the learned approached him with their doubts and questions so as to test him and try the veracity of his statements.

Not that among his flock there were none from the people of grandeur stature. Rather, princes, lords, nobles, many had left their place and positions, migrated with him to fructify their strive to reach God. Highly talented, well learned, skilled performers as well as a layman constituted the disciple of his circle- DAIRA (Arabic: Circle) as it was in fact called.

==See also==
*[[Mahdavia]]
*[[Daïra]]
*[[People claiming to be the Mahdi]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

<!-- Dead note "ML": [http://mahdavia.info/promised_one/index.html Biography - Promised One] -->
<!-- Dead note "ٍSMM1": Sawaneh Mahdi Maoud AHS-Pg.117 (Urdu/Persian Book) سوانح مهدي موعود -->

==External links==
==External links==
* http://www.mahdavia.com Mahdavia Site
*[http://www.promisedmehdi.com ''The Promised Mahdi'' Home Site for Mahdavis].
*[http://www.promisedmehdi.com ''The Promised Mahdi'' Home Site for Mahdavis].
*http://www.khalifatullahmehdi.info Mahdavia Platform.
*http://www.khalifatullahmehdi.info Mahdavia Platform.
* https://www.facebook.com/HazratBandagiMiyanShahNizamrz
*http://www.nooriana.com an informative site with audio download.
*http://www.mahdavia.net
*http://www.GlobalMahdaviaSociety.org Uniting Mahdavis Globally
*http://www.khalifatullahmehdi.info/bookdetails.aspx?WhichPage=13&BookDetId=5


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Jaunpuri, Sayyid
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES = Syed Muhammad Mahdi Al-Ma'ood
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = Indian Imam Mahdi
| DATE OF BIRTH = September 9, 1443
| PLACE OF BIRTH = Juanpur, UP, India
| DATE OF DEATH = April 23, 1505
| PLACE OF DEATH = Farah, Afghanistan
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jaunpuri, Sayyid}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jaunpuri, Sayyid}}
[[Category:Mahdavi]]
[[Category:Mahdavi]]

Revision as of 04:49, 4 May 2016

Hazrat Syed Muhammad Mahdi Mau'ood
The Holy Tomb of Hazrat Syed Muhammad Mahdi Mau'ood
The Holy Tomb of Hazrat Syed Muhammad Mahdi Mau'ood
Full NameSyed Muhammad Mahdi Mau'ood
(سید محمد جونپورى)
Born14, Jamadi ul Awal 847 [September 9, 1443]
BirthplaceJaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Died19, Ziquada 910 [April 23, 1505 AD]
Resting placeFarah, Afghanistan
FatherSyed Abdullah alias Syed Khan
MotherSyeda Aminah
First Claim Of MahdiKaaba
Other Titles'Shams-e-Vilayat' , 'Khalifatullah', 'Imam-al-’Arifin', 'Mubayyan-al-Quran', 'Sultan al Awlia' , 'Noor-e-Muhammadi', 'Sarim-al-Hind', 'Saheb-e-farman'

Syed Muhammad Mahdi Mau'ood (Urdu: سید محمد جونپورى) (September 9, 1443 - April 23, 1505 AD), (14, Jamadi ul Awal 847 - 23, Ziquada 910) Hijri), commonly known as Nur Pak was a perfect Saint who claimed to be Imam Mahdi at the holy city of Mecca, right in front of Kaaba (between rukn and maqam) in the Hijri year 901(10th Hijri), and is revered as such by Mahdavia and Zikris. Syed Muhammad Bin Abdullah was born in Jaunpur, traveled throughout India, Arabia and Khorasan, where he died at the town of Farah, Afghanistan at the age of 63.

Ancestry

Syed Muhammad was a descendant of the Noble Prophet Muhammad, through his grandson Husayn bin Ali. His ancestors had migrated into the Indian sub-continent after moving from Baghdad earlier and then Isfahan. His grandfather Syed Osman came from Bukhara to Jaunpur on invitation from Sultan Ibrahim Sharqi. His father Syed Abdullah alias Syed Khan started his service as a military general and later served as an envoy of Jaunpur in the Court Delhi Sultanate, on the other hand his mother Amina was the sister of Qaiyyam Ul Mulk, who were Hasani Syed (Sayyid).

His lineage is as follows: Syed Muhammad Bin Syed Abdullah Bin Syed Osman Bin Syed Khizr Bin Syed Musa Bin Syed Qasim Bin Syed Najmuddin Bin Syed Abdullah Bin Syed Yusuf Bin Syed Yahya Bin Ameer Syed Jalaluddin Bin Ameer Syed Naimathullah Bin Syed Ismail Bin Musa al Kadhim Bin Jafar al Sadiq Bin Muhammad al Baqir Bin Zayn al-Abidin Bin Husayn Bin Ali Bin Abu talib Bin Abdul Muttalib.

