The word Silsila is simply a synonym for Tariqah. Our Silsila, like all others, is a product of hard work, dedication, and esoteric teachings of Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa (saw) as well as all other Sages and Saints that came after him reaffirming his esoteric teachings, known as Tasawwuf, forming a chain of teachers, or Silsila in short. For the sake of simplifying, we’ll simply talk about Silsila Yousufi here. The center of our Silsila started in the Arabian Peninsula, and then moved to Iraq > Iran > Afghanistan > North Western Hindustan > Central India > and finally to Southern Pakistan.

What is meant by this is that the history and culture of our Silsila are rooted much earlier, well over a thousand years. It is said that the Reviver of Deen-e-Muhammad (saw), Hazrat Imam Mehdi (ra) is from the lineage of Hazrat Imam Askari (ra). How strange, that Hazrat Baba Tajuddin (ra) also comes from the lineage of Hazrat Imam Askari (ra). This can potentially mean, that not only is Hazrat Baba Tajuddin (ra) Khaatim-al-Auliya, but Hazrat Baba Tajuddin (ra) may also be a great distant relative to Hazrat Imam Mehdi (ra) in a physical sense of the word.

As the only Sufi Silsila in the world now that declares to be the covenant of Wali-al-Akhir-az-Zamañ, we as a group are not just fortunate, but also have a great responsibility to apply to ourselves, the teachings of our Sheikh Hazrat Baba Shah Mehmood Yousufi (ra) to the best of our ability.

Silsila Yousufi’s purpose is the same as what’s been instructed by Hazrat Baba Tajuddin (ra) to Hazrat Baba Yousuf Shah Taji (ra). And that is to spread Hazrat Baba Tajuddin (ra) himself. One can imagine that to be spreading the Silsila alone, and maybe even, spreading Hazrat Baba Tajuddin (ra)’s name. But that is not enough. A Silsila’s aim is never to simply become bigger and accumulate more people for the sake of becoming bigger. That is merely how various memberships to various clubs work in this temporary world for the sake of wealth and fame.

The real objective was to spread Hazrat Baba Tajuddin (ra) himself. And that can only be done if every person in the Silsila became Hazrat Baba Tajuddin (ra) within themselves and further spread those teachings and that mindset. So in short, the purpose of Silsila Yousufi is to become like Hazrat Baba Tajuddin (ra) within ourselves. Our Sarkar, Hazrat Baba Shah Mehmood Yousufi (ra) very often gives the example of Hazrat Imam Hussain (rz), that,

“One cannot become Hussain. That is impossible!
But Hazrat Imam Hussain (rz) is there for us as
an example, to imitate as close as possible.”

The same concept applies here. Silsila Yousufi is the Silsila adopted by Hazrat Baba Tajuddin (ra). And our purpose is to become as close as humanly possible to the likeness of Hazrat Baba Tajuddin (ra). This practice is not going to start as soon as one conjures up its mental image. Nor will it be fulfilled as soon as we would like.

It’s going to take time. Maybe a lifetime! Use the duration of that time wisely. Fill the needs of the needy as much as possible during this process. Help those that have little or no help during this process. Become a symbol of all those good things that Prophet Muhammad (saw) taught his devotees. And if you cannot, at least become an embodiment of a person who “earnestly tried.”