34th Qutb Hazrat Sultan Ali Shah Gonabadi (Other Biography)
may his noble essence be sanctified
Mowlana Haj Mulla Sultan Muhammad Bidokhti Gonabadi, known as Sultan Ali Shah , was among the greatest scholars and mystics of Islam. He was born on 28 Jumada al-Awwal 1251 AH in Bidokht, Gonabad, a central region of Khorasan, and lost his father at the age of three. From an early age, signs of excellence were evident in him, and he became known among relatives and the people of Bidokht for his intelligence, wisdom, composure, and dignity.
After completing his basic education in Bidokht, due to financial hardship, he had to interrupt his studies for a time. However, driven by his passion for learning, he resumed his education at the age of seventeen and made remarkable progress—so much so that local teachers could no longer satisfy his intellectual aspirations. Determined to pursue higher knowledge, he traveled on foot to Mashhad, where he studied for a while and benefited from the presence of local scholars.
From there, he proceeded to the holy shrines in Iraq, where he gained mastery in jurisprudence, principles of religion, biographical evaluation (ʿilm al-rijal), and Quranic exegesis. He studied jurisprudence under scholars such as Haj Sheikh Murtadha Ansari and obtained permission for “ijtihad”. On his return from the shrines, he went to Sabzevar and studied the schools of Peripatetic, Illuminationist, and Transcendent philosophy under the eminent sage Haj Mulla Hadi Sabzevari. He distinguished himself among Sabzevari’s students and wrote annotations on the “Asfar”. Yet, even after acquiring extensive outward sciences, his soul remained unfulfilled, and he yearned to seek the knowledge of hearts enlightened by God.
At this time, Hazrat Saadat Ali Shah was traveling with a group of disciples to Mashhad and stopped at a caravanserai in Sabzevar. The late Haj Mulla Hadi Sabzevari, who held the esteemed mystics in great regard, suspended his classes and told his students, “A noble Dervish has come from Tehran—perhaps you too should go and meet him.” Haj Mulla Sultan Muhammad, along with other students, went to visit him and was captivated by Hazrat Saadat Ali Shah in that very first gathering. However, he did not yet submit. He later returned to Gonabad, but in 1279 AH, driven by burning love, he set out on foot toward Isfahan, the residence of Hazrat Saadat Ali Shah. There, he repented and entered the path of spiritual journeying to God.
In a short time, he advanced through the stages of spiritual development and was appointed by Hazrat Saadat Ali Shah to guide and assist seekers, receiving the title “Sultan Ali Shah”. In 1293 AH, following the passing of Hazrat Saadat Ali Shah, he assumed the position of spiritual guidance and leadership of the people.
During his time, the tradition of “faqr” and Mysticism experienced a significant revival, and the reputation of Sultan Ali Shah’s inner and outer virtues spread throughout Iran and even most Islamic countries. This fame, however, provoked the enmity of adversaries and the jealousy of rivals. Eventually, at dawn on 26 Rabiʿ al-Awwal 1327 AH, he was strangled and martyred at the age of 76. His blessed tomb is in Bidokht, Gonabad.
His Holiness had complete mastery over various sciences and authored numerous works, including commentaries on books such as Mulla Sadra’s “Asfar” and Taftazani’s “Tahdhib al-Mantiq”. His independent works include: “Tafsir Bayan al-Saʿadah fi Maqamat al-ʿIbadah”, “Saʿadatnameh”, and “Majmaʿ al-Saʿadat”, which he dedicated to his guide, Hazrat Saadat Ali Shah. He also authored “Wilayatnameh”, “Bisharat al-Muʾminin”, “Tanbih al-Naʾimin”, “Idah”, and “Tawzih”. The last two are Arabic and Persian commentaries on the aphorisms of the renowned mystic Baba Taher.
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Part of this section is based on content from the book “Khorshid-e Tabandeh”. Most historical works composed during his time mention his life or at least reference his spiritual rank, but the most comprehensive book dedicated entirely to him is “A Genius of Knowledge and Mysticism in the 14th Century AH” authored by His Holiness Haj Sultan Hossein Tabandeh. ↩