Haji Hud was a prominent Muslim saint who migrated to India and settled there for propagation of Islam.
Birth and Early Life
Haji Hud was born in 416 Hijri in Khanfur near Damascus in Syria. His ancestry reaches to Imam Hussain ibn Ali through Imam Mohammmad Baqir. His father Sultan Sayyed Avvana Subhani Abdullāh dreamed that he received a message from Mohammmad that he would be blessed with a pious son. He was advised to name him 'Hud'.
At a young age Haji Hud was excelled in the administration of Samarqand. He was fully responsible for all the duties as the king but most his time was spent in Ibaadat. In 444 Hijri, he dreamed that Muhammad told him to leave the kingdom and spend the rest of his life in the path of Islamic devotion. At the age of 28, he forfeited the throne and traveled to Mecca along with his associates.
He lived in Mecca for 36 years and went for Hajj 36 times as mentioned in "Pirnama". His days in Mecca and then in Medina were spent in constant Ibadat and Riyazat. It is mentioned in "Muqasifat e Mohammadiya" that once in Medina, near the shrine of the prophet, Haji Hud was reciting the Durood and spontaneously words came out from his mouth 'Ya Jadadi '. In reply a sound came from the Roza 'Ya Waladi '. Since then he acquired a Mehboobiyat and then got divine inspiration to go to India for tableegh of Islam.
Travels
From Madina, Haji Hud went to Chisht via Yemen. It was a prominent religious learning center of its time. There, he met Khwaja Sayyed Nasiruddin Abu Yusuf Chishti and pledged Bai'at to him. Haji Hud's spiritual capabilities increased tremendously during this time. He was then given the "Khilafat" from the Peer along with gifts such as a prayer mat, asa mubarak, naalain and is given the title of "Qutub". Peer sahib asked him then to go and settle in Patan, a city in India.
Arrival in Patan
Then he went to Samarqand and got the titles of Abul Barakat, Shere Sani, Qutbul Aqtaab and from there he started journey towards India with 200 other people. Among others he was accompanied by his son Ismail Qadri, his Vazier Haji Hussain Rumi and the prince of Syria. They eventually arrived in Patan. Patan was the capital of Gujarat at that time and ruled by Karandev Solanki. He and his associates were the first Muslims to arrive in Patan. As the army started approaching Haji Hud and his accomplices, the soldiers started sinking into the ground. Some went as deep as their chests. They were unable to come out of the ground and begged Haji Huud for help. On hearing their plea, he asked the earth to release the soldiers. He told them, "I have not come to take something form you, but to show you the straight path. Allah is one and only the one worthy of worship. Hazrat Mohammad Mustafa sallallāhu alaihi wa sallam is his prophet". These words allegedly converted the entire army to Islam. The event impressed King Raja Karandev, who Hud permission to settle down in Patan.
In Patan
Haji Hud stayed in Patan for 51 years. Thousands accepted Islam under his influence. Thereby he earned the title of Mublligh e Azam. He is one of the pioneer peers to spread Islam in Gujarat. Others being Baba Rehan, Peer Sayyed Sharfuddin Mohammad, and Peer Sayyed Shahabuddin Ibne Sayyed Zahiruddin from Bharuch, Surat, and Kathiawad respectively. Haji Hud's son Ismail got khilafat from Ghaus-e-azam Pirane peer dastagir. There were several notable scholars among the descendants of Haji Hud. Makhdum Qazi Ahmed Jood and Ghaus ul Wara Hasan Faqih were among them.
Death
Haji Hud died on 15th Rajab 536 Hijri at the age of 117 years. His mazaar is in Patan near the Khan Sarovar.
