as-Sayyid Amir Kulal ق
We have a way from this visible world to the Unseen,
for we are the companions of Religion's Messenger.
We have a way from the house to the garden,
we are the neighbor of cypress and jasmine.
Every day we come to the garden and see a hundred blossoms.
In order to scatter them among the lovers,
we fill our robes to overflowing.
Behold our words! They are the fragrance of those roses–
we are the rosebush of certainty's rosegarden.
— Rumi's Divan
The Rose of the Prophet's Characteristics
Sayyid Amir Kulal is known as the Rose of the Characteristics and Attributes of the Prophet, the Furthest Lote Tree of Desire for the Ultimate Stations, the Owner of the Throne of Guidance, the Attractor of Heavenly Blessings, and the Teacher with his holy breath of the Secrets of the Divine. He is a mujaddid or Renewer of the Shari'a (Law), a Master of the tariqa (Way), a builder of Haqiqa (Reality), and a guide for khaliqa (Creation). He was distinguished for mastery among the saints of his time, who applied the following saying to him: "The Saints of Mastery are the Masters of all Saints."
Early Life and Noble Lineage
He was born in the village of Sukhar, two miles from Bukhara. His family were sayyid, descendants of the Holy Prophet ﷺ. His mother said, "When I was pregnant with him, whenever my hand went towards doubtful food, I would be unable to convey it to my mouth. This happened to me many times. I knew that I had someone special in my womb. I was careful and chose my food from the best and assuredly halal (lawful) food."
This remarkable account shows how his spiritual purity was evident even before birth, manifesting through his mother's inability to consume anything of doubtful origin. Such stories are common among the great saints, indicating their inherent purity and their mother's sensitivity to spiritual influences during pregnancy.
The Wrestling Period
In his childhood he was a wrestler. He used to practice all of its arts, until he became one of the most famous wrestlers in his time. All the wrestlers would gather around him to learn from him. One day, a man watching him wrestle had the following thought come to his heart: "How is it that a person who is the Descendant of the Prophet and who is deeply knowledgeable in shari'a and tariqat, is practicing this sport?"
He immediately fell into a deep sleep and dreamt that it was the Judgement Day. He felt that he was in great difficulty and that he was drowning. Then the shaikh Sayyid Amir al-Kulal appeared to him and rescued him from the water. He woke up and Sayyid Amir al-Kulal ق looked at him and said, "Did you witness my power in wrestling and my power in intercession?"
This incident demonstrates several profound spiritual principles:
- The saint's awareness of people's thoughts and doubts
- The connection between physical and spiritual strength
- The concept that worldly activities, when performed by saints, serve higher spiritual purposes
- The saint's power of intercession that transcends worldly appearances
Meeting His Spiritual Master
One time his shaikh-to-be, Muhammad Baba as-Samasi ق, was passing by his wrestling arena, accompanied by his followers. He stopped and stood there. An evil whisper came to the heart of one of his followers saying, "How is it that the shaikh is standing here in this wrestling arena?" The shaikh looked at his follower immediately and said, "I am standing here for the sake of one person. He is going to be a great Knower. Everyone will come to him for guidance and through him people will reach the highest states of Divine Love and the Divine Presence. My intention is to bring this person under my wing."
At that moment Amir Kulal ق gazed at him, was attracted and abandoned the sport of wrestling. He followed Shaikh Muhammad Baba As-Samasi to his house. Shaikh Samasi taught him the dhikr and the principles of this most distinguished tariqat and told him, "You are now my son."
This encounter illustrates several important aspects of spiritual guidance:
- The master's ability to recognize spiritual potential in any environment
- The instantaneous nature of spiritual attraction (jadhba)
- The disciple's immediate response to genuine spiritual authority
- The transformation that occurs when the seeker meets his true guide
Twenty Years of Spiritual Training
Shaikh Kulal followed Shaikh Samasi for 20 years, spending all his time in dhikr, seclusion, worship, and self-denial. No one saw him in these 20 years except in the company of his shaikh. He would come to see his shaikh in Samas every Monday and Thursday, although the distance was five miles and the journey difficult, until he reached a state of unveiling (mukashafa). At that time his fame began to spread everywhere until he left this world.
This period of intensive training demonstrates:
- Consistent Dedication: Regular visits regardless of physical difficulty
- Complete Focus: Twenty years of exclusive attention to spiritual development
- Gradual Progression: From training to the state of spiritual unveiling
- Patience in Obscurity: Remaining hidden during the period of development
- Divine Timing: Fame coming only after spiritual maturity
Family and Spiritual Succession
He had four children, as-Sayyid al-Amir Burhanuddin, as-Sayyid al-Amir Hamza, as-Sayyid al-Amir Shah, and as-Sayyid al-Amir 'Umar. He also had four khalifs, but he passed his secrets to only one of them, the Master of Masters, the Knower of Knowers, the Greatest of Arch-Intercessors (al-Ghawth al-A'zam), the Sultan of the Saints, Shaikh Muhammad Baha'uddin Shah Naqshband ق.
The fact that he had four biological children and four spiritual khalifs, but chose to pass the supreme secret to Shah Naqshband alone, shows the discrimination required in spiritual succession. Not all who are close to the master, whether by blood or spiritual proximity, are necessarily prepared to carry the full weight of the spiritual responsibility.
The Spiritual Significance of His Life
Sayyid Amir Kulal's life represents several key spiritual principles:
1. Noble Lineage and Spiritual Purity: As a descendant of the Prophet ﷺ, he combined noble bloodline with spiritual achievement
2. Transformation of Worldly Skills: His wrestling prowess became a metaphor for spiritual strength
3. The Teacher-Student Relationship: His relationship with Muhammad Baba as-Samasi exemplifies perfect discipleship
4. Patience in Training: Twenty years of consistent spiritual work before achieving recognition
5. Spiritual Discernment: Choosing the right successor despite multiple qualified candidates
The Connection to Shah Naqshband
His most significant contribution to the Golden Chain was recognizing, training, and spiritually empowering Shah Naqshband, who would become the eponymous master of the entire Order. The relationship between Sayyid Amir Kulal and Shah Naqshband represents one of the most important teacher-student relationships in Sufi history.
Through Shah Naqshband, the teachings and blessings of Sayyid Amir Kulal spread throughout the Islamic world and continue to influence millions of seekers to this day. His name, "Kulal" (meaning potter), symbolically represents his role in shaping and perfecting the spiritual vessel that would become Shah Naqshband.
Death and Eternal Influence
Shaikh Sayyid Amir Kulal died in the same village in which he was born, Sukhar, the 8th of Jumada al-Awwal, 772 H.
His physical return to his birthplace for his final departure symbolizes the completion of a spiritual circle - from his blessed birth in Sukhar to his final rest in the same sacred soil. Yet his spiritual influence continued to radiate through his greatest student, Shah Naqshband, whose name became synonymous with the entire Naqshbandi Order.
Through Sayyid Amir Kulal ق, we learn that true spiritual nobility combines:
- Inherited Grace: The blessings that come through noble lineage
- Personal Effort: Years of dedicated spiritual practice
- Divine Selection: Being chosen by Allah for special spiritual responsibilities
- Humble Service: Using all worldly and spiritual gifts in service to the Divine
- Perfect Transmission: Passing on the spiritual heritage intact to future generations
