Hazrat Haji Ali shah bukhari
Haji Ali Dargah is a dargah located on an island in Worli, south of Mumbai. This is the shrine of Pir Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, a kind Sufi saint from Uzbekistan. Conveniently located in the heart of the city, the shrine is one of Mumbai’s best landmarks.
The Hazrat Haji Ali Dargah was built in memory of a wealthy Muslim merchant, Hazrat Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, who left all his possessions before making the pilgrimage to Mecca. From Bukhara presently Uzbekistan, Hazrat haji ali traveled the world and settled in Mumbai.
According to the historian, the saint once saw a poor woman crying on the road holding something empty. He asked her what the problem was, and she cried because her husband was hitting her as she accidentally spilled the oil she was carrying. He asked him to take him to the place where he spilled the oil. There, he stuck a finger in the ground, and the oil came out. The woman was happy and filled the bag and left.
Later, Hazrat Haji Ali Shah Bukhari had a recurring dream that he had destroyed the Earth with his actions. Saddened and sad from that day on, he became very bad and did not do well. Then, with the request of his mother, he and his brother went to India and reached the shores of Mumbai Worli. His brother returned to their village. Haji Ali Shah Bukhari sent him a letter to their mother, telling her that his health was good and that he had decided to live there entirely for the propagation of Islam and that he would forgive him.
Until his death, he continued to spread the knowledge of Islam to the people, and his disciples visited him regularly. Before he died, he advised his followers to bury him in a proper place or cemetery, to throw away his shroud (called a “kafan”). in the sea let people bury him, those who will find him. His disciples obeyed his will. This is the reason why Dargah Shareef was built in a place where its cover is in the middle of the sea, where it is on a small rock that rises above the sea. A tomb was built at Dargah Shareef in the coming years.
On Thursdays and Fridays, many pilgrims visit the temple. Regardless of faith and religion, people visit the dargah to seek the blessings of the famous saint. Sometimes, especially on Thursday, various Sufis perform devotional music called Qawwali in the dargah
The shrine is built on a small island the coast, in the middle of Worli Bay, near Worli. The shrine is a beautiful example of the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. The availability of the dargah depends a lot on the tides. Because the railroad does not surround it, it becomes inaccessible at high tide.
Construction
The whitewashed structure sits in a marble courtyard and has a central sanctuary. The great hall has marble columns decorated with art mirrors: blue, green, and yellow glass arranged in a kaleidoscopic pattern combined with Arabic motifs detailing the ninety-nine names of Allah. Separate prayer rooms for women and girls have been provided here to show respect according to Muslim traditions. During high tide, the dargah seems isolated and inaccessible. It’s like a small island.
Haji Ali Dargah in South Mumbai is a historical monument and one of the famous Muslim landmarks. This 400-year-old structure that stands today in Mumbai has been damaged and destroyed in many places, and the structural improvement of this magnificent structure started in 2008. People from all over the universe visit Haji Ali Dargah irrespective of caste, religion, and beliefs. Haji Ali Dargah is now a popular pilgrimage destination,.On occasions, such as the saint’s Urs anniversary or Eid-ul-Fir, special events or celebrations are held at the Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai.
Hazrat Haji Ali Shah Bukhari, decided to renounce all worldly possessions and become a saint before going on a pilgrimage to Makkah. Building construction
The Haji Ali Dargah is made of marble, the same white marble that Emperor Shah Jahan used to build the Taj Mahal. The architecture of this monument reflects the styles and principles of Mughal and Indo-Islamic buildings. Haji Ali Dargah has an area of 4,500 square meters and is 85 feet tall. The marble courtyard with the central sanctum and the main mosque, covered in red and green fabric, is the first building you see when you enter the Dargah grounds. Artistic marble columns, mirrors with kaleidoscopic patterns and the central temple sentinel minarets, make the monument a sight to behold. The Haji Ali Dargah is a 400-year-old building and is dilapidated in various places.
With permission from the central government, the Dargah Trust is now trying to get marble from Makrana to rebuild the structure in different places. Haji Ali Dargah is a famous pilgrimage site in Mumbai. Apart from its religious importance, Haji Ali Dargah is well known for its beauty and is a perfect place for those who seek peace and quiet.
There have been many saints who went far in India to spread the message of Islam like Khwaja Gareeb Nawaz and many other saints migrated to India from Arab countries and Persia. They came as they were told by their own mind or will, or as the Prophet Muhammad (as) told them, as prophesied in their dreams, or by Ilm that is, as the spiritual power that Allah gave them showed.
The spread of Islam throughout India is the story of the gradual spread of Islam, which originated from traveling Sufi saints and merchants who settled among the local population.
Muslims believe that holy saints who sacrifice and dedicate their lives in the service of God are immortal. Their rank is like that of Shahid martyrs, as they left their worldly life for Allah and they are called Shahadat-e-Huqmi.
Many miracles occured during the lifetime of hazrat Haji Ali Shah Bukhari and after his death. All that is known about hazrat Haji Ali Shah Bukhari is learned from guardians and administrators from generation to generation, as the saint never married or had no children. Some people tried to present themselves as his children or heirs and destroyed the very history of the saint.
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