HAZRAT SUFI RAKHYAL SHAH SUFI AL QADRI

Sufi Hazrat Rakhyal Shah was born in 1262 Hijri (aprox 1852AD) in the district of Mirpur, Baluchistan. His father was Hazrat Noor Shah who was the descendent of Hazrat Ali. His eldest brother Sufi Abdul Nabi Shah was the disciple of Fakir Jaanullah Shah, a strong and famous devotee of Sufi Innayatullah Shah.

Hazrat Rakhyal Shah was very much influenced by his brother's spiritual way of life. Once he was riding through the woods when he saw a wolf and attacked it with the legs of his horse. He told this incident to his brother, to which the latter replied: "You must first kill the wolf(he meant 'nafs' - need of senses) within yourself." His brother then instructed him to go to Miranpur and said: "Your 'amanat' is there."

Soon after his brother's death, Sufi Rakhyal Shah planned his journey to Miranpur. At that time Khuwaja Abdul Sattar(The First) was presiding at Dargah Jhoke Sharif. Hazrat Rakhyal Shah's sole possessions were one horse and a few rupees. He mounted his family on the horse and started his long and difficult journey on foot. He first went to a relative near Larkana, left his family there and headed for Miranpur on foot. His relative had given him a few rupees and cooked wheat flour for the trip. Hazrat Shah walked 24 miles and caught a train to Rohri. Asking directions, he travelled onwards and reached Sehwan Sharif where he paid homage to Shahbaz Qalandar's shrine. He stayed there for 3-4 days and then went to Kotri (near Hyderabad). In those times, there was no bridge over River Sindh and small canoes were used to travel across. As Hazrat Shah reached the bank of the river, a con man started yelling at him: "You have stolen my money," and reached in Shah Sahib's pocket and snatched away his money. He took Shah Sahib to the police station. The constable was an accomplice to the con man. After detaining Shah Sahib for a few hours for no reason, he let him go with a warning. Shah Sahib was now left with no money to pay the con man for taking him across the river. Hence he had to labour for a few days doing odd jobs to earn enough money to cover his transportation expenses. After crossing the river he walked further for 24 miles while asking directions towards his destination. On his way, he met a person Din Mohammad who assured Shah Sahib that he will get him to Dargah safely. When they reached Din Mohammad's village, he told Shah Sahib that the Dargah was only a few miles away and gave him the directions. Finally Shah Sahib reached Jhoke Sharif. He went to the Shrine of Shah Shaheed where one person asked him about his journey. Shah Sahib told him the whole story. The person then went to Sahib Karim Sufi Abdul Sattar and briefed him about Hazrat Rakhyal Shah. In the evening Shah Sahib went to Kachehri.

For the first few days Sahib Karim did not pay any attention to Shah Sahib and totally ignored him. At this, Shah Sahib was very disheartened and decided to go back home. The following morning, when he went to kachehri, Sahib Karim greeted him with a lot of affection and asked him about his journey. He invited Shah Sahib to come and stay at his house but Shah Sahib did not find it appropriate and stayed in the mosque. A few days later Sahib Karim gave 'zikr' to Shah Sahib and hence accepted him as his disciple. After some time Shah Sahib was granted permission to leave and was given Rs 25 for expenses by his murshid. Shah Sahib, however, took only Rs. 5, and headed to his relative's place to collect his family and went home to Fatehpur, Baluchistan.

Sufi Rakhyal Shah spent most of his time in prayers and reached high levels in spirituality. Simultaneously, he performed his worldly duties effectively and would preach equality and rightful ways of life. He was very kind and generous. Every three years he would give away all his belongings to the needy and poor and even turn over water containers. He would say that as the new day will come, God will give us new means of sustenance.

Sahib Karim Sufi Abdul Sattar would listen to Sufi Rakhyal Shah's kalaams and would always talk about him in kachehri. Even today Sufi Rakhyal Shah's kalaams are sung at Dargah Jhoke Sharif and also on Radio Pakistan and PTV. On  7^th and 15^th of Islamic calender devotees of Dargah Fatehpur Sharif celebrate all night and sing sufiana kalaanms and warship ALLAH.