Who was Sirri Saqti

Hazrat (Revered) Sirri Saqti (May God be pleased with him) was a great Sufi Saint who lived in the 8th Century A.D. in Iraq. His famous message that inspires us is:

“Be like the sun which sheds its light on all;
Be like the earth which sustains the burdens of all;
Be like the water which enlivens hearts of all ”.



Name


His name was ‘Sirrudeen’ (Secret of the Path) which was shortened to ‘Sirri’. The title ‘Saqti’ or ‘Saqati’ or ‘Siqti’ was given to him based on his work.

Father


Hazrat Sirri Saqti’s father was Hazrat Mughlis (may God be pleased with him)

Birth


Hazrat Sirri Saqti was born in Baghdad (Iraq) in the year 762 A.D. (about 155 A.H.)

Spiritual Lineage
  • Hazrat Sirri Saqti was a Tab’a Tab’ieen (i.e. he had met those who had met the Sahaabas i.e. companions of Prophet Muhammad [Peace be upon him])

  • He was the Mureed (Disciple) and Khalifa (successor) of Hazrat Maroof Karkhi (may God be pleased with him).

  • He was also the Murshid (Master) of the famous saint Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi (May God be pleased with him).

    • His qualities

    Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi (May God be pleased with him) says, "I did not see any person as Kaamil (perfect) as my Peer-o-Murshid (spiritual master)."


    Kindness

    Hazrat Sirri Saqti was the Imam (Leader) of the Ahle Tasawwuf (people of gnosis) and he possessed in-depth knowledge of religion and spirituality. Despite his stature and knowledge, he was blessed with extreme kindness.

    Hazrat Bishr Haafi (May God be pleased with him) said, "I never used to ask for anything from anyone but Hazrat Sirri Saqti (May God be pleased with him), as I was very well aware of his piety and I knew that he was always happy to give."

    Worship and Striving

    Hazrat Sirri Saqti performed one thousand Rakats nafil salaah (prayer cycles) daily.

    Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi (May God be pleased with him) says, "I have never seen a more greater Aabid (worshipper) and Zaahid (striver) than him, and I have not seen this in anyone else, that even until the age of 98, the only time I saw him rest, was at the time of his demise."

    Practice

    Once some of Hazrat Sirri Saqti’s devotees asked him to explain the reality of Sabr (patience). He began to deliver a lecture on the topic. Whilst he was speaking, a scorpion began to sting him on his feet. Despite this, he continued delivering his lecture unmoved. Those, present said, "Sir! Kill the scorpion and move it away." On hearing this, he said, "How can I behave contrary to that which I am preaching.”

    Empathy

    Once Hazrat Sirri Saqti said "Thirty years have passed now, and I am still making tauba (repentance) because of one thing that I made shukr (thanks) for." People asked what he meant, and he said, "Once there was a fire in the market place and all the shops burnt down except mine. When I was informed of this, I made shukr (thanked God). I then decided to make tauba (repentance), since by thanking God that my shop was saved, I felt I was better than my other brothers and that I was pleased that a worldly possession was saved."

    Changing Lives

    Once Hazrat Sirri Saqti saw a drunk person lying on the ground, calling the name of God. Hazrat washed his mouth and said, "He does not know that he is taking the most exalted name with his impure mouth."


    After he left, the drunken man became sober. Those that were present told him what had happened while he was intoxicated. He was very embarrassed, and he began to curse his nafs (ego) and weep bitterly.


    He said, "O Shameless nafs! Sirri Saqti has now seen you in this sad state, and he too left. Now fear God and repent."


    That night, Hazrat Sirri Saqti (May God be pleased with him) heard a voice from the unseen which said, "You washed his mouth for my sake, and I have washed his heart for your sake."


    When Hazrat went to the mosque for late night prayers, he found the once drunk man, now in the mosque reading his prayers.


    Hazrat asked how the sudden change had occurred in him, and he said, "Why do you ask me concerning this, when God has already informed you about it."


    Hazrat Sirri Saqti’s Words
  • Do whatever you can before you become old, since in old age you will be able to do nothing, just as I can not do anything. (Even though not even the young were like Hazrat Sirri Saqti in his old age).

  • The bravest deed is to take control of your nafs (desires). One who cannot control his own ego / desires cannot be of assistance to others.

  • All become obedient to him who is obedient to God.

  • Stay away from the wealthy, those Qaaris (religious reciters) who recite for name and fame, and from very wealthy Ulama (religious scholars).

  • A Devotee is he, whose food is like the food of the sick, his sleep is like that of a person bitten by a snake, and his lavishness like that of a person who is drowning in water.

    • Passing Away

    Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi (May God be pleased with him) says, "I went to visit Hazrat Sirri Saqti when he took ill.


    There was a fan kept close to him, so I used it to fan him. He then said, 'O Junaid! Put it down. Fire is more powerful than wind.'


    I then asked him about his condition and asked him to advise me, and he said, 'Do not be diverted from the love of Allah through the companionship of the people.'


    He then passed from this world travelling into the hereafter.


    He passed away on a Tuesday, the 13th of Ramadan, 253 A.H. (Year 867 A.D.) at the age of 98.


    Resting Place

    His resting place is in Baghdad in a place called Shawneez.