URDU: خطہ ملتان میں اسلامی تہذیب و ثقافت کی روحانی بنیادیں اور ارتقاء: شیخ بہاء الدین زکریا اور مخدوم عبدالرشید حقانی کے کردار کا تحقیقی مطالعہ

The Spiritual Foundations and Historical Evolution of Islamic Civilization and Culture in the Multan Region: An Analytical Study of the Contributions of Sheikh Baha-ud-Din Zakariya and Makhdoom Abdul Rashid Haqqani

Abstract

The city of Multan has historically occupied a central position in the development of Islamic civilization in South Asia. Although the initial introduction of Islam in the region can be traced to the military expeditions of Muhammad bin Qasim and was subsequently reinforced during the reign of Mahmud of Ghazni, these early influences largely remained superficial and failed to permeate the socio-cultural fabric of the region in a sustained manner. A significant transformation occurred in the 6th century AH with the arrival of the eminent Sufi saint Shah Yusuf Gardezi, whose prolonged spiritual engagement contributed to the gradual internalization of Islamic values within the local society. However, the decline of his influence, coupled with the resurgence of heterodox elements such as the Qarmatians, led to a temporary distortion of Islamic cultural expressions in Multan. The early 7th century AH marks a decisive phase in the consolidation of Islamic civilization in Multan, characterized by the enduring contributions of two towering Sufi figures: Makhdoom Abdul Rashid Haqqani and BahauddinZakariya. Through their respective Sufi traditions, these saints established Multan as a vibrant spiritual nucleus. Their influence extended beyond the religious domain into socio-economic and political spheres, where they played a transformative role in restructuring society along Islamic lines. This study undertakes a comparative analysis of their religious, spiritual, social, and economic thought, highlighting their pivotal role in laying the enduring foundations of Islamic civilization in Multan. It argues that the sustained efforts of these Sufi luminaries not only revitalized Islamic cultural identity in the region but also institutionalized a robust civilizational framework that continued to shape Multan’s identity as a center of Islamic culture for centuries.