Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm
The 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal marks the blessed Urs of Khwāja UbayduLlah al-Aḥrarق, the 20th Grandshaykh of the Naqshbandi Golden Chain.
His life was a shining example of spiritual generosity, humility, and service to Allah ﷻ and His creation. Through him, the Naqshbandi Way reached countless hearts, not only through his words, but through the sheer barakah and sincerity of his presence.
Khwāja UbayduLlah al-Aḥrarق was born in 806 AH in the village of Shash, near Tashkent, in present-day Uzbekistan. From a young age, he was known for his pure heart and natural inclination toward worship.
He came from a family that valued piety, learning, and service, and his soul seemed to be drawn toward remembrance from his earliest days. As a boy, he spent much of his time in the company of scholars and pious elders, often asking questions about the Qur’an, hadith, and the inner meanings of worship.
It is said that his childhood was marked by an unusual sensitivity to the suffering of others. As a young boy, he would go out of his way to help the poor and the weak. He once gave away the food meant for his own family because he could not bear to see a neighbour go hungry. These acts of kindness came from a heart that truly felt the needs of others as his own, even at such a young age.
As he grew, Khwāja UbayduLlahق pursued sacred knowledge under some of the most respected scholars of his time. He studied the Qur’an with deep devotion, memorising it and reflecting on its meanings. He immersed himself in the sciences of hadith, fiqh, and tafsir.
Yet, despite his growing scholarly mastery, his heart longed for the deeper truths that could only be tasted through the company of the Awliya. This yearning eventually led him to the blessed company of Khwāja Ya’qub al-Charkhiق, his Guide and Master in the Naqshbandi Way.
Under Khwāja Ya’qub al-Charkhiق, Khwāja UbayduLlah al-Aḥrarق underwent a profound spiritual transformation. His training in the Naqshbandi Way was rigorous yet filled with love and care.
Through constant dhikr, muraqabah (spiritual contemplation), and service, he refined his character until he became a mirror reflecting the light of his Shaykh. It was not long before Khwāja Ya’qub al-Charkhiق recognised his readiness and gave him full authorisation to guide others.
Khwāja UbayduLlahق ’s fame spread quickly, not because he sought it, but because people were drawn to the beauty of his character. His generosity was renowned. It is said that he was one of the wealthiest men in Transoxiana, owning vast lands, farms, and businesses.
Yet, he considered his wealth as a trust from Allah ﷻ to be spent in His ﷻ service. He would use his resources to feed the poor, free those in debt, build mosques and madrasahs, and support scholars and students of knowledge. It was not uncommon for him to give away entire harvests to those in need without keeping a single grain for himself.
Despite his immense wealth, Khwāja UbayduLlahق lived with simplicity. His home was open to visitors at all hours, and he treated everyone, from the poorest labourer to the most powerful ruler, with the same respect and warmth. His humility was such that he would often serve food with his own hands to his guests, considering it an honour to feed them.
He also played a significant role in the political and social affairs of his time. Unlike many who feared the presence of rulers, Khwāja UbayduLlahق would meet them openly, advising them with courage and sincerity.
His influence was such that rulers respected his counsel and often acted upon it, knowing that his only aim was the betterment of the people and the preservation of justice.
One of his most famous sayings was, “If I knew that my prayer alone could solve the problem of a believer, I would never leave my prayer mat. But since people need bread as much as they need du’a, I go out to work for their sake.” This reflected his understanding that spiritual guidance must be coupled with practical action to relieve the burdens of others.
Many miracles (karamat) are narrated about Khwāja UbayduLlahق. It is said that when famine threatened the land, he would distribute food in abundance, and somehow his store rooms never emptied.
In one instance, a man in desperate need came to him, and before the man could speak, Khwāja UbayduLlahق handed him exactly the amount he needed, saying, “This is from the One ﷻ who knows your need before you ask.” Such moments left lasting imprints on the hearts of those who met him, deepening their faith in Allah ﷻ.
Khwāja UbayduLlahق’s gatherings were filled with the fragrance of dhikr and the light of Qur’anic wisdom. He had a gift for speaking in a way that reached both the learned and the common folk.
He could take the most complex spiritual truths and express them in words that touched the hearts directly. People would leave his Sohbah with their iman renewed and their hearts burning with love for Allah ﷻ and His Messenger ﷺ.
One of his core teachings was the importance of constant remembrance of Allah ﷻ, not just with the tongue, but with the heart present at all times. He would say that the real mureed is one whose heart is never heedless, whether he is in the mosque or in the marketplace.
He also emphasised the role of service (khidmah) as a path to closeness with Allah ﷻ, reminding his students that every act done sincerely for the sake of others is a form of worship.
His love for the Holy Prophet ﷺ was deep and unwavering. He would often weep when reciting the Salawat, and his voice would tremble when narrating the blessed Seerah. Those around him felt that his entire being was infused with the Sunnah, not only in outward practice but in the mercy and compassion he showed to others.
Khwāja UbayduLlahق remained active in teaching, guiding, and serving until his final days. Even in illness, he continued to receive visitors, offering them counsel, prayers, and blessings.
On the 12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal, 895 AH, he returned to his Lord ﷻ, leaving behind a legacy that would inspire generations of seekers on the Naqshbandi Way. His maqam is in Samarkand, a place visited by countless lovers who come take blessings from his presence.
To this day, the memory of Khwāja UbayduLlah al-Aḥrarق remains alive in the hearts many. His life reminds us that true sainthood is not only in spiritual heights but in bringing benefit to people, relieving their burdens, and filling their lives with the light of Allah ﷻ.
May Allah ﷻ sanctify his secret, bless his soul, and grant us the strength to follow the path he so lovingly illuminated.
Al-Fatiha.
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