- Bari Imam
Bari Imam (1617 to 1705), whose real name is Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi, was born in 1026 Hijra (1617 AD).His father, Syed Mehmood Shah, shifted his family from
Jhelum District to Baghan village, presently called Aabpara. At that time, it was a barren land. Soon after the arrival of Bari Imam’s family, his father started farming and also kept some animals. Shah Latif helped his father ingrazing the animals, but left his father at 12 and came to Nurpur Shahan. From Nurpur Shahan, Bari Imam went to Ghaur Ghashti (now known asAttock ) where he stayed for two years for learningfiqh ,hadith ,logic ,mathematics ,medicine and other disciplines, because at that time Ghaur Ghashti was great seat of learning.He was the first spiritual guide of
Gohar Shahi as well. AsGohar Shahi states in his book [http://goharshahi.net/images/books_files/menar-e-noor_files/Introduction.htm Bari Imam's revealation to Gohar Shahi] ] about Bari Imam that at the age of 34 Bari Imam appeared before me (Gohar Shahi ) and said: "My son your time has come, your must go to the shrine of SakhiSultan Bahoo Sahib to receive the Sacred Inner Dimensions of Spiritual Knowledge."Attainment of Spiritual Knowledge
To get spiritual knowledge and satiate his love for
Islam , Bari Imam visited many places, includingKashmir ,Badakhshan ,Bukhara ,Mashhad ,Baghdad andDamascus . He not only received spiritual knowledge in these places but also held discussions with scholars belonging to different schools of thought on various subjects. Later, he went toSaudi Arabia to performHajj .Bari Imam received spiritual knowledge from
Hayat- al-Mir (Zinda Pir). His ‘Pir ’ gave him the title of Bari Imam, which proves his link to Syed family. Bari Imam converted thousands ofHindus intoMuslim s through the teachings of Islam at Nurpur Shahan. It is stated that once Mughal EmperorAurangzeb Alamgir himself came there to pay respects to Bari Imam.The Shrine
Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, who was devoted to spreading his empire, originally built the silver-mirrored shrine of Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] . It has been renovated and is now is maintained by the government. Inside the mausoleum, where the great saint rests, only men are permitted, a steady stream of worshippers enter and exit, most bending to kiss and strew rose petals on the green cloth covering the grave of Hazrat Bari Sarkar [RA] .The shrine is a tourist spot in the tour guide’s list. Every year as the
Urs of the saint, who spreadIslam in this part of the world, gains momentum, devotees in their thousands set out for the Margalla foothills and gather at Nurpur Shahan to pay their respect. Although many swarm the shrine all year round, only last year the number exceeded a head count of 1.2 million people.Nighttime is the best time to visit the shrine, as the atmosphere is hyped by glittering lights, sounds of
qawalis anddhammal s of malangs. There was a time when the event attracted a number of dancing girls from Lahore. Although dancing is no more allowed, the women still come to pay their respect.Reciting verses from the
Holy Quran , women view thegrave through a glass window, which many touch and kiss while praying for the blessings of AlmightyAllah .The faithful read from one of the hundreds of the copies of the
Holy Quran , the moment when one leaves after recitation. Some simply sit in silence as mark of respect for the great saint, taking a moment to say a final prayer and to collect the inspiration and strength to make the journey back home.References
Source
* [http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/may-2005/13/nationalnews3.php Urs of Bari Imam]
* [http://www.cybercity-online.net/Pakistan/html/shrines_tombs___mosques_in_pak.html Tomb of Bari Imam]
* [http://pakistantimes.net/2005/04/12/national1.htm Bari Imam - A Great Sufi]
* [http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/may-2005/13/nationalnews3.php The Shrine of Bari Imam]
* [http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_15-5-2005_pg7_21 Urs Inauguration by Prime Minister]
* [http://www.dawn.com/weekly/dmag/archive/050529/dmag9.htm Bari Imam]
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