The Martyrdom of Hazrat Sayed Ali Mira Datar

786/92 - Bismillah-hir-Rahma-nir-Raheem

Foreword

With the grace of Allah Subhaana Wu Ta'ala and the blessings of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W), and also with the Karam of Hazrat Sayed Ali Mira Datar, I have the opportunity in compiling this book on the auspicious life of Hazrat Sayed Ali Mira Datar of Unava Gujarat India.

I would like to notify the reader that this book is very brief, and concentrates on the martyrdom of Hazrat Sayed Ali rather than the life and Karamat of Hazrat Sayed Ali.

This humble servant would like to introduce Hazrat Sayed Ali to the masses. May Allah bring people closer to Hazrat Sayed Ali, after reading this book, so that they can obtain his love.

Inshaallah Ameen Summa Ameen

Preface

All praises are due to Allah Ta' Ala whose peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (S.A.W). Alhumdulillah, with the grace of Allah and the blessings of Hazrat Sayed Ali, I am able to present this booklet in a simple order to enable most people to understand the Karam of Hazrat Sayed Ali.

Let me notify the reader that this is merely an introduction to the life of a saint, and the Insha'Allah in the future we can compile another book, which will delve deeper into the life of Hazrat Sayed Ali (R.A).

This majestic figure whom Allah has granted great spiritual blessings cannot be praised enough. May Allah Ta'ala accept this effort and also bless those who assisted in the effort of this book. Inshallah may Allah grant its success.

I would also like to mention that Hazrat Sayed Ali Mira Datar Dargah Sharif is in Unava Gujarat India. People from all walks of life come to the Dargah Sharif for spiritual assistance. I am humbly inexperienced in compiling a book. If any errors found so that it can be rectified. Prior to now this book has been written in Hindi, Urdu and Gujarati. This is the first time it has been written in English.

Jazakallah

Was-Salaam Main Khadim of Sayed Ali Mira Datar Dargah Sharif

Saiyed Jahangir Ali Riyajmiya

The Events Leading to Martyrdom

The King of Mandogar was an oppressor. He was against good and Imaandar (truthful) people. The Mandogar King also had a powerful army. People respected the Mandogar King out of the fear. This brutal king used to sacrifice the life of a good, Imaandar person in the name of his god.

He used the blood of the sacrificed person and place a dot on his forehead. This caused him to become the people's enemy. At the time King of Delhi was approached and informed about the conditions in Mandogar village.

The King of Delhi was moved by the informer's narration of the Mandogar King's atrocities. The King of Delhi knew that Mehmood Badshah would be able to assist the villagers of Mandogar in their fight against the Mandogar King.

On the death of King Sherinsha Sher, Mehmood Badshah inherited the throne. Mehood Badshah was an excellent sword fighter. He captured many palaces in Gujarat and that is how the name "Badshah" became famous.

The contents of a letter to Mehmood Badshah, from the King of Delhi (Ala-Ud-Din) was about the plight of the Mandogar people.

"As-Salaam-Alaikum, Mehood Badshah. The Mandogar King imprisons innocent people. He sacrifices a prisoner a day to his gods and takes the blood of the sacrificed person and places a dot on his forehead and then only has his meals. This is his daily habit and tradition. You have to put an end to this. If he does not listen to you, destroy him. If you need weapons or soldiers let me know and I will assist you. Was-Salaam King of Delhi."

The letter was presented to Mehmood Badshah in Ahmedabad. The contents of this letter infuriated Mehmood Badshah. He immediately instructed his Wazier to organise his soldiers and prepare for Mandogar. An army of 12,000 soldiers with weapons proceeded to Mandogar.

The Campaign Against Injustice

Enroute to Mandogar, Mehmood Badshah sent a message to Hazrat Sayed Ali's father, Dosu Mia, about the condition of the people in Mandogar and requested that Dosu Mia also join him in this fight against the Mandogar King.

Dosu Mia proceeded from Unava with a force of 250 soldiers and horses.

The battle at the palace in Mandogar lasted twelve years and nobody gained victory. Mehood Badshah prayed sincerely with tears in his eyes seeking answers from the Almighty Allah, in Salaah, as to why he was not gaining victory.

One night in a dream, Mehood Badshah was presented with a vision of a severe storm blowing away all the tents and lights but one tent survived the storm. This is the tent in which Mehmood Badshah's Wali, Buzrook (friend of Allah), was making Tilaawat of the Holy Quraan and only this Buzrook's grandson, whose name is Sayed Ali will gain the victory over the Mandogar King.

The dream materialised and in the tent that survived the storm, Mehmood Badshah found Sayed Ilmudeen (the grandfather of the Hazrat Sayed Ali) making Tilaawat of the Holy Quraan. Mehmood Badshah was taken aback to learn that such a great Buzrook, Wali (friend) of Allah was in the army, and had not known it.

