Urs of Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] begins in Pakistan
By Sufi Sikandar Ghani Sheikh

ISLAMABAD: The centuries-old ceremonies of the Urs of great spiritualist and saint Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] began at Noorpur, close to the capital city of Islamabad on Sunday..

The ceremonies, which are being attended by the followers of Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif, popularly known as Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] from all-over Pakistan and even from abroad, will continue for five days.

Islamabad District Administration and Auqaf Directorate has made all the necessary arrangements for the sanctified event.

Perspective

Sweat mingles with tears on sun-darkened faces of pilgrims who walk miles, most of them barefoot and clad in rags, destine towards the shrine Hazrat Bari Sarkar [RA] in the hills, around Islamabad every year.

These are Pakistan’s colourful saint-worshippers, adherents of the Sufi branch of Islam. Almost one Million pilgrims from home and abroad arrive to pay homage at the silver-mirrored mausoleum of 17th century Sufi saint Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi [RA], best known as Hazrat Bari Imam [RA].

People have been coming to the shrine of the great saint for centuries.

The annual pilgrimage to Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] is undertaken over five days surrounding the anniversary of the saint’s death each May. Each night at the shrine, a large number of pilgrims twirled to rapidly beating drums. Others carried miniature golden mausoleums garlanded with yellow and green streamers and triangular flags bearing verses from the Holy Quran.

The devotees come to make or fulfil “mannats” [pledges] that they would regularly visit the shrine, feed the poor or perform another act if their prayers are answered.

“My son wanted to go to Kuwait and he just came back. I promised I’d come to the shrine of Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] and donate rice to the poor when he came back,” said Budronisa Yacoub from Lahore to 'Pakistan Times' [Daily Web Newspaper] as she arrived at the shrine on Monday.

“If I hadn’t come, I would have been anxious. I would have worried because I made a promise to Allah,” she said, wiping away a tear. “I feel relaxed now.”

Some tried to create a tangible contract. They tied strips of cloth to an oldtree under which the saint was said to have meditated. The faithful believe their prayers have a better chance of being heard by Almighty Allah.

“When you want to meet with a big official, you have to meet with smaller officials first,” said Munir Ahmed of Bahawalpur. “When you go to a saint, Allah likes it and looks on it well.”

As is indexed in the history, Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] was one of the great preachers of Central Asian and Arab who for centuries travelled through South Asia spreading Islam.

During the 17th century, thieves and outcasts occupied Noorpur Shahan village at the edge of Islamabad. While travelling though the area, the great saint, who had migrated to the densely thick underwood isolated terrain, now known as Islamabad from his origin, a village in Chakwal area, was stunned by the habits of those living among the natural beauty of the Margalla Hills.

He decided to stay and teach the people about Islam. Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, who was devoted to spreading his empire, originally built the silver-mirrored shrine of Hazrat Bari Imam [RA].

It has been renovated and is now is maintained by the government. Inside the mausoleum, where the great saint rests, only men are permitted, a steady stream of worshippers enter and exit, most bending to kiss and strew rose petals on the green cloth covering the grave of Hazrat Bari Sarkar [RA].

Reciting verses from the Holy Quran, women view the grave through a glass window, which many touch and kiss while praying for the blessings of Almighty Allah.

The faithful read from one of the hundreds of the copies of the Holy Quran, the moment when one leaves after recitation. Some simply sit in silence as mark of respect for the great saint, taking a moment to say a final prayer and to collect the inspiration and strength to make the journey back home.

The five-day annual Urs of Hazrat Shah Latif Bari Qadri (Bari Imam) RA always begins with spiritual zeal and enthusiasm.

Islamabad District Administration and District Auqaf Directorate had finalized strict security arrangement for the event. Hazrat Bari Imam [RA], whose real name is Shah Abdul Latif Kazmi, was born in 1026 Hijra (1617 AD).

His father, Syed Mehmood Shah [RA] shifted his family from district Jhelum to Baghan village, presently called Aabpara.

At that time, it was a barren land. Soon after the arrival of Hazrat Bari Imam’s family, his father started farming and also kept some animals. Hazrat Shah Latif [RA] helped his father in grazing the animals, but left home at 12 and came to Nurpur Shahan.

From Nurpur Shahan, Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] went to Ghaur Ghashti (now Attock) where he stayed for two years for learning fiqh, hadith, logic, mathematics, medicine and other disciplines, because at that time Ghaur Ghashti was great seat of learning.

To get spiritual knowledge and satiate his love for Islam, Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] visited many places, including Kashmir, Badakhshan, Bukhara, Mashhad, Baghdad and Damascus.

He not only received spiritual knowledge in these places but also held discussions with scholars belonging to different schools of thought on various subjects. Later, he went to Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj.

Hazrat Bari Imam [RA] converted thousands of Hindus into Muslims through the teachings of Islam at Nurpur Shahan.

The Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir himself came here to pay respects to Hazrat Bari Imam [RA]. The great spirtualist of all times died in 1705 and was laid to rest at Nurpur Shahan, where his Urs is held every year with religious zeal and fervour.●