A Sketch on Life of Hafiz Akmal Shah Warsi

Hazrat Hafiz Akmal Shah Warsi was born in 1872 at Sanghoi Jhelum. He was the paternal uncle of Faqir Izat Shah Warsi. He got his preliminary education at home. Afterward attended Darul-Aloom Kharri Sharef for higher religious education. During 1890 joined the British Indian Army as a religious teacher. During 1897, he came to Delhi along with his battalion. One day he came to bazaar and went to a Barber Saloon for hair cut. Hafiz Akmal Shah observed a great hustle and bustle in the city, which was unusual. He enquired from the barber regarding this unusual activity in the city. The barber told Hafiz Akmal Shah that a Saint is coming to Delhi by train and people from every walk and religion are proceeding to Railway Station to welcome him. So Hafiz Akmal Shah also walked toward Railway Station. There was a great rush of people so he was stopped 15 yards away from the Main gate of Railway Station. He was disappointed as how it was possible for him to see the Saint from such a distance. When train reached and the police started managing the huge rush of people to make the headway for the Saint. Hafiz Akmal Shah observed that a very pious personality covered with orange Ahram was coming straight towards him. Hafiz Akmal Shah kissed his feet. The Saint lifted him up, embraced and said, “Punjabi Hafiz, you have come, OK, we meet again”. The Saint then proceeded further. After this Hafiz Akmal Shah came to know that the Saint was Sarkar Alam Panah Hazrat Hafiz Haji Waris Ali Shah.

Hafiz Akmal Shah joined his battalion but became restless. The next day, he reached the place where Sarkar Alam Panah was staying. He met Sarkar Alam Panah and requested to be his disciple. Sarkar asked which area he belonged and when told Sanghoi, Sarkar said, “oh Sanghoi, we have been there, we stayed there for 3 days”. Hafiz Akmal Shah was blessed and Sarkar said, “Keep this face in focus”. After this he remained in the battalion and kept meeting Sarkar Alam Panah. Hafiz Akmal Shah got detached from worldly affairs and reached in the court of Sarkar Alam Panah and requested through Baba Aughat Shah for Ahram. Sarkar Alam Panah ordered him to go to the parents and look after them and he shall get his share in due course of time. Hafiz Akmal Shah was a very humble, down to earth. He never got annoyed. He would remain smiling. He would follow Sarkar Alam Panah by all angles. According to the teaching of Sarkar Alam Panah, he would remain in journey. He would fall back at Nadala Kaporthalla State India where he was stationed for approximately thirty-six years. During this stay, thousands non-Muslims embraced Islam and became disciples of silsla warsia. A Christian named as Itta was a dacoit and a mercenary killer. He was notoriously famous gangster. Incidentally met with Hafiz Akmal Shah, he got completely changed person, became disciple and Warsi. After partition, reached in the service of Hafiz Akmal Shah. After the death of Hafiz Akmal Shah remained in Chapper Sharef and later on buried there.

During the life time of Sarkar Alam Panah, Hafiz Akmal Shah was in Deva Sharef in the service of Sarkar. One day Hafiz Akmal Shah was proceeding to mosque for Fajar prayer and heard a lady was crying at the top of her voice. Her mourning was unavoidable, and on enquiring he came to know that she is widow and had only one son who just died. Hafiz Akmal Shah went inside the house where dead body was lying. He told the old widow lady, that the boy is not dead but is in state of coma. The boy got up and Hafiz Akmal Shah came out of the house. After offering his prayer, went to the court of Sarkar Alam Panah. Sarkar said to Hafiz Akmal Shah, “Punjabi Hafiz, in future do not interfere in way of nature. Do not come to Deva Sharef during my lifetime. You will live in Jungle for thirteen years and not enter habitation. Hafiz Akmal Shah remained in Jungle for thirteen years and after ordered period reached Deva Sharef. Sarkar Alam Panah was at the state of transition. On the eve of “QUL” sharef, Baba Aughat Shah presented Hafiz Akmal Shah an Ahram, which was given by Sarkar Alam Panah for Hafiz Akmal Shah. After partition Hafiz Akmal Shah never stayed permanently at any place. While visiting Chapper Sharef (Gujar Khan) he became ill and died on 8 March 1948. Faqir Izat Shah reached Chapper Sharef for janaza prayer.

Now Chapper Sharef is the central place of Warsia Silsla in Pakistan. As per saying of Sarkar Alam Panah, “this is Deva Sharef in Pakistan”. The Mazar Sharef of Hafiz Akmal Shah Warsi and Faqir Izat Shah Warsi are in Chapper Sharef. A Trust Warsia is looking after the logistics of the Astana Alia. There are elaborate arrangements for lodging and boarding for every visitor. From 06 to 08 March, and 06 to 08 Sep, Urs are celebrated every year with a great zeal of religious Warsia fervor.