BADAM PAHAD

-

 

HAZRATH SYED SHA ABDUL QADIR MEERAN SHA VALIALLAH (RAH)

THE SUFI SAINT OF BADAM PAHAD

 

During the period of Nawab Sadathullah Khan (1710–1732), the city of Arcot was densely populated by Sufi saints and served as a centre of learning. Their contributions to Islamic education, Urdu and Persian literature were remarkable.

One such Sufi saint was Hazrath Syed Sha Haji Abdul Qadir, also known as Meeran Sha Valiullah (Rah), who lived during the reign of Nawab Sadathullah Khan. Hazrath Meeran Sha Valiullah was the son of Hazrath Syed Sha Vazirullah Hussainy and the grandson of Hazrath Syed Hashim Qudawandey Hadi, a saint descended from the lineage of Hazrath Gesu Daraz. Deeply interested in Tasawuf (Sufism), he pledged allegiance (bai‘at) to his paternal uncle Hazrath Abul Burhan Meeran Sha Hussainy, completed the stages of Sulook (spiritual journey), and was ultimately bestowed with Khilafat (spiritual succession).

Dr. Afzaluddin Iqbal writes that Syed Meeran Sha Valiullah and his sons rendered valuable services for the spread of knowledge and Urdu literature. They placed special emphasis on the tableegh of Islam and used Dakhni Urdu for preaching. Among his sons, Haji Mazeeduddin or Fareeduddin Hussainy, Rehbar Sha Darwesh, Hazrath Sha Mohammed Arcoti (also known as Hazrath Sha Haq Numa), and Hazrath Syed Sha Sadruddin Hussainy were well known.

He resided at a place named Aadam Pahad (due to frequent usage of the term Bawa Aadam Pahad, in the long run came to be known as Badam Pahad), a village with a small Muslim settlement located about 10 kilometres from Arcot and Melvisharam. The village has a mosque at the foot of the mountain and a small mosque on top of Badam Pahad, in front of the Sufi saint’s grave. As he spent much of his time in solitude, worshipping Allah at the top of Aadam Pahad, he came to be known as “Manzil al-Jibillain”, meaning the dweller between two mountains. Whenever he came down from the mountain he would teach people

His son, Hazrath Syed Sha Mohammed Arcoti, in his book Khazana-e-Ibadat, writes about his father Meeran Sha Valiullah as a man of miracles (Sahib-e-Karamat). He regards his father as a great saint among the saints of the 12th century Hijri. 

Beside his grave, there is a small pond whose water never dries up and in which lotus flowers bloom daily. Though the water is no longer drinkable, locals say that in earlier times people used to drink it.

As discussed earlier, Hazrath Meeran Sha Valiullah made valuable contributions to Dakhni Urdu literature. He wrote a book titled Khulasat-ur-Royat, which deals with Zaat (the Being of Allah), Sifaat (the Qualities or Attributes of Allah), and Muraqaba (Meditation). He also composed the book saba Sifaat.

Nawab Sadathullah Khan held great respect for the saint and, through Dildar Khan, gifted him seven villages in Nilmangalam (located about 16 miles from Bangalore towards Tumkur). However, Hazrath declined the offer and continued to spend his time in worship at Badam Pahad.

He passed away on 11th November 1733 (4 Jamadi al-Aakhir 1146 Hijri) and was buried at the top of Badam Pahad, beneath a large rock.

Dr. Habeebunnisa Begum in her book Jawahirat E Mysore quotes from Dr. Syed Shamsulla Qadiri who describes Hazrath Meeran’s son, Hazrath Sha Mohammed Arcoti as the Qazi of Ramgir. Along with his service as a judge, he also used to compose works. For a Qazi, mastery of the rules of Sharia is a virtue. His voluminous work Khazana E Ibadat (compiled in 1165 Hijri corresponds to 1753) is evidence of his being a great scholar. This book deals with the principles of Tauheed, Kalima, Azaan, Namaz etc.  He also authored the famous Khazana-e-Ma'arifat which deals with Maarifat and Tasawuf. Risala Naubatoon was his another work.

Similarly, his brother Hazrath Sha Sadruddin migrated to Nilmangalam, near Bangalore, where he stayed and preached Islam. According to Dr. Hashim Ali, Hazrath Tipu Sultan also took bai‘at (spiritual allegiance) with Hazrath Sha Sadruddin. He too contributed to Dakhni Urdu literature by writing notable works such as Mir’atul Azkar, Misbahun Noor, Mun Madan, and Mir’atul Asrar, all of which deal with Tasawwuf (Sufism).

