Khalifatullah Mehdi AS

Seerat Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ

Khalifa-e-Awwal, Bandagi Miran Hazrat

SYED MAHMOOD

Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ

BY FAQIR SYED ZIAULLAH YADULLAHI

Syed as-Sadaat, Manba'-al-Barkaat Siddiq-e-Akbar Hazrat Sani-e-Mahdi¹ Hazrat Syed Mahmood^RZ was born in Jaunpur [in what is now called Uttar Pradesh, India]. He was the eldest son of Khatam al-Awlia, Amrullah, Muradullah, Khalifatullah² Hazrat Syed Muhammad Mahdi Mau'ood^AS ³ . Hazrat Bibi Badhanji^RZ was his sister, two years elder to him. The age of Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS was 22 years at the time of the birth Hazrat Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ. Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS started his life long migration at the age of forty from Jaunpur. At that time the age of Hazrat Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ was 18 years.

Danapur

The first camp of Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS after he left Jaunpur was Danapur [now in Bihar, India]. Here Hazrat Bibi Ilahdati^RZ, wife of Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS, saw in a dream. During this dream, the Bibi^RZ came to know that Hazrat Imam Syed Muhammad^AS was the Mahdi Mau'ood^AS ⁴ . She told the details of the dream to Hazrat Imam^AS. He told her that all that she had seen and heard in her dream was true. She confirmed [performed the tasdiq] of his being the Mahdi Mau'ood^AS. She was the first among the women to achieve this honour. The Bibi^RZ was the first wife of Hazrat Imam^AS and his first cousin.

When this conversation between Hazrat Imam^AS and his wife was going on, Hazrat Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ heard it as he was standing outside the tent with the result that he experienced a divine ecstasy and fell down. Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS came out of the tent and carried him inside the tent. Later, when he regained his consciousness, he performed the tasdiq of his father as the Mahdi Mau'ood. The third person to perform similar tasdiq on that day was Hazrat Shah Dilawar^RZ who in due course became the fifth Khalifa [successor] of Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS.

Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS was in continuous migration for 23 years till his last breath. During a large part of this journey, Hazrat Syed Mahmood^RZ was in the company of his blessed father. He was educated in the guidance of his father.

Death of Bibi^RZ

Visiting various places, Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS reached the town of Chapanir [in Gujarat, Western India]. Hazrat Bibi Ilahditi^RZ expired and she was buried at the foot of the Dongri hill. After this Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS visited many places in the Deccan [South India] and came to Gulbarga and Bijapur [now in Karnataka, India]. Then the Imam^RZ went on a pilgrimage to Makkah in Saudi Arabia and performed Haj⁵ in the year 901 AH where he proclaimed to be Mahdi Mau'ood^AS. On his return to India, he reiterated his claim at Ahmadabad in 903 AH for the second time. His third claim, which is called the Dawa-e-Muakkad, came at Barhli near Patan in Gujarat, India in 905 AH. All these years, Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ remained in the august company of Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS.

In 903 AH before the Dawa-e-Muakkad, Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS went to the city of Patan in Gujarat and stayed there for a long time. During this stay, Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ asked Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS one day, "A person is a faqir from the day he is born. Another person gives up the world and performs tark-e-dunya. What are the ranks of these two persons?" Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS said, "The difference between the two is like the difference between the earth and the sky. He will get as much as he has left in [this] world. [He will get] ten times here and seventy times in the Hereafter."

"Remain in Remembrance of God"

After this Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ prepared for the journey and came in the august presence of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS. Hazrat Imam^AS was performing the wazu [ablutions] for the Zuhr [afternoon] prayers. Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ sought permission [to embark on journey]. Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS told him, "Mount the steed! Remain in the remembrance of Allah, wherever you are. You are in the panah [protection] of Allah. It is easy for Allah Most High to bring you near us Insha Allah [God willing]. Assalam 'Alaikum!"

