world of Unity, where he became the recipient of the divine light, absorbing
its particles. This experience did not make him God. He did not cease to
exist. It was just like looking through a mirror, where the mirror’s existence
is always evident and never in question.The state of receiving divine energy
through the vision was called absorption in monotheism by the Sufis. Here,
above all, the recipient had to have the humility to realize the need for divine
grace
The Successors of Shaykh Sharafuddin Maneri
Shaykh Sharafuddin Maneri had a great following.Traditions say that his
disciples numbered more than 100,000. Of these, ShaykhMuzaffar,Malikzada
Fazluddin and Maulana Nizamuddin were the most prominent. A number
of
khanqahs
were built in Bihar and Bengal and the spiritual teachings
embodied in his letters spread almost all over the subcontinent within a
short period of time.
Shaykh Muzaffar, whose ancestors came to Bihar from Balkh, received
his education in Delhi where he also taught briefly in a seminary founded
by Sultan Tughlaq. Ultimately, he returned to Bihar and became Shaykh
Sharafuddin’s disciple. The Shaykh put him through rigorous spiritual
exercises. He underwent an ascetic regimen in the
khanqah
till he was
reduced to mere skin and bones.The Shaykh was so impressed by his spiritual
achievements that he was later excused from performing these exercises.
Eventually he left the
khanqah
, but always remained in touch with the Shaykh.
Their communication was often maintained through letters.After the death
of Shaykh Sharafuddin, Shaykh Muzaffar set out for Makkah to perform
hajj
and lived there till his death.
Qadi Shamshuddin was another known disciple of Shaykh Sharafuddin.
