A Biography of Hazrat Maulana Abdul Kareem Shah Sahib (ra). Popularly known as Hazrat Baba Ghous Muhammad Yousuf Shah Taji (ra).
Author of Original Book: Hazrat Kuñwar Asghar Ali Khañ (ra). Popularly known as Hazrat Baba Albeyle Shah Yousufi (ra).
Translation and Expansion Inspired by: His Reverence, Hazrat Baba Shah Mehmood Yousufi (ra).
Reverent Salutation:“Mazharay Kul Awwaleen, Wal Akhireen, Tajul Muhibbeen, Wal Mehbubeen, Fakharul Ushaaq, Wal Mawahideen, Ghousina, Ghayasina, Mughisna, Aaqaina, Saiyyadna, Sanadna, Murshadna, Maulana, Abul Arwah, Tajul Auliya, Hazrat Ghous Muhammad Baba Yousuf Shah Taji (ra). Ya Ghous, Ya Yousuf Shah, Ya Baba, Aghisni, Wa Amdidni.”
(“Complete Manifestation of the Alpha and Omega, Crowning Glory of Lovers and the Beloved, Our Helper, Our Rescuer, Our Redresser of Grievances, Our Lord, Our Master, Our Leading Authority, Our Guide, Our Commander and Father of Our Spirit, His Grace, The Divine Helper, Muhammad Baba Yousuf Shah Taji (ra). Oʼ Divine Helper, Oʼ Yousuf Shah, Oʼ Baba, Help Us and Provide Us with your Blessed Assistance.”)
He was born in Gangapur, Sawai Madhopur near Jaipur during the month of Ramadhan, in the year 1885. At the very beginning of his higher studies, Baba Yousuf Shah (ra) had the privilege of studying under the tutelage of the renowned scholar Hazrat Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi (ra), at his educational institution. Soon after he completed his formal religious education, as a Religious Scholar (Aalim), Sarkar Yousuf Shah Baba (ra) joined the spiritual Sufi Path under the guidance of Maulana Abdul Hakeem Shah Rehmani (ra), whose singular aspiration was to nurture his spiritual development and prepare this exceptional young man for what Hazrat Baba Tajuddin (ra) had in store for him.
He Deputized (Khilafat) Sarkar Yousuf Shah Baba (ra) and sent him to Nagpur for further advancement under the auspicious guidance of Hazrat Baba Tajuddin (ra), for even greater rewards. Thus, without a doubt, Sarkar Yousuf Shah Baba (ra) was blessed not only with tremendous latent potential, talent, and motivation but also with renowned educators, both exoteric and esoteric, from the beginning to his ultimate crowning success with Baba Tajuddin (ra). Baba Sahib (ra) commanded Sarkar Yousuf Shah Baba (ra) to spread the Divine Message everywhere. So he started his mission and traveled throughout Hindustan, holding educational and spiritual gatherings.
People came in droves from far and wide and became his disciples (Mureedeen). He did it all with great passion and diligence, serving all those in need of knowledge and seeking spiritual development. He was blessed with great attributes of compassion, care, and love for one and all that helped him excel in fulfilling the command of his Beloved Murshid Baba Tajuddin (ra). Sarkar Yousuf Shah Baba (ra) was the preeminent personification of how a Sufi can be intoxicated with Allah’s love and, simultaneously, follow diligently the Divine Laws and Practices (Shariah) as exemplified by our Lord and Master Prophet Muhammad (saw).
He led thousands and yet remained self-reflective, humble, and plain-spoken with no sign of vanity or pretensions. Having advanced the work of the Silsila considerably, he was able to hand over the responsibility to his beloved Successor, Hazrat Albeyle Shah Yousufi (ra). And on the 1st of Zilhaj, in the year 1947, Sarkar Yousuf Shah Baba (ra)’s soul parted to unite with his creator, from where it once departed. His further life events and, in particular, interactions with Hazrat Sarkar Albeyle Shah Yousufi (ra) have been described in detail in his own book that he wrote, and named it “Sarkar Namah”.