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| Hazrat Baba Haji Sher Muhammad Shaheed Dewan Chawli Mashaikh Shrine Plaque |
Distortion of History and Genealogical Fabrications: A Research Rebuttal to The News International Report
By: Peer Intizar Hussain Musawir
Journalism and historical analysis are not merely exercises in prose; they are sacred responsibilities built upon truth, impartiality, and verified documentation. When media platforms publish surface-level information, genealogical fabrications, and folklore in place of documented history, it becomes the intellectual duty of researchers to uphold the truth.
A report published in The News International titled "Urs of Baba Dewan continues" presents claims regarding the life, martyrdom, and lineage of the saint Hazrat Baba Haji Sher Muhammad Shaheed (R.A.)—popularly known as Dewan Chawli Mashaikh—that disregard primary historical sources and legal records. For public awareness and historical accuracy, the following facts are presented.
1. The Status of a Great Tabi'i and His Historical Era
Hazrat Baba Haji Sher Muhammad Shaheed (R.A.) is among the earliest Islamic scholars and saints of the Indian subcontinent, holding the honored rank of a Tabi'i. Authenticated historical traditions and family archives place his lifespan between 30 AH and 131 AH. He lived during the era of the Sahaba (R.A.), studied in Madinah Munawwarah, and brought the spiritual teachings of Islam to this region. Conflating his ancient era with much later historical periods represents a fundamental flaw in research.
2. Hashemite and Abbasid Lineage
Hazrat Baba Haji Sher Muhammad Shaheed (R.A.) traces his direct ancestry to Hazrat Abbas ibn Abd al-Muttalib (R.A.), the uncle of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). His Hashemite-Abbasid lineage is recorded in ancient manuscripts. Attempting to modify or interweave his lineage based on unverified local tales holds no weight against documented genealogical records.
3. Historical Facts of Martyrdom vs. Folklore
The claims regarding the date and circumstances of his martyrdom rely on fabricated folklore. Primary historical sources confirm that the authentic date of his martyrdom is 27th of Ramadan. Later local legends cannot replace historical veracity.
4. The 1034 AH Inscription, Persian Couplets, and the Term "Makhdoom"
The antiquity of the sanctuary at Dewan Sahib (Burewala) and the hereditary rights of the Owaisiah Hashemi family are backed by undeniable historical and judicial evidence. The primary proof is the Persian inscription dated 1034 AH (Jahangiri Era) installed at the shrine:
"Chun shud az Hazrat-e-Makhdoom Chawli Mashaikh bara-e-buniad nihada..." "Sanah Alif See Chahar Hijrat Guzashtah Bood..."
Who is the "Makhdoom"? In classical mystical and administrative terminology, "Makhdoom" (the revered master) refers directly to Hazrat Baba Haji Sher Muhammad Dewan (Dewan Chawli Mashaikh) himself, whose sanctuary served as a spiritual fortress. The hereditary custodianship (Sajjada Nashini) of this sanctuary has legally and historically remained with the Owaisiah Hashemi family, supported by:
- Tawareekh-e-Multan (1884): Munshi Hukam Chand's historical record documenting the sanctuary's ancient origins.
- Judicial and Revenue Decrees (1890 & 1949): Formal rulings by British and Pakistani courts confirming the hereditary rights of the Owaisiah Hashemi custodians.
5. A Sanctuary for Great Sufi Saints
For centuries, this sanctuary has been a major spiritual center. Figures such as Hazrat Baba Fariduddin Ganj Shakar (R.A.) and Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar (R.A.) visited and observed spiritual retreats (I'tikaf) at this shrine, proving its early standing in Islamic history.
Conclusion
Researching historical and spiritual personalities requires reliance on primary inscriptions, judicial archives, and verified family lineages rather than unverified narratives. Media outlets must uphold historical integrity to ensure accurate information reaches global readers.
