“_Shams-i-Tabriz._”—To this day the Shrine of this saint is to be seen
in Mūltān. He lived in the time of the Emperor Shah Jehan, who had a
passion for building tombs and palaces. The well-known “Taj Mahal” was
erected in his reign, A.D. 1627 to 1657.
This tale can hardly be classed as “Folk-lore,” but it was given as
tradition, and it is interesting as indicating the element of
superstition which has come to be embodied with what is actual matter of
fact.
Shams-i-Tabriz was a Sufi philosopher, and the leader of Jalal-ud-din,
and tradition says that he was flayed alive at Mūltān.
The Sufi doctrines are well known both in India and Turkey, and are
followed to this day, and they rest all their system of morality upon
the practice of Divine love, and the Fakirs are their exponents.
Sufis have laid down the following rules for their disciples:
Hear, attend, but speak little.
Never answer a question not addressed to you, but if asked answer
promptly, and never be ashamed to say “I know not.”
Do not dispute for disputation’s sake.
Never boast before your elders.
Never seek the highest place, nor even accept it if offered to you.
Do not be over ceremonious.
Observe in all cases the etiquette appropriate to the time, place,
and persons present.
In indifferent matters conform to the practice and wishes of those
with whom you are associating.
Do not make a practice of anything which is not either a duty or
calculated to increase the comfort of your associates, otherwise
it will become an “idol” to you, and it is incumbent on everyone
to break his “idols,” and renounce his habits.
(See Hughes’ “Dictionary of Islam.”)
It has been said by Major Osborne in his “Islam under the Khalifs of
Baghdad,” that the spread of this Pan-theistic spirit has done harm to
the Mahomedans; and that the true function of religion is to vivify and
illuminate all the ordinary relations of life with light from a Higher
world. The weakness to which religious minds are peculiarly prone is to
suppose that this world of working life is an atmosphere too gross and
impure for them to live in. They attempt to fashion a world for
themselves where nothing shall soil the purity of the soul, or disturb
the serenity of their thoughts.
“_Tabriz._”—Is the chief town of the Persian province of Azerbijān, or
as some call it Adebaijan, the ancient city “Media Atropotene,” so
called from Atropates who after the death of Alexander made himself
independent. Mount Ararat rises on the N.W. border, or as the Persians
call it “Koh-e-Nuh,” or Noah’s Mountain.
“_Bhāgpūr._”—Bhāg is the Sanscrit for “destiny,” and Pūr is the Sanscrit
for a City, as also is Pūra.
“_Sultān._”—This is the Arabic title for a King or Emperor, but
sometimes is applied to saints and martyrs, as for instance, Sultān
Surwar, an eminent Mahomedan Saint whose shrine is at Baluch, not far
from Mūltān, and who was distinguished for his purity of manners. At his
tomb it is narrated several miracles were performed. (See
“Araesh-e-Muhfil.”)
It may be added here that several sayings are attributed to
Shams-i-Tabriz such as the following:
Badshâh noonh bheek mangâwânh
Mangla noonh takht Bahâwânh
Pul vich “oolut pullut” kurr sathân
Dhun Hookum merah sirdahi dhâh