Sayyid Muhammad Jaunpuri
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Syed Muhammad Jaunpuri (Urdu: سيد محمد جونپورى) in (b. Sept. 9, 1443 - d. April 23, 1505, 847 - 910 Hijri) was an Indian religious figure, seen as the Promised Mahdi by some Muslims such as the Mahdavia ]. Syed Mohammad was born in Jaunpur. His parents are said to have been named Amina and Abdullah, as per the Prophet's Hadith that the Mahdi's name would be his name and the Mahdi's parents would have his parents name. He was a descendant of Prophet Muhammad through Husayn ibn Ali.
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[edit] Early life
He was born to Amena, wife of Syed Abdullah. He descends from Imam Husain, son of Imam Ali, and through Musa al-Kazim (Arabic: موسى كاظم). His mother was also a descendant of Imam Ali. Both of his parents belonged to well to do and respectable families of Jaunpur; his father held the title 'Syed Khan', a mark of combination of high descent and affluence, granted by the Sharqia Kings. It is recorded, and held by the Mahdavia sources and followers, that the baby was born clean of the impurities of birth process, hiding his privacy with hands. Also, it is said he was born circumsized.
[edit] Education
Jaunpuri was known for his intelligence as a child, having memorized the Qur'an at a young age. He underwent a traditional religious education under Shaikh Daniyal who was a Sufi Shaikh of the Chisti order. The shaikh later on admitted the child into his school for religious studies. The child was very keen at studies and used to perform extra-ordinarily.
By 14 he was already being called 'asad ul ulema', Arabic for lion of the learned or metaphorically to say best of the scholars. That was in the city of Jaunpur of that day. Which is also remembered as Shiraz e Hind. Like Shiraz was then a center for scholars in Persia, Jaunpur was the answer to it in India.
By twenty-one he was already known as 'Syed ul Aulia'; that is Arabic for - The Master (leader) of saints (spiritual saints, friends of God). This historical status of Syed Mohammad is an established fact recognized by many scholars of Islamic studies and historians, particularly those of Indian sub-continent.
He would strictly adhere to the sunna of Prophet and accordingly the commandments in Qur'an. He is said to have observed extreme devotion and maximum trust in God, to the extent he never comsumed even a penny from his parent's wealth after reaching adulthood, for the sake of religious piety.
[edit] His travels
Around 1443 (887 Hijra) at the age of 40, he departed from Jaunpur, migrating away with his followers. During his travels, he constantly preached and called people towards the love of God. He never kept a permanent residence during his travels. A map of his journey can be found here.
The caravan that followed him included his wife, children, in-laws, and some other followers from Jaunpur. Among the children, his eldest son, Syed Mahmood (about 1463 - 1515) later came to be known as the first of his five caliphs. Another person in the caravan included Mian Dilawer, nephew of Raja Dalpath Rai, who later became the fifth caliph.
[edit] Pilgrimage and claim to be the Mahdi
By the age of 53 he embarked on the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, where in 1496 (901 Hijra), after circumambulating the Kaaba he announced for the publicly for the first time that he claimed to be the Mahdi. He was generally ignored by the ulema of Mecca, and after staying in Mecca for nearly seven or nine months [6] he returned to India where he proclaimed himself to be the Mahdi at Ahmedabad and later at Badli (near Patan, Gujarat). The announcement at Bardli is taken by his followers as the ultimate claim. In that annoucnement he stated that people should investigate his life, and compare it with the commandments of Quran and the path of the prophet of Islam. He also stated that if after his claim was investigated and he is found to be wrong and blasphemous, they could kill him and await Judgement day. If they chose to not kill him, he stated, people should accept and follow him on the way to God, dropping their own innovations which had crept in to their belief and by abiding by the 'sunnat of prophet' strictly.
Syed Mohammad Jaunpuri faced strong opposition in most places he trod in India after he clamied to be 'The Mahdi' in India for the first time at Ahmedabad (Gujarat) in around 1498 (903 Hijra). He was challenged by local Islamic scholars over his claims regarding the nature of God[citation needed], as well as over his claims of being the Mahdi. To which he had replied aptly, and many of the scholars joined his band leaving their prestigious posts and positions in the courts and their forsaking their properties. Despite this, he began writing letters claiming himself to be the Mahdi to local rulers. In his correspondance he asked the rulers to investigate his issue justly and if he is found treacherous imprison him immediately and if required kill him, since in their belief of the judgement they are supposed to be responsible, and answerable to the God, for not extinguishing evil and fallacy in their lands. On the other hand if they found him to be true then they are supposed to support truth and spread the light of faith, since on not doing so they are again answerable to their God.
Despite his claims being accepted by a large number of people and by kings such as those of Ahmadnagar, Farah and Kandahar in Afghanistan and some others; the local religious establishments and bodies of scholars continued to agitate against Syed Mohammad and his followers, most of them taken to rags and migratory nomadic life and no means of livelihood nor any settlements. While their group was always on the move, yet wherever they camped and preached the royal scholars and religious authorities and Qadis (judges) would complain to their kings about their presence and activities and sighting the royal permission managed to force them to leave their base at once. As per his teachings fighting is not the preference rather the migration is an option, yet in later periods scenes of violence have risen. Hundreds of Mahdavis were slaughtered and there were a number of armed actions taken against lightly armed mahdavis.