Mehmood Badshah approached Sayed Ilmudeen and informed him about his dua and about the fact that only Sayed Ali would be able to defeat the Mandogar King. Sayed Ilmudeen wrote many letters to his grandson but the letters did not reach Sayed Ali.

The Call to Sayed Ali

Aboo Mia, Sayed Ali's elder brother, and his mother intercepted the letter and did not give it to Sayed Ali because Sayed Ali was going to get married and they felt it best to hide the letters from Sayed Ali.

When no reply received from Sayed Ali, Sayed Ilmudeen and Mehmood Badshah became concerned and decided to send another letter with a reliable messenger and instructed him to deliver the personally to Dada Jaan Saiyed Ali. The letter was given in Hazrat Sayed Ali's hands.

When Hazrat Sayed Ali read the letter, he informed his mother and elder brother Abdu the letter in which Dada Jaan requested his assistance in the fight against the Mandogar King. Hazrat Sayed Ali further explained to his mother that it has been years since the fight against the Mandogar King has been going on and no victory seems to be in sight.

Hazrat Sayed Ali further questioned them as to why the previous letters sent to him were not given to him. Hazrat Sayed Ali's mother said "You are about to get married so I hid all the letters."

Hazrat Sayed Ali responded by saying "I am a descendent of the Prophet (S.A.W). Joyfully let me go in the path of Deen and Imaan to fight the injustices of the Mandogar King. I have to put an end to the oppression." Ali's mother replied by saying "If this is Allah's will (wish) then I allow you to go. I forgive you."

She kissed his forehead thus giving her blessings for Hazrat Sayed Ali to go and fight the Mandogar King.

The Journey to Mandogar

Hazrat Sayed Ali greeted his brother and set out towards Unava Dam where he did Miswaak, made Wuzu and read Namaz San Aah. On completion of Salaah, Hazrat Sayed Ali placed his Miswaak into the ground where he performed his Namaaz.

Was Hazrat Sayed Ali was performing his Namaaz and in his heart he thought that if he was martyred in Allah's way, would be buried in the same spot. After reading Namaaz, Hazrat Sayed Ali proceeded to Mandogar. On arriving, he was met by his army and his grandfather.

Mehmood Badshah heard of Hazrat Sayed Ali's arrival and came to meet him. Mehmood Badshah outlined the injustices of the Mandogar King to Hazrat Sayed Ali to which Hazrat Sayed Ali responded by saying "If it is Allah's wish bringing the Mandogar King on the right path. If he does not listen to me and try to understand, then I will have no alternative but to kill him."

Mehmood Badshah and Ilmudeen were happy and at ease with Hazrat Sayed Ali's response. Their hearts felt light and they felt relieved and had full faith that they would now gain the victory.

They proceeded to the battlefield with only 25 horses and soldiers. When they reached a river, miracle happened, the water of the river parted and the horses and soldiers crossed easily. On arrival on Mandogar territory, the Mandogar King's soldiers saw them from a distance.

Hazrat Sayed Ali's Mubarak face was full of Noor (light) and the enemy felt uneasy and afraid. The enemy forces told their King (The Mandogar King) that they did not have the courage to fight such a radiant and illuminated figure.

The Final Confrontation

Hazrat Sayed Ali assured the soldier that he would not kill him if he told Hazrat Sayed Ali where the King was hiding. The soldier out of fear replied: "He is in a cave."

Once again Hazrat Sayed Ali confronted the King face to face. The king shivered out of fear as Hazrat Sayed Ali pulled the Mandogar King's hair at its nape since it was platted.

Hazrat Sayed Ali pulled the platt in a firm grip and told the king "Everyday you slaughter and sacrifice an innocent person to your gods and then place a dot on your forehead with their blood. This is against righteousness. Life and death is in God's hands. Leave all these wrong things and bring yourself on the righteous path. If you need to my advise, I will not kill you."

The Mandogar King said, "I know that you want to spare me but yet I will not come to Imaan."

Hazrat Sayed Ali cut his platt and the Mandogar King said, "Please bury my platt at your feet when you die, Rajah Data." Due to Hazrat Sayed Ali's kind heartedness he accepted the Mandogar King's request.

While deeply engulfed in conversation with the Mandogar King, Hazrat Sayed Ali was cowardly beheaded, by the Mandogar King.

The Sacred Martyrdom

Hazrat Sayed Ali's entire body continued fighting for another three days before being killed (Inna Lillahi Hi Wa Inna Ilayhi Rajioon). The Mandogar King was furious at his soldiers and commanded them to go to the battlefield where he would join his army and fight Hazrat Sayed Ali's army.

