Makhdoom Ali Mahimi - Revelations and Miracles

Revelations and Miracles

Those elderly and saintly people who adopted the life style of their dear most Prophet Salla Allahu ta’ala’alayhi wa sallam, in a very few days. they too start the experience of their being beloved and to this the promise is made by Allah in His Glorious book. The Qura’n that whosoever adopts the manners, the ways of life. the habits, the characteristics and the traditions of Muhammad, he will be under the care of Allah.

In the words of the Muhammad, it is as:

“Tell them, if you love Allah, do follow me. Then Allah will be mindful of you.”

Hazrat Makhdum Ali Mahairni was one of the chief Awilyas (The saints). Many a miracle are attributed to him. Hence, many a people have written books on his miracles with title of Karamat-e-Makhdum (The Miracles of Makhdum). Many of them are hearsays only and to establish their authenticity is difficult due to lack of documentary evidences Therefore. we. mention here only’ those of his miracles that are brought to light by the writer of the Magazine. ‘Zamirul insan’, Maulana Sayyid Ibrahim Madani and that too, with particular stress.

(1) It is natrated that Hazrat Makhdum Baba had reared a she-goat whom he loved immensely. Once when he had gone away on some business, the goat fell ill and ultimately died, His mother got the deid goat buried on the sea-shore. When he heard about the death of the goat, he became extremely sad and went to the sea-shore to see it. His maid-servant had followed him and he ordered her to go away. She got frightened and went away from that place, but hid herself at a little distance. After the departure of the servant he recited some prayer and he stood there for some time praying to Allah. The maid servant who was watching all this saw the legs of the animal moving. Afterwards, he held the ear of the goat and brought her back home. This was the first miraculous feat that he exhibited at the age of 10 and its report spread far and wide.

(2) This maid servant, since that day, made it a regular practice- to serve Hazrat Makhdum Baba Whenever she washed his clothes she would preserve the first wash of water and drank it This entitled her also to gain knowledge and miraculous powers by the Grace of Allah. One day a traveller came to the mosque in Mahim. Hazrat Makhdum Baba noticed him and sent food to him through this maid-servant. When the maid reached the mosque with the tray of food she found the traveller missing. Through her powers she traced the person to be praying in the Khana-e-Ka’aba. She reached Makka and served him and later returned to the mosque. Thus, his dependents and followers also performed miraculous feats.

(3) Once, as usual, the men of INSIGHT had assembled from far off place and a general meeting was organised. During the session, one of the pious men informed that there is a Lote tree in the land of Madina Munawwara whose fruit is very delicious and nice. On this Hazrat Makhdum Baba said, “This was the season of this fruit and requested him to get some of it from there. He replied in the affirmative and promised to present Hazrat Makhdum Baba that fruit, He himself was a perfect scholar and had mastered the special prayer (benediction) called “Tayyal Farasakh” which at once took him to Madina. When he reached the tree he saw that there was someone already up the tree. He decided not to climb up and requested the person upon the tree to shake one of the branches of the tree so that he may also pick up some fruits. The man on the tree plucked some fruits and dropped them on the ground and shook a branch as well. The sage picked up the fruit and returned to Mahim.

He presented the said fruit to Hazrat Makhdum Baba who ate some of it and appreciated its taste and then remarked that. the fruit was undoubtedly tasty but he had brought it without exerting any effort. On hearing this the said sage felt very much astonished and he thought that perhaps he was watched by Hazrat Makhdum Baba by his miraculous powers but the situation was completely different. Hazrat Makhdum Baba had personally reached there prior to him and had climbed the tree. The holy man also realised the same and begged pardon. He accepted the difference between them. Hazrat Makhdum Baba is the Qutb of Konkan (The Polar Star of Konkan). Afterwards, Hazrat Shaikh Makhdum Baba removed some fruits from his pocket and distributed them among the people assembled there. All of them ate and relished them.

(4) During the days of Hazrat Makhdum Baba, the marine traffic had commenced and the ship started navigating to and fro. In those days a Hindu trader despatched his merchandise aboard a ship but the ship did not return. Seven years passed by and he virtually forgot about that ship. But whenever any accident of such nature occurred, he mourned about his loss regretfully. He met many learned people, religious activists, astrologers and sorcerers to inquire about the fate of his ship. All of them told him that, that ship had sunk along with his merchandise and general cargo. A disciple of Hazrat Makhdum Baba was also sitting there and he inquired of this fellow whether he had ever approached his Shaikh and told him if he had not, he should accompany him there and then and he assured him that he would certainly get satisfactory information about his ship. The man agreed and they reached Hazrat Makhdum Baba and narrated the entire incident. Hazrat Makhdum Baba told him to sit down and close his eyes. He did as directed and then Hazrat Makhdum Baba told him to open his eyes and then prophesied that his ship laden with his cargo and merchandise. would arrive back on the sea-shore on that very day in the evening.