With tears in his eyes, Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ started his journey. Completing the day's journey, he halted for the night. A trader joined him as he proceeded further. At the next halt two persons joined him. By the time he reached Chapanir, there were ten persons with him. He camped at a garden in Chapanir and sent two of his companions to inform Syed Usman, a minister in the Government of Gujarat, of his arrival. Syed Usman had performed the tasdiq of Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS. Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ's message was: "Allah Most High has brought me here. I have come with the intention of seeking employment."

Syed Usman was very happy at this. He sent the necessary things, horses, camels etc. He also informed the king of Gujarat, Sultan Mahmud Be-Gadha⁶ . The Sultan met Hazrat Bandagi Miran^RZ after inviting him to his court. He gave one hundred thousand Tinkas⁷ , and appointed him to a high position in his army. He also gave the jagir⁸ of Biramgaon and Sanchuri to Hazrat Bandagi Miran^RZ.

Marriage

Hazrat Bandagi Miran^RZ's first wife was Hazrat Bibi Khub Kalan^RZ, who had great love for him. She died issueless. After long years, Hazrat Bandagi Miran^RZ married Bibi Kad Bano^RZ, daughter of Syed Usman. She gave birth to three sons, Hazrat Syed Abdul Hai^RZ, Hazrat Syed Ahmad^RZ, and Hazrat Syed Yaqub^RZ and a daughter. Hazrat Syed Ahmad died in infancy.

Meanwhile, Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS had reached Thatta⁹ where 84 seekers of Allah Most High had succumbed to starvation and Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS had given them the glad tidings of the ranks of the prophets, including those of Hazrat Esa^AS and Hazrat Musa^AS, to them all. Hazrat Syed Salamullah^RZ, who was the brother of Hazrat Bibi Ilahditi^RZ and maternal uncle of Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ, wrote a letter to Hazrat Bandagi Miran^RZ praising the latter very much. Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS was not happy with the other contents of this letter. He told Hazrat Salamullah^RZ, "Miran Syed Mahmood is in Thatta and this banda [Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS] is in Chapanir." He repeated this thrice and said, "This banda is Miran, but Syed Mahmood^RZ is Awwal Miran¹⁰ ! Hence, Hazrat Salamullah^RZ rewrote the letter as suggested by Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS and sent it to Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ at Chapanir.

Dream and Return

When Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ saw this letter, he became restless and started lamenting. Meanwhile, he also saw in a dream that Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS and Hazrat Prophet Muhammad Mustafa^SLM lifted him to a standing position and said, "Stand up! This place is not worthy of you." When he woke up, he found himself standing outside the door of his house. He decided he would not go back into the house and sent word to his wife Bibi Kad Bano^RZ, "You go to the house of your father, Syed Usman, and stay there. This banda goes to Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS." The Bibi^RZ sent word, "I too will accompany you. Allah Most High will help us!"

The journey started and Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ reached Radhanpur in Gujarat. The provisions for the journey had been spent. Meanwhile, the companions of Imam^AS, including Hazrat Shah Nei'mat^RZ and Bandagi Miyan Syed-ash-Shuhada Syed Khundmir^RZ, also arrived at Radhanpur. Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ learnt that the journey provisions of Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ had been spent and that, therefore, he was staying there. He brought all the futuh [donations] that Bibi Raje Soon^RZ had sent to Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS [through Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ] and presented them to Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ. The latter advised Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ to keep all the futuh with him and start the journey. The conversation between the two has been reported in the books of narratives [naqliat] and parables [rivayaat]. According to them, Hazrat Syed Khundmir^RZ said, "Miranji! A thousand thanks to Allah Most High that we have met our Lord and the master of all these things. We have met our Mahdi here itself." Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ was very happy to hear these words. This shows how great love and devotion Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ had for Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ.

After this, Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ arranged for a palanquin for Hazrat Bibi Kad Bano^RZ. She was made to sit in it. Thus devotedly and sincerely serving Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ, their caravan reached Thatta. There, they heard that Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS had continued his journey towards Khorasan. Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ was very sad at hearing news. This was conveyed to Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ. Then he told Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ, "Miranji! We will go towards Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS. It is easy for Allah Most High to help us reach the holy presence of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS safely. You need not be grief-stricken on this count. If you find there is not enough provisions or money to continue the journey this banda is at your service! You say sell him at the market place and use the money received to reach the august presence of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS ¹¹ ."

