For the last eight years of his remarkable life, Shah Latif lived at Bhitshah. A few days before his death, he retired to his cave-shaped room and spent all his time in prayers and fasting, eating very little.
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'لڳي لڳي وآءُ، وياانگڙا لٽجي، پيئي کٹي پساه، پسڻ ڪارڻ پرين جي'
"Wind blew! The sand enveloped the body, Whatever little life left, is to see the beloved." | ” |
After 21 days in there, he came out and after taking bath covered himself with a white sheet and asked his disciples to sing and start the mystic music. This went on for three days continuously, when the musicians, concerned about the motionless poet, found that he had died. The date was 14th Safar 1165 Hijra corresponding to 1752 CE. He was buried at the place where his mausoleum now stands, which was built by the ruler of Sindh, Ghulam Shah Kalhoro. The work of the construction of the mausoleum was entrusted to the well-known mason, Idan from Sukkur. The mausoleum, as well as the mosque adjoining it, were later repaired and renovated by another ruler of Sindh, Mir Nasir Khan Talpur. A pair of kettle drums, that are beaten every morning and evening even till today by the fakirs, jogis and sanyasis, who frequent the mausoleum, were presented by then Raja of Jaisalmer.
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"Tell me the stories, oh thorn-bush, Of the mighty merchants of the Indus, Of the nights and the days of the prosperous times, Are you in pain now, oh thorn-bush? Because they have departed: In protest, cease to flower. Oh thorn-bush, how old were you When the river was in full flood? Have you seen any way-farers Who could be a match of the Banjaras? True, the river has gone dry, And worthless plants have begun to flourish on the brink, The elite merchants are on decline, And the tax collectors have disappeared, The river is littered with mud And the banks grow only straws The river has lost its old strength, You big fish, you did not return When the water had its flow Now it's too late, You will soon be caught For fishermen have blocked up all the ways. The white flake on the water: Its days are on the wane." ......Bhittai [translated by Prof. D. H. Butani (1913-1989) in The Melody and Philosophy of Shah Latif
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According to Sindhi scholars, young historian such as Abul Hassan Thattvi,author of the Muqadamah as-Salawat, sought advice from the elderly Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai during compilation of his celebrated work and frequently traveled to Bhit Shah.
Those that all night keep awake, And Allah's name unceasingly take, Their yearning Abdul Latif says, For all time unforgotten stays, Among those that come before Allah for adoration, On them countless more shall send their homages and prayers.
Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, Shah Jo Risalo
It is reported that in his final years Latif visited Luari to meet Sultan-al-Aoliya Khawaja Muhammad Zaman. In this meeting Latif expressed desire to become his disciple. Muhammad Zaman put condition to withdraw from music as it is not allowed in Naqshbandi Sufi sect.[3] Latif replied that "I have spent whole of my life playing these instruments and sufi music, in this last part of my life I cannot surrender it". After this meeting Latif is said to have repeatedly recited this verse in praise of Muhammad Zaman: '''' ''''سي مون ڏٺا ماء جنين ڏٺو پرين کي''''
''''تنين سندي ڪا ڪري ن سگھان ڳالھڙي''''''' ' "O mother! I have seen those who have seen the Beloved
I am speechless and of them nothing more can be told."