Shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi (R.A)

[Maria Shaban]

Shrine of Abdullah Shah Ghazi

(My Tour to Karachi :: December 5-7, 2011)

 

Abdullah Shah Ghazi is considered to be patron saint of Karachi (Pakistan). The dargah of Abdullah Shah Ghazi is located in Clifton neighborhood of Saddar Town in Karachi. The real name of Abdullah Shah Ghazi was Abdulla bin Nahban and he was Muslim Umayyad general who died at Debal while trying to conquer Sindh in 711 CE.

 

The Sindhi pirates were raiding Arab shipping trade under the patronage of the ruler Raja Dahir. One case which came to the notice of then Governor of Basra, Al-Hajjaj bin Yousef, involved the kidnapping of noble women and gifts to the Caliph Walid from the ruler of Ceylon. This event triggered a letter to the Raja Dahir and he replied that he does not have control over pirates in his kingdom. This reply resulted in the launch of a military expedition. This army was led by Abdulla bin Nahban and Badil bin Tuhfa, respectively and were both defeated at Debal. According to Dr. Daud Pota the tomb of Abdullah Shah at Clifton in Karachi is of this General, Abdulla bin Nabhan.

 

History:

Abdullah Shah Ghazi was the great grandson of the Prophet Muhammad from the linage of Hasan Ibne Ali Ibne Abu Talib, making him a member of the Ahl al-Bayt. The growing popularity of Abdullah Shah caused concern amongst the Ummayyad dynasty who dispatched an army to Sindh. The Ummayyads, and their successors the Abbasids, were known for their hatred of the Banu Hashim (the tribe of Prophet Muhammad and Hadrat Ali ibn Abu Talib) and mercilessly tracked and killed thousands of members of this tribe. Abdullah Shah was on a hunt in what is now present day Karachi, when the Ummayyad army intercepted his party. Out numbered, Abdullah Shah still chose to fight rather than submit to the Umayyad army. It is because of his display of valor in the face of the Ummayyad army that Abdullah Shah was given the honorable title of "Ghazi" meaning "victorious".

 

His shrine in Karachi is dated back to 1400 years ago, his brother, Misry Shah, who is also buried along the coastline in Karachi, is also remembered as a saint. Many people claim to have been granted their wishes at the shrine and it is the center for people who throng the shrine all year round. Every year marks the Urs (festival) at the shrine for 3 days (dates: 20-22 Dhu al-Hijjah - 12th month of the Islamic calendar), marking the anniversery of Abdullah Shah Ghazi. Abdullah Shah Ghazi is revered by both Sunni and Shia alike, however his blood line gives him a special status in the Shia community.

 

Mausoleum:

The Tomb of Abdullah Shah Ghazi, is located at perched on a hilltop overlooking Clifton Beach, Karachi, Pakistan. The tomb is built on a very high platform, but actual grave is downstairs. The tomb has its tall square chamber and green-and-white striped dome, decorated with flags and bunting, Abdullah Shah Ghazi's tomb attracts a steady stream of devotees who shuffle forward to caress the silver railing around the burial place and drape it with garlands of flowers.

 

Syed Abdullah Shah Ghazi (R.A) is a ninth-century Sufi who claimed direct descent from the Prophet and is thought of by his followers as something like the patron saint of Karachi. People, most of them Muslims, come here to pay homage to him from across the country.

 

Myths & Beliefs:

Karachiites believe that as long as they keep his shrine in good condition, Karachi will be spared of Sea Storms. This belief is made stronger in the recent times, when two powerful storms avoided Karachi when they were less than 10 hours away from the city and deflected to hit the Indian city of Gujraat. A famous incident is quoted when the sea was out of control and fishermen couldn't get into the sea. The fishermen went to Abdhullah Shah Ghazi and asked him to pray for the sea to remain calm. Abdullah Shah Ghazi took his bowl in which he used to eat and submerged it into the sea water and then curled the bowl by pressing it from the sides enclosing the water inside and saying to the sea; "You have been misbehaving quite a lot lately!" The water receded drastically after his warning and now is quite far away from this point as you can see for yourself

 

 

 

 

 

 

spring water at the backside of shrine

 

 

 

‘Chilla Gah’ of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi

 

 

 

Regards,

 

Farhan Wilayat Butt

 

 

 

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