Khwaja Ahrar the Charismatic Spiritual Leader, history books have countless accounts about religious and spiritual leaders manifesting their spiritual and charismatic powers, which influenced their followers and established their credibility. When it comes to Khwaja Ubaidullah Ahrar, there are several instances that one can find in various books that spoke volumes about his charisma, spiritual powers and farsightedness, endowed upon him as the gifts from God.
Many of his close companions and followers often got baffled by the veracity and wisdom of Khwaja, the way he handled situations and people were sometimes not understood by them but later they realized how Khwaja Ahrar was blessed to see things not visible to the eye or mind.
As quoted by the author of “Rashahat”
There was once a judge who spent day and night in pursuit of seeking spiritual guidance from Khwaja Ahrar, he ignored him. Though Khwaja was considered the most courteous and empathetic leader of his times, his companions and followers couldn’t understand the reason behind this attitude. Because of his awe and authority, they couldn’t question him and saw that judge waiting for Khwaja’s attention for many days and then months. They, however, asked him one day why Khwaja Ahrar is ignoring someone who was striving for the path of wisdom to which he replied, “I can tell the difference if someone’s desire for a spiritual path is their wish for attaining superiority and authority. Whatever I am saying will be proved after ten years.” This was recorded by the disciples of Khwaja Ahrar and after ten years the veracity of whatever he said proved absolutely right when that judge was enjoying his authority as a governor and didn’t seem to be bothered about the spiritual journey at all.
Many times, the words of Khwaja Ahrar proved right, he could foresee what’s coming and when there was a matter pertaining to the well-being of a large number of people he notified them. However, about people that he predicted would harm his family, he chose to stay quiet and distant.
For instance, There was a man who spent twenty-eight years in Khwaja Ahrar’s service with the wish to receive any spiritual influence or grace from him. He never experienced anything of that sort, after a certain time period his frustration brought him to the point that he said, if I could have a knife I would either kill myself or respected Khwaja Ahrar.
After Khwaja Ahrar’s death, Samarkand was taken into power by Uzbek Khan and that man was made the governor who facilitated the assassination of Khwaja’s sons. Khwaja Ubaidullah Ahrar clearly knew about it forty years ago and therefore he didn’t express any geniality towards that man.
There are also instances quoted in books where Khwaja Ahrar would spiritually guide his followers, saving them from slipping into the wrongdoings or evil path. He would know what’s coming and therefore, he protected his disciples from sins and darkness.
Khwaja Ahrar had one disciple who was very good looking; he became acquainted with a woman who was very beautiful. She started visiting his house and he was very attracted to her, never forbade her from those visits. One day she proposed that they should be living together, at that moment the disciple heard Khwaja’s voice and he had to make the woman leave. Later Khwaja came and said, “The devil could have overshadowed you.”
Another account of Khwaja’s spiritual powers is that once there was a dinner fest where the food supplies weren’t enough to prepare a meal gratifying enough for the number of guests. Khwaja Ahrar asked the homeowner to use a specific amount of flour to cook the feast, he was terrified that he might get embarrassed because of low supplies but Khwaja Ahrar told him that everything is going to be fine. As the homeowner did what was instructed, the meal was prepared and served, every guest ate to the fill and there still was food left.
Many times the warnings and commands that Khwaja Ahrar issued to his followers saved them from natural disasters and inevitable troubles.
Traveling to Tashkent
Once, Khwaja was traveling to Tashkent during spring. As the darkness prevailed he made a stop to one of his associates’ house. Khwaja instructed everyone to sleep in a room with him when everyone was making their beds, he asked everyone to gather their possessions and follow him. Many were amazed at that command especially at that time of the night but they followed him. Khwaja took the followers to a hill, a flood came washing away properties, the house too in which Khwaja was staying. People who followed him managed to save themselves from getting killed and the ones who didn’t listen to him died.
All the above instances prove that Khwaja Ahrar was blessed with the spiritual guidance from God. He always used his powers wisely and helped the people, he never intended to bring upon wrath on the ones who didn’t follow him or questioned him. He had patience and empathy for even those who didn’t wish him well. Propagating the true essence of religion and Sufism, he led his followers to the way of prosperity for both the worlds. He would always give them rational reasons for the questions asked; this made him even more venerable in the hearts of so many followers, affiliates and rulers. They would love his company and sought him for all kinds of guidance.
Increased the Number of Followers
Khwaja Ahrar won over the hearts of his followers by proving his spiritual command. He would never say a thing that he wasn’t sure about or brag about just for the sake of establishing his credibility, history reveals that whatever predictions he made turned out to be true even after forty years or so. This increased the number of followers for Naqshbandi doctrine and compelled many researchers to dig out the historical accounts written on Khwaja Ubaidullah Ahrar. The reverent Khwaja still enjoys the most commended position among Sufi leaders and is looked up to for his acumen.
