Mother's Influence

His mother, Mai Rasti Sahiba (RA), had a profound influence on his soul and spirituality. He has expressed great thanks in his books that his respectful mother gave him the name ‘Bahu’. Hence, he says that ‘May hundreds of Allah’s blessings shower on the Ruh (Spirit) of Mai Rasti Sahiba that she gave me the name Bahu’.

His was a restless soul in quest of divine knowledge. His saintly mother was in reality his first and most revered spiritual teacher who sowed the seed and love of Allah (Ism-e-Dhat) in his heart.

When Hadrat Sultan Bahu (RA) felt the need to become a seeker, he could not think of a better Murshid than his own mother. He requested his mother, Bibi Rasti (RA), to initiate him in the path. However, his mother declined his request and said true religion is formulated in a mystical sense, either in terms of a direct encounter with Allah or in terms of interaction with Allah through a spiritual guide. There is no precedent in Islam for a woman saint to initiate seekers on the path. Neither Hadrat Fatima Zahra (RA), the beloved daughter of our Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), nor Rabia Al Adwiya (RA) took disciples. She did not consider it appropriate to deviate from that tradition. Hence she advised the son to go out and seek. “When you are spiritually ready,” she said, “the master will find you.”