Sakinatul-Auliya by Dara Shakoh

Abstract

This is English translation of the Foreword of the Book "Sakinatul-Auliya" authored by Dara Shakoh. The book comprises the events of Hadrat Miyan Mir(رحمۃ اللہ علیہ), a great saint of Lahore, and his successors. What message they gave to the people to purify the innerأself and how effective was their approach to bring the desired result i.e. dignity of mankind and mutual love and affection and maintaining civilized and upright behaviour.Regarding Hadrat Miyan Mir (رحمۃ اللہ علیہ) the poet of East, the poet of Islam, the thinker of Islam who dreamed of Pakistan, Allamah Dr. Muhammad Iqbal said: "Hadrat-i-Shaykh Miyan Mir Wali Har Khafi az nur-i-jan-i-'u jali Bar tariq-i-mustafa Muhkam pa'ay Naghma--i-`ishq-o-muhabbat ra na'ay Turbatash 'iman-i- khak-i- shehr-i-ma Mash`al-i-nur-i-Hidayat behr-i-ma Bar dar-i-'u jubbah farsa asman Az muridanash shah-i-Hindustan"

(His Excellency, the Saint, Miyan Mir, with the light of his soul every hidden stood enlightened. He was firmly established on the Path of the Chosen one Hadrat Muhammad Mustafa (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him and on all his family and followers). He was a flute for the song of true love and devotion. His last abode is the faith of our City. It is a lamp of light of guidance for us. At his door the heaven bows with all respect. Among his devotees is the King Emperor of India).

Keywords: Love, tasawwuf, 'irfan, suluk, tariqat, gnosis, purification, murshid, fana fillah, wahdatul-wujud, istighraq, shari`at, tariqat, haqiqat, Holy Qur'an, Sunnah, ahkam-i-shari`at, Human rights, charities, spirituality, mysticism, guidance, light, enlightenment, saint, morals, civilized behaviour.