Mir Mohammed Muayyinul Islam, (1550-1635) popularly known as Mian Mir was a famous Muslim Sufi saint who settled at Lahore. He belonged to the Qadiria order of Sufism. He is called the founder of Mian Khail branch of the Qadiria order.
Having religious inclinations from his early childhood, he became a disciple of Sheikh Khizr of the Qadiria order. At the age of 25, Mian Mir came to Lahore and resided in the suburbs of the city called Begampura. The whole area is now called after his name Mian Mir. People thronged to him in large numbers from far and wide. Mullah Shah Badakshi was his famous disciple. Mughal prince Dara Shikoh and his sister princess Jahanara became his devoted disciples. He was highly tolerant to other faiths including Sikhism and a close friend of Guru Arjan. In 1589 the Guru planned to build a Gurdwara in the center of the holy tank called Amritsar or the tank of nectar. As the temple was intended to open to people of all castes, creeds and climes, he invited Mian Mir to lay the foundation stone of the Harmandar.
Mian Mir enlightened and inspired not only the Muslims but also so many Sikhs and Hindus who embraced Islam. He died in 11 August 1635. He was buried at the village of Lahore, Hashimpur. Prince Dara Shikoh built a grand tomb over the grave, which is gracefully standing as a great piece of architecture and is visited by thousands of people every year.
This article was last updated on Wednesday, Jan 04, 2006
