Daanish Malik, Jamia Ahmadiyya Canada
The information mentioned in this article has been extracted from the Urdu book titled “Hazrat Maulvi Abdullah Sanori Sahibra” which is available on alislam.org.
The story of the red drops. It is a story we have all likely heard at least once if not numerous times. But do we know who the man with the Promised Messiahas was? The early history of the Jamaat has such amazing stories of individuals who may have passed away but their impact lives on. It’s important to recount the lives of our forefathers, of those brave souls who had the zeal and courage to fulfil the instruction of the Holy Prophetsa and pledge allegiance at the hand of the Imam Mahdi.
Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa explained on one occasion the benefit of recounting such stories:
“This will result in a strengthening of the connection of the new generations with the Jamaat and will also help in their training.” (Hazrat Khalifatul Masih Vaa, Friday Sermon, 12 October 2012, www.alislam.org/friday-sermon/2012-10-12.html)
So who was the companion who partook in the incident of the red drops?
Hazrat Munshi Abdullah Sanori sahibra.
Born in 1861, he was the son of Karim Bakhsh sahib and the grandson of Muhammad Bakhsh sahib. He was born in the state of Patayala Tehseeldar Sir e Hind, specifically, in the town of Sanor.
In his childhood, he was a very quiet and unassuming boy. He had tremendous sympathy and compassion for others. This extended to all of God’s creation including birds and other small animals. He would often take pieces of bread and feed them to birds. Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra was very intelligent. He was especially gifted in mathematics and would never hesitate to tutor others.
Family background
Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahib’sra family was very religiously inclined and pious. They were also renowned for their love of knowledge. Although they primarily worked in the field of zameendari (landholding), this was actually a means for them to advance their education as they were very passionate about the acquisition of knowledge. The funds used from the work would be used to support education.
Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahib’sra maternal uncle, Muhammad Yusuf sahib, played a key role in the moral upbringing of Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra. He was constantly vigilant about his engagements and would always be arranging various means for him to advance in spirituality.
Spirituality during his youth
Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra was a part of the Ahl-e-Hadith sect before joining the Jamaat of the Promised Messiahas. He was strict in his adherence to the principles of Islam and avoided all forms of innovation. His maternal uncle, Muhammad Yusuf, was pivotal in his moral upbringing. He had a special affection for Abdullah Sanori sahibra. Thus, he urged his nephew to visit Amritsar and spend time with Abdullah Ghaznawi sahib. Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra fulfilled his uncle’s wishes. After spending some time in his spiritual proximity, he decided to take the bai’at (oath of allegiance) at Ghaznawi sahib’s hands.
A saint in Qadian
Despite finding a spiritual guide, he still felt unsatisfied and sought his maternal uncle’s assistance in finding other saints. Initially, his uncle had heard of a great saintly figure in the village of Arah. Accordingly, he decided to journey to meet this figure. However, just before departure, Muhammad Yusuf sahib had heard of another divine and complete figure in the small village of Qadian. He was apparently writing a book with a challenge of ten thousand rupees to match. Thus, Abdullah Sanori sahibra was told that if he was to visit any saint, it should be this one. Upon hearing this, he immediately departed to Qadian.
Meeting the Promised Messiahas
At the age of 20 or 21, Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra had the great honour of meeting the Promised Messiahas. When he reached Qadian, the Promised Messiahas was in Bait-ul-Fikr reciting the Holy Quran. Sanori sahibra said “Assalamu Alaikum” to Huzooras and introduced himself. His heart felt great comfort and tranquillity by being in the company of the Promised Messiahas. He recognised a light and distinct beauty on the Promised Messiah’sas face. He later admitted that the Promised Messiah’sas face was enough to guide him to acceptance. Although he initially only spent a few days, he quickly returned to Qadian and stayed a week more.
Following this, he began to regularly visit Qadian whenever he had any free time. He would spend months on end with the Promised Messiahas. Especially in the month of Ramadan, he made sure to spend time in Huzoor’sas presence. Whenever Huzooras had an excess of work, he would write to Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra and he would immediately go to Qadian. During these days, Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra would often get the opportunity to benefit from the company of the Promised Messiahas.
Testifying to the miracles of the Promised Messiahas
Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra had the blessed opportunity of personally witnessing many miracles of the Promised Messiahas. For instance, on the 10th of July 1885, he was with the Promised Messiahas who was as usual resting on Masjid Mubarak. He was massaging the feet of the Promised Messiahas and suddenly Huzooras began to tremble, after which Huzooras had tears in his eyes. Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra noticed that there were red drops on Huzoor’sas garment. Upon seeing this he thought of:
صِبۡغَةَ ٱللَّهِ وَمَنۡ أَحۡسَنُ مِنَ ٱللَّهِ صِبۡغَةٗ
He later on asked Huzooras as to what caused these drops of red ink. Huzooras explained that he saw a vision of God sitting atop a building signing various decrees. In this vision, God was using a red ink pen. These drops were a manifestation of that vision. Huzooras then pointed out that there were some drops on Sanori sahib’sra hat as well. Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra then requested Huzooras to have his garment, but Huzooras only agreed on the condition that it was buried with him.
Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra also had the honour of witnessing the Revealed Sermon on the occasion of Eid ul Adha in 1900.
Travelling with the Promised Messiahas
Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra had the honour of going on countless journeys with the Promised Messiahas. Whenever Huzooras would plan to go on a journey, he would write to Sanori sahibra and tell him to accompany him. He travelled with Huzooras to Hoshiarpur, Lahora, Patiala, Amritsar, Ali Gurh, and many other cities.
Taking the bai’at (Oath of allegiance)
Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra sought to take bai’at at the hands of Huzooras for many years. In 1889, when Allah the Almighty commanded him to take the ba’ait, Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra was also blessed to take part. He was fortunate to be the fourth person to take bai’at that blessed day.
Obedience to the Promised Messiahas
Prior to his acceptance of the Promised Messiahas, Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra had the habit of using hookah. Once Huzooras found out about this and in a gathering, asked a companion to bring Hookah and ordered Sanori sahibra to smoke it. Initially, Sanori sahibra was very embarrassed so he hesitated. However, Huzooras told him that you have a habit of smoking so why are you embarrassed now? Eventually, Sanori sahibra took a small amount. Huzooras then told him that he was staunchly opposed to this habit. Upon hearing this Sanori sahibra says that his heart began to hate the practice.
Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra had the blessed opportunity to personally learn the meaning and commentary of the Holy Quran from the Promised Messiahas himself during the month of Ramadan. After learning under the Promised Messiahas he notes that a new and deep understanding of the Holy Quran opened up to him.
Once Huzooras prepared a pamphlet to invite opponents and non-Muslims to come see the signs of his truthfulness. Huzooras instructed Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra to deliver this pamphlet to a priest, Wyatt Bright. It was late afternoon and it was cold and rainy. Another companion was given this task too but he chose to wait till the next day. However, Sanori sahibra said that since Huzooras has given him this work, he must go and complete it now. He went straight to the priest and delivered the message.
Important services
Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra served the Promised Messiahas since their first meeting. Despite having a humble job and earnings, he spent months on end completing the tasks assigned to him by Huzooras. Early on, Huzooras would have Sanori sahibra transcribe his letters. Often Huzooras would send Sanori sahibra to Amritsar to complete publication work. Similarly, he sent Hazrat Sanori sahibra to carry out the work associated with his revelation “وسع مکانک.”
When Huzooras first published Barahin-e-Ahmadiyya, he would often reply to letters by himself. These responses would require vast theological knowledge. However, when Huzooras was familiarised with Sanori sahibra, he passed this on to him.
As mentioned earlier, despite a humble job, Hazrat Sanori sahibra was open-hearted in his donations for the propagation of Islam. He would constantly donate for the sake of religion. Huzooras praised him in his book “Izala Auham” highlighting that despite humble earnings, he always has the habit of donating in the cause of Allah. He even urged his wife to sell her jewellery and donate the funds in the cause of Islam. Huzooras personally wrote to Sanori sahibra and his wife regarding this sacrifice and prayed for them.
During the era of Hazrat Musleh Maudra, Hazrat Sanori sahibra had the honor of partaking in a mubahila in 1916. Maulvi Sanauallah Amritsari raised various allegations on the incident of the red drops, so Sanori sahibra was sent to respond. He went to his house on 27 November 1916 to respond, however, Mualvi Sanuallah never responded.
Additionally, Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra played a big role in the collection of the narrations of Sirat ul Mahdi by Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad M.A.ra. Many narrations have been narrated directly by him.
The Promised Messiah’sas love for Hazrat Sanori sahibra
On countless occasions, it is mentioned by Huzooras that he prayed especially for Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra. Anytime Sanori sahibra faced a difficulty or went through a trial, Huzooras would pray for him.
Huzooras himself once stated, “I am very happy with you. I know that Allah has filled your heart with sincerity and love.”
His family
Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra had two wives. His first marriage was before moving to Qadian. From his first wife, he had four sons and one daughter: Rahmatullah sahib, Habeebullah sahib, Abdur Raheem sahib, Ismatullah sahib, and Sharifan sahiba.
When the need for his second marriage arose, he began searching for potential spouses. He informed Huzooras regarding this and Huzooras himself helped search for spouses. When Huzooras was praying regarding this, he received the revelation “نا کامی” and then he received the revelation “فصبر جمیل”. Eventually, Hazrat Master Qadir Bakhsh sahib gave his daughter, Zainab sahiba, in rishta to Sanori sahibra. Master sahib faced great opposition from his father and family due to this, however, Allah greatly blessed this marriage.
From his second wife, he had one son and one daughter: Abdul Qadeer Niyaz sahib and Maryam sahiba.
Death
Hazrat Abdullah Sanori sahibra passed away on 7 October 1927 at the age of 66. Although he was generally healthy, he suffered from a stroke a few days before his death. This pious soul served the community of the Promised Messiahas till his final breaths. He had the great honour of serving Huzooras for 26 years.