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Hazrat Shaikh Abu Saeed Mubarak Al-Makhzūmi (Alaihir Rahmah), the exalted Murshid of Huzoor Ghaus-e-Āzam (Alaihir Rahmah) was born in Baghdad Shareef. His name was Mubarak, his appellation was Abu Saeed and he was known as Al-Makhzūmi. The name Al-Makhzūmi refers to his connection with the area of Baghdad known as Makhzūm. {Masālik-us-Sālikeen}
He attained knowledge of Deen from the most notable and distinguished scholars and Mashāikh of the time such that he became a master in the fields of Hadīth, Fiqh, traditional and philosophical sciences. He was the Mureed and Khalīfah of Hazrat Shaikh Abul Hasan Ali Hakkāri (Alaihir Rahmah). {Al-Durr-ul-Munazzam Fī Manāqib-e-Ghaus-e-Āzam; Maqāmāt-e-Dastagīrī}
He was appointed as a chief justice but he later left this position and spent all his time engrossed in the worship and remembrance of Allah Ta’ala. His personality had such a spiritual effect that whoever his spiritual gaze concentrated on or whoever he embraced, they would immediately become detached from the world and everything in it. He was also among the companions of Hazrat Khidr (Alaihis Salaam). {Al-Durr-ul-Munazzam Fī Manāqib-e-Ghaus-e-Āzam}
Huzoor Ghaus-e-Āzam (Alaihir Rahmah) himself states, “Once I entered into a deep spiritual condition in which I made a vow with Allah Ta’ala that I will not eat or drink anything unless someone puts a morsel of food or a drop of water into my mouth with their own hands. After taking this vow, forty days had passed without me eating or drinking anything. After forty days, a stranger arrived, placed some food and bread in front of me and left. Due to intense hunger, my nafs wanted to have the food, but my soul stopped me and reminded me of my vow with Allah Ta’ala. Then, I heard a loud noise inside me saying, “Hunger! Hunger!” I paid no attention towards this as it was my nafs, and I continued making the Zikr of Allah Ta’ala. It was during this time that Shaikh Abu Saeed Makhzūmi (Alaihir Rahmah) was passing by me. With his spiritual strength, he heard the noise from inside my stomach. He came close to me and said, “O Abdul Qadir! What is this noise?” I replied, “This is the impatience of the nafs, otherwise the soul is content.” He then said, “Come to my house,” and left. In my mind, I said that I would not go until I am commanded to do so. Just then Hazrat Khidr (Alaihis Salaam) arrived and said, “Stand up and go to the house of Abu Saeed Makhzūmi (Alaihir Rahmah).”
Thus, I stood up and went to the house of Shaikh Abu Saeed Makhzūmi (Alaihir Rahmah) and found him standing at the door of his house. On seeing me he said, “O Abdul Qadir! Was my saying not sufficient for you that Hazrat Khidr (Alaihis Salaam) had to command you to come to my house?” Saying this, he then took me into his house and fed me with his own hands until I had eaten and drank enough. He also took my pledge of allegiance and blessed me with a Khirqah (robe of spirituality).” {Qalāid-ul-Jawāhir; Al Haqāiq Fil Hadāiq}
The Khirqah that Shaikh Abu Saeed Makhzūmi (Alaihir Rahmah) handed over to Huzoor Ghaus-e-Āzam (Alaihir Rahmah) was passed down from Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) to several generations of Mashāikh through Hazrat Maula Ali (Radiallahu Ta’ala Anh). Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) himself received the Khirqah from Hazrat Jibreel (Alaihis Salaam), who received it directly from Allah Ta’ala. SubhānAllah! What can be said about the spiritual status and honour of that exalted Khirqah! {Qalāid-ul-Jawāhir}
Hazrat Shaikh Mubarak Al-Makhzūmi (Alaihir Rahmah) himself states, “Shaikh Abdul Qādir Jīlani wore the Khirqah that he received from me, and I wore a Khirqah that I received from him, so each of us obtained blessing by means of the other.” {Ibid}
He passed away on Monday, 27 Shabān 513 AH in Baghdad Shareef. According to some narrations he passed away on 4 Shabān or 7 Shabān 508 AH. {Masālik-us-Sālikeen; Anwār-e-Sūfiya}
A’la Hazrat (Alaihir Rahmah) aptly states,
سرورِ مخزوم سیف اللہ اے خالدبقرب
بوسعیدا اسعدا سعد الوریٰ امداد کن
The Leader of the Makhzūm, The Sword of Allah, O Khalid, draw near
O Abu Saeed, O most fortunate one, O fortunate amongst the creation, grant assistance!
بوالفرح کا صَدقہ کر غم کو فرح دے حسن و سعد
بو الحسن اور بو سعیدِ سعد زا کے واسطے
By the blessings of Hazrat Abul Farah Tartoosi, turn my grief into joy, grant me splendour and good fortune
Through the blessings of Hazrat Abul Hasan Ali Hakkāri and Hazrat Abu Saeed Makhzūmi, the ones born with good fortune
May Allah Ta’ala grant us true love and respect for the Awliya Allah, Allahumma Āmeen.