Ashraf Jahangir Semnani
Ashraf Jahangir Semnani | |
|---|---|
| Title |
|
| Personal life | |
| Born | 1289 CE (688 AH) Semnan (in modern Iran) |
| Died | 1425 CE (28 Muharram 808 AH) |
| Religious life | |
| Religion | Islam |
| Muslim leader | |
| Based in | Kichaucha, Northern India |
| Period in office | Late 12th century to 13th century |
| Predecessor | Alaul Haq Pandavi |
| Successor | Abdur-Razzaq Nurul-Ain |
Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Semnani[1] (Urdu: سلطان سید مخدوم اشرف جہانگیر سمنانی; (1285–1386)[2][3][4][5] was an Iranian Sufi saint from Semnan, Iran. He was the founder of the Ashrafi Sufi order. He is India's third most influential Sufi saint after Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti of Ajmer and Nizamuddin Auliya of Delhi.[6]
His father Sultan Ibrahim Noorbaksh was the local ruler of Semnan.[7]
Early life
After his father's death, Semnani then aged 17, became the ruler of Semnan. He was said to be inclined towards mysticism. He enjoyed the company of Ruknuddin Ala ul Daula Semnani.[8]
At the age of 23, Semnani abdicated his throne in favor of his brother Sultan Muhammad. Thereafter, Semnani migrated to Bengal in order to meet Alaul Haq Pandavi.[9][8]
Travels
After performing the obligatory pilgrimage to the Islamic Holy sites in Mecca and Medina, Semnani traveled to Gulbarga and Sarandib in South India.[8]
Meeting with other Sufis
Semnani met with various known Sufis of his time, including Shah Madar, Mir Sayyid Ali Hamdani, Hafez Shirazi, Bande Nawaz and Sultan Walad.[8]
Writings
Semnani was the author of the seminal Sufi text "Lataif-e-Ashrafi" ("Noble Subtleties"), a comprehensive encyclopedia of Sufism that explores practical and theoretical topics as well as theological, literary, and historical issues.
Written as oral discourses, the book contains two volumes.
Volume 1 explores Islamic theology, focusing on Tawheed (Divine Oneness). It includes a defense of Sama (Sufism) (music) as a spiritual tool. Volume 2 describes Sufi practices, ethics, and mystical states.[10]
See also
References
- ^ "सैय्यद मखदूम अशरफ: बादश्ााहत ठुकराने वाले महान सूफी संत!" (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 19 June 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2020.
- ^ Hanif, N. (2000). Biographical Encyclopaedia of Sufis: South Asia. Sarup & Sons. ISBN 9788176250870. Archived from the original on 9 February 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ Hayate Makhdoom Syed Ashraf Jahangir Semnani (1975), Second Edition (2017) ISBN 978-93-85295-54-6 Syed Waheed Ashraf (2017), HAYATE MAKHDOOM SYED ASHRAF JAHANGIR SEMNANI (2nd Ed.), MAKTABA JAMIA LIMITED, SHAMSHAD MARKET, ALIGARH-202002, U.P. INDIA, OL 26384309M
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location (link) CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link). - ^ ‘'MUQADDEMA-E- LATĀIF-E-ASHRAFI' Book in PERSIAN, Published by Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, Vadodara, Gujarat, India
- ^ Akhbarul Akhyar' By Abdal Haqq Muhaddith Dehlwi [d.1052H-1642]. A short biography of the prominent sufis of India have been mentioned in this book including that of Ashraf Jahangir Semnani
- ^ Life and Times of Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Semnani (RAH) by Dr. Syed Nurusyyidyn Madani Ashraf Ashraf, Syed; Madani, Nurusyyidyn (3 September 2019). Life and Times of Makhdoom Ashraf Jahangir Semnani (RAH). Amazon. ASIN B07XBYV1V8.
- ^ Ernst, C.; Lawrence, B. (30 April 2016). Sufi Martyrs of Love: The Chishti Order in South Asia and Beyond. Springer. ISBN 9781137095817. Archived from the original on 9 February 2024. Retrieved 6 December 2020.
- ^ a b c d Shaykh Abdul Rahman Chishti. Mir-at ul-Israr - Urdu translation (in Urdu).
- ^ Mufti Ghulam Sarwar Lahori. Khazinat-ul-Asfiya (Urdu translation) 4 volumes.
- ^ See: https://ibnularabibooks.com/shop/lataif-e-ashrafi-by-ashraf-jahangir-samnani/
Further reading
- Ashraf, Syed Waheed (2010). Lataife Ashrafi and Maktubaate Ashrafi As Sources of Indian Medieval History (in Urdu). Baroda, Gujarat: Makhdoom Syed Ashraf Jahangir Academy. OL 25423260M.