Thus Jaunpuri embarked a trek westward with his followers through Gujarat and then into Sindh. His followers believe that in Sindh he was given a divine command on the 27th night of Ramadan, that ordered him to offer two Rakaat prayer (salaat)for thanksgiving. This ritual continues to be repeated by his followers, Mahdavis. Jaunpuri continued travelling eventually reaching Kandahar, whose leader had accepted his claim. Here he was able to deliver sermons in the palace of the ruler, and he later continued west to another friendly town, that of Farah. Here he was joined by many of his followers from Gujarat. It was here that he died, and is buried, at a masoleum that continues to attract visitors.
After his death, his message was carried on by his succesors, who also called themselves Caliphs much like the succesors to Prophet Muhammad had done. The first was Jaunpuri's son, who continued to face opposition in Gujarat, resulting in his eventual imprisonment, and death in prison.
And the second caliph too died in a skirmish with the forces of the king of Gujarat Muzzafar Begda. He and his hundred or so followers fought with the several thousand troops. As per the Mahdawis this was predicted by the Mahdi that it must happen so as it is sign of his being true. They say, he said, two signs must be looked for after his death as to find if he was the true Mahdi or he was lying. On of these being that his second Caliph, Syed Khundmir, must be killed in a two day fight, in which the second he would be killed and beheaded and head skinned and be buried at three differen locations. It happened so to the second Caliph and he met his fate, along with a hundred of his campers.
There are more killings of Mahdawis as well as scholarly debates in kings palaces to happen after the passing away of Mahdi. One of the most celeberated is the debate with the imprisoned Mahdawi Sheikh Mustafa Gujarati which was held in the presence of the great Mughal emperor Akbar.
[edit] Quotes
- O people! listen to me. Since past several years I am being directly instructed by Allah that I had been ordained Mehdi-e-Mawood and the seal of the Vilayeth-e-Mohammedia sas. Of course, I know it was not a misguidance from Shaitan. But I thought that Allah wanted to test me. Thus, I avoided to declare it till the Hajj pilgrimage. Then the orders were emphatic and thus I declared it, standing in between Rukn and Maqaam. Again at Ahmedabad, as per the command of Allah, I proclaimed as the Promised Mehdi...
- ...But In view of the reprimanding orders, I proclaim myself as the Promised Mehdi (AS). At this time of proclamation I am in full consciousness. I am fed by Allah, the food which is pure I am not having any disease nor any need or desires. Under this condition, as per the command of Allah, I proclaim-that Allah had made me his Khallfa and the Promised Mehdi (AS). I am that person who had been promised...
- ... I bring two witnesses for this proclamation. They are the Book (Quran) and my adherence to the Prophet (PUH).
He also wrote letters to the kings and other central figures stating himself to be the Promised Mahdi and inviting to accept and follow. Some excerpts of the translations of his written invitations include:
- ...At The time of my proclamation I am not intoxicated and I am in full consciousness and do not need to be awaken. I am fed, by Allah, the food which is pure. I am neither for the land nor for the wealth. I am not for crown or power to rule. I consider them as scum. I am for renunciation of the world. The reason for this proclamation is that Allah had made it a must on me...
- ...Obedience to me is obligatory. As per Allah's wish I convey this message to all beings that I am Allah's Khalifa (Khalifatullah AS). He who obeys me. obeys Allah. He who disobeys me, disobeys Him...
- ...if in your opinion I am lying and concocting lies in the name of Allah - do investigate my deeds and do so hastily. If you avoid to do so you would be proved false. For you have the competence to do so. If (according to you) you allow me to (continue) to lie, you only would be conniving in the sin. I take oath in the name of Allah - the sole witness, that I am the protector of the followers of Mohammed (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and a reformer to them. Thus live not In illusion, compare with the Quran and scrutinize my utterances, my deeds and my activities...
Following these events the community of his followers was looked upon as separate sect. The courtiers and scholars at the courts of kings encouraged their kings to suppress to uprising ideology lest the kingdoms would be lost to the Mahdawis. The more optimistic ones among the learned approached him with their doubts and questions so as to test him and try the veracity of his statements.
Not that among his flock there were none from the people of grandeur stature. Rather, princes, lords, nobles, many had left their place and positions, migrated with him to fructify their strive to reach God. Highly talented, well learned, skilled performers as well as a layman constituted the disciple of his circle- DAIRA (Arabic: Circle) as it was in fact called.
Contributions (with NPOV requests) requested...
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ↑ BIRTH OF THE PROMISED MEHDI - From Mahdavia site
- ↑ 1.About What Others Say 2.PDF file 687KB - English Translation of Excerpts from TAZKIRA by Maulana Azad
- ↑ Sawaneh Mahdi Maoud AHS (Urdu/Persian Book) سوانح مهدي موعود
- ↑ Biography - Promised One
- ↑ Sawaneh Mahdi Maoud AHS-Pg.117 (Urdu/Persian Book) سوانح مهدي موعود
[edit] External links
- http://www.mahdavia.com
- The Promised Mahdi Home Site.
- Mahdawia Info Site.
- http://www.khalifatullahmehdi.info an informative audio site.
