The Hundred Letters Of Sharafuddin Maneri, The Sufi Saint Of Bengal

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"God's blessing be upon you! There is no other duty more binding on you than the quest of the Real One. If you go to the bazaar, seek Him! If you enter your house, seek Him! If you go to the tavern, seek Him!

I was in a tavern, and so too was my Friend: He came to me in private prayer, bearing a goblet of wine!

If the angel of death, Azrael, come to you, be careful not to desist from seeking Him! Say to Azrael: "You do your work and I'll do mine."

"You do your work and I'll do mine."

"One day I will have to go and leave this burden behind:
Except for Your name, nothing will be found in my record.
If my head is not in Your hands, O Ravisher of my heart,
At least the dust from under Your foot will form a crown upon my head."

- From Letter # 50: In Quest of God, The Hundred Letters

Imagine the power of few correspondences in form of letters during the medieval period between two persons, which were so rich in their content that the letters were copied by seekers of truth, was kept as prized possession by kings and rulers and were made compulsory text in religious schools (madrasas), where the letters were not only read but fractionally memorized as part of the religious, spiritual education.

These letters after compiled became known as The Hundred Letters and were written by a celebrated saint of Bengal, Sharafuddin Maneri (1263 - 1381). The Hundred Letters was prized among all the Sufi circles of medieval India. Known by the title "The spiritual Teacher of the Realm", Sharafuddin Maneri, may God be pleased with him, is venerated as one of the most famous Islamic saints (awliya Allah) and Sufi master.

About Sharafuddin Maneri

Sharafuddin Maneri was born in August of 1263, at Maner, Bihar, a state adjacent to Bengal in northeast India circa. His father, a famous Sufi saint in his times, was named Yahya. Henec the full name of the saint is Sharafuddin Ahmad ibn Yahya Maneri. Because of his great spiritual status he became known as 'Makhdumm al-Mulk' or "The Spiritual Master of the Realm", and people still in Bihar simply refer to him as 'Makhdum Sahib'. He lived a considerable portion of his life in Sonargaon, near modern day Dhaka in Bangladesh. His major spiritual guide was 'Najibuddin Firdausi' (of the Firdausi Sufi order). The saint spent the last forty years of his life in Bihar where he passed away in January 2nd of 1381 and his death anniversary is still celebrated every year.

Many Sufi orders came to Bihar, such as Chishti, the Shattari, the Qadiri and the Naqshbandi. But Makhdum al-Mulk, Sharafuddin Maneri eclipsed the leaders of all these orders. He still enjoys immense popularity among Hindus as well as Muslims, a tribute that has been denied to other medieval Sufi mastes and that explains the popularity of the order he introduced to Bihar, the Ferdausiya. - from the Preface of The Hundred Letters.

Invoking by the blessings of al-Fatiha, may God sanctify the perfumed soul of Makhdum al-Mulk Shaykh Sharafuddin Maneri, God be pleased with him and connect us to his spiritual station.