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A brief biography Hazrat Maqdum Fakhi Ali al-Mahaimi

Mumbai

The mausoleum of Maqdum Fakhi Ali M

Name: Hazrat Makhdum Fakih Ali Mahimi

Titles: Qutb-E-Kokan
Predecessor: Hazrat Muhiyuddin ibne Arabi (‫)رحمتہ ہللا علیہ‬
Date of Birth: 10th – Muharram – 776 Hijri (1372 A.D.)
Date of Wisaal: 8th Jumada al-Ukhra
Date of Urs: 8th Jamadi-al-Awwal
Resting at: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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In the praise of Hazrat Maqdum Fakhi Ali Maihmi Mumbai

Oh Shah of Mahim, but you are world-famous and known

So, for this reason, there is always much rush at your place
Your origin is Arabian but you have settled down in India
And have gained a lot of name and fame all over the world
Shah of Mahim, Hafeez is devotee and servant pay attention
So that his wishes and desires may be fulfilled at your place
Your works and miracles not countable and world-famous
So, for this reason, devotees have full faith in your name 
First, I will mention that British police have faith in you lot
For your help in the cases of the investigations and inquiries
 Still, the police of the Mahim is following the old custom
It is well known that your teacher is Hazrat Khizer and there
Is a mark in the shrine which still found for public attention
Shah of Mahim you are helping all police and all needy men
Since a long time for the distress and problems of the people
So have a kind favour to your servant Hafeez and all others
As all people who are visiting your place from near and far
Please help for the Muslim glory of Islam in all the world 
So that there will be soon a flourish of the Islam in the world
Oh Shah gives leave for Hafeez and so he can visit again
And so help all who are coming to your place of honour

By Hafeez Anwar
Email hafeezanwar@yahoo.com
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A brief biography of Hazrat Maqdum Fakhi Ali al-Mahaimi

 

Tomb of Hazrat Maqdum Fakhi Ali al-Mahaimi

 

Genealogy link: He was from the Arabic origin and he was

migrated to India and his family was settled down in the area of
the Mahim and in that particular family, he was born in the year
1872 corresponding to the year 10th Muharram in the 776
Hegira Islamic year. But as per books of history, his complete
genealogy record is not found. His father, who migrated to India
during the year 699 Hegira from Madina via Basra, Iraq, and his
genealogical link connected with Hazrat Jaffar Tayyar (Radi
Allah Anhu) Bin Hazrat Abi Talib (Radi Allah Anhu). And who
married the daughter of Naquda Hussain and who was a big
businessman of Kalyan city. His father was a learned person as
well as a businessman, a saintly man, and who taught his son
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taught him the Arabic language and helped him for the
memorization of the Holy Quran and whatever knowledge he
has with him given to him. And he was died when baba sahib
was nine year old in Mahim Mumbai.
  So, for this reason, Baba Maqdum who was become a great
learned person of  the time and Fakhi (is knowledge of the
Islamic jurisprudence) as well as knowledge of Quran and
Hadith (traditions) and he has god gift knowledge with him so
for this reason, the king of Gujarat has appointed him as Qazi
(judge)of Mahim. In fact, Sultan Ahmad Shah of Gujarat
appointed him as Qadi for the Muslims of the then, Thane
district, in both civil and criminal cases and also gave his sister
in marriage to him. His book of exegesis of the Quran which is a
great book of knowledge and spiritual knowledge. He has
written the book of exegesis of the Quran in his own hand and
which is an example of the calligraphy. Makhdoom Ali
Mahaimi ( ‫ )رحمتہ ہللا علیہ‬belonged to a group of Sufis named
Uwaysi – those who have not received a formal initiation by a
living master and are not affiliated to any known order like the
Chishti or Suhrawardi in India.
    The people of Mahim, as well as people of Mumbai and other
places, have full faith in him so for this reason, there are always
full rushes and the act of moving hurriedly of the visitors at the
shrine of Hazrat Maqdum Baba Al-Mahaimi.
Construction of the tomb: The construction of the main tomb,
which was completed in the year 1674. And but later small
tombs were constructed. When evening time the light of the
tomb of the Shah of Mahaimi will be lit, then due to its lighting
the city of Mumbai will be lighter and enhance the beauty of the
night of Mumbai metropolitan city.
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  As per tradition, it is said that Shah’s house was situated at the
place of the Mahim police station. It is said that the Mahim
police station has much faith and devotion with Hazrat Baba
Maqdum for a long time. So for this reason as mentioned in the
praise that the British police of Bombay have much faith and
devotion with Baba Sahib so for this reason they also used to
take help from the tomb of Baba Sahib for the investigation of
inquiries of police cases. Still, the police of Mahim is following
the same old custom and tradition in this matter.
     In the shrine building of Baba Sahib, there is the available
grave of his lady servant and his goat. Inside of the shrine
building, there was a hospital before and in its place, there is
now available Islamic school.
Who was his teacher?: It is said that Baba Sahib wants to leave
for India and to go Arabian countries for further religious
education and training of Islamic studies, but at that time there
came in his presence Prophet Khidr (It is stated that Khidr's real
name was Alyasa and his lineage went back to Sam, the son of
Noah (Nuh). According to a narration, Hazrat Khidr and Ilyas
are brothers. According to the majority of the religious scholars,
Hazrat Khidr is a prophet. Many aspects mentioned in the story
of Khidr in the chapter of al-Kahf is  evidence for his, prophet-
hood. It is also stated that he is a saint.) and he told him that he
will give him guidance and teaching which is required by him
and there is no need for his visit in this matter for Arab
countries. His teacher Hazrat Khizer has instructed him not to
tell anybody about his teaching of Islamic knowledge to him. 
    A place of the teaching of Hazrat Khizer and its mark is
available at the shrine and which is visited by the visitors and
some think it as grave due to mistake and ignorance in this
matter.
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Title of the Maqdum (master): Once in the night time her

