Of a Sufi saint and syncretic teaching

Rumi once said, “There are as many paths to God as there are souls on this earth.” Centuries ago, numerous Sufi saints traversed the Indian subcontinent and shared teachings on social harmony and oneness. They helped strengthen the bonds between people through their love and compassion for living beings, irrespective of caste, creed, race and religion. 

Sufi saints migrated to Bijapur from Baghdad, Arabia, Persia, Sindh, and from other places in north and south India like Daulatabad, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, Bharuch, Bidar and Gulbarga. About 27 Sufi saints were living in Bijapur during the reign of  Ibrahim Adilshah II (1570-1627). There were about 11 during the reign of Muhammad Adilshah (1627-1656) and four during the reign of Ali Adilshah II (1656-1672). There were six prominent Sufi orders. Out of them, four thrived in Bijapur: namely, Chishti, Qadri, Shattari, and Suhrawardi.

Hazrat Shah Hashim Hussaini Alavi, the nephew of a well-known Sufi of Gujarat, Hazrat Mian Shah Wajeehuddin Alavi Gujarati, was one of the Sufi saints instrumental in sowing the seeds of Indo-Islamic syncretism in India. Shah Hashim Alavi’s arrival in the city of Bijapur can be traced to the reign of Ibrahim Adilshah II. 

At the Sufic monastery, known as the khanqah, not just spirituality and religious doctrines were taught, as it is commonly believed. According to Rozat-ul Auliyah Bijapur by Ibrahim Zubairi, a disciple at the khanqah would learn many disciplines, including lexicology, etymology, genealogy, history, medicine and mathematics, as well as “wisdom”, “behaviour”, metaphysics and dialectics. Specialists in various disciplines were called forth from different corners of the world. The expenditure came from the budget allocated by the kingdom, usually in the form of tax collected from a fixed number of villages. Food, provisions and other needs were fulfilled by devotees and visitors who came to seek the blessings of the Sufi. There were not just pupils but also wayfarers, beggars and people ostracised by their communities living in the khanqah. 

Sufi culture was imbibed by people, primarily because of its inherent emphasis on tolerance. 

Ibrahim Adilshah’s son, Muhammad Adilshah, was also a great devotee and held Hashim Hussaini Alavi in high esteem. There are several tales of his wise interventions.

After his death, a tomb was built, and his two wives were also laid to rest in this space. The tombs of other Sufis like Hazrat Shah Qutubuddin Safvi and his son Hazrat Shah Hussain Safvi can also be found in the same complex.

The tombs are in the neighbourhood of the world-famous Gol Gumbaz, which was built by Muhammad Adilshah in the year 1656. A small, square-shaped structure with a beautiful dome is erected on the grave of the Sufi saint. There is also a mosque, khanqah and a large step well adjacent to his mausoleum.  

His urs (death anniversary) is organised every year with great fanfare on the ninth day of Ramazan, which fell on March 10 this year. Devotees from around the country visit his mausoleum.