Initiation by the Holy Prophet PBUH

Hadrat Sultan Bahu(RA) was constantly glorifying Allah and singing His praises. There was no stopping him. His mind was full of thoughts, wanting to abandon the lures of this world. He met a number of holy persons to quench his spiritual thirst, but nobody could satisfy him. His quest was so intense, the thirst so insatiable, then one day an awe-inspiring rider, Hadrat Ali (AS) appeared on a magnificent white stallion. The rider addressed him. “My dear son, I am your great-great grandfather, Ali Ibne Abi Talib. Our beloved Prophet Hadrat Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) has summoned you. I have come to take you there. Come on my stallion so you can receive your spiritual bounty.”

Sultan Bahu (RA) approached the holy rider in great humility. A healing calm came over his entire being. Shaken by this unexpected encounter, the young saint gathered his strength and mounted behind Hadrat Ali (peace be upon him). Soon both of them disappeared mysteriously as if travelling through time and space with the speed of light. In an instant Sultan Bahu (RA) found himself in the illustrious court of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). His heart swelled at the blessing of being in the presence of the master of the universe (SAW). In great humility, as tears blurred his vision, he dropped himself at the feet of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “My child, get up now. In Allah’s eternal light, you are my spiritual son and will inherit my legacy to the fullest.” As he rose he was embraced by the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him). Before him was this magnificent celestial court, quite a spectacle. Present in the assembly of the Holy Prophet PBUH were Hadrat Abu Bakr Siddique, Hadrat Umar Ibne Khatab, Hadrat Usman Ibne Affan, Hadrat Imam Hassan, Hadrat Imam Hussain, and Hadrat Syed Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani.

“Bahu, my son, you need initiation and certainty. Come over here to me.” He heard the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) as saying. Sultan Bahu knelt on the floor at the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) feet. The Prophet (peace be upon him) told Bahu to arise and then held his hands and placed them in the hands of Hadrat Syed Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani, and told him, “Initiate my son in your path. From now onward, you are his spiritual guide. Be generous and kind to him, and do not withhold any blessing from him.”

Syed Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani smiled and nodded in the affirmative. He wrapped his arms around Sultan Bahu and transmitted infinite divine mysteries and knowledge to his heart. He also bestowed upon him the science of Tasawwur-e-Isme-Dhat (meditation on the Personal Name Allah) and unraveled its inner secrets to him. He then added, “I give you my permission to teach and communicate the science of Tasawwur (meditation) to all sincere seekers.”

The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) addressed him. “My beloved child, wherever you are and whenever you call me, I shall be with you by the grace of Allah.” Since that memorable day of the audience, Sultan Bahu had been in the eternal presence of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).