Many soldiers way soldiers of Hazrat Sayed Ali in this war and came on to the path of Imaan. Many soldiers were killed and Hazrat Sayed Ali won the war. Hazrat Sayed Ali placed his flag of victory on the Mandogar palace.

The Mandogar King saw that his army was reduced. He regretted this mistake of going into the battle with Hazrat Sayed Ali's forces. When the Mandogar King saw Hazrat Sayed Ali, the King sweated and felt Hazrat Sayed Ali to be a miraculous figure in the form of a human being, who killed army of his soldiers in quick time and came towards him.

Hazrat Sayed Ali fought courageously and victory was attained. Hazrat Sayed Ali had the strength of Hazrat Ali (R.A). Hazrat Ali (R.A) had confronted the Mandogar King. The fighting between Hazrat Sayed Ali and the Mandogar King ensued and the King was injured. Like a coward, the King ran away and hide in a cave.

Hazrat Sayed Ali pursed him into the cave. At the entrance of the cave, there was a soldier on horseback who began shooting arrows at on seeing Hazrat Sayed Ali.

Inalillahi Aaleo wa And in the process Hazrat Sayed Ali cut the Mandogar King's body into pieces. Hazrat Sayed Ali became Shaheed. Hazrat Sayed Ali was martyred on Monday. Muharram 986(or 1012) on the place where Hazrat Sayed Ali was martyred flowers gathered round him.

Hazrat Sayed Ali appeared in his father's dream and informed his father that he was martyred in Allah's way. "I am in a cave take me from here and bury me in Unava. Bury the Mandogar King's platt at my feet."

Hazrat Sayed Ali's father, Dosu Mia, informed Mehmood Badshah about the dream and Mehmood Badshah was broken hearted as Dosu Mia on hearing about the martyrdom of Hazrat Sayed Ali.

Dosu Mia and Mehmood Badshah then proceeded with soldiers to the cave and they were surprised to find a bed of roses on the spot where Hazrat Sayed Ali was martyred.

Hazrat Sayed Ali's Mubarak body was transported by camel to Unava. When they arrived in Unava, the camel stopped at a place and refused to move even after beating the camel fiercely; she still remained unmoved.

The caravan leader enquired as to which place it was and learnt that it was the spot where Hazrat Sayed Ali desired to be buried.

The Burial and Legacy

Hazrat Sayed Ali's mother and the family were informed where Janaza-e-Mubarak was performed by Hazrat Sayed Ali's eldest brother, Aboo Muhammad, thereafter.

Hazrat Sayed Ali was buried and the Mandogar King's platt was buried at Hazrat Sayed Ali's feet. People began knowing him as "Mira Datar" which means: "Brave" Datar "Giver".

Through Hazrat Sayed Ali's braveness he gave his life in the way of Imaan and for the pleasure of Allah. Thus Hazrat Sayed Ali is known as Hazrat Sayed Ali Mira Datar.

Occurrences at the Dargah Sharif

The Dargah of Hazrat Sayed Ali is visited by people from all over the world. The Dargah is visited by the sick, those affected by Jinn, Balaah and Todogo Hazrat Sayed Ali's intercession and Allah's will people are cured.

Allah grants dua's and wishes of the Aulia (friends of Allah). Hazrat Sayed Ali is a friend of Allah and at his Astaana (Dargah), dua's and wishes are accepted here through the Kudrat of the Almighty Allah and Hazrat Sayed Ali himself also fulfills peoples aims and objectives.

Nobody has left Hazrat Sayed Ali's Astaana without having their wishes fulfilled. Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Christian visit the Dargah to seek Hazrat Sayed Ali's assistance.

The Sacred Mazaar

The humble servant of Allah only attains the title of Aulia Allah after he fulfills Allah's command and the Sunnah of Rasuallah (S.A.W). Therefore the work done at the Dargah Sharif, (i.e. burning of Lobaan, burning the Chiraag and tying of Chilla) is the instruction of the Aulia, conclusively there is no act of Biddat practised here.

Accessibility and Beauty

Mira Sayed Ali's Dargah is very beautiful and is easily accessible. People who go to the Dargah for help have no accommodation problems since there are many guest houses and hotels and also many eating places (restaurants). The Dargah is situated on Delhi Highway.

The Magnificent Structure

The Mazaar is extremely beautiful with a huge gate and on the four sides of the Mazaar also there are nine silver doors. These doors were placed by King's whose Manats were fulfilled.

There is also a Janat Ka Nazara (view of Jannat) which is placed at the point where Hazrat Sayed Ali buried Miswaak. Today a plant grows on that spot and the seeds of this Miswaak are given to barren women and to helps them to conceive.

