Sultan Bahoo The Life and Teachings/Family Lineage, Parents and Ancestors
GENEALOGICAL TREE
Sultan-ul-Arifeen Sultan-ul-Faqr Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh belonged to the ‘Awan’ tribe whose genealogical tree goes back to Hazrat Ali Karum Allah Wajhul Kareem. Awans are Hazrat Ali’s progeny from wives other than Hazrat Fatima Razi Allah Anha. Hazrat Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh used to write a few introductory lines about himself in the preface of all his books the way other authors of his age did, and then shed light upon the objectives of the book. Wherever, he has given his introduction, he has always written ‘Awan’ with his name. In his book Noor-ul-Huda Kalan, he says; “the writer of this book Sarwari Qadri Faqeer Bahoo, Fana-Fi-Hoo, son of Bazayad Mohammad, commonly known as Awan, resident of Qilla Shore (Shorekot, may Allah save it from all troubles and chaos) always says the truth.” The same lines, with the change of a few words, are written in almost all of his books, which prove that he genuinely belonged to the Awan tribe.
RESEARCH ON AWANS
The initial question arises that who were Awans and how did they reach India? Sultan Hamid Ali writes in his book “Manaqib-e-Sultani” that Awans are the descendants of Hazrat Ali Karum Allah Wajhul Kareem. When Sadaats (Holy Prophet’s progeny through Hazrat Fatima Razi Allah Anha) left Arab due to troubles and started living in different areas of Iran and Turkistan, the Awan tribe helped them in that time of trouble, as they were their close relatives, that is why, their family name changed from Alvis and Hashmis to Awans which means “those who helped the Sadaats.” Sadaats continued their religious obligations of preaching Islam, even when they left Arab but Awans indulged in wars and battles and captured Harrat. Qutb Shah, the ancestor of Awans, died while he was the ruler of Harrat. The title ‘Shah’ is usually a part of the names of Sadaats but Awans also use this title. Mir Qutb Shah is actually the person after whom Awans are called Qutb Shahi Awans. Under his leadership, Awans joined the army of Sultan Mehmood Ghaznavi and then settled in the valley of Saun Sakesar. Professor Ahmad Saeed Hamadani writes; “Mir Qutb Shah’s genealogy traces back to Hazrat Imam Mohammad Bin Hanfia Razi Allah Anhu, son of Hazrat Ali Karum Allah Wajhu."
GENEALOGICAL TREE OF HAZRAT SAKHI SULTAN BAHOO REHMAT-UL-ALLAH ALAYH
Sultan Hamid Ali writes the genealogical tree of Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh in his book “Manaqib-e-Sultani” as: Sultan-ul-Arifeen Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo son of Hazrat Bazayed Mohammad son of Shaikh Sultan Fateh Mohammad son of Shaikh Allah Ditta son of Shaikh Mohammad Tameem son of Shaikh Mohammad Mannan son of Shaikh Mohammad Moghla son of Shaikh Mohammad Paida son of Shaikh Mohammad Saghara son of Shaikh Mohammad Anun son of Shaikh Mohammad Sala son of Shaikh Mohammad Bahari son of Shaikh Mohammad Jaimoon son of Shaikh Mohammadd Hargan son of Shaikh Anwar Shah son of Shaikh Amir Shah son of Shaikh Qutb Shah son of Hazrat Aman Shah son of Hazrat Sultan Hussain Shah son of Hazrat Shaikh Feroz Shah son of Hazrat Mehmood Shah son of Hazrat Shaikh Fartak Shah son of Hazrat Shaikh Nawab Shah son of Hazrat Shaikh Darab Shah son of Hazrat Adham Shah son of Hazrat Shaikh Abeek Shah son of Hazrat Shaikh Sikandar Shah son of Hazrat Shaikh Ahmad Shah son of Hazrat Hajar Shah son of Hazrat Ameer Zubair son of Hazrat Ali Karum Allah Wajhul Kareem bin Abu Talib. (Manaqib-e-Sultani)
PARENTS
Sultan-ul-Arifeen Sultan-ul-Faqr Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo’s father’s name was Sultan Bazayed Mohammad Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh. Sultan-ul-Arifeen usually introduces himself in the beginning of his books as meaning: “Book by Faqeer Bahoo, son of Bazayed Mohammad commonly known by the name of Awan.” Hazrat Bazayed Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayh was a soldier by profession and held a special position in the army of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. He was a pious and virtuous Hafiz-e-Quran. He spent his early life in Jihad.
In the later age, Hazrat Bazayed left the royal court silently and married one of his relative woman Bibi Raasti Rehmat-ul-Allah Alayha. She was an Arifa Kamila (Perfect Knower of Allah) and was known for her piety in the family. She usually remained engrossed in prayers and Zikr. The remains of the place, where she used to remain absorbed in the Zikr of Ism-e-Allah Zaat, can still be found near a spring in the valley and is famous in Anga. Sultan-ul-Arifeen shows great devotion and love towards his mother in his books. He says, “Thousands of blessings of Allah upon Bibi Raasti for naming me Bahoo.” Raasti was adorned with the virtues of truth and veracity. May Allah bless her with salvation. Bibi Raasti was stationed at the highest level of Faqr i.e. Fana Fi Hoo (annihilated in Hoo). She was informed of Hazrat Sakhi Sultan Bahoo’s grandeur and spiritual status before his birth and his name “Bahoo” (one with Hoo) was revealed to her, so she named him Bahoo in obedience to Allah’s order.