Sheikh Farid-ud-Din Masoud (1173 – 15.10.1263), also known as Shakar Ganj, son of Sheikh Jamaluddin Suleman and Qarsum Bibi, was born at village Kotthiwal (now known as Chawali Mashaik. Guru Nanak Sahib also visited this village), near Multan. At the age of 16, he went to Mecca for Hajj. After Hajj, he went to Kabul (Afghanistan) to study Islamic philosophy. After completing his education, he returned to Multan where he met Khwaja Kutub-ud-Din Bakhtiyar Kaki, of Delhi. Farid joined Chishti sect and accompanied his guide to Delhi. He spent some years of his life at Hansi and Sirsa to study Islamic philosophy. After the death of Khwaja Kutub-ud-Din Bakhtiyar Kaki, Sheikh Farid settled at Ajodhan, now known as Pak Pattan. Sheikh Farid worked seriously for propagation of Islam and converted numerous Hindus to Islam. Sheikh Farid had four wives who bore him five sons and three daughters. He died in 1263 and was succeeded by his eldest son Diwan Baddar-ud-Din Suleman. Sheikh Farid was a great poet of Punjabi language. One hundred and thirty-four of his verses have been included in Guru Granth Sahib. A memorial at Faridkot (Mokal Nagar, founded by Raja Mokal, was named Faridkot by the ruler as a tribute to Sheikh Farid) preserves his memory. [Guru Nanak Sahib had a discourse with Sheikh Ibrahim, the eleventh successor of Sheikh Farid].
(Dr Harjinder Singh Dilgeer)