The trader returned home and he was puzzled as to how the said ship that was lost seven years ago would suddenly appear from no where and that too on that very day. He reached the sea-shore before the onset of evening. He was restless. He saw a ship approaching the coast before the sunset. After half an hour the ship arrived and (he trader was amazed as it was his own ship.

He was beyond himself with joy. He developed utter faith in the miraculous power of Hazrat Makhdum Baba. The next day. he, along with his family members. came to Hazrat Makhdum Baba and cheerfully and willingly embraced Islam.

(5) Hazrat Makhdum Baba was famous as a trustworthy person. A man came to him and said that he was going alone on a journey and did not want to take some of his gems and diamonds along with him lest they be robbed. He requested Hazrat Makhdum Baba to keep them in his trust and that he would take them back on his return. At that time, Hazrat Makhdum Baba was standing close to a well and he agreed to help that man. As soon as that man placed those diamonds on his blessed hand, he dropped them into the well. The man, puzzled and perplexed, enquired how he would retrieve them? Hazrat Makhdum Baba told him that he would get them back whenever he wanted. But he was a hasty man and demanded his diamonds. Hazrat Makhdum Baba put his hand in the well and brought out a fistful of gems and told him to pick up his diamonds from amongst them. The man was astonished, ashamed and repented upon his mistake. Ultimately. Hazrat Makhdum Baba himself picked up his particular gems and handed them over to him and threw the remaining diamonds back in the well.

(6) Hazrat Makhdum Baba was a very rich and well-to-do person. His dining table served a variety of delicious food. His guest house was always full with his guests who were treated very kindly and generously and served with excellent food.

Hazrat Makhdum Baba’s supernatural powers and piety gained much publicity and acclaim. Once in the assembly of pious men his position came under discussion. It was said that he was a very generous person and liked nice and sumptuous food. It was said that he was a turn of Insight and piety and held a high position in awliya (bloved of Allah). One of the attendants said that such combination cannot be found and that religious accomplishments and worldly preferences never went together because to him the (derwish) mendicants always cherished simple food. A heated discussion followed this statement but that man was not satisfied and he perferred to observe the situation himself. So he set out to meet Hazrat Makhdum personally. He came to Mahim and Hazrat Makhdum Baba lovingly lodged him in his guest house. At the meal-time, the dining-table was set and that day fish was served specially. The man found him the way he had heard about him. Hazrat Makhdum Baba was performing the duties of the host very graciously and requested the guest to do full justice to the food served. He had personally joined him in partaking food. He insisted that his guest should taste every item of the menu. Hazrat Makhdum Baba finished his food earlier than the guest. He dropped the bones of the fish in the wash-basin whilst washing his hands. When the guest completed his meal and washed his hands in the wash-basin, he found to his amazement that, instead of the bones, the fishes were swimming in the basin. He was astonished, his question received a very fitting answer. So he very earnestly and humbly asked for his forgiveness. Hazrat Makhdum showed his wisdom and affection. He excused him and said that he never intended to show any trace of pride or superiority but just wanted to prove that Allah is Al-mighty and shows His kindness to the one whom He likes.

(7) Since Mahim is situated on the sea-shore, the ships have been arriving there from different countries. Certain foreigners stayed there in rented houses for some period of time. Incidentally, a young, handsome and rich Arab trader reached there and he settled there for a couple of days. Perchance, he passed by the house of a girl and happened to see her. That very moment he fell in love with her and he expressed his feelings that he would like to marry the girl if she was unmarried. The people told him though the girl was unmarried she could not marry him because she had been engaged to the poor boy of Mahim.

The Arab trader said that the engagement could be broken and that he was prepared to bear the expenses.

Some people, that very day, approached the father of the girl who was already engaged with a (poor) boy. They misled the father and made him agreeable to break the engagement of his daughter and to get her married to the Arab trader.

