Imam Ali-ul-Haq

Imam Ali al-Haq (الامام علي الحق) is claimed to have been from the 10th century. He is mentioned in a Persian manuscript by Ganesh Das Wadhera titled "Chār Bāgh-i-Panjāb." In this book, Ganesh Das Wadhera claims that "Imam Ali al-Haq led an army to Sialkot from Arabia between 970 and 971 A.D where he was killed in a battle with Raja Sahan Pal, who assumed the title of Salbahan the second, in the course of his brothers rule of Sirhind. However this account comes from Ganesh Das Wadhera alone and is not found in any other book of history.^[1]

Ganesh Das Wadhera writes, without any reference, that many associates, who were riding with Imam Ali al-Haq, also lost their lives in the Sialkot battle. After this happened, Sultan Nasir al-Din Sabuktigin of Ghazni invaded the Punjab in 980 A.D. To avenge the Imam, he massacred all the inhabitants, completely devastated the city and demolished the solid walls of its fort.^[2]

Imam Ali al-Haq's shrine is situated in Sialkot city at the place where he died. The path leading to his tomb is often lined with numerous pilgrims. The mausoleum complex is a maze of narrow corridors and steps leading to several other tombs of men from his army whose names are not known, including the shrines of pir (holy men). The tomb of Imam Ali-ul-Haq is to the right, through a mirrored gateway and is tiled with Quranic inscriptions and geometric designs.

See also

• List of Sufi saints
• Sufism