Exploring the Legacy of Hazrat Maulana Burhanuddin Muzaffar Shams Balkhi: A Pioneering Sufi Scholar
By Syed Amjad Hussain,
New Age Islam
29 July
2024
Hazrat
Maulana Burhanuddin Muzaffar Shams Balkhi, commonly known as Muzaffar Balkhi,
stands as a distinguished figure in the annals of Sufism. Born in 1320 CE in
the historic region of Balkh, Afghanistan, Muzaffar Balkhi was an eminent
scholar and a revered Sufi saint who left an indelible mark on Islamic
mysticism.
Muzaffar
Balkhi, renowned for his association with the Firdausi Sufi order, had a
profound connection with Sheikh Sharafuddin Ahmad Yahya Maneri, a prominent
Sufi of his time. His early education was completed in Delhi, after which he
returned to Bihar to be with his father, Hazrat Shams Balkhi ibn Ali Balkhi.
The claim that Muzaffar Balkhi was a descendant of Hazrat Ibrahim bin Adham
Balkhi adds a layer of historical depth to his legacy.
Upon
settling in Bihar, Muzaffar Balkhi became closely involved with the Firdausi
Sufi centre in the region, known today as the Bihar Sharif area. His role
extended beyond spiritual guidance; he managed the kitchen and performed
various duties, including procuring wood when necessary. His relationship with
Shaikh Sharafuddin Ahmad Yahya Maneri was akin to that of Amir Khusro with
Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, characterized by mutual respect and deep spiritual
connection.
He used to
spend time and pray at his Hujra
(room) which is located in the premises of Makhdoom
Kund, Rajgir, where Makhdoom-e-Jahan Shaikh Sharfuddin Ahmed Yahya Maneri
had prayed for around 12 years. This is place which was known as the Bihiya
Jungle. Syed Ghulam Ali, a Sufi saint is also resting in the premises.
Premises
of Makhdoom Kund, Rajgir. Gate of Makhdoom Kund
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Muzaffar
Balkhi also served as a teacher at the royal madrasa of Sultan Firoz Shah
Tughlaq in Delhi. His influence extended beyond regional boundaries, as
evidenced by his correspondence with Sultan Gheyasuddin Azam Shah of Bengal and
Hazrat Noor Qutub-ul-Alam. These letters highlight his intellectual and
spiritual engagement with other prominent figures of his time.
Considered
one of the eminent scholars of his era, Muzaffar Balkhi was not only a disciple
of Shaikh Sharafuddin Ahmad Yahya Maneri but also inherited the mantle of
leadership from him. Following Maneri’s passing in 1381 CE, Muzaffar Balkhi was
appointed the Sajjada Nashin
(custodian) of the Khanqah-e-Moazzam,
a Khanqah built and established by Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq.
Muzaffar
Balkhi’s scholarly contributions include a collection of letters and treatises,
such as "Risala Hidayat Darwesh,"
"Sharh-e-Aqaid-e-Nasafi,"
and "Sharh-e-Mashariq-ul-Anwar."
His poetry, compiled in the renowned "Majmua-e-Ash’aar,"
reflects his deep spiritual insights. This work was extensively researched and
published in 1957 by Ghalib Award-winning scholar Syed Hasan.
Cover
page of Majmua-e-Ash’aar
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In his
final years, Muzaffar Balkhi resided in the holy cities of Mecca and Medina,
spending his last days in 1400 CE. He is resting in Aden, Yemen. His legacy
continued through his nephew, Makhdoom Hussain Muiz Balkhi, who succeeded him
as the second Sajjada Nashin of the Khanqah-e-Moazzam.
For further
exploration of his life and contributions, refer to "Manakib-ul-Asfiya" by Shah Shoaib Firdausi and "Maktubat-e-Muzaffar Shams Balkhi,"
which offer deeper insights into his enduring impact on Sufism.
Muzaffar
Balkhi's life and work remain a testament to the rich spiritual and
intellectual heritage of the Sufi tradition, and his contributions continue to
be celebrated and studied by scholars and devotees alike.
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Syed Amjad Hussain is a Bihar-based Author and research scholar of
Sufism. He is affiliated with the Shyama Prasad Institute of Technology and
Management, Kolkata.
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