The Martyrdom of Hazrat Sayed Ali Mira Datar

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 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 are 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.

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 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 placed a dot on his forehead. This caused him to become the people's enemy. At the time the 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. Mehmood 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:

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. Mehmood 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, Mehmood 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 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 letters and did not give them 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 was 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 it personally to Dada Jaan Saiyed Ali. The letter was delivered into Hazrat Sayed Ali's hands.

When Hazrat Sayed Ali read the letter, he informed his mother and elder brother of 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 had been years since the fight against the Mandogar King had been going on and no victory seemed 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."

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.

While Hazrat Sayed Ali was performing his Namaaz, in his heart he thought that if he was martyred in Allah's way, he would be buried in this exact 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: "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, relieved, and full of faith that they would now gain victory.

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

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

The Final Confrontation and Sacred Martyrdom

Hazrat Sayed Ali confronted the Mandogar King face to face. The king shivered out of fear as Hazrat Sayed Ali held the Mandogar King's platted hair at its nape.

Due to Hazrat Sayed Ali's kind heartedness he accepted the Mandogar King's request. While deeply engaged in conversation, Hazrat Sayed Ali was cowardly attacked. In the ensuing struggle, Hazrat Sayed Ali cut down the oppressor and attained the blessed status of Shaheed (martyrdom) in the way of Allah.

Hazrat Sayed Ali was martyred on a Monday in Muharram. On the sacred spot where he was martyred, flowers mysteriously gathered in abundance around him like a bed of roses.

Hazrat Sayed Ali appeared in his father's dream and informed Dosu Mia: "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 Mubarak body was transported by camel to Unava. When they arrived in Unava, the camel stopped at the very spot where Hazrat Sayed Ali had previously planted his Miswaak and performed prayer. The camel refused to move any further, showing clearly that this was the chosen resting place.

The Burial, Legacy & Spiritual Healing

Janaza-e-Mubarak was performed by Hazrat Sayed Ali's eldest brother, Aboo Muhammad. 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" — "Mira" meaning Brave, and "Datar" meaning Giver.

Through his bravery, he gave his life in the way of Imaan and for the pleasure of Allah. Today, the Holy Shrine (Astana-e-Mubarak) of Huzoor Saiyed Ali Mira Datar in Unava Sharif is visited by millions of people across the world of every faith — Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, and Christian.

At this sacred shrine, spiritual treatments are performed for black magic, evil spirits, psychiatric disorders, illnesses, and family issues. With Allah's permission and Hazrat Sayed Ali's intercession, countess hopeless souls have found total healing and peace for over 551 years.