He was born on Monday September 9, 1443 in Jaunpur. Both of his parents belonged to prosperous and honorable families of Jaunpur; his father, as said, held the title 'Syed Khan', a mark and a recognition of combination of high descent and affluence, granted by the Sharqia Kings.

Early life and education

Syed Muhammad was known for his intelligence as a child, having memorized the Qur'an at a young age of seven. He took an elementary religious education under Shaikh Daniyal who was a Sufi Shaikh of the Chisti order. The shaikh later on admitted the child into his school for religious studies. The child was very keen at studies and used to perform extraordinarily.

By 14 he was already being called 'Asad ul Ulema', Arabic for lion of the learned or metaphorically to say best of the scholars. That was in the city of Jaunpur of that day. Which is also remembered as Shiraz-e-Hind. Like Shiraz was then a center for scholars in Persia,[1] Jaunpur was the answer to it in India.

By 21 years of age he was hailed as 'Syed ul Aulia'; that is Arabic for - The Master (leader) of saints (spiritual saints, friends of God). This historical status of Syed Mohammad is an established fact recognized by many scholars of Islamic studies and historians, particularly those of Indian sub-continent.[2]

He would strictly adhere to the sunna of Muhammad and accordingly the commandments in Qur'an. He is said to have observed extreme devotion and maximum trust in God, to the extent he never consumed even a penny from his parent's wealth after reaching adulthood, for the sake of religious piety.[3]

Travels

He left Jaunpur along with his family and a small group of followers. Migrating from place to place and gathering more companions the Mahdavia group reached Farah in Afghanistan where he died and is buried.

Pilgrimage and claim to be the Mahdi

By the age of 53 he embarked on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, where in 1496 (901 Hijra), after circumambulating the Kaaba, Imam Mahdi stood between Rukn and Maqam and declared that he was the Promised Mahdi and whoever believes in him is a Momin. Miyan Shah Nizam and Qazi Alauddin Bidri stood as witnesses to the Imam’s declaration and said, “Aamanna wa Saddaqana – We believe and we accept that it is true.” In the ritual law laid down by Muhammad, if two trustworthy witnesses confirm the claim of a man, then his claim is considered established and valid.The pledge of these two men is mentioned because they were both very highly esteemed and respected leaders. One was the king of city of Ja'is, while the other was the Chief Judge of the city of Bidar.[4]

He was generally ignored by the ulema of Mecca, and after staying in Mecca for nearly seven or nine months [5] he returned to India where he proclaimed himself to be the Mahdi at Ahmedabad and later at Badhli (near Patan, Gujarat). The announcement at Bardli is taken by his followers as the ultimate claim. In that announcement he stated that people should investigate his life, and compare it with the commandments of Quran and the path of the prophet of Islam. He also stated that if after his claim was investigated and he is found to be wrong and blasphemous, they could kill him and await Judgement day. If they chose to not kill him, he stated, people should accept and follow him on the way to God, dropping their own innovations which had crept in to their belief and by abiding by the 'sunnah of prophet' strictly.

Opinion of Non-Mahdavi Scholars and Historians

Shah Abdul Haq Muhaddis Dehlavi

A notable sunni divine and scholar Shah Abdul Haq of Delhi, quoting from a book of another renowned sunni divine, "Shah Abdul Aziz", "Tuhfa-e-Asnnai-Ashrya", states that many sunni divines and ulema who were the contemporaries of Mahdi and who were born just after his period, had great respect for him as a perfect saint. But in the matter of his claim to be the promised Mahdi, either they accepted it or preferred to remain impartial and silent. But the worldly wise ulema bitterly opposed him and his mission.[6]

Mohammed Husain Azad

The famous historian and writer Mohammed Husain Azad, in his work: "Darbar-e-Akbari" writing about Mahdi states: "Syed Mohammed Jaunpuri was in fact a great scholar, perfect in conventional and spiritual branches of knowledge. Not only common people accepted him as the promised Mahdi, but Sultan Mahmood Baigda, King of Gujarat also became his disciple. Syed Mohammed, apart from his scholastic and spiritual attainments had great will power and missionary zeal which made him travel extensively in India and ultimately he reached the domain of Iran." (In fact the last stage of the Imam's journey ended at Farah which is now a part of Afghanistan).[7]

Khairuddin Mohammed Illahbadi

Referring to Mahdi's followers in his book 'Junapuranama' (Chapter V), Janab Khairuddin Mohammed says: "The people who were inspired by him [Mahdi] were always ready to fight for the cause of God, for establishing truth and good things and for the effacement of falsehood and disbelief, they did not yield to anyone. In the course of true faith they were always in the forefront and whatever they get or earned, they divided equally among themselves and did not store for the coming day". He further says: "I have personally seen many persons of this group and found many of them in a state with burning heart and tearful eyes. Their sole work is to have deep understanding of the Quran and to implement its injunctions. In general matters they follow Imam Abu Hanifa, but in following the traditions of the Prophet they are very severe. They do not believe in guess work."