The caravan continued its journey towards Khorasan. Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ sent Miyan Shaikh Muhammad Kabir^RZ to inform Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS. The Imam^AS was very happy to learn of the progress of the journey of his son, Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ, and Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ. He was restless and would not sit in peace. He would come to his house and then go to the gate of the daira¹² . Hazrat Bibi Buwanji^RZ, wife of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS, and asked the Imam^AS, "Does the Imam Mahdi too celebrate the arrival of his son in this way?" The Imam^AS said, "The son comes as a [dutiful] son, why should it not be celebrated?"

Caravan arrives

When the caravan of Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ and his colleagues arrived at the Daira, Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS went ahead to welcome his son and others^RZ. He embraced his son. The father and the son wept and their tears of joy at the reunion were so profuse that their shoulders became wet.

Later, Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ praised the service Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ had rendered with love and devotion during the journey before Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS. The latter told him, "Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ is [like] your real brother." Hazrat Bibi Malkan^RZ [wife of Hazrat Imam^AS] brought Hazrat Bibi Kad Bano^RZ into the house. Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS gave glad tidings to Hazrat Bibi Kad Bano^RZ.

Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS lived for six months after the arrival at Farah of the Syeds [Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ and Siddiq-e-Vilayat Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ]. During this short period, Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS trained the two Syeds in such a manner that they became the sun and moon of the realm of Tariqat and Ma'rifat [that is, of the Sainthood of Hazrat Prophet Muhammad Mustafa^SLM].

Death of Hazrat Imam^AS

Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS breathed his last in 910 AH. Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ and Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Shah Nei'mat^RZ persuaded Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ to lead the funeral congregation of prayers. Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ led the prayers. He also delivered the condolence discourse of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS on the occasion.

On the tenth day after the demise of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS, Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ took Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ's permission and started on his journey to India. He came to Gujarat and camped at Sultanpur village. A large number of people paid fealty to Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS at his hands. The seekers of Allah Most High joined his daira.

After some nine months after the death of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS, Hazrat Sani-e-Mahdi Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ left Khorasan and arrived in India with his colleagues^RZ and camped at the Bhilot village. At that time, nine hundred shares of sawaiyyat were distributed in the daira of Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ. [This means that there were 900 seekers of Allah Most High in his daira].

Hazrat Syed Khundmir^RZ's devotion to Hazrat Syed Mahmood^RZ

When the news of the arrival of Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ and stay at Bhelot in Gujarat spread and Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ came to know of it, he came to the village of Bhilot and stayed in the company of Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ. Later, Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ told Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ, "You may please go to your daira as the seekers of Allah Most High may be waiting for you."

Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ said, "This banda [servant] has come with the intention of remaining in the company of the Miran¹³ [that is Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ]."

Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ said, "Make us happy and go." In this way Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ persuaded Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ to leave his daira and go to his own daira. Although Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ went away to please Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ, his love and devotion towards the Miran^RZ did not allow him to remain in Sultanpur in peace. A thought occurred to him that initially he had gone alone to Bhelot and probably that was why Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ did not allow him to stay there. He thought, "If I go now with the seekers of Allah Most High, he might allow me to stay there." Hence, four months later, Hazrat Syed ash-shuhda Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ arrived with all the seekers of Allah Most High of his daira to Bhelot to remain in the daira of Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ and stayed there for about a month. Again, Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ told Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ, "Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ! You stay separately." But Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ said, "I have come with the intention of remaining in your company."

It may be recalled here that Suhbat [company] has a special meaning among the Mahdavia community. Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS has, in accordance with the command of Allah Most High, made Suhbat-e-Sadiqin [company of the Truthful or those who have performed the tasdiq (affirmation and confirmation) of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS] a Farz [obligation of Vilayat]. The intention of Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ indicates that he wanted to remain in the company of Hazrat Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ. This is a rare and magnificent example of the 'aj'z-o-inkisar [humility and lowliness] and 'ali zarfi [magnanimity and large-heartedness] of Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ.