Close to the burial place of Mira Sayed Ali are graves of his mother, Dada, Dadi, elder brother, nephews, sister-in-law, and advisor. The Mandogar King's platt is buried at Hazrat Sayed Ali's feet and there is Mendhi on it.

The entire Dargah is constructed of marble on all four sides. Dadi Ama's Chilla is upstairs and with it.

The Sacred Mazaar

The humble servant of Allah only attains the title of Aulia Allah after he fulfills Allah's command and the Sunnah of Rasuallah (S.A.W). Therefore the work done at the Dargah Sharif, (i.e. burning of Lobaan, burning the Chiraag and tying of Chilla) is the instruction of the Aulia, conclusively there is no act of Biddat practised here.

Accessibility and Beauty

Mira Sayed Ali's Dargah is very beautiful and is easily accessible. People who go to the Dargah for help have no accommodation problems since there are many guest houses and hotels and also many eating places (restaurants). The Dargah is situated on Delhi Highway.

The Magnificent Structure

The Mazaar is extremely beautiful with a huge gate and on the four sides of the Mazaar also there are nine silver doors. These doors were placed by King's whose Manats were fulfilled.

There is also a Janat Ka Nazara (view of Jannat) which is placed at the point where Hazrat Sayed Ali buried Miswaak. Today a plant grows on that spot and the seeds of this Miswaak are given to barren women and to helps them to conceive.

Close to the burial place of Mira Sayed Ali are graves of his mother, Dada, Dadi, elder brother, nephews, sister-in-law, and advisor. The Mandogar King's platt is buried at Hazrat Sayed Ali's feet and there is Mendhi on it.

The entire Dargah is constructed of marble on all four sides. Dadi Ama's Chilla is upstairs and with it.

Spiritual Healing at the Dargah

The Chakkie

"Chakkie," people affected by Jadoo (black magic) are blessed here and the Jadoo is grounded by Dadi Ama in the Chakkie. People with illness walk around the Chakkie and make dua to be relieved by their illness.

Sacred Structures

There is a tall minarat next to the Dargah with nine flags. Hazrat Sayed Ali's green flag frightens the Balaah away. The Dargah also has a Wuzu-Khana (there is a bore-hole next to the Wuzu-Khana). The water from this bore-hole has miraculous qualities and is good for one's health.

People with "Kaur" (leprosy), cancer, skin diseases have found Shifa in this water.

The Asylum and Healing

There is also an asylum. The Khadim ties a Chilla for the mentally ill person and is given water to drink and to inhale Lobaan. Within a matter of days/years the mentally ill person is cured immaterial of the persons level of insanity.

Sacred Places Around the Dargah

The Mubarak Chilla of Imaam Hussein (R.A.) is situated opposite the Alamku Mamu Saheb's Dargah is situated half a kilometer away from Hazrat Sayed Ali's Dargah.

Lobaan is done after Asr Nammaz at Mamu Saheb's Dargah. A huge Eastern Loban (Benzoin) is lit at Dadi Ama's Chilla. At Maghrib "Chiraag" (lantern) and Lobaan is lit at Hazrat Sayed Ali's Mazaar. The intake of Namaaz and Fateha and the Salaami follows after Maghrib at Hazrat Sayed Ali's Mazaar.

The Annual Urs Shareef

Healing from Ill Omens

All the people that suffer with ill omens (evil, bad) are assisted by Hazrat Sayed Ali at the Dargah. These ill omens are burnt in the Lobaan. The Khadims tie Chillas and offer a mixture to wear and water to drink for all effected visitors.

Once a Chilla is tied for an individual, his/her problem will be overcome if he/she has strong faith, an open heart and good intentions. Tying a Chilla repeatedly to tie the Chilla. Tying the Chilla means that one's case is represented in Hazrat Sayed Ali's court.

The Sacred Urs

The Urs Mubarak of Sayed Ali Mira Datar commences on 25th Muharram and the annual Urs continues up until the sighting of the new moon for the month of Safar. On the sighting of the new moon for Safar, Sandal takes place and the Urs is concluded.

Other Urs Celebrations

The Urs of Mira Sayed Ali (Dada's Urs)(Mamu Saheb), takes place on 15th Rajab followed by Rasti Ama's Urs on 16th Rajab and Dadi Ama's on 17th Rajab.

Location of the Sacred Mazaar

The Mazaar of Hazrat Sayed Ali is thus situated in Unava on the very spot that Hazrat Sayed Ali had chosen himself before Hazrat Sayed Ali left for Mandogar village where the battle took place.

Moula-E-Kareem, Data-E-Kareem, Ya Hazrat Sayed Ali Al-Madad.

May Allah's blessings be upon Hazrat Sayed Ali Mira Datar

His sacrifice continues to inspire generations