Maulana Abul Kalam Azad

The really practical period of the Islamic teachings were started by the Mahdavia society. In fact this was an initial period which, alas! ended very quickly. No one was excluded from the order of Mahdavieth and immortal reverence. Every Mahdavi was certain that he is a Muslim, and therefore, an Allah's official and his deputy in the world. Hence he looked at everything and action not with his eyes but with the eyes of Allah and gave precedence to the will of Allah on all his desires.

In this period thousands of such people were seen who, for the sake of pronouncing the truth leave all their beloved, and in the path of Allah gladly tolerate all these harsh oppressions which they have to undergo at the hands of the worshippers of falsehood.[8]

Dr.Riaz ul Islam

Mulla Mohammad of Jounpur, who proclaimed himself Mahdi in 1495 at Mekkah was a man of different stamp than the many other Mahdis of history. He was a man of extraordinary intelligence and scholarship. His life was throughout marked by piety and nobility. Unlike the other Mahdis, he never aspired for political power. On two occasions, when his disciples offered him armed assistance to overcome his enemies, he spurned their offer and remarked “wield the sword on your inordinate desires. The helper of Mahdi is God.” “His success was primarily due to his sincerity and fervor, the purity of his character and the selflessness, whose personality had a chastening and purifying influence on their lives……Robbers and bandits would leave their profession and adopt dhikr and contemplation and would dedicate their lives to God. He breathed a spirit of love and amity among his contemporaries….It was the honesty and integrity, the resignation and unworldliness of Syed Mohammad which appealed to his audience, and secured converts to his way of thought.” (vide Mahdari movement in India by Dr. S.N Rizvi, Medieval India Quarterly, Aligarh, 1950).[9]

Hadiths Confirming The Advent Of Imam Mahdi

  • ...Ibn Asakar has narrated that Muhammad SAS said "How my Umma (adherents) would be ruined, when I am at the beginning and Isa (Jesus) the son of Mariam is at the end and Mehdi who is from my progeny (Ahl-e-Bait) is in the middle". There are several traditions of like contents and meaning which are reported by Hakim, Abu Na'im, Imam Jafar, Yahya Bin Abdullah and others.[10]
  • ...Quoted from Hakim, who says that Umm-e-Salmah narrates that she had heard Muhammad SAS saying that the Mehdi would belong to Bani Fatima (Holy Family). This is reported by Abu Da'ud also.
  • ...It is narrated by U'mar RZ that from the progeny of Imam Hussain, a person would appear from the east. Even if mountains stand in his way he would destroy them and carve his way. Hafiz AbuI Qasim, Hafiz Abu Nayeem Asfahani and Hafiz Abdullah Nayeem Bin Hamed have narrated this tradition in their books.
  • ...It is narrated by Abu Da'ud that Razeen Abdullah had reported that Muhammad SAS said that even if one day was left for the end of this world, Allah would prolong that day, so that a person from my family (Ahl-e-Bait) would be deputed, whose name would be my name and whose father's name would be my father's name.[10]
  • ...Abu Hurayra RZ says: "People will pay allegiance to the Mahdi between rukn and maqam. Ibn Tawus, Kitab al-malahim wa al-fitan, p. 64
  • ...Abu Nayeem said and Abu Bakr bin al Mukhri has recorded in his book "Mujeem" that, "Ibne Umar said that Mohammed SAS said that "Mahdi's advent will occur at such a city or village which will be known as Krimiah". Book number 319, Vol. "Al Arful Wardi Fi Akhbar il Mahdi", by Jalaluddin Suyuti at Asafiya Library's manuscript (Hyderabad, India)[10]
  • ...Mohammed SAS said "After me, in my Umma, there shall appear a Mehdi at the interval of every hundred years. Among them nine shall be Mahdi in literal sense and the Tenth shall be the Promised Mahdi. Whoever confirms him confirms me and whoever denies him denies me." This Hadith has been reported by Imam Abu Khasim, in his introduction to Sharah-Al-Seer and Hazrat Syed Abdul Khader Jeelani Mahboob Subhani in his "Malfoozat" and also in his "Masharikh-ul-Anwar."[10]
  • ...Suban narrated that Rasool Allah SAS said "Two branches of my Ummah are such that Allah has saved them from the fire of Hell. One of them is that who will fight in Hind (India) {group of Mahdi}, the other will accompany Isa ibn-e-Maryam. (Sunan Nasai)
  • ...Ibne Umar RZ said that Mohammed said "Mahdi's advent will occur at such a village called as Kar'ah" {"The name of city of Jaunpur in ancient India was Karيahî See the Book: Bharat Ka Pracheen Etihaas ٌ ref. Braheen-e-Mahdavia by Abdul Hakim Tadbir} ("Al Arful Wardi Fi Akhbar il Mahdi" Jalaluddin Suyuti, Abu Nayeem, Abu Bakr bin Muqri, Ma'jam, Ibn Adi AlKalam, AlKuniji AlBayan, Dr.Taher Ul Quadri "Amad Sayyidina Imam Mehdi")[10]