Then Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ took Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ by the hand to a secluded place and said, "I am the one who desires your good. Act as I ask you to. Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS has placed the burden of "fought and were slain¹⁴ " This would become impossible, if you remain with us. Hence, you remain separately so that the people listen to your bayan [discourse] on Quran, get initiated on your hand and help you so that the saying of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS is rendered possible." Hence, Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ left Bhelot in tears with his companions and seekers of his daira and camped at Bholara¹⁵ .

Similarly, Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ persuaded Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Shah Nei'mat^RZ, Bandagi Miyan Shah Nizam^RZ and many other companions of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS to establish their own dairas and live separately across the country to propagate the religion. His intention was that the Mahdavi dairas should be established at various places and the religion of the Mahdavis should flourish. A better example of the spreading the religion and call to the people towards it is hard to be found.

However, Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Shah Dilawar^RZ remained in the daira of Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ. When Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ tried to persuade him to leave Bhilot daira and establish his own daira, Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Shah Dilawar^RZ asked Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ not to order him to leave his daira on oath in the name of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS. Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ ordered many other companions of Hazrat Imam^AS to go and establish their own dairas. Apart from those who were ordered to go, all other companions of Hazrat Imam^AS remained in the company of Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ till the latter's death.

Weekly Congregations

Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ used to call the ijma [congregation] of the companions^RZ of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS every Friday after the prayers and address them by saying, "All of you are the companions of Hazrat Imam Aakhir-az-Zaman Khalifa-tur-Rahman¹⁶ . You are under oath in the name of Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS and the religion of Allah Most High. If you find anything opposed to the Shar'iat or to the objective of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS in me and as a favour to me do not warn me about it, you will become a sinner of the religion. And Syed Mahmood is the most contemptible among the companions^RZ of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS. But if I were to see anything opposed to the objective of Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS in you and as a favour to you forgives you, I would not be of the Mahdi^AS." Be it known that all the companions^RZ of Hazrat Imam Mahdi^AS, and, in particular, Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ used to reply, "We have not seen any difference between the times of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS and Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ ¹⁷ ."

Title of Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ

Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS died in Farah [in Western Afghanistan]. Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Shah Nizam^RZ entered the grave at the funeral to set right things before interring the body. All of a sudden Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ saw that the hair of Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ, that were black, had turned partly grey and the face of Hazrat Syed Mahmood^RZ had become just like that of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS. In a loud voice, Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ said, "Our Mahdi is standing among us. We have not buried the Mahdi^AS." All those present, turned to Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ and expressed similar sentiments. In this way, the title of Hazrat Syed Mahmood^RZ became Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ.

Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS had said that his companions were like the coals in a goldsmith's kiln wherein some coals had fully lighted, while others were half or even less lighted and some had just started being lighted. They would all be completely perfected in the guidance of Bhai Syed Mahmood^RZ. This prediction finally came true. All the companions of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS became perfect during the Khilafat of Hazrat Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ.

The way Hazrat Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ and other companions^RZ propagated the religion of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS made the opponents became envious. The opposing ulema-e-soo [the evil scholars] complained to king Muzaffar of Gujarat. This ruler was hostile to the Mahdavis. He ordered the arrest and imprisoning of Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ. When the government official arrived, the Hazrat^RZ extended his legs and said, "Obey the orders of your king." The oppressors put the shackles weighing one and a quarter maund [approximately 50 kgs.] on the legs of Hazrat Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ and took him away from his daira at Bhelot and incarcerated him in the prison. Hazrat Syed Mahmood^RZ took Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Shah Dilawar^RZ with him. The officials prohibited others who wanted to accompany him.

When informed of this arrest and imprisonment, Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ came to the prison and told Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ, "If permitted I will break the prison and take you out of it." Hazrat Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ advised him against any such action and said, "We are not thieves that we should run away in that manner. Allah Most High has brought us here and He will rescue us from here. If you can do some thing else, try it."

