Wahdat-ul-Wujood in Verse: The Poetry and Philosophy of Hazrat Zaheen Shah Taji

By Sahil Razvi, New Age Islam 08 November 2024 Baba Tajuddin Nagpuri, A Respected Saint, And Hazrat Zaheen Shah Taji, A Sufi Poet And Scholar, Are Remembered For Their Spiritual Influence And Teachings On Unity. Their Poetry And Work Have Left A Lasting Legacy Within Sufi Traditions, Inspiring Devotion And Reflection Among Followers Across Generations. Main Points 1. Baba Tajuddin’s Influence: Baba Tajuddin was a respected saint from Nagpur, admired by followers from various faiths, including Mahatma Gandhi. 2. Early Struggles: Orphaned early, Baba Tajuddin served in the army and later followed a spiritual path under Hazrat Daud Sahib. 3. Zaheen Shah Taji’s Role: As a disciple of Baba Tajuddin’s follower, Zaheen Shah Taji became known for his poetic works in Urdu and Persian. 4. Sufi Literature: Zaheen Shah Taji translated important Sufi texts and wrote books, including a biography of Baba Tajuddin. … He was Tajuddin Nagpuri, a great saint from Maharashtra. A magnetic, mystical, and spiritual presence, Hazrat Baba Tajuddin was welcomed by many prominent men and women, including Meher Baba and Mahatma Gandhi, to acknowledge his greatness. Life, so mysterious, made the Tajuddin of Sufism an interesting character of immense interest. He was born on January 27, 1861, at Kamthi, near Nagpur. His grandmother took him as an orphan due to his father and mother leaving him when he was quite young. He continued his education at a madrasa, Kamthi, and then went on in his life by enlisting himself in the Nagpur Regiment No. 13 after his education. But the actual spiritual journey started after meeting Hazrat Daud Sahib, who was to guide him, at Sagar. Baba left the army and started moving around, which raised concern among his family and society. All opined that he had turned insane. But Baba never grew worried. Instead, he was collecting stones thrown at him by children. He declared them all signs of his divine purpose. Such behaviour saw him jailed in an asylum in 1892, but Baba continued his wanderings outside the asylum. In 1908, due to Maharaja Radhaji Rao Bhonsle's intervention, Baba was released and provided residence in a palace. There he attracted both Hindus and Muslims followers. Baba's health worsened further, and Baba died on August 17, 1925, at the age of 66. His devotees, who include many with the name 'Taji' in their names, remember his glorious legacy reverently to this day. One of his leading murids who became an influential exponent of his ideology was Hazrat Yusuf Shah Taji. Another such important murid of Hazrat Yusuf Shah was Hazrat Zaheen Shah Taji. A towering figure, he was both a saint and a literary icon who enriched the science of Sufism and its literature profusely. Born in 1902 to Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan, scholarly Hazrat Zaheen Shah Taji was nurtured in a family of scholars. Maulana Abdul Karim Jaipuri in Ajmer gave him his Bai', and he was under the tutelage of Hazrat Yusuf Shah Taji. He later became a Sajjada Nashin and continued Baba Tajuddin's teachings in Karachi after his death guide's death. Hazrat Zaheen Shah Taji was not only an exalted saint but a great poet as well. His notable translations include "Fusulul-Hikam" and "Futuhat-E-Makkiya" from Ibn Arabi, and Mansur Hallaj's poetry. His Ghazals and rubaiyat are full of deep wisdom from the revelations of Sufism. His prominent Ghazals, written in simple yet profound words, provide expressions of the Wahdat-ul-Wujood, that is, the unity of existence, and represent the best qualities of human values like truthfulness. Some of the best-known poetry by Hazrat Zaheen Shah Taji: Aghaaz Achha, Anjaam Achha Nisbat Jo Achhi, Har Kaam Achha Sab Naam Un Ke, Har Naam Achha Achhon Se Apna Har Kaam Achha Achhe Hain Yun to Sab Naam Un Ke Woh Jis Se Khush Hon, Woh Naam Achha Tu Ne Deewana Banaya to Main Deewana Bana Ab Mujhe Hosh Ki Duniya Mein Tamasha Na Bana Ishq Mein Deeda-O-Dil Sheesha-O-Paimana Bana Jhoom Kar Baith Gaye Hum Wahi Mai-Khana Bana Yeh Tamanna Hai Ki Azad-e-Tamanna Hi Rahoon Dil-E-Mayous Ko Manous-e-Tamanna Na Bana Dil-E-Betab Ko Taskeen Tabassum Se Na De Chashm-E-Majnun Ke Liye Mahamil-E-Laila Na Bana The poetry by Hazrat Zaheen Shah Taji remains a bed of spiritual nourishment to the followers across all generations. It is a source of inspiration not only for the believers but also people who come to pay their respects at the shrine of Hazrat Yusuf Shah Taji in Karachi. …. Sahil Razvi is an Author and Research scholar specializing in Sufism and History and an alumnus of Jamia Millia Islamia. ------------- URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/wahdat-ul-wujood-poetry-hazrat-zaheen/d/133660 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