Syedena Hazrat Sadr-ud-deen Abul Asyer Al-Hussaini (A.S.)

Syedena Hazrat Sadr-ud-deen Abul Asyer Al-Hussaini (A.S.) is remembered in the family tradition as Chiragh-i-Hind of Zafarabad. Historical accounts of the saints of Zafarabad identify Makhdum Shaikh Sadr al-din Chiragh-i-Hind as one of the important Suhrawardi figures who came to the eastern regions and settled at Zafarabad.

The historical account places Sadr al-din among the disciples of Shaikh Rukn al-din Rukn-i-Alam of Multan and describes him as a saint of great fame. Zafarabad became one of the eastern centres where Suhrawardi mystics settled after leaving the western regions during periods of upheaval.

The Zafarabad account records Shaikh Rukn al-din, entitled Ghulam-i-Rukn-i-Alam, as a son of Makhdum Chiragh-i-Hind. He was named in memory of Rukn al-din Multani, the father’s maternal cousin and guide. The account gives his death as 795 AH / 1392 CE and says that he died young. The SMAAAQ family record preserves the following generation under the name Muhammad Rukuddin Al-Hussaini Al-Hassani (A.S.).

SMAAAQ preserves with reverence the karamat and spiritual traditions transmitted about Syedena Hazrat Sadr-ud-deen Abul Asyer Al-Hussaini (A.S.), known as Chiragh-i-Hind of Zafarabad. The recorded and devotional traditions surrounding his life describe a saint of exceptional spiritual presence, worship, ascetic devotion and influence.

Among the traditions preserved about Chiragh-i-Hind is the account that his murshid, Hazrat Shaikh Rukn-ud-deen Rukn-i-Alam of Multan, honoured him with the khirqa, khilafatnama and the title Chiragh-i-Hind before sending him towards the eastern regions. A Zafarabad tradition further relates that he would remain absorbed in worship in the forests and, at times, pass several days without food while engaged in ibadat.

Another striking tradition concerns his descendants. It is related that Chiragh-i-Hind prayed that no learned man should arise among his descendants who would live to old age. A tradition attributed to Shah Waris Ali preserves an eyewitness account of Shaikh Mujahid of Makhdoom-pur, who returned from Iraq after advanced spiritual practice and passed away soon after returning home. This account is preserved as part of the spiritual memory associated with Chiragh-i-Hind.

His meeting with Hazrat Ashraf Jahangir Simnani is also remembered in the Zafarabad Sufi tradition, forming part of the wider spiritual history surrounding his khanqah and the saints of the region. His generosity is likewise remembered: historical accounts describe him as distributing the considerable wealth he inherited among the poor.

These accounts are presented on SMAAAQ as part of the transmitted karamat, manaqib and spiritual heritage associated with Hazrat Chiragh-i-Hind.

Sources and historical traditions: A. Halim's study of the Zafarabad saints, based on Chiragh-i-Nur of Maulavi Nur al-din of Jaunpur; Sufinama's historical account of the Sufi tradition of Zafarabad, including traditions concerning Chiragh-i-Hind; and archaeological records concerning his shrine at Zafarabad.