Quotes

  • O people! listen to me. Since past several years I am being directly instructed by Allah that I had been ordained Mehdi-e-Mawood and the seal of the Vilayeth-e-Mohammedia sas. Of course, I know it was not a misguidance from Shaitan. But I thought that Allah wanted to test me. Thus, I avoided to declare it till the Hajj pilgrimage. Then the orders were emphatic and thus I declared it, standing in between Rukn and Maqaam. Again at Ahmedabad, as per the command of Allah, I proclaimed as the Promised Mehdi...
  • ...But In view of the reprimanding orders, I proclaim myself as the Promised Mehdi . At this time of proclamation I am in full consciousness. I am fed by Allah, the food which is pure I am not having any disease nor any need or desires. Under this condition, as per the command of Allah, I proclaim-that Allah had made me his vicegerent Khalifa and the Promised Mehdi . I am that person who had been promised...
  • ... I bring two witnesses for this proclamation. They are the Book (Quran) and my adherence to the Prophet (PUH).

He also wrote letters to the kings and other central figures stating himself to be the Promised Mahdi and inviting to accept and follow. Some excerpts of the translations of his written invitations include:

  • ...At The time of my proclamation I am not intoxicated and I am in full consciousness and do not need to be awaken. I am fed, by Allah, the food which is pure. I am neither for the land nor for the wealth. I am not for crown or power to rule. I consider them as scum. I am for renunciation of the world. The reason for this proclamation is that Allah had made it a must on me...
  • ...Obedience to me is obligatory. As per Allah's wish I convey this message to all beings that I am Allah's Khalifa (Khalifatullah AS). He who obeys me. obeys Allah. He who disobeys me, disobeys Him...
  • ...if in your opinion I am lying and concocting lies in the name of Allah - do investigate my deeds and do so hastily. If you avoid to do so you would be proved false. For you have the competence to do so. If (according to you) you allow me to (continue) to lie, you only would be conniving in the sin. I take oath in the name of Allah - the sole witness, that I am the protector of the followers of Mohammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and a reformer to them. Thus live not In illusion, compare with the Quran and scrutinize my utterances, my deeds and my activities...

Following these events the community of his followers was looked upon as separate sect. The courtiers and scholars at the courts of kings encouraged their kings to suppress to uprising ideology lest the kingdoms would be lost to the Mahdawis. The more optimistic ones among the learned approached him with their doubts and questions so as to test him and try the veracity of his statements.

Not that among his flock there were none from the people of grandeur stature. Rather, princes, lords, nobles, many had left their place and positions, migrated with him to fructify their strive to reach God. Highly talented, well learned, skilled performers as well as a layman constituted the disciple of his circle- DAIRA (Arabic: Circle) as it was in fact called.

See also

References

  1. ^ (pdf file)
  2. ^ 1.About What Others Say 2.PDF file 687KB - English Translation of Excerpts from TAZKIRA by Maulana Azad
  3. ^ Sawaneh Mahdi Maoud AHS (Urdu/Persian Book) سوانح مهدي موعود
  4. ^ http://khalifatullahmehdi.info/articles/english/Mubahisa-i-Alamgiri.pdf
  5. ^ http://mahdavia.info/promised_one/index.html
  6. ^ http://khalifatullahmehdi.info/bookdetails.aspx?whichpage=0&bookdetid=220
  7. ^ http://khalifatullahmehdi.info/bookdetails.aspx?WhichPage=165&BookDetId=4
  8. ^ http://www.khalifatullahmehdi.info/bookdetails.aspx?WhichPage=13&BookDetId=5
  9. ^ http://www.jhssuok.com/pdf/Vol.%201%20No.%201/1-RELIGIOUS%20TRENDS%20OF%20THE%20MUGHAL%20AGE.pdf
  10. ^ a b c d e http://khalifatullahmehdi.info/hadith.asp


External links

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