Imdadullah Muhajir Makki

Imdadullah Muhajir Makki (December 31, 1817 - October 18, 1899) was an eminent 'Alim and Chishti Sufi saint of the South Asia . Haji Imdadullah Muhaajir Makki was born in Nanauta , a town in the district of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh , India on December 31, 1817. His name, "Imdadullah", means "Assistance of Allah". Through his ancestry, he was a Faruqi or a descendant of Hazrat 'Umar Faruq (RA). he had three brothers. Zulfiqar and Fida Husain were older than him, while Bahadur Ali Shah was younger than him. He also had a younger sister, Bi Wazirun Nisa. When he was born, he was named "Imdad Husain". However, when the renowned muhaddith , Shah Muhammad Ishaq (RA), heard this name, he disliked it and advised that it be changed to "Imdadullah". he also attributed the names "Khuda Baksh" and "'Abdul Karim" to himself. At the age of three, he was sent to Hazrat Sayyid Ahmad Shahid , who bestowed upon him the symbolical bay'at of tabarruk . When Hazrat was seven years old, his mother, Bibi Haseeni, died. She left behind a wasiyyat which stated: "Honour this wasiyyat of mine. Because the strict observance of this wasiyyat , Hazrat’s education did not receive much attention. However, he yearned to memorize the Qur’an . Thus, despite the absence of encouragement from others, he commenced memorization of the Qur’an . Despite a number of obstacles, he completed it at the age of twenty-three. At the age of nine, Hazrat accompanied Moulana Mamluk 'Ali to Delhi . There, Hazrat studied sarf , nahw , and Persian under him. This was the only education that Hazrat received, but he was blessed by Allah with 'Ilm Ladunni . At the age of eighteen, Hazrat's bay'at was accepted by Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Nasiruddin Naqshbandi , from whom he learned the various adhkar of the Naqshbandi silsila . After only a few days with his Pir-o-Murshid, the mantle of khilafah was conferred to him. Thereafter, he saw Muhammad in a dream. It was on the basis of this dream that Hazrat sought for his bay'at to be accepted by Hazrat Mianji and it did. After only a few days, the mantle of khilafah was conferred to him once again. After the death of Hazrat Mianji, Hazrat became reclusive. In consequence, he developed a fear and detestation for people. He withdrew himself from the midst of people and wandered in the wilderness of Punjab . He would refrain from eating for up to eight days. Finally, after wandering in the wilderness for six months, in 1260 AH, Hazrat saw Muhammad in a dream. In this dream, Muhammad said: “Come to us”. Thus, Hazrat was overcome by a strong urge to travel to Madina . Ultimately, on December 7, 1845, Hazrat arrived at Bandares . From there, he departed for Arafaat . When he reached Makkah , he had much difficulty. He only lived on Zamzam water . On the tenth day, he requested help, but no one assisted him until one person gifted him with 100 riyals. From that month on, every month of his life, he would receive 100 riyals. He never suffered after that for his needs. After the completion of his 'Hajj , Hazrat remained with Hazrat Shah Ishaq Muhajir Makki and others, deriving spiritual benefit from them. Hazrat Shah informed Hazrat that, after ziyaara to Madina , he should return to India . Hazrat Sayyid Qudratullah Banarasi Makki sent several of his murids to accompany Hazrat to Madina . After ziyaara to Muhammad’s grave, Hazrat derived the faidh of Madina . While in Madina , Hazrat expressed his desire to remain in Madina to Hazrat Shah Ghulam Murtaza Jhanjhaanwi Madani, who advised him to be patient for a while as he will return. After a few days, Hazrat returned to Makkah , where he remained for a few days before returning to India . After his return to India , people started to insist on having their bay'at accepted by him, but his humility forced him to refuse. However, a directive from the ghaib compelled him to submit to the people's wishes. Thus, he commenced the process of bay'at . Meanwhile, Hazrat's enthusiasm and yearning to immigrate increased day by day. Then, the Mutiny of 1857 occurred. In the aftermath of this upheaval, Hazrat bid farewell forever to India . En route, he visited the graves of the Auliya Hyderabad . Thereafter, he embarked from Karachi for Makkah . Haji Imdadullah Muhaajir Makki remained at the ribat of Seth Isma'il on Mount Safa for some time. He passed most of his time in solitude and muraaqabah (meditation), therefore he could not associate much with the inhabitants of Makkah . However, during the days of 'Hajj , on account of the wishes of devotees from India to meet him, Hadhrat would remain in public. After some time, a directive from the ghaib drew his attention to the fact that an 'Aarif should not abandon any Sunnah of Muhammad. Nikah was, therefore, essential. Because of this directive, he married Bi Khadija on February 6, 1866. The mahr was sixty riyals. In 1294 AH, Hazrat’s attendants, after considerable insistence, purchased a house in Haarratul Bab for them. Hazrat was of frail physical stature because of mujaahadaat , riyaadhaat , and reduction of food and sleep. In his last years, his body deteriorated to such an extent that, towards his death, it became difficult for him to even turn onto his side. Hazrat died at the time of Fajr Adhan on Wednesday , October 18, 1899 at the age of eighty-one. He is buried in Jannatul Ma'laa in Makkah . He left behind a stick, two sets of winter clothes, and two sets of summer clothes. Approximately 500 or more 'Ulama had their bay'at accepted by him.¹