How Data Ganj Bakhsh Spread Islam in South Asia?

The Preaching of Islam by Dasta Ganj Bakhsh رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه

The role of the Sufis was very important for the spread of Islam in the Indian subcontinent. Through their excellent character and preaching, the light of Islam spread throughout this region. People came out of the darkness of disbelief and misguidance and entered the light of Islam and guidance. Among those who spread the religion of Islam in this region, the name of Sayyidunā ꜤAlī b. ꜤUthmān al-Hujwīrī, also known as Dātā Ganj Bakhsh رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه, is especially prominent.

A Short Introduction:

His blessed birth took place approximately 1039 years ago, around 400 AH, in Ghazni (Eastern Afghanistan). His family lived in two neighbourhoods of Ghazni called Jullab and Hujwir. This is why he رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه is called Hujwīrī Jullābī.[1] His teknonym is Abū al-Ḥasan, his name is ꜤAlī, his title is Dātā Ganj Bakhsh, and his spiritual chain is Junaydī (which later became famous as the Qādirī order).

The Reason for Being Called Ganj Bakhsh:

It is narrated that Sayyidunā Khwājah Gharīb Nawāz رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه stayed at the luminous resting place of Dātā Ganj Bakhsh رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه for a long time to gain spiritual blessings. At the time of leaving, he said with great passion:

Ganj bakhsh faiz-e-alam mazhar-e-noor-e-Khuda

Naqisan ra peer-e-kamil, kamilan ra rahnuma

After this, people began to call him by the title of "Ganj Bakhsh". According to most historians, he رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه passed away on 20^th Ṣafar al-Muẓaffar 465 AH. His magnificent resting place is in Lahore and is a place where prayers are accepted.[2]

Preaching Islam:

Following the order of his spiritual guide, Sayyidunā Abū al-Faḍl b. Ḥasan al-Khuttalī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه, he began the work of preaching Islam in Lahore. In those days, the journey from Ghazni to Lahore was very difficult. However, for the sake of Allah’s pleasure and spreading Islam, he accepted this hardship wholeheartedly. Crossing difficult mountains and rivers, he arrived in Lahore in 431 AH.[3]

To promote and spread the religion, he first laid the foundation of a masjid there. He then began teaching to spread the light of knowledge and wisdom. Day and night, he taught the noble Quran and Hadith and provided solutions to the daily problems of the people. Impressed by his good character, nobility, and sincerity, non-Muslims entered the fold of Islam in large numbers.[4] Similarly, because of his supplications and advice, the deputy governor of Lahore, Rai Raju, also became a Muslim.[5]

He authored about nine books, including the masterpiece Kashf al-Maḥjūb. This book serves as an unmatched guide for those seeking guidance and reform until the Day of Judgement.[6] As a result of the preaching of Dātā ꜤAlī Hujwīrī رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَـلَيْه over many years, a city that was once drowned in the darkness of disbelief and polytheism became a fortress of Islam. Thousands of unlearned people gained knowledge and became scholars. Those who were misguided found the right path. People without understanding gained the wealth of wisdom. Those who were spiritually incomplete became complete, while those who were already complete were further perfected. Scholars and spiritual guides came from far and wide to his court and had their spiritual aspirations fulfilled.[7]

The spiritual blessings of Dātā Ṣāḥib continue even today in full glory and will continue until the Day of Judgement. إِنْ شَاءَ اللّٰہ عَزَّوَجَلَّ