Sheikh Fareed’s Mother

Dec 22, 2024

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It is said that there are only 2.5 true mothers in the world. One of them is Baba Fareed’s mother, another is Dhruv’s mother, and half is Gopi Chand’s mother. Gopi Chand’s mother is considered only half because, while she initiated him on the path of devotion, she later fell into despair over their separation.

A mother like Fareed Ji’s is hard to find. She would rock Fareed Ji to sleep in her lap, singing lullabies from the verses of the Koran and telling him stories from Hadith. When she initiated him into the practice of daily prayers (Namaz), Fareed Ji, like any other child, asked what he would receive for praying. She wisely replied, “sweets,” knowing that a child’s interest in sweets might motivate him to pray regularly. Every day, she placed two dates under his prayer mat. After his Namaz, Fareed Ji would be delighted to find the dates, which he considered God’s gift for his prayers. He began to look forward to his daily prayers—and the sweets that followed. This went on for a long time.

One day, Fareed Ji’s mother forgot to place the dates under the mat before leaving the house to run some errands. On her way back, she suddenly remembered her oversight and grew anxious. She worried, “What if Fareed Ji discovers the truth about the dates? What if he loses interest in prayer?”

As fate would have it, that day, Fareed Ji experienced a deep and unparalleled connection during his prayer. When he finished, he stood up, folded his mat, and looked for the dates he had grown accustomed to finding every day. But today, there were none. In that moment, he realized what his mother had been doing for him all along. His heart overflowed with gratitude, and he uttered the following verse:

फरीदा सकर खंडु निवात गुड़ु माखिओु माँझा दुधु ॥
fareedhaa sakar kha(n)dd nivaat guR maakhio maa(n)jhaa dhudh ||
Fareed: sugar cane, candy, sugar, molasses, honey and buffalo’s milk

सभे वसतू मिठीआँ रब न पुजनि तुधु ॥२७॥
sabhe vasatoo miTheeaa(n) rab na pujan tudh ||27||
all these things are sweet, but none can compare to You. ||27||

Sugar, honey and buffalo’s milk – all these things are sweet, but none can compare to You.
Sheikh Fareed ji

Fareed Ji went on to become one of the most influential dervishes in Sufi history. His teachings were later incorporated into the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture of the Sikhs.Sheikh Fareed’s teachings were characterized by a deep sense of love and devotion to God. He emphasized simplicity, humility, and the importance of a personal relationship with the Divine. Fareed Ji’s teachings also stress the importance of charity, kindness, and helping the needy.

What began as a mother’s simple act of inspiring her child to pray blossomed into a lifelong devotion and spiritual wisdom. This foundation not only transformed the life of Sheikh Fareed but also became an eternal lamp of divine light – guiding humanity for centuries to come.

References

Gyan Da Sagar, Giani Sant Singh Maskeen
Darveshi Gakhri, Principal Satbir Singh

Reflection question

Is there someone in your life who inspired you to embark on your journey of self-discovery or looking within?

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Comments

2 responses to “Sheikh Fareed’s Mother”

Uthra5

December 25, 2024

This story resonates deeply with me, as my own journey began when I was 4, with my grandfather teaching me to chant a shloka. I chanted for him, but I also enjoyed the tongue twister. Later at 8, my father introduced me to the tradition of repeating a mantra 108 times using a japa mala, promising it would help me perform better in exams—an incentive that motivated me at the time. In addition, I had ample access to books, literature, and TV programs on spiritual and religious topics that provided more ideas and methods to explore and experiment on my own. However, what truly drives one to look inward is the need for it. In my case, pain and challenges pushed me to seek solutions, ultimately guiding me to explore spirituality and connect with my inner self.

The saying, ‘When the student is ready, the teacher or the right guidance will appear,’ rings true. Yet, this blog reminds me that even when the student doesn’t seem ready, consistent spiritual practice can still prepare them. It allows them to tap into their inner resources, making the journey feel less like a struggle when challenging times arise.

This is where the role of family and elders becomes vital. They often plant the seeds in young minds to inspire them to seek within. I’ve come to realize that better than telling children how to be or what to do, it is far more effective to guide them through example. Reflecting on my own parenting, I strive, even if imperfectly, to be a role model for my child by first doing myself a favor—integrating spiritual practices into my daily life and making an effort to grow spiritually to the best of my ability. In doing so, I hope to show her how to live a life that is happy, harmonious, fulfilled, and deeply connected to her inner self and the divine within.

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1. Gurpreet Sethy
  
  January 1, 2025
  Thanks Uthra. I can relate to your experiences. A few incidents similarly stand out in my mind too.
  1. In our city flat, a small balcony was enclosed and transformed into a serene prayer room. Growing up, our parents gave us simple yet profound guidance: “Before eating anything in the morning, always offer your obeisance in the prayer room—even if it’s just for one minute.” That small act became a stabilizing ritual in my daily life. Over time, that one minute evolved into reading a short prayer, sitting in silence, exploring scripture, and finding a steady anchor through life’s ups and downs.
  2. My first prayer was taught to me by my sister when I was around six years old. I still vividly remember that evening. My brother and I had a typical childhood squabble—pushing, pulling, fighting over toys, complaining to parents, and feeling slighted when one of us got a better deal. In what felt like just a lesson in resolving a childish fight, I now realize was a lesson for handling conflicts in life.
  My sister gently pulled me out of the chaos, found a quiet corner, and sat me down. She covered her head and began teaching me the Mool Mantra of the Sikhs—likely to distract me from the fight. And it worked; in the half hour I spent memorizing the mantra with her, I forgot all about the quarrel. From that day onward, she began taking me along for her evening prayers.
  
  3. The third memory is from the first day of summer vacation in grade 5 when all the kids were sent out of the house because renovations were underway. Perhaps we were making it harder for the adults to get things done! Everyone was sent off in different directions, and I was asked to join the Punjabi language class at the local gurdwara.
  As a shy introvert, I was hesitant. I decided I’d walk to the door, show my face, and leave—technically complying with the instruction. 🙂 When I reached the door, I bowed. The place was silent—no class, no students in sight. Relieved, I turned to go back, but just then, a teacher appeared at the gate and gently asked, “Are you looking for something?”
  
  I mumbled, “Is there a Punjabi class today?” secretly hoping she would say it was over so I could rush back home. Instead, she nodded, smiled warmly, and gestured for me to come in. Her kindness melted my hesitation. She and her husband taught children Punjabi and kirtan. Both were kind, gentle, and incredibly patient teachers. I began to look forward to the class every day. I spent the entire summer learning the language. Though I never saw them again after those months, I remain deeply grateful for their contribution to my journey. Had she not noticed me standing hesitantly at the door and invited me in, I might never have learned the language that has helped me access the wisdom of the Gurus.
  
  This story brings back all those memories and reminds me how many people have shaped my journey. We owe so much to the kindness and guidance of others.
  
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