Syed Muhammad Qadri Amjhari: Founder of The Qadri Order in The Eastern India

By Rehan Ahmed Khan, New Age Islam 9 October 2024 Syed Muhammad Qadri Amjhari, A Descendant of Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani, Was A Prominent Sufi Who Propagated Islam in India. His Legacy Endures Through His Teachings and Shrine in Amjhar Sharif, Bihar. Main Points: 1. Lineage and Birth: Syed Muhammad Qadri Amjhari, born in 810 Hijri (1407 CE) in Baghdad, was a descendant of the renowned Sufi saint Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani. 2. Education: He studied under eminent scholars, gaining expertise in theology, Sufism, and Islamic jurisprudence by age 23. 3. Divine Journey: His father’s prophetic dream led Syed Muhammad to travel to India to spread Islam, carrying sacred relics and a mystic staff. 4. Settlement in India: He settled in Amjhar Sharif, Bihar, after the staff he planted miraculously took root, indicating his spiritual destination. 5. Marriage and Legacy: He married in Kichhauchha Sharif and had six children, continuing his spiritual lineage through his descendants and disciples. 6. Spiritual Influence: His teachings spread across India, and his shrine in Amjhar Sharif remains a revered pilgrimage site, with annual Urs celebrations commemorating his life. ------ (Photo by the author) ------ Introduction Syed Muhammad Qadri Amjhari, also venerated as Syedna Dada, was born in 810 Hijri (1407 CE) in the illustrious city of Baghdad, Iraq. His appellation “Qadri” emanates from his lineage, being a direct descendant of the exalted Sufi luminary, Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani, whose spiritual legacy he upheld and propagated. Syed Muhammad’s profound impact on the dissemination of Islam in the Indian subcontinent solidified his enduring legacy. Formative Years and Erudition Syed Muhammad Qadri Amjhari’s early education was imbued with deep spiritual and scholarly rigor, initiated by his parents and augmented by his tutelage under some of the most eminent scholars of his time. His intellectual formation was shaped by erudite mentors, including Sheikh Khalilullah Baghdad, Sheikh Abu Ishaq, Sheikh Abul Muqarrim Junaidi, Sheikh Abdullah Saad, Sheikh Abul Khair Abdul Rahim, and Sheikh Abdul Ghaffar Najafi. By the age of 23, he had completed his education, excelling in theology, mysticism, and jurisprudence, thus equipping him for his spiritual journey ahead. The Divine Mandate: Journey to India Syed Muhammad’s father, Syed Darvesh Abu Muhammad Shamsuddin Qadri, experienced a prophetic vision that augured India as the locus of his son’s spiritual mission. Convinced of its divine origin, he instructed his son to embark on this sacred journey. Before his departure, Syed Muhammad was endowed with sacred relics: a strand of the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) hair, the turban of Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani, and a set of prayer beads, symbolizing the sacred trust he was to carry forward. Additionally, his father entrusted him with gold coins for the voyage and a mystic wooden staff (asa). The staff was imbued with a profound spiritual significance, as his father instructed him to plant it wherever he halted. The place where it miraculously took root would be his final destination and the epicentre of his spiritual work. Settlement in Amjhar Sharif In 846 Hijri (1442 CE), Syed Muhammad Qadri Amjhari arrived on Indian soil, traversing through Kandahar, Multan, Sugharpur (Kichhauchha Sharif), and Narhana. His odyssey culminated in Amjhar Sharif, Bihar. In accordance with his father’s divine foresight, when he planted the wooden staff in the soil of Amjhar Sharif, it miraculously sprouted, signifying that this was to be his spiritual abode. There, he established a thriving center for spiritual guidance and religious instruction, drawing adherents from far and wide. Matrimony and Lineage During his travels, Syed Muhammad was instructed by his father to marry the sister of Syed Hasan Chishti, a directive he followed in Kichhauchha Sharif. This matrimonial union was divinely blessed, resulting in three sons and three daughters. His eldest son, Moinuddin Qadri, earned Syed Muhammad the honorific "Abu Moin." His progeny would play a pivotal role in continuing his spiritual and religious legacy. Spiritual Legacy and Perpetuation of Sufism Syed Muhammad Qadri Amjhari’s spiritual influence was not confined to Amjhar Sharif alone. His Khalifas, or spiritual successors, disseminated his teachings across the Indian subcontinent, expanding his influence to regions such as Rafiganj and Nimia Ghat (Dhanbad). His teachings, deeply rooted in the Qadri Sufi order, emphasized spiritual refinement, asceticism, and the pursuit of divine proximity through love, selflessness, and devotion. In 940 Hijri (1533 CE), Syed Muhammad passed away at the extraordinary age of 130. His tomb in Amjhar Sharif, Aurangabad, Bihar, became a sanctuary of spiritual pilgrimage. Each year, the Urs—commemorating his death anniversary—is observed on the 1st of Rabi al-Awwal. Recently, the 504th Urs was celebrated, underscoring the profound and enduring reverence for his life and spiritual contributions. Enduring Legacy: Khanqah Qadriya The Khanqah Qadriya, which Syed Muhammad established, continues to flourish under the custodianship of Syed Shah Sharafuddin Nayyir Qadri, who remains the torchbearer of this venerable institution. The Bihar government has officially recognized the shrine as a historical and spiritual site of significance, drawing thousands of pilgrims during the Urs celebrations. Among the cherished artefacts preserved at the shrine is a Quran handwritten by Syed Abdul Qadir Jilani, a testament to the spiritual continuity between the Sufi saints of Baghdad and the Indian subcontinent. Conclusion Syed Muhammad Qadri Amjhari’s life is an enduring exemplar of spiritual fortitude, divine guidance, and the transformative power of mysticism. His tireless efforts in propagating Islam and Sufism, particularly the Qadri tradition, reverberate through the ages, inspiring successive generations. His teachings, embodied in the Khanqah Qadriya and the countless lives he touched, ensure his place in the annals of Islamic history as a paragon of piety, spiritual wisdom, and unwavering dedication to the path of divine truth. ------ Rehan Ahmed Khan is an Independent Research scholar specialising Muslim Personalities and Communal Harmony URL: https://www.newageislam.com/islamic-personalities/qadri-amjhari-order-eastern-india/d/133392 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism