Chosen Saints of God and the Bigoted Mullas — Page 27
The seventh century Hijra (1) HAZRAT SHEIKH ABUL HASSAN SHAAZLI (died 654 Hijra). . Sheikh Abul Hassan lived in the country formerly known as "Al-Maghrib". He was an acknowledged saint and a distinguished man of letters. He was also declared to be a heretic". (Al-Yawaqeet-Wal-Jawahar: vol. 1: p. 13) (2) HAZRAT 'IZZ-UD-DIN ABDUL AZIZ BIN ABDUS SALAAM (died 660 Hijra). Sheikh 'Izz-ud-Din was the author of "Shajrat -al-Ma'arif" and a very holy sage. He was also declared to be heretic. (Al-Yawaaqeet) (3) HAZRAT NIZAM-UD-DIN AULIYA (born 634 H. , died 750. Hijra). Hazrat Nizam-ud-Auliya is also called "Sultan-ul-Auliya" -the King of Saints. He is very well-known throughout the sub-continent of India. His tomb is at Delhi. He was a disciple of the famous saint Hazrat Baba Ganj Shakar and the renowned poet Amir Khusro was his disciple. About him "Anwar-i-Auliya" mentions: "Carpets were laid in front of the royal palace and in the centre sat the king surrounded by his army officers-all properly dressed and armed. On the right hand of the King was the row of the Ulema (priests) in the centre of the Sharia (religious law). ” "The Mufti asked the Sheikh”, Are you a Muslim?". The Sheikh replied, "God be praised, I am a Muslim". . The Mufti: "Are you a Hanifite?". The Sheikh: "Yes, I follow Imam Abu Hanifa". . Mufti: "Do you listen to music?”. Shiekh: "Yes, I do". . Mufti: "Have you anything in support of this practice of yours?". Sheikh: "There is a saying of the Holy Prophet mentioned in the 'Saheeh Bukhari' to the effect that the girls of Medina sang accompaning their drumlets, while the Holy Prophet sat listening". 27