Londoni

Shah Paran (Shah Farhan) was a renowned Sufi saint of the Suhrawardiyya (a Sufi order founded by the Iranian Sufi Diya al-din Abu 'n-Najib as-Suhrawardi (1097 – 1168 CE). It is a strictly [sufi]] order, guided by the Shafi`i madhab, and, like many such orders, traces its spiritual genealogy (silsila) to Hazrat Ali ibn Abi Talib through Junayd Baghdadi and al-Ghazali. It played an important role in the formation of a conservative ‘new piety’ and in the regulation of urban vocational and other groups, such as trades-guilds and youth clubs (see Futuwwa), particularly in Baghdad.) and Jalalia order. It is said that he was the son of a sister of Hazrat Shah Jalal (R) and was born in Hadramaut, Yemen. He was an accomplice of his uncle, Shah Jalal, with whom he arrived in India. In 1303 AD, He took part in the expedition of Sylhet which was led by Shah Jalal. After the conquest of Sylhet he established a khanqah at Khadim Nagar in Dakshingarh Pargana, about 7 km away from Sylhet town, where he started Sufi spiritual practices and activities. He played a significant role in propagating Islam and establishing Muslim rule in the Sylhet region.

It is unclear how and when he died, but he is buried near his khanqah. For centuries, large numbers of devotees have been visiting his tomb, a practice which continues even today.[2] On the 4th, 5th and 6th day of Rabi-ul-Awal, the Urs of Hazrat Shah Paran (R) takes place.[3] His grave is located in a high hillock and it is carefully preserved at a place which is built with bricks and surrounded by walls. On the northern side of the grave there is an old tree, the branches and branchlets of which are extended above the entire tomb. The name of the tree is 'Ashagachh' (a tree of hopes). From a close observation of the leaves of the tree, it appears that the tree has grown out of a mixture of the fig, mango and some other tree. People eat the seeds of the figs devotionally in the hope of getting rid of diseases. Mangoes are also eaten with utmost respect as Tabaruk. There is an ancient mosque by the side of the tomb. The mosque has been modernised in 1989-91. About 1500 devout Muslims in a body can now say their prayers there.

Adjacent to the main tomb complex of Shah Paran, found in the East of Sylhet, is another tomb visited by worshipers, that of Konya Shah. Legend has it that this follower of the great saints was neither man nor woman. There is a permanent exhibition of the life and times of this saint. Contemporary paintings and pictures featured at the tomb/exhibition depict a person most likely to be a eunuch. Though the original conquerors earned a prominent role in Islamic history, main stream Islam shuns the idea of worshiping saints and eunuchs.

A road bridge over the Surma River,[4] a passenger ferry[5] and a hall of residence at Shahjalal University of Science and Technology[6] have all been named after Shah Paran.

Urs

Urs (from Arabic: عرس‎, literally "wedding") is the death anniversary of a Sufi saint in South Asia, usually held at the saint's dargah (shrine or tomb). South Asian Sufis being mainly Chishtiyya, refer to their saints as lovers and God as beloved. They refer to their death as wisaal (union with the beloved) and death anniversary as urs (marriage). Urs rituals are generally performed by the custodians of the shrine, and may often include the singing of religious music such as qawwali.

http://www.banglapedia.org/httpdocs/HT/S_0249.HTM

Shah Paran (R) a renowned sufi belonging to the Suhrawardia and Jalalia sects. It is said that he was the son of a sister of Hazrat shah jalal (R) and was born in Yemen. He, with his uncle, took part in the expedition of sylhet (1303 AD). After the conquest of Sylhet he established his khanqah at Khadim Nagar in Dakshingarh Pargana, about 7 km away from Sylhet town, and started spiritual ascetic practice there. He played a significant role in propagating Islam and establishing Muslim rule in Sylhet region.

Even now a large number of people daily visit his tomb. On the 4th, 5th and 6th day of Rabi-ul-Awal, the Urs of Hazrat Shah Paran (R) takes place. His grave is located in a high hillock and it is carefully preserved at a place which is built with bricks and surrounded by walls. On the northern side of the grave there is an old tree, the branches and branchlets of which are extended above the entire tomb. The name of the tree is 'Ashagachh' (a tree of hopes). From a close observation of the leaves of the tree, it appears that the tree has grown out of a mixture of the fig, mango and some other tree. People eat the seeds of the figs devotionally in the hope of getting rid of diseases. Mangoes are also eaten with utmost respect as Tabaruk. There is an ancient mosque by the side of the tomb. The mosque has been modernised in 1989-91. About 1500 devout Muslims in a body can now say their prayers there.

HAR Gibb, Ibn Battuta: Travels in Asia and Africa, London 1928; 'Gulzar-i-Abrar of Ghausi', Journal of the Asiatic Society of Pakistan, II, 1959; Muhammad Enamul Haq, A History of Sufism in Bengal, Dhaka 1975; A Karim, Social History of the Muslim in Bengal, (2nd ed), Chittagong 1985.

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