mother and who was a pious woman of her time and she was
asked to bring drinking water for her so he went to bring water
for from long distance as he could not find water in the house by
that time. So went outside to bring water for her and so there
was a delay in this matter. And by that time she has slept in the
house. But when found sleeping off his mother so, for this
reason, he was standing there by the side of her mother with
water glass. So that he can serve during the night of her need.
When her mother was woken up at the time of early morning at
the Tahjud supererogatory prayer and she found her son with
glass water in his hands. This shows his sincerity and obedience
of the parents. Upon the event of the sincerity, her mother asked
him did not to sleep in the night ?. And he said “No” and so his
mother upon watching his service told you are not made for the
service, but you are made as Maqdum (master) for the mankind
by Allah. By that time his title was becoming famous and well
known in the world.
Thursdays and other days: The custom and tradition which are
found in the tomb of Baba Sahib which are the same and similar.
Which are found in other shrine places. There is a rush of the
people on a daily basis and the people who will visit this holy
shrine of Hazrat Baba Maqduem from far and nearby places for
the fulfillment of their desires and wishes. But on Thursdays,
there will be much rush of the people at the place shrine of
Qutub (highest cadre in the spiritual pivot at axis) Konkan area.
So, for this reason, Thursdays are very important in the shrine
building of the Baba Sahib. On Thursdays, there will be special
cleaning of the premises of the building and as well as a spray of
the rose water everywhere and there will be burning off the
loban (incense) and presentation of floral garlands in the shrine
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from the visitors. Every day the door of the shrine will be closed
at 10.’00 clock and at 11.’00 on Thursdays at night time. Daily
and on Thursdays there will be a special program which will be
held at the last moment of the shrine doors closing for the
prayers for the redressing of the problems and difficulties of the
people. And which is very special and important features of the
program found in the court of the Baba Sahib and such type of
the program which is not found in other places, because in the
religion of Islam for redress and problems the prayer is like a
sword so there will be much hope for the visitors to solve the
problems in this matter and visitors who visit shrine building in
the clean dress with flowers.
   There will be much fonder of the general people and police
personnel of the Mahim police station as well as students who
will visit the shrine for the success in the examination.
Few miracles: He has much love and affection with small sheep
and so for this reason he has one small sheep with him in his
house when his age was nine years old. Once he was going
outside of his house to some other place and when he has
returned back from his trip and he was able to know that his dear
small has died and so, for this reason, he has visited the place of
death of the sheep which was lying there on the bank of the sea
at Mahim for some days and he was much sad for this reason
and he was prayed by the look in the sky and said to the sheep “
To stand” then goat stood there and he has taken the goat and
come back to his house. There is a grave of this goat in the
shrine building and which is visited by the visitors daily.
  Once there was food supply to the visitors after the meeting
and Baba Sahib was eating fish at the dinner and after dinner,
the person puts water on his hands for washing and there was
available some pieces of the thorns/spines of the fish on his
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finger and by his look of favour those pieces of spines who were
becoming fish and all have seen his great miracles at that time.
As an important event in the annual life of the Dargah is the
display of a highly treasured Quran – its ink and paper are in
prime condition – believed to have been copied by Makhdum
Sahib (‫ )رحمتہ ہللا علیہ‬himself. (However, some scholars are of the
firm opinion that is being made later, in 1564 by Maulana al-
Mukri (‫)رحمتہ ہللا علیہ‬.) The Quran is displayed just once a year,
on the eve of Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power when the
Quran was revealed. This event is observed on the eve of the
29th of Ramadan.
 Cure of the Jinns and evil powers: There is a cure that is
available at the shrine for a long time, so for this reason the
affected people who will enter the shrine building from the main
entrance and leave from another door which is on the backside
of the shrine.
The devotion of the British Policemen : From the time of the
British rule there is much devotion and love of the police
personnel from the shrine of the Baba Sahib so for this reason
they used to visit and pay honour and request and seek help and
favour for the cases and police investigation and inquiries. When
there will be a visit from the higher authorities visit at the
Mahim police station so they will visit Mahim Dargah and pay
respect and honour and request for their desire and wishes.
   During the Urs celebration, there will be visits of the more
than 3 lakhs people to the shrine of Baba Maqdum and for which
there will be an arrangement of the law order by police of  the
Mahim police station at that time.
  It is said that at the last moment there was required water for
Baba Maqdum and which was provided to him by the police
staff of the Mahim police station.
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   First, it is reported that in the beginning period one police

