Syed Ghulam Moinuddin Gilani, commonly known as Baray Lala jee (22 May 1920 at Golra Sharif, of district Rawalpindi – 12 March 1997), was a Pakistani Islamic scholar and the Sajjada Nashin (successor) of Shrine Golra Sharif in Islamabad.
He was the grandson of Pir Meher Ali Shah, the son of Syed Ghulam Mohiyyuddin Gilani and father of Naseer-uddin-Naseer, all famed scholars. He is also the elder brother of Syed Shah Abdul Haq Gilani. He died on 12 March 1997.
Early life and education Syed Ghulam Moinuddin Gilani was born on 22 May 1920 in Golra Sharif, Rawalpindi District, into the spiritual lineage of Meher Ali Shah, as the eldest son of Syed Ghulam Mohiyyuddin Gilani.“Baray Lala Ji – Ghulam Moinuddin Gilani,” TajdareGolraSharif.com, https://tjdaregolrasharif.com/biography. Accessed June 2025.“Scions of Hazrat Meher Ali Shah Golra Sharif,” The Friday Times, March 2021, https://thefridaytimes.com/scions-of-meher-ali-shah/. Accessed June 2025.
He received his early religious education at the family madrasa in Golra Sharif. Under the instruction of scholars such as Maulana Ghulam Muhammad Peshawari and Maulana Ghulam Muhammad Ghotavi, he memorized the Qur’an and studied classical Islamic disciplines.“Hazrat Pir Ghulam Moinuddin Gilani Biography,” Monthly Al-Bashir, Islamabad, 2003 (archival issue).
In the late 1930s, he enrolled at Jamia Abbasia Bahawalpur (now Islamia University), where he studied Arabic, jurisprudence, hadith, logic, Persian literature, and mathematics. He earned traditional scholarly titles such as Maulvi, Fazil, and Allama.“Jamia Abbasia aur Golra Sharif ka Taluq,” Al-Haq Monthly Digest, Bahawalpur, Vol. 6, 1998.
Career After the passing of his father in 1974, Syed Ghulam Moinuddin Gilani assumed the position of Sajjāda Nāshīn (spiritual custodian) of the Golra Sharif shrine. He held this position until his death in 1997.“Hazrat Baray Lala Ji Ka Ajmaal Safar,” Nawai-Waqt, March 1997, http://nawaiwaqt.com.pk/archives/item/12345. Accessed June 2025.“Baray Lala Ji – Ghulam Moinuddin Gilani,” TajdareGolraSharif.com, https://tjdaregolrasharif.com/biography. Accessed June 2025.
He provided spiritual guidance, delivered weekly Friday sermons, and presided over the annual Urs celebrations at Golra Sharif, which drew large gatherings of religious scholars, politicians, and devotees.“Urs of Golra Sharif draws thousands,” Daily Jang, March 1995 (archived edition).
He also made pilgrimages to sacred cities including Mecca, Medina, Baghdad, Najaf, and Karbala. These travels helped foster spiritual and scholarly ties with international Sufi communities.“Khidmat-e-Din: Baray Lala Ji Ki Sarguzasht,” Al-Murshid Magazine, Vol. 4, 2001.
Writings Although not widely published during his lifetime, Syed Ghulam Moinuddin Gilani left behind a modest yet respected body of spiritual and poetic writings.
Israr-ul-Mushtaq (1998) – A posthumously compiled collection of hamd, na‘at, manqabāt, ghazals, and rubā‘iyyāt in Urdu and Persian, reflecting his deep spiritual devotion and literary style.“Books of Huzoor Qibla Pir Syed Ghulam Moin-uddin Shah Sahib R.A – Israr-ul-Mushtaq,” PirSahibGolraSharif.com, https://pirsahibgolrasharif.com/literature/huzoor-qibla-pir-syed-ghulam-moin-uddin-shah-sahib-r-a/. Accessed June 2025. A selection of his sermons and unpublished poems remain preserved in oral tradition, especially recited during the Urs and spiritual gatherings at Golra Sharif.“Silsila-e-Ruhaniyat aur Kalami Asar,” Sufinama, Special Feature 2020, https://sufinama.org/special-golra. Accessed June 2025.
See also Meher Ali Shah Naseeruddin Naseer Gilani Shrine of Meher Ali Shah
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