Report- S. Muneer
Aligarh ,In commemoration of the 197th Blessed Urs of Hazrat Niaz Bay Niaz Shah Niaz Ahmad, a Fatiha Khwani was organized under the auspices of the Al-Niaz Education and Welfare Society at Khanqah Niaziah, located in Syed Colony, Sir Syed Nagar, Aligarh. On this occasion, after the Asr prayer, Fatiha Khwani was held, followed by the Maghrib prayer, where Naat and Manqabat were presented, featuring the special verses of Hazrat Shah Niaz Ahmad, “In your love, I bore the mountain of sorrow, whatever happens, I left the pleasures of life, whatever happens.”
On this occasion, Pir Tariqat Dr. Mohammad Abbas Niazī shed light on the sacred life of Hazrat Shah Niaz Ahmad, stating that the beautiful and successful amalgamation of the Qadriya and Chishti orders is named Hazrat Shah Niaz Ahmad. This is why Shah Niaz Bay Niaz is recognized as the successor of Ghaus and Khwaja. He received Bai’at and Khilafat from Hazrat Fakhruddin Dehlavi of the Chishti order, and in the Qadriya order, he was granted Khilafat and succession from the offspring of Ghaus-e-Azam, Hazrat Shah Abdullah Baghdadi Qadri. Not only was his Wilayat, succession, religious superiority, and knowledge acknowledged by all orders and Khanqahs, but his status as Qutub Al-Alam was also recognized with great respect. His spirituality continues to revive thousands of lifeless hearts, and the stream of spiritual blessings from his Khanqah is still ongoing. His father, Hakim Ilahi Shah, held religion in such high regard that neither throne nor crown could bind him. He rejected the throne and crown from Andijan Bukhara and came to India for the propagation of religion, settling in Sirhind, where Hazrat Shah Niaz Ahmad was born in 1750. His father entrusted Shah Niaz to Hazrat Maulana Fakhruddin Dehlavi, a renowned scholar of the Chishti order, for the acquisition of religious knowledge in Delhi. In his madrasa, he studied the Quran, Hadith, Fiqh, Logic, etc., and was honored with the turban of distinction. During this time, his competence and intelligence became renowned throughout Delhi, and many prominent scholars and jurists began to visit him to benefit from his knowledge.
Pir Tariqat Dr. Abbas Niazī further stated that Hazrat Shah Niaz authored approximately 26 treatises, which remain invaluable treasures and rare gems for the people of Sufism today. One of his diwan has also been published, which includes Sufi poetry in Arabic, Persian, Urdu, and Hindi, read and appreciated worldwide. He mentioned that the famous classical singer Abida Parveen has recited many of his verses, which have been well-received globally, including a famous verse, “In my ecstasy, you have made me taste this delightful sweetness, no desire remains in my heart now, there is neither a place for conversation nor a palace for search, neither can one reach there nor does reason have access.” Dr. Niazī explained that upon witnessing Hazrat Shah Niaz’s competence, capability, spirituality, and Tariqat, Hazrat Maulana Fakhruddin Dehlavi appointed him as his Khalifa and successor and ordered him to go to Bareilly. Upon reaching Bareilly, Hazrat Shah Niaz Ahmad established a madrasa and also laid the foundation of a Khanqah. The establishment of the Khanqah alongside the madrasa had a specific purpose: to illuminate not only the outward appearance of people but also their inner selves. While madrasas can correct a person’s outward appearance, Khanqahs can not only rectify a person’s inner self but can illuminate it to such an extent that it enlightens others as well. Today, the renowned Khanqah Niaziah is frequented by a large number of people from various religions and communities, who not only visit with reverence but also benefit from its blessings, proving that the purpose for which the Khanqah was established alongside the madrasa is being fulfilled. Hazrat Shah Niaz Ahmad passed away on 6th Jumada al-Thani 1845 in Bareilly. Hazrat Shah Niaz Ahmad is recognized as the ultimate successor of the Qadriya and Chishti orders; those who take Bai’at from his order write Niazī with their names. He announced that the 195th Blessed Urs of Shah Niaz Ahmad will be celebrated in Bareilly with great grandeur. His Qal Sharif will be held on 6th Jumada al-Thani 1447 Hijri, i.e., 28th November 2025, under the leadership and patronage of the current successor, Shah Mehdi Miyan Chishti Qadri Niazī.
During the Samaa gathering held on this occasion, the renowned Qawwal Ghulam Hasnain from the Dargah of Hazrat Nizamuddin recited Sufi poetry. At the conclusion of the program, a Fatiha Khwani was held, and prayers were offered for peace and security in the country. On this occasion, a large number of devotees were present, including Ali Zaman Niazī, Ali Fakhri Niazī, Ali Hasnain Niazī, Sarwar Azeem Niazī, Haider Ali Niazī, Kareem Niazī, Ruhān Niazī, Hafiz Farqan Niazī, Atif Niazī, Safdar Niazī, Jafar Niazī, among others.