In order to break the engagement, a meeting of the community was called. When this news reached the Arab trader, he felt extremely delighted. But that very news aggrieved and saddened that poor boy. There was none who could console him. Nonetheless, Allah had destined something else. When the boy reached the mosque the next morning for prayers, he was spotted by the Great Faqih, Hazrat Makhdum Ali and every thing had become clear to him. He called the boy aside and told him to be patient and thankful to Allah. He added that a truthful person always attained tranquility and peace of mind. He further said that he would personally attend the meeting of the community and would see as to what could be done for him and by what means.This kind and favourable attitude of Hazrat Makhdum Baba gladdened the boy and He busied himself with his daily routine. The meeting was held on the fixed time. Hazrat also reached there and was received very warmly by the people and was made the President of that meeting. The deliberations started and the problem of.the Arab trader was raised and the agenda of the break-up of the engagement with that boy on the basis of his poverty was discussed. At this point Hazrat explained that riches and poverty were not specially assigned to certain people and that, that distinction was meaningless. Someone, prone to tell lies, said that the boy had the habit of drinking. Then Hazrat inquired whether anybody had seen him drinking or in the state of inebriation. If not that would not be considered as evidence in which case that matter could be condoned. This situation silenced everybody arid then he delivered his judgement and that was that both the poor boy and the rich Arab trader should go on the pilgrimage of Hajj. And anyone of them who returned earlier than the other should be allowed to marry the girl. All the people unanimously agreed with this suggestion. The Arab trader was particularly happy since he owned a personal sailing ship which he could handle the way he wanted. He felt that his poor rival will go by some ship after paying the fare and would not be able to return early as per his desire.

Within next couple of days the Arab set sails for the pilgrimage. When the poor boy heard about his departure, he felt very depressed and conveycd the news to Hazrat who comforted him and told him not to worry as Allah would make all the arrangements.

In the meantime, the months of Shawal and Zilqad passed by and the moon of the month of Zilhajj made its appearance. The 8th of the said month came and none could see any arrangement being made for the departure of the boy and he was always being seen in Mahim. On the morning of the 9th when the Hajj was to be performed, the boy reached the mosque and Hazrat told him not to go anywhere after the prayers and should wait for him there only. He did as he was told and waited for Hazrat who ultimately came and proceeded with the boy towards the hoz of the masjid. Then they stood at the edge of the hoz and Hazrat told the boy close his eyes and not to open them till asked to do so. Then Hazrat held the hand of the boy and dived him into the hoz and after a few moments told the boy to open his eyes. When the boy opened his eyes, he found himself standing on the gate of the Khana-e-Ka’aba. Then Hazrat took out some money from his pocket and while giving it to the boy he said that he should purchase necessary provisions of the Hajj. He told him to meet the Arab trader who had lodged in a particular tent, that day. it-self. He was further told to meet Hazrat at that very spot after performing the Hajj and that he should keep the entire episode as well-guarded secret, The boy proceeded to do whatever he was asked to while thanking Allah. He was very happy as Allah had honoured him with the kindness of such an accomplished leader and monitor.

After wearing, Ihram he reached the plains of Arafat and searched the tent of the rich Arab trader and met him. Afterwards he performed the rites and rituals and other important duties pertaining to Hajj which he completed in two or three days and he reached Hateem on the 12th to meet Hazrat Makhdoom Baba. Hazrat Makhdum Baba again told him to close his eyes and after a short time they reached the masjid. Six months elapsed when the Arab trader returned to Mahim. The meeting of the community, as per the programme, was called again. Hazrat Makhdum Baba attended this meeting too. The Arab also came there. Hazrat Makhdum Baba asked him whether he had performed the Hajj on which he replied in the affirmative. He further asked him whether that boy had gone for Hajj and whether he had met the trader or whether he had seen him there. The trader replied that the boy had gone for Hajj and had met him in the plains of Arafat and that he had seen him performing the Hajj and all the relevant rites and rituals. Then Hazrat Makhdum Baba asked the traders whether that boy had returned to Mahirn earlier. They confirmed that he had certainly returned earlier. By the Grace of Allah this state of affairs consolidated the faith of the people that all that had happened was due to him and that it was his glance of favour that allowed the boy to win that contest. The Arab trader kept quiet and accepted his defeat. Finally that girl was married to that poor boy.

Apart from this, many other supernatural feats were exhibited by Hazrat Makhdum Baba.

Zauqui Shah Sahib writes as:

“He preferred a life of loneliness and obscurity for a considerable period of his life. But his knowledge and excellence, his extra ordinary feats, obvious as well as latent, his miracles and the supernatural events that were revealed by and through him, made the whole world attracted to him….”