Hazrath Maulana Hafiz Malak Gulzar Ahmed Sahib notes that some descendants of Hazrath Meeran Sha Valiullah migrated to America, and one of his descendants was his student at Madarsa-e-Baqiyathus Salihath, Vellore.

Hazrath Maulana Dr. Rahi Fidai Sahib states that Hazrath Meeran Sha Valiullah played a pivotal role in promoting Urdu in Melvisharam and the surrounding regions.

The following works were referred in compiling this article: History of Urdu Literature in Tamil Nadu by Dr. Aleem Saba Naveedi, Iktisab-e-Nazar by Dr. Rahi Fidai Sahib, Madras Mein Urdu Adab Ki Nashonuma by Dr. Afzaluddin Iqbal Sahib, Jawahirat-e-Mysore by Dr. Habeebunnisa Begum, and Dr. Hashim Ali’s article in the Urdu monthly Sabras (November 1978). May Allah reward them all. I thank Almighty Allah for granting me the opportunity to write about one of His beloved servants.

S. Mohammed Sadathullah 

Melvisharam 

31.10.2025

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

JANAB SEPILLAI ABDUL WAHAB SAHIB

-
Image
JANAB SEPILLAI ABDUL WAHAB SAHIB –  A VISIONARY LEADER AND A CHAMPION FOR THE CAUSE OF  GIRLS’ EDUCATION IN MELVISHARAM              SEPILLLAI ABDUL WAHAB SAHIB Introduction Janab Sepillai Abdul Wahab Sahib also known as B.S. Abdul Wahab was the son of Sepillai Abdul Kareem Sahib. The family name Sepillai is of Tamil origin and is believed to be a contraction of Sigappu Pillai , meaning "Red Child." (Refer to the facial appearance i. e. fairness) According to oral traditions, the family's origins trace back to Goa. Over a period of time, they gradually migrated southward along the western coast to Kerala, and then to Tirunelveli. In Kadaiyanallur also we have Sepillai  family. It is to be noted that the first Muslim Minister of  K.Kamaraj's (Chief Minister  of Madras Presidency) cabinet  Janab  S.M. Abdul Majeed Sahib was from  Sepillai family. He served as the minister for local administration from 1962-196...
Read more

PAKTHINI MASJID

-
Image
  Pakthini Masjid   Mosques play an essential role in Muslim society. Mosque is primarily a place of worship. To establish five time prayers, Offer Friday congregation prayers, funeral prayers, conduct marriages, settle disputes, important discussions and consultations, collect alms and sadaqa to help the needy,   fulfil religious requirements, Islamic learning centre and community centre etc., . In short Mosques are the nucleus of Islamic society.              Big mosque of Melvisharam is the oldest mosque in our town. It was constructed during early 18 th century or later 17 th century by the residents of UPPUPETTAI (Old name of Melvisharam), an area comprised of Big street, Dargah Street and Big Mosque street.   As the population increased, the settlement extended towards the eastern part and there arose a need for a mosque in this region (for the residents of Mara Street, Big Street, Dandukar Street,...
Read more

USMANPET MASJID- MELVISHARAM

-
  Usmanpet Masjid Establishment of Usmanpet Locality        Janab Alanji Mohammed Usman Sahib was a pious businessman, owned coffee estates at Bangalore, Chikmagalur and warehouses at Madras.   Usman Sahib belongs to the Alanji family. His ancestors migrated from Thittachery in present day Nagapattinam district to Kannamangalam (Khadmangal) 270 years ago.   During early 1800s Usman Sahib migrated to Visharam got married here and settled in this town. Usman Sahib was famous for hospitality. He was staunch patron of Hazrath Moulana Abdul Wahab Sahib founder, Madarsa E Baqiyathus Salihath,Vellore. Usman Sahib was the secretary of this Madarsa up to 1894. Usman Sahib took keen interest in the welfare of the public. As a result of his tireless efforts, the Melvisharam Panchayat Board (Old Municipality) and Post office were established. It is recorded that few huts situated in a land adjacent to Usman Sahib’s house. He purchased it at considerable r...
Read more