966th Urs of Hazrat Data Gunj Bakhsh (RA) Begins

LAHORE: The 966th Urs of the great saint and spiritualist for all times – Hazrat Syed Ali bin Usman Hajvery (RA), popularly known as Hazrat Data Gunj Bakhsh (RA) began in Lahore on Wednesday, February 03.

The three-day commemoration of the Urs was inaugurated by the Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif with traditional chador-laying ceremony at the Shrine of Hazrat Data Sahib (RA) and inauguration of milk sabeels (free distribution of milk) around the mausoleum.

Special prayers for the progress and prosperity of the country and unity of Muslims were also offered on this occasion. Chairman Religious Affairs Committee, Muhammad Ishaq Dar, Minister for Law Rana Sanaullah Khan, Minister for Auqaf, Ehsanuddin Qureshi, Minister for Excise and Taxation, Mian Mujtaba Shuja ur Rehman, Members National and Provincial Assemblies and senior officers were also present on the occasion.

Later, the Chief Minister inaugurated a Sabeel which is to continue for three days for the benefit of devotees

Pakistan Times [Daily Web Newspaper] understands that the Urs will have eight sessions based on spiritual enlightenment and spreading the message of Islam by Hazrat Data Sahib (RA).

Reciting verses from the Holy Quran – participants in millions – from all-over Pakistan and different parts of the world – had reached Lahore several days before the commencement of the annual Urs – to pay homage to the great Sufi Saint and to seek blessings by attending the Urs ceremonies.

Authorities have urged the people to remain vigilant and inform the security about any dubious character if and when spotted at the Shrine to avert any untoward situation.

Hazrat Abul Hassan Ali Ibn Usman al-Jullabi al-Hajweri al-Ghaznawi or Abul Hassan Ali Hajweri [RA) – popularly known as Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) and Data Sahib (RA) is well known – the world-over – as a great Sufi, saint and scholar of the 11th century.

Hazrat Data Sahib (RA) significantly contributed to the spreading of Islam in South Asia and hundreds of thousands of people embraced Islam through his teachings.

Born in Ghazna, in Afghanistan in the beginning of Ghaznavids period – the great Sufi Saint breathed his last in Lahore, the metropolis of the Punjab province of Pakistan.

His most famous work is Kashf al-Mahjub [Unveiling the Veiled] is written in Persian language. The work elaborates Sufi doctrines of the past. Hazrat Al-Hajwiri (RA) belonged to the Junaidia school of Sufism. The Sufis followed Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi (RA) of Baghdad.

Hazrat Data Sahib (RA) is also acknowledged as important intercessor for many Sufis. It has been a practice of Sufi saints coming to the then subcontinent to first visit the shrine of Hazrat Usman Ali Hujwiri, Data Sahib (RA).

Hence, the founder of the Chishtia dynasty – the great Saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (RA) – popularly known as Hazrat Khawaja Ghareeb Nawaz (RA)– first came to Lahore to pay his respects to Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) upon his arrival in the subcontinent.

Thereafter he settled in Ajmer Sharif and commenced his spiritual mission of disseminating the message of Islam. Hazrat Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti (RA) paid homage to Hazrat Usman Ali Hujwiri, Data Sahib (RA) in the following words:

Ganj Bakhsh-e Faiz-e Aalam, Mazhar-e Noor-i-Khuda
Naqisaan ra Pir-e Kamil, Kamilaan ra Rahnuma

[Ganj Bakhsh (RA) is a manifestation of the Light of God for the people;
A perfect guide unto the imperfect ones and a guide unto the perfect ones]

While thousands of the people visit the Shrine of Data Sahib (RA) every day and every night – the Shrine is always lit up with manifold lights – which beam the reflection of day light even in the night.

Besides every day – free dinner is prepared for hundreds of thousands devotees – at the time of annual Urs.
Muslims recite Quran – with prayers to Almighty Allah for His blessings.

Message of Islam is peace, love and tolerance, and this was the basis of spreading Islam in the sub-continent, by the words and actions of the Sufi saints.

The Urs celebrations comprise eight sessions, to highlight the spiritual enlightenment and accomplishments of Data Sahib (RA), while Mehfil-e-Naat, Mehfil-e-Samaa, special lectures, and various other sessions are being held to mark the occasion.

Amid constant recitation of - Allahhoo, Allahhoo - by the devotees, a large number of scholars, Ulema, Qawwals, and Naat reciters from across the country are gracing the spiritual occasion.

Auqaf department which is hosting the Urs, has allocated funds amounting Rs three million for the various ceremonies.On the second day of Urs spiritual congregations were held Thursday – where besides recitation of the Holy Quran and Naat Khawani well known religious scholars highlighted various aspects of mysticism and venerated role of Hazrat Data Ganj Baksh (RA) in spreading Islam.

Similar ceremonies will be held today, Friday [the third day of the Urs] – which will be observed with special prayers after midnight.