officer who was involved in the difficult problem in the police
case and who went to the shrine building for seeking help from
Baba Maqdum Saheb and in that case he was becoming
successful as the culprit was caught.
  In one room of the Mahim police station in one steel cabinet,
there are stored one copy of the holy Quran which in hand
written by Baba Maqdum.
His character and life details: Due to the knowledge gained
from father and from the prophet Khizer he was started writing
Islamic books in India and due to his manners and character he
has left a good impression not only Muslims but other people of
Hindu, Christians and Sikh persons. Being Qazi of the Mahim
he was following the truth and given his judgment in the light of
truth. He followed the teaching of the higher level of the
knowledge and feeding of the food to the poor and needy
persons and help the students in the education. He died where he
had lived, in Mahim, on 8th Jamadi-al-Awwal, and was buried
in the nearby graveyard. His mother, who died forty days later,
lies next to him.
The scholar-saint of Mahim is remembered for many reasons.
Many remember him for the very human qualities he possessed
– his love for and obedience to his mother, his humility, his self-
control, and his generous nature that made guests welcome –
that are mentioned in biographies like Damir al-Insan.
The Urs  (death anniversary) : People from various walks of
life, irrespective of caste and creed, assemble to celebrate
the Urs (death anniversary) which takes place on the 13th day of
December to 22nd December of Gregorian calendar at the
famous Hazrat Maqdum Fakhi Ali shrine (Dargah) in Mahim in
Mumbai every year. About more than three lakhs of the
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devotees from near and far, irrespective of religion and beliefs

gather there to seek blessings. At the time of the Urs'
anniversary first floral garland is presented by the police
personnel of the Mahim police station on the tomb of Baba
Maqdum with much devotion and respect.
 Baba Saheb left this mortal world at the age of 59 years in the
year 835 Hegira.
Conclusion: To write about this great Sufi saint and a great
author of the Islamic books and it is not only it is difficult and
but it is a very hard task as he was not only a great pious
personality of his time in the area of Konkan region in India but
so, in brief, he was Qu’tub (highest cadre in the spiritual pivot at
axis) of his time in the Konkan region. He has written 19 books
and one exegesis of the Quran and which prove that he was not a
great saint, but he was also a great person of Islamic knowledge 
  For a long time, he was engaged in religious discourses,
sermons, and spiritual training of the people and he did also
many great endeavours for the preaching and propagation work
of Islam in Konkan region India and around this region and
there was no such personality during his time.
 Importance Mahim police station: There are four reasons for
the importance of the Mahim police station. First is that it is
said that Baba Maqdum who lived in this building. Secondly, in
the old-time one police officer who has faced many problems in
his case and afterward he was becoming successful due to the
help of the Baba Maqdum in this matter.Thirdly, it is said that
there was a water supply to Baba Sahib at the last moment of his
life by the police staff of Mahim. And lastly during the period of
Inspector of Vamen who was British nationality and who has
much devotion and affection with Baba Maqdum and for this
reason he was purchased holy Quran copy which is hand
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written by Baba Maqdum and foot wears and other relics of the
Baba Maqdum and which he has put in the steel cabinet in one
room in Mahim police station. And which will be shown to the
public once in a year.
For the last thirty years, the annual Urs has been observed over
a period of ten days between December 13 and 22, and today is
attended by nearly three lakhs visitors, most of them from
Mumbai.
There is one procession from the nearby Mahim Police
Station, with the Chief Inspector and his colleagues carrying
aloft flowers and other offerings in silver trays. (It is believed
that the saint’s residence was where the police Chowki stands
now.)
An entry in the Bombay City and Island Gazetteer of 1910
shows how special arrangements were made for the Urs.
It mentions how this was a socio-cultural event to which
Bombay residents came to make vows as well as to enjoy the
amusements. They partook in the fair on the causeway where
“toys of European make, local metalware, sweetmeats, and
food” are sold.
 Apart from the sandal processions, they watched devotees
perform with swords and fly kites.
In an earlier publication, Towns, and Islands of Bombay, a
government order of 1694 quoted to give permission to
“Moormen (Nawaits) to worship at the tomb at Mahim as
customary”.
A 1739 order granted the chief officer at Mahim the liberty for
the keeping of the Mahim fair: “You are hereby ordered to
permit the people have the country music and to exercise such
other diversion as was customary at that time and to give
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assistance to prevent any disturbances or disorder being

committed.”

Translated by
Hafeez Anwar
Translator ‘ Muslim Saints and Mystics’
(Tadhikaratal Awliya )
Email:hafeezanwar@yahoo.com
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