Dargah Pandua Sharif, Pandua or Pandva, Malda, West Bengal, India.
Pandua was known as Firozabad, and was also known as Hazrat Pandua due to the presence of many great Sufi scholars in the region.
In Sufism, strict practice and following the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) is the main thing. And love for the Prophet is paramount.
After visiting the historic Adina Mosque, we reached the famous Pandua Sharif Dargah to seek blessings.
This dargah is the tomb of the famous Sufi of his time Hazrat Makhdoom Alam Sheikh Alaul Haq Rahmatullah Alaih. Sheikh Alaul Haq (rip) was born here in Pandua in AD 1301. His father was a finance minister in the Bengal Sultanate who had come to Pandua from Lahore. His name was Asad Khalidi and he was a descendant of Khalid bin Waleed (may Allah be pleased with him) who was a companion of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
He received his early education from Nizam-ul-Haq Sarfi (rip) and went ahead in Sufism due to his passion to acquire excellent knowledge. He remained a disciple of Hazrat Akhi Siraj Rahmatullah Alaihe after his father’s death. Hazrat Akhi Siraj (rip) was the chief disciple of Nizamuddin Auliya (rip) and came to Bengal only on his orders.
Akhi Siraj (rip) was awarded the title of royal scholar in the Bengal Sultanate. He was from the Chishtiya order one of the very popular branch or sect of Sufism, which was originated in the city of Herat in Afghanistan in 930 AD.
Sufi Saints inspired by the ideology of the Chishti sect, are mainly known for their love, simplicity and generosity.
Alaul Haq (rip) was whole heartedly submitted to his spiritual and religious teacher. He was very much appreciated by Akhi Siraj (rip) who declared him his successor and Alaul Haq became his son inlaw after marriage to his daughter.
After the death of Akhi Siraj (rip), the Sultans of independent Bengal were appointed to respectable positions in the court of Ilyas Shah and Sikandar Shah. He also took the responsibility of looking after the royal treasury.
Alaul Haq (rip) established a Khanqah for the purpose of spiritual and religious gatherings where Sufi saints, initiates and students including common people used to gather to be benefited from his spiritual and religious teachings. Alaul Haq (rip) was known for his generosity and affection towards the poor and was ahead of the Sultan in helping the poor, due to which Sultan expelled him from Pandua to Sonargaon and allowed to return after almost two years.
His death anniversary or Urs is celebrated by the followers with full fervor as tribute to their spiritual master who was the affectionate and lover of Almighty. Urs is held every year from 23rd Rajab to 25th Rajab Month of Hijri calendar under the guidance of trustees and spiritual descendants.
This is a very popular Dargah or shrine known as Chhoti Dargah which is visited by a large number of followers seeking his blessings and finding peace.
It’s easily accessible from Malda Town by Road and Rail. There are many restaurants where Bengali Thali is quite popular among the visitors.