The Marital Life of Sayyid Ali bin Uthman al-Hujwiri (Dātā Ganj Bakhsh): A Historical and Critical Study

Authors

  • Dr. Hafiz Khalil Ahmad Qadri PhD in Islamic Studies, College of Shariah & Islamic Sciences, Minhaj University, Lahore, Islamic Scholar and Educator, Teaching Dars-e-Niẓāmī syllabus at Jamia Hajveria since 1998 Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5281/

Keywords:

Sayyid Ali bin Uthman al-Hujwiri, Dātā Ganj Bakhsh, marital life, Kashf al-Maḥjūb, Sufi studies

Abstract

This research paper investigates the often-overlooked aspect of the personal life of Sayyid Ali bin Uthman al-Hujwiri, popularly known as Dātā Ganj Bakhsh, with a specific focus on his marital life. As one of the most revered Sufi saints of the Indian subcontinent and the author of the seminal work Kashf al-Maḥjūb, al-Hujwiri’s spiritual contributions have been widely studied; however, his private and domestic life, particularly issues surrounding his marriage, remain a subject of ambiguity, controversy, and in some cases, misrepresentation. This paper aims to critically evaluate the historical narratives, textual references, and modern scholarly opinions concerning his marital status and the objections raised against it by various critics. Drawing from primary sources such as Kashf al-Maḥjūb and early biographical accounts, as well as secondary academic literature, this study explores whether al-Hujwiri was ever married, and if so, what implications this has on the understanding of his spiritual doctrine, social engagement, and personal character. The paper further analyzes the objections made by skeptics, particularly modern critics who attempt to portray contradictions between his Sufi ideals and his purported domestic experiences. Through a methodical critique, the researches establish that many objections lack solid historical evidence and are often based on speculative or orientalist assumptions. The study concludes that the question of al-Hujwiri’s marital life, while not central to his Sufi message, has been unfairly problematized in some modern narratives. The paper affirms that any discussion of his personal life must be approached through rigorous historical methodology, respect for traditional sources, and contextual awareness of the time in which he lived. In doing so, this research not only contributes to the field of Sufi studies but also emphasizes the need to responsibly separate hagiographical reverence from factual inquiry in the study of Islamic historical figures.

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Published

2025-06-30

How to Cite

Dr. Hafiz Khalil Ahmad Qadri. (2025). The Marital Life of Sayyid Ali bin Uthman al-Hujwiri (Dātā Ganj Bakhsh): A Historical and Critical Study. AL-HAYAT Research Journal (AHRJ), 2(3), 337-348. https://doi.org/10.5281/

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