5th Safar: Urs of Shaykh Ya’Qub al-Charki, 19th Grandshaykh of the Golden Chain

Bismi Llāhi r-Raḥmāni r-Raḥīm

The 5th of Safar marks the uroos/passing of Maulana Shaykh Ya’Qub al-Charkiق.

Heق was the 19th Grandshaykh of the Naqshbandi Golden Chain.

Mawlana Shaykh Yaqub al-Charkhiق was a distinguished Islamic scholar and spiritual master who perfectly combined the outward sciences of Islam with deep inner spirituality. Born in Jarkh, a small town between Kandahar and Kabul, he sought knowledge from a young age.

His early education took place in Herat, and later in Egypt, where he studied under great scholars like Shaykh Shihabuddin ash-Shirwaniق, known as the Encyclopedia of the Age. He memorized the entire Qur’an and hundreds of thousands of hadiths, including both authentic and weak narrations.

His mastery of these sciences earned him the rank of mujtahid mutlaq, granting him the authority to issue independent legal rulings on all matters concerning Muslims.

Despite his great knowledge and scholarly achievements, Shaykh Yaqubق yearned for the inner realities and spiritual depths of Islam. After completing his formal studies, he returned to his homeland and sought the guidance of Maulana Shaykh Bahauddin Naqshbandق.

His love and respect for Mawlana Shaykh Bahauddinق were so sincere that he expressed his desire to remain in the essence of his Shaykh’s vision. However, Shaykh Bahauddinق tested his sincerity, telling him that mere fame and popularity were insufficient reasons for acceptance.

In response, Shaykh Yaqubق quoted a hadith of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which says that if Allah ﷻ loves someone, He ﷻ causes others to love that person as well.

Upon hearing this, Shaykh Bahauddinق smiled and said, “I am the spiritual inheritor of Azizan. What you say is true.”

These words astonished Shaykh Yaqubق, as he had heard the name “Azizan” in a dream one month earlier, in which a voice told him, “Be the mureed of Azizan.” At the time, he had not known who Azizan was, but the confirmation made him realise the Divine Alignment.

Before he departed, Shaykh Bahauddinق gifted him a turban, saying, “When you see this or use it, you will remember me. When you remember me, you will find me. And when you find me, you will find your Way to Allah ﷻ.”

He then added, “On your way back to Balkh, if you meet Mawlana Tajuddin al-Kawlakiق, keep your heart from gossiping in his presence, for he is a great Saint and he will scold you.”

Shaykh Yaqubق thought to himself, “I am not passing through Kawlak, where Mawlana Tajuddinق lives, so I likely will not meet him.” However, events unfolded such that he was redirected through Kawlak. Remembering Shaykh Bahauddin’sق advice, he searched for Mawlana Tajuddinق in the dark night.

At the mosque, a man appeared from behind a pillar and said, “Are you Yaqub al-Charkhiق? Do not be surprised. I knew you were coming. My Shaykh, Shaykh Bahauddinق, sent me to bring you to Mawlana Tajuddin al-Kawlakiق.”

On the way, they met an old man who told him, “O my son, our way is full of surprises. Whoever enters it cannot understand it. The seeker must leave his mind behind.” When they reached Mawlana Tajuddinق, he granted Shaykh Yaqubق a unique piece of spiritual knowledge he had never encountered before. All his learning seemed small in comparison.

Shaykh Yaqubق was overwhelmed with gratitude for his Shaykh, who had orchestrated the meeting. His love for Shaykh Bahauddinق grew even stronger.

Shaykh Yaqubق continued to visit Shaykh Bahauddinق in Bukhara. On one occasion, he visited a well-known majdhub, a person absorbed in Divine Love, who encouraged him to continue on to Shaykh Bahauddinق without delay.

This meeting was accompanied by a symbolic sign involving counting lines drawn in the dust. Shaykh Yaqubق found the number to be odd, a reassuring sign since the Prophet ﷺ said that Allah ﷻ loves odd numbers. Shaykh Bahauddinق then taught Shaykh Yaqubق the station of “Awareness of Number,” deepening his spiritual practice.

One of the most profound moments in Shaykh Yaqub’sق spiritual journey occurred when he was living in Fatahabad. He opened the Qur’an and was moved by a verse instructing believers to follow those guided by Allah ﷻ. Feeling troubled by an inner thought, he chose to visit Shaykh Bahauddinق instead of the mosque and grave of another Saint.

Upon arrival, his Shaykh greeted him with a majestic vision that shook his heart. Shaykh Bahauddinق explained that there are two kinds of knowledge: the knowledge of the heart, which is the true, beneficial knowledge of Prophets and Messengers (AS), and the knowledge of the tongue, which is outward learning. He reminded Yaqubق that acceptance on the spiritual path requires permission from Allah ﷻ, the Prophet ﷺ, and the chain of Shaykhs.

That night was a trial for Shaykh Yaqubق, filled with fear of rejection. However, at dawn, Shaykh Bahauddinق assured him that he was accepted by all. Following this, Shaykh Bahauddinق revealed to him the Golden Chain of spiritual masters, reciting their names one by one, with each saint appearing before them in vision.

From Mawlana Shaykh Abdul Khaliq al-Ghujdawaniق, who had received knowledge from the mysterious guide Khidr (AS), Shaykh Yaqubق received the secret science of spiritual numbers, known as wuquf al-‘adadi. This spiritual lineage bestowed upon him the authority to become a guide himself.

After Shaykh Bahauddin’sق death, Shaykh Yaqubق was ordered by him to accompany the next master, Khwaja Alauddin al-Attarق. He remained devoted to Shaykh Alauddinق until his death, and this companionship brought great blessings and completed Shaykh Yaqub’sق spiritual training.

His deep bond with other scholars such as Shaykh Zainuddin al-Khawafiق is well known. Together, they studied under Shaykh Shihabuddin ash-Shirwaniق in Egypt. It is said that during lectures, Shaykh Yaqubق displayed miracles such as disappearing and reappearing, symbolizing his complete self-effacement and presence with Allah ﷻ. His spiritual perfection blossomed fully only after following Shaykh Bahauddinق.

Shaykh Yaqubق passed away in the village of Hulgatu on the 5th of Safar, 851 AH. He left behind many deputies, most notably Shaykh Ubaydullah al-Ahrarق, to whom he passed the secret of the Naqshbandi Order.

Today, his life remains a shining example of balancing outward knowledge and inner love, humility, sincere devotion, and the power of spiritual transmission. Through his teachings and spiritual lineage, Mawlana Shaykh Ya’Qub al-Charkhiق continues to inspire seekers on the path to Allah ﷻ.

Tonight, do send gifts of Surah Al-Fatiha and Yasin to our 19th Grandshaykh of the Golden Chain, Maulana Shaykh Ya’Qub al-Charkiق.

With Love, Al-Fatiha.

To learn more about the month of Safar, please click here.

Google Drive to the full devotions can be found here.