Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi رضي الله عنه

BIRTH: He was born around the year 218 Hijri in Baghdad Shareef. NAME: His name is Junaid Baghdadi رضي الله عنه . He was known as Abul Qasim and he was blessed with titles such as, Sayyidut Taaifa, Ta’oosul Ulama, Zujjaan and Lisaanul Qaum. SHEIKH-E-TARIQAT: He is the mureed and Khalifa of Hazrat Sirri Saqti رضي الله عنه Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi رضي الله عنه worked as a skilled wrestler to earn his living. Following the custom, the ruler of Baghdad declared one day, "Junaid Baghdadi will showcase his wrestling prowess today. Who dares to challenge him?"

An elderly man, trembling with age and frailty, rose and said, "I will compete against him." The sight made everyone present roar with laughter, clapping their hands, unable to contain their amusement. Yet the ruler, bound by the rules, couldn't deny anyone willingly entering the contest. Thus, this elderly man was granted permission. He was around 65 years old.

As Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi رضي الله عنه entered the ring, he, the ruler, and all the spectators were shocked. The single thought echoed in their minds: "How can this old man put up a fight?" The elderly man spoke to Hazrat Junaid, "Hear my words." He whispered, "I know I cannot win against you, but I am a Sayyid, a descendant of our beloved Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم. At home, my children are in the agonizing grip of starvation. Are you willing to sacrifice your reputation, honor, and status for the love of Allah's Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم and deliberately lose to me? If you do so, I can use the prize money to feed my children and myself for a year, free myself from debt, and most importantly, show favor in the sight of the master of both worlds. For the sake of Rasulullah's صلى الله عليه وسلم. offspring, wouldn't you sacrifice your reputation?"

Hazrat Junaid Baghdadi رضي الله عنه contemplated, "Today, I am presented with a golden opportunity." With visible enthusiasm, Hazrat Junaid رضي الله عنه performed a few wrestling moves to exhibit his superiority, ensuring the ruler would suspect no collusion. Then, being utterly theatrical, Hazrat Junaid did not employ his full might so as to let the elderly Sayyid emerge victorious in the bout. In the depth of night, Junaid Baghdadi رضي الله عنه experienced a majestic dream. He found himself in the divine presence of out beloved Prophet Muhammad صلى الله عليه وسلم who spoke to him . "Oh Junaid," you have sacrificed your honour, your nationally acclaimed fame, your name and position which was heralded throughout Baghdad in the expression of your love for my children who were starving.

Our beloved Prophets صلى الله عليه وسلم perfect voice was filled with a loving warmth that touched the heart of Junaid. "From today onwards," the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم added, "your name is eternally engraved in the register of the Auliya, the cherished friends of Allah." Moved deeply by this dream, Junaid رضي الله عنه once an unrivalled wrestler, found a new battle to fight—a battle with his nafs, his worldly desires. Over time, he emerged victorious in this spiritual endeavour, and ascended to become one of the most celebrated Auliya of his era, a symbol of pure devotion and selfless love. Always remembered for his remarkable transition from earthly honour to divine recognition