| Makhdoom Sheikh Sharfuddin Ahmed bin Yahya Maneri | |
| Caption: | A picture of Badi Dargah |
| Birth Date: | July 1263 A.D. (29 Sha'aban 661 A.H.) |
| Birth Place: | Maner, Bihar |
| Death Date: | January 1381 A.D.(6 Shawwal 782 Hijri) |
| Resting Place: | Badi Dargah, Bihar Sharif, Bihar |
| Resting Place Coordinates: | [1] |
| Known For: | Sufi Saint |
| Father: | Makhdoom Yahya Maneri |
| Home Town: | Maner, Bihar |
| Teacher: | Abu Tawwama |
| Religion: | Islam |
| Background: | green |
Makhdoom Sharfuddin Ahmed bin Yahya Maneri, popularly known as Makhdoom-ul-Mulk Bihari[2] and Makhdoom-e-Jahan[3] (1263–1381), was a 13th-century Sufi mystic.
Sharafuddin Ahmad ibn Yahya Maneri was born in Maner, a village near Patna in Bihar circa August 1263. His father was Makhdoom Yahya Maneri, a Sufi saint.[4]
His maternal grandfather Shahabuddin Jagjot Balkhi, whose tomb is located at Kachchi Dargah in Patna district, was also a revered Sufi.
At age 12, he left Maner to gain traditional knowledge of Arabic, Persian, logic, philosophy and religion. He was tutored by Ashraf-Uddin Abu Towama Bukhari, a famous scholar from Sonargaon near Narainganj (now in Dhaka, Bangladesh) with whom he spent 24 years.
At first, he refused to marry but, upon falling ill, he married Bibi Badaam. He left home after the birth of his son Zakiuddin in 1289 A.D. His son lived and died in Bengal.[5]
After completing his education he left for Delhi where he met Nizamuddin and other Sufis. His elder brother Makhdoom Jaleeluddin Maneri (buried at Badi Dargah in Maner Sharif) accompanied him there, and introduced him to his pir (spiritual guide) Sheikh Najeebuddin Firdausi. In Delhi, he became a disciple of Sheikh Najeebuddin Firdausi of Mehrauli and was given the title of Firdausi.
To shun material comforts, Sheikh Sharfuddin Ahmed bin Yahya Maneri went into the forest of Bihiya (about 15 miles west of Maner). He later went to Rajgir (about 75 miles east of Maner) where he performed ascetic exercises in the hills. A hot spring close to a place where he often prayed in Rajgir is named Makhdoom Kund in his memory.
After 30 years in the forests, Sheikh Sharfuddin Ahmed bin Yahya Maneri settled at Bihar Sharif. Later Sultan Muhammad Tughlaq built a Khanqah for him where he taught and trained disciples in Sufism (Tasawwuf). He devoted his life to teaching and writing.
The collection of his letters (Maktoobat) and sermons (Malfoozat) received wide acclaim.[6] His Maktoobat is regarded as a 'working manual' amongst the highest in Sufi circles.[7]
He died in 1381 A.D. (6 Shawwal, 782 Hijri).
The funeral prayer was said according to his will, which decreed that it be led by a Sufi from Semnan who was on his way to Pandua in Malda district of West Bengal to pledge spiritual allegiance on the hands of the Alaul Haq Pandavi and enter into the Chishti spiritual order. Accordingly, Syed Ashraf Jahangir Semnani led the funeral prayers.[8]
His tomb lies at Badi Dargah (Bihar Sharif Nalanda), in a mosque to the east of a large tank, with masonry walls and ghats, and pillared porticos. The tomb is situated in an enclosure half filled with graves and ancient trees, on the north and west of which are three domed mosque and cloisters. His tomb is a place of sanctity for devout Muslims. A five-day Urs is celebrated every year from 5th Shawwal with traditional zeal.