'Zinda Pir' and 'Bibi Faqirni'

Today, i discovered a very interesting place within Islamabad, the memorial and shrine of 'Zinda Pir' and 'Bibi Faqirni'. This place has a strange peace and serenity to offer. Baba Muhammad Ameen, the keeper, who was once a driver has dedicated his life to this place after he saw Hazrat Khizr (A.S) inviting him thrice, in his dream, for this task.

The shrine, to me is more of a memorial' than a shrine of Zinda Pir or the Living Saint. It is located just a couple of hundred feet above the temple (now Des Pardes - Saidpur Village) on the hill slope under a pair of old banyan/fig trees. It is been said that this Zinda Pir was actually Khawaja Khizar. 

Zinda Pir’s bethak or the “sitting place of the living saint”, as the place is called, is the spot where the saint is supposed to have sat and worshiped. The place is situated at the base of a rock and is enclosed by a low brick wall with decorative holes in it. Two large banyan trees cover the whole place like a huge umbrella. Several layers of satinchadors (cloth sheets), inscribed with holy verses, are spread on top of each other at the spot where the saint is believed to have sat, each chador placed by a devotee in return for a prayer fulfilled by the saint.

According to some Muslim traditions, Khizar or Khidar, having drunk from Aab-i-Hayat or the fountain of life attained immortality and roams the earth incognito, usually along riverbanks, lakes and mountain streams. Some also believe him to be a prophet. He is believed to help people who have lost their way. In Urdu poetry, Khizar is often used as a metaphor for a person who guides lost people. Khwaja Pir/Khwaja Khizar is been worshiped in Punjab, India by many from generations.

At the same place, there is another shrine of 'Bibi Faqirni' or wandering dervish who left Kashmir, her home town, some hundreds years ago (no proof of actual date but seemed really old). After moving alone here she never went back, leaving the worldy pursuit and her family. She must be a brave lady who lived in that jungle alone while meditating and doing 'ziqr'. Will try to dig in more facts about this dervish lady and share.

@areefaazamofficial 

#عریفہ_اعظم 

#backtobasics 

#areefaazam_عریفہ

(Validation of facts from http://pakistaniat.com/2008/03/24/siadpur-islamabad-khizer/)