Sheikh Ibrahim Farid Sani, a Sufi saint, was twelfth in succession to the seat of Sheikh Farid. He remained in this seat for about 40 years. He held his seat at the Dera established by Sheikh Farid at Pakpattan (district Montgomery, now Sahiwal, Pakistan). He was such a great personality that his followers considered him as Second Sheikh Farid. In 1507, Guru Nanak Sahib and Bhai Mardana visited Pakpattan. Here Guru Sahib rested in the forest outside the town and started Keertan. Kamal, a follower of Sheikh Ibrahim came there to collect firewood for the kitchen of the Dera of Sheikh Farid. Keertan impressed Kamal. After returning to the Dera, he told Sheikh Ibrahim that he had seen a Pir in the forest. He and a good musician were singing hymns in the praise of God. At this Sheikh Ibrahim went to the forest and met Guru Sahib. He requested Guru Sahib to visit his Dera. Here, Guru Nanak Sahib sang some of his hymns and Sheikh Ibrahim sand some of the hymns of Baba Farid. He was astonished to find similarity of thought in the hymns of Guru Sahib and Sheikh Farid. Guru Nanak Sahib visited Pakpattan again in 1519 on his way to Mecca.
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)