At the age of eighteen, his bay'at was accepted by Nasiruddin Naqshbandi. Later he went to study under Mianji, as an initiate of the Chishti-Sabiri Sufi order, but after Mianji's death he temporarily became a semi-recluse. After wandering in the wilderness for six months he was overcome by a strong urge to travel to Medina. On December 7, 1845, he arrived at Banares. From there, he departed for Arabia for Hajj and pilgrimage of the tomb of shrine of Muhammad. After the completion of his hajj, Imadadullah remained with Ishaq Muhajir Makki and others. Shah informed him that, after his pilgrimage to Medina, he should return to India. Sayyid Qudratullah Banarasi Makki sent several of his murids to accompany him to Medina.
Freedom struggle against the British
In Thana Bhawan, the localSunnis declared Imdadullah their leader. In May 1857 the Battle of Shamli took place between the forces of Haji Imdadullah and the British.
Marriages
Imdadullah married for the first time when he was 48 years old. After the death of his first wife, he married a blind widow. Because she was blind, she could not manage all household work, so she requested him to take another wife so all household work. Imdadullah then married for the third time. None of his three wives bore him children.
Poetry
Examples
In Makki's poem in Imdad ul Mushtaq regarding his teacher Noor Muhammad, he says: تم ہو اے نور محمد خاص محبوب خدا ہند میں ہو نائب حضرت محمد مصطفیٰ تم مدد گار مدد،امداد کو پھر خوف کیا عشق کی پر سن کے باتیں کانپتے ہیں دست و پا اے شہ نور محمد،وقت ہے امداد کا آسرا دنیا میں ہے از بس تمہاری ذات کا This translates into English as: You are, O Noor Muhammad, the remarkably beloved of Allah; you are the deputy of Hazrat Muhammad Mustafa pbuh in India. You are the helper then what to worry for assistance, but hands and feet shiver when hear communications of love. O master Noor Muhammad! This is the time for assistance; the only reliance in the world is your personality.”
Literary works
His books include:
Kulliyat-e-Imdadiya
Hashiya Mathnavi Moulana Rumi: This is an annotation in Persian on the Mathnawi-i Ma’nawi by Rumi. During Imadadullah's lifetime, only two parts could be printed. The remainder was printed after his death.
Ghiza-e-Ruh : Imadadullah wrote this book in 1264 AH. Mianji Noor Mohammad Jhanjhanvi is also discussed. It consists of 1600 verses of poetry.
Ikleelul Quran. First Published in Bahraich by Taj Offcet Press formerly Aqeel Press NazirPura Bahraich
Jihad-e-Akbar : He composed this book in 1268 AH. It is a poetic work in Persian that he translated it into Urdu. It consists of 17 pages with 679 verses.
Mathnavi Tuhfatul Ushshaq : This consists of 1324 poetic verses and was compiled in 1281 AH.
Risala Dard Ghamnak : It consists of 5 pages with 175 verses.
Irshad-e-Murshid : This book deals with wadha'if, muraaqabaat, aurad, and shajaraat of the four silsilas. It was written in 1293 AH.
Zia ul Quloob : This book is in Persian. He wrote this kitab'' in Makkah in 1282 AH on the request of Hafiz Muhammad Yusuf, the son of Hafiz Muhammad Zamin.
Death
Imadadullah was of frail physical stature. In his last years, his body deteriorated to such an extent that, towards his death, it became difficult for him to even turn onto his side. He died in 1896 at the age of eighty-two.
