Maira Sharif is a village situated approximately 28 kilometers west of Pindi Gheb in Attock District, Punjab, Pakistan. It is renowned for hosting the shrine complex of Khwaja Ahmed Mairvi, a prominent figure in the Chishti Nizami Sufi order.
The village and its spiritual significance are tied to the broader religious landscape of Punjab, where many Sufi shrines exist. Attock District, like other parts of Punjab, is dotted with shrines belonging to the Chishti Nizami Sufis. These Sufis trace their spiritual lineage back to Khawaja Noor Muhammad Muharvi (1730-1790), a key figure in the Chishti order and a disciple of Fakhruddin Dehlavi (1717-1785). Khawaja Noor Muhammad Muharvi is credited with initiating the Nizamiya branch of the Chishti order in Punjab and Sindh, establishing his spiritual center in the village of Muhar near Bahawalpur in the mid-18th century.
The disciples and subsequent khalifas of Khawaja Noor Muhammad Muharvi played a crucial role in spreading the Chishti Nizamiya teachings across Punjab. Notable among these was Shah Muhammad Suleiman Taunsvi (1770-1850), who significantly advanced the reach of this Sufi order. His teachings inspired many other Sufis to establish khanqahs (spiritual retreats) in numerous towns and villages across the region.
In Maira Sharif, the khanqah established by Khawaja Ahmad Mairvi became a focal point for the Chishti Nizami Sufis. Born in 1832 into the Khokhar tribe, Khawaja Ahmad Mairvi was initiated into the order by Khawaja Shah Muhammad Suleiman Taunsvi at a young age. After extensive travels to various Sufi shrines across the region, he chose to settle in Maira Sharif, where he began preaching and quickly attracted a large following.
Khawaja Ahmad Mairvi passed away in 1911, but his legacy continues through the shrine in Maira Sharif, which houses his tomb. This shrine is one of the architectural highlights of the region, known for its elaborate decorations, including Arabic calligraphy and Persian poetry. The shrine complex also includes the graves of his successors and disciples, making it a significant site of pilgrimage during the annual Urs, which draws thousands of devotees.
Additionally, the historic Jamia mosque in Maira Sharif, also established by Khawaja Ahmad Mairvi, features notable stone carvings and serves as a center of religious and community life.
The story of Maira Sharif and Khawaja Ahmad Mairvi illustrates the rich spiritual heritage of the Chishti Nizami Sufis in Punjab, highlighting how these religious figures have shaped local culture and spirituality through their teachings and community leadership.