Farid al-Din Masud Ganj-i-Shakar
(c. 1175-1266), known reverentially as Bābā Farīd or Shaykh Farīd by Muslims and Sikhs of South Asia, or simply as Farīduddīn Ganjshakar, was an 12th-century Punjabi Muslim preacher and mystic, who went on to become "one of the most revered and distinguished ... Muslim mystics" of the medieval period.
◆◆◆"God's~Birthday"◆◆◆
One night Baba Farid ji dreamt that by the grace of God, he had reached paradise. The whole of Paradise was beautifully decorated, millions of lights and flowers everywhere.
Obviously, a great celebration was going on, and beautiful music filled the air.
He inquired of a passerby "What is going on?"
The stranger said, "You are blessed for you have come at the right time. We are celebrating God's birthday."
A puzzled Farid ji stood beneath a tree to see what was happening.
Soon a great procession starts moving on the road, led by a man sitting on a horse. Farid ji enquired, "Who is this man?" And they say, "Don't you know him? He is Hazrat Mohammed"
Millions upon millions of people walked behind the Prophet. Farid ji asked, "Who are these people?" and he is replied, "They are Mohammedans, followers of Mohammed."
Then came Jesus, and millions of Christians were following him.
Soon Lord Krishna appeared in a splendid golden chariot, and millions upon millions were following him too.
Then there was Gautam Buddha and countless people followed him too.
On and on went the procession and baba Farid ji grew weary of the magnitude of the procession and the followers.
Finally, in the end, Baba ji noticed, trailing the great procession, an old man walking alone, and no one walked behind him. Farid ji began to laugh looking at this man. It was a ridiculous sight compared to the magnificent processions that preceded the old man and nobody followed him.
Baba ji could not contain himself and he asked the old man "Who are you, sir? I have seen Mohammad, Christ, Krishna, Mahavira, Buddha -- who are you? Is this some sort of joke, for nobody follows you!"
The old man with sadness in his eyes said, " I am God, and it is my birthday. People have become Mohammedans, some Christians, others Jews, many have become Hindus or Buddhists, unfortunately no one is left to follow me me so I walk alone
Farid ji woke up with a shock.
He told his disciples the next day, "I had a revelation and I met God. From now on I am no more a Mohammedan nor do I belong to any other organised religion. I will follow the One and only true Master and Creator of the universe. I shall simply be me, myself. I would like to be with God, at least one person following him."
This awakening transformed Baba Farid ji and he was able to enlighten the world with his message of love and universal brotherhood.
💝Spiritual people belong to no religion, yet the universe belongs to them.💝
