A Simple Guide to ISLAM
Tasawwuf – Sufism
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SHAIKH AHMAD SIRHINDI
(MUJADDID ALF-E-SANI) 1563-1624
Shaikh Ahmad, popularly known as Mujaddid Alf-e-Sani, belonged
to the Naqshbandi Order of Sufism. Khwaja Bahauddin Naqshband
was the founder of this Order. The first saint of this order to enter
India was Khwaja Baqi Billah. He settled in Delhi where he died
after three years.
Shaikh Ahmad, disciple and khalifa of Khwaja Baqi Billah, was born
in 1563-64 in Sirhind. Shaikh Ahmad’s father, Shaikh Abdul
Ahmad was a very distinguished Sufi of his time.
In 1598-99 when his father died, Ahmad left his home for making
pilgrimage to Mecca. On his way he was introduced to Baqi Billah
in Delhi. The saint asked him to stay for a week with him. But soon
Ahmad came under his influence and agreed to stay longer. Finally
he gave up the idea of making the pilgrimage and became a
disciple of Baqi Billah. At the end of two months he was appointed
Khalifa by his new
pir
and sent back to Sirhind.
Ahmad was in Lahore when news reached him of the death of his
pir, so he hastened to Delhi where he was acknowledged as the
head of the Naqshbandi Order. He was soon acclaimed as the
much-needed Mujaddid, or reformer of Islam. His fame soon
spread far and wide. He not only acted as a
pir
but also purged
Islam of numerous heretical teachings which were current among
Muslims, much of it was due to the influence of Din-e-Elahi, a
religion founded by Emperor Akbar. Ahmad was thus hailed as the