Release and death

Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ informed the paternal aunts, Bibi Raje Soon^RZ and Bibi Raje Muradi^RZ, of king Muzaffar about the arrest and imprisonment of Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ. Both the sisters of Muzaffar's father were the murids [disciples] of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS. They abstained from food and water, came to the courtyard of their royal palace and lied down there in hot sun protesting the arrest and imprisonment. When Sultan Muzaffar came to know of it, he ordered the release of Hazrat Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ. He was set free forty-one days after incarceration. But due to the fetters weighing fifty kilograms, the legs had developed ulcers. Three months later, due to the ulcers, Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood Sani-e-Madi^RZ breathed his last on the 4th day of Ramazan, 918 AH. "To Allah we belong and to Him we return¹⁸ ." He was laid to eternal rest at Bhelot Sharif, Gujarat, India.

After the demise of Hazrat Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ, somebody said, "Alas! Hazrat Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ did not leave a Khalifa." Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Shah Dilawar^RZ said in reply, "This banda is the Khalifa of Hazrat Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ." Similarly, Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ Syed ash-shuhda also said, "Beware! This banda is the Khalifa of Hazrat Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ."

On the day of the demise of Hazrat Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ, the azan [prayer call] was sounded at 18 places in the Daira of Bhelot. The prayer congregations were held at all those places. In this way, the centrality of the Mahdavia community that prevailed during the time of Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Muhammad Mahdi Mau'ood^AS and Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ came to an end. However, the affection and devotion between Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood Sani-e-Mahdi^RZ and Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ will survive and the magnanimity and grandeur of these two eminent personalities is an example of excellence for generations to follow.

It means: The leader of the Syeds [the descendants of Hazrat Prophet Muhammad^SLM], The Fountain of Benedictions, The Great Truthful, and Mahdi the Second.
It means: The Seal of Sainthood, The Command of Allah, The Purport of Allah and the Caliph [Vice-Regent of Allah].
It means: The Promised Mahdi.
The Promised True Guide.
Haj is the pilgrimage to the Holy Shrine of Makkah.
Be-Gadha is the title of the king of Gujarat. Garh means a fort. He was called Be-Gadha as he had two forts.
Tinka was the local coin in those days.
Jagir is a fiefdom.
Thatta is a town in Sindh, the southern province of Pakistan.
Miran is the title of Syeds [the descendant of Hazrat Prophet Muhammad^SLM] and head, leader etc. Awwal Miran is superior to Miran.
Panj Fazail, by Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Ruhullah^RA, Hyderabad, 1990 AD, Page 11. It may also be noted that in those days, the system of slavery and the sale and purchase of slaves was in vogue in India too. So, any human being could be sold for money. -SZY.
Daira literally means a circle. Here it means the habitat of Hazrat Imam Mahdi Mau'ood^AS and his companions, a small locality where they stayed and performed their prayers and devotions away from the hustle and bustle of the cities.
The term "remaining in the company of" has great significance in the Mahdavia parlance. For a seeker of Allah "remaining in the company" of his murshid is one of the Faraiz-e-Vilayat [Obligations of Sainthood] and it is a necessity for the murids. This desire and request of Hazrat Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir^RZ indicates that he considered Hazrat Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood^RZ as his murshid.
'Fought and were slain' is part of a Quranic Verse S. 3: 195 Abdullah Yusuf Ali. It reads: "....So those who fled and were driven forth from their homes and suffered damage for My cause, and fought and were slain, Verily, I shall bring them into Gardens underneath which rivers flow-A reward from Allah. And with Allah is the fairest of rewards.
Panj Fazail, page 17.
Imam Aakhir-az-Zaman Khalifa-tur-Rahman means the Leader of the Last Era and Vice-Regent of Allah, the Merciful.
Panj Fazail, pages 20-21.
Quran, S. 2: 156 Abdullah Yusuf Ali.