10th Muharram: Urs of Shaykh Abul Hasan al-Kharqani, 7th Grandshaykh of the Golden Chain

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

The 10th of Muharram marks uroos/passing of Shaykh Abul Hasan al-Kharqaniق.

Heق was the 7th Grandshaykh of the Naqshbandi Golden Chain.

Shaykh Abul Hasan Ali ibn Jafar al-Kharqaniق was born in 963 in Kharaqan, a small village near Bistam in Persia. He carried several noble nicknames, “King of the Kings of Sufi Masters, Ocean of Spiritual Knowledge, Sun of the Lord, Mystery of the Lord, and the Qibla of his people.” He had an intimate knowledge of the Qur’an and Hadith and followed the Shafi school of Islamic jurisprudence.

Shaykh Abul Hasanق was known as the Qutb of his time and one of the greatest Sufi Masters in history. He benefitted spiritually from Shaykh Bayazid Bastamiق and was himself a teacher of many great students.

Shaykh Abul Hasanق was a master who disliked fame and never claimed any title for himself. Instead, he dedicated his life to serving Allah and helping people. Once, one of his disciples asked if he could travel to visit the Qutb of the time. The Shaykh agreed and sent him on his way.

After travelling a long distance, the student arrived at a place where a funeral was taking place. The people were gathered but had not yet performed the funeral prayer. When he asked why, they replied, “We are waiting for the Qutb of the time to come and lead the prayer.”

A short while later, Shaykh Abul Hasanق arrived and led the janazah. The student, overwhelmed by the realisation that his own Shaykh was the Qutb he had been seeking, fainted. He did not regain consciousness until the next prayer. Once again, Shaykh Abul Hasanق came and led the prayer. The student was overcome with shame for not recognising the high station of his teacher.

Shaykh Abul Hasanق was deeply loved by many. Great Sufi saints praised him in their writings, including Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi, Abdur Rahman Jami, and Khwajah Abdullah Ansariق.

Shaykh Abul Hasanق taught many well-known figures, including:

• Shaykh Abu Ali al-Farmadiق, to whom he passed the secret of the Golden Chain
• Shaykh Abu Said Abul Khair, a brilliant and flamboyant Sufi Master who gained widespread fame and wrote beautiful poetry, including the poem Beloved
• Khwajah Abdullah Ansariق, known as the “Sage of Herat,” a polymath and poet who said, “Abdullah was a hidden treasure, and its key was in the hands of Abul Hasan al-Kharqani”
• Avicenna (Ibn Sina), one of the most significant physicians, astronomers, thinkers, and writers of the Islamic Golden Age, described as the father of early modern medicine

The book The Light of Sciences is dedicated to Shaykh Abul Hasanق and is believed to have been written by his students after his death. The only known copy is held in the British Museum.

Shaykh Abul Hasanق lived a life of deep humility and service. It is said that he never asked his family to prepare a meal for him for nearly forty years. Food was always made for guests, and he would eat from that same food. The blessings of serving others sustained him.

Above the door of his teaching centre, he wrote: “Whoever comes to this house, feed him and do not question him about his faith. For whoever is given life by Allah deserves to eat from the table of Abul Hasan.”

Shaykh Abul Hasan al-Kharqaniق passed away on the 10th of Muharram in 1033 AD and was buried in the village of Kharaqan, near the city of Bistam in Iran.

Tonight, do send gifts of Surah Al-Fatiha and Yasin to our 7th Grandshaykh of the Golden Chain, Shaykh Abul Hasan al-Kharqaniق.

With Love, Al-Fatiha.

To learn more about the month of Muharram and the day of Ashura, please click here.

Wassalam.