SHAIKH AHMAD ABDUL HAQ RADOLI

(rahmatullah alayh)

His ancestral chain links up with Amirul Mu'mineen Hadhrat Umar Bin Khattab (radhiyallahu anhu). His actual name is Ahmad and his title is Abdul Haq. He was born in Radoli. His pateranl grandfather, Shaikh Dawood who is related to Shaikh Nasirud Deen Chiraagh Delhawi (rahmatullah alayh) migrated from Balkh during the reign of Mongol, Halaaku Khan. He reached Hindustan during the reign of Alaaud Deen Khalji.

From a very early age Hadhrat Shaikh Radoli was in the practise of mujaahadaat and riyaadhaat. He began performing Tahajjud from the age of 7 years.

First he turned his attention to his acquisition of Uloom-e-Zaahiriyyah, hence he proceeded to Delhi. During his student days an interesting episode happened. Hadhrat Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (rahmatullah alayh) narrated it as follows: "The elder brother of Shaikh Ahmad Abdul Haq Radoli, lived in Delhi. The prince in Delhi was his ardent follower. Shaikh Radoli questioned his brother regarding an example appeaing in the primary Arabic grammer book, which he had just started. The example is 'Zaid hit Amr.' He wanted to know why Zaid had hit Amr. His brother told him that it was only an example and no one had hit anyone. Thereupon he said: "If he had hit someone without valid cause,it is injustice. If he did not hit, then it is a lie. I do not want to study a book, which teaches injustice and falsehood from the very inception.

This was his attitude during his childhood. His brother related this incident to the price who said that he (Shaikh Radoli) is a person of ecstasy (Saahibul Haal) and they should not bother to teach him Uloom-e-Zaahiriyyah. However, Uloom-e-Baatiniyyah attracted him in full force Even before completing his academic career he adopted solitude, wandering in the forest. After some time divine insipiration guided him to Paanipat.

His arrival was revealed to Hadhrat Jalaalud Deen Kabirul Auliyaa (rahmatullah alayh). The Shaikh wanted to put him to test. He therefore instructed his khuddam to prepare a sumtuous feast for that day. Different varieties of food were set out. Fruits and even some forbidden items were spread out on the eating cloth. A few beautiful horses with golden reins were tied outside the khaanqah. Finally, Hadhrat Radoli arrived. Seeing the effects of the world at the door, he became disillusioned. When he was the state of the food arrangement, he could no longer tolerate it. When he was saw he forbidden items he was unable to remain. He then left. This show was enacted purely as a test. He wandered around the whole day. In the evening he arrived on the outskirts of a city. On enquiring, he was told that is it Paanipat. He was truly bewildered. he could not understand how forgotten the road. However, since there was no other logical possibility, he concluded that he had taken a wrong route and had arrived again at Paanipat from where he had left in dismay. However, the same bewildering occurrence was repeated for another two days. All day long he would walk only to find himself back in Paanipat in the evening. He was lost and dismayed. Suddenly he saw a man dressed in white. When he enquired about the road, the man replied: "You have left the right road by Shaikh Jalaalud Deen." His bewilderment was further compounded. He carried on walking until he met two people form who he also enquired the direction. Both gave the same reply which the man in white garb had given. He thus understood the reality of the situation. With a firm resolution he went to the khaanqah and fell at the feet of Hadhrat Shaikh Jalaalud Deen (rahmatullah alayh). He became bay't and after only a few days of spiritual striving, he gained the mantle of Khilaafate.

He had much simplicity and gullibility in him. His brothers had made marriage arrangements for him, but he refused saying that they should free him from this burden. When his brothers refused to heed his objection, he went one day to his future in-laws. Standing at the door he said: "I am impotent. Your daughter's life will be ruined." By this tactic the proposed marriage was cancelled. However, after some time he did marry and had children. But, all of them died. Every child which was born would die after proclaiming 'Haq, Haq Haq (thrice). Once his wife broke down crying because every child died. He said: "Now when a child is born, it will remain alive." When the next child was born, it did not say 'Haq, Haq, Haq, but remained alive.

Once Hadhrat had prepared a big pot of food and had it put in the road, saying: "Insha'Allah, people passing in the road will eat the food and it will not decrease." For three days wayfarers ate the food without it decreasing. Then a thought came into his mind. 'This will bring fame. Fame can bring about spritual harm.' He the resolved: "Allah is The Raaziq. He is aware of His creation." When he was convinced of the correctness of this thought, he struck the pot on the ground breaking it.

Hadhrat Shaikhul Mashaaikh, Shah Abdul Quddus Gangohi (rahmatullah alayh) wrote in his book, Anwaarul Uyoon, that there are numerous miracles of Shaikh Radoli (rahmatullah alayh). Whoever wishes to know these in greater detail, should refer to his book.

It was his regular practice to go early to the Musjid, i.e. at Awwal Waqt (when the Salaat time just commences.) He would sweep the Musjid. However, the state of Istighraaq was so dominant in him that the khuddaam had to repeatedly make him aware of the road to the Musjid.

Hadhrat Shaikh Ahmad Abdul Haq Radoli (rahmatullah alayh) passed away on the 15ht Jaamaadul Ukhraa in the year 836 or 837 Hijri. His grave is in the town of Radoli in the district of Barahbinki. He had a few sons. Each one of them was a Saahib-e-Karaamat at birth. But life was not designed for them. Only one son, Shaikh Muhammad Arif (rahmatullah alayh) lived. The Chishtiyyah Silsilah was perpetuated through his agency. Besides him, Miah Farid Shaikh Bakthiyaari (rahmatullah alayh) and others were also among the khulafaa of Hadhrat Shaikh Ahmad Abdul Haq Radoli (rahmatullah alayh).