Birth
Hazrath Hajee Shah Goolam
Mohamed Soofie Siddique Chisti Al-Qadiri Habibi RA was born in 1848 AC (1267) in
the town of Ibrahimpatan, Ratnagir, about 200km from Bombay in India. He was the
eldest son of Hazrath Ibrahim Siddiqui RA, a direct descendent of Hazrath Abu
Bakr Siddique RA, the first Caliph of Islam. His mother was Hazrath Rabia RA.
His younger brothers were Qadi Abdul Majid and Qadi Goolam Hasan. His sisters
were Khatoon, Amina and Bibi. He was brought up in a strict Islamic atmosphere
unlike many of the children of his time.
Journey to Mecca Tul Mukarramah
Arabia is a hot desert country
where the midday temperature can reach up to 50 degrees. In order to get relief
from the blazing sun and the burning sands, Hazrath Soofie Saheb (RA) after
every few hours of walking, would stop at an oasis to rest. He would untie his
mother, see to her requirements, prepare meals, and only after making sure that
his mother and wife were comfortable, he would sit down and rest. They spent the
nights under a tent. The journey, although arduous, was not dangerous because
there were other pilgrims travelling towards Mecca either on foot or on camels.
It took him three days to reach Mecca Shareef.
Stay in Mecca Tul Mukarramah
After arriving in the Holy City
of Mecca, Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA took his family to Sayed Alawi who was the
family Muallim (guide). A suitable humble place was located for himself and his
family. He made Tawaaf-e-Ziarat of the Kaaba and made the Sa-ee with his mother
on his back. He spent a few days in Mecca making ziarat of the important
historial places and mosques. He then left for the city of Medina, the famous
and revered city of the Holy Prophet SAW. He joined a caravan consisting of a
few camels with pilgrims. They used to camp at night. The journey took twelve
days.
Stay in Medina Tul Munawara
Medina, unlike Mecca is a city
that is lush and green with vegetation and date palms. It is calm, peaceful and
serene, much in keeping with the resting place of the Holy Prophet SAW. Even the
inhabitants go about their duties in a leisurely manner in contrast with the
hustle and bustle of Mecca, where the Holy Prophet SAW was born.
The first thing that Hazrath
Soofie Saheb RA did when he arrived in Medina Shareef was to take his mother on
his back and his wife to the Haram of the Holy Prophet SAW where they offered
their salutation and respects. During his stay in Medina, he made ziarat of all
the important historical places. Daily, after the Fajr and Ishraaq namaaz he
visited Jannatul Baqee, the famous cemetery in Medina where many of the
Prophet’s family, the Sahabas and other important personalities are buried.
May Allah’s peace be upon them. After his stay in Medina Munnawwara, he went
back to Mecca, where he performed Haj before returnung to India.
Back Home
By now there was a great change
in his personality and in his outlook. This was particularly due to his stay in
Medina. He was drawn away from the materialistic world towards spiritualism.
Mysticism and sufistic ideas were imbued in him. What he needed now more than
ever before, was a Pir(Spiritual Guide) who could place him on the path of
Sufism.
Trip to Baghdad Shareef
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq,
and is situated on the banks of the Tigris. It was once known for its learning
and culture, for its flourishing trade, its gardens and for its minarets and
domes. It is a place of pilgrims. It was built in 726 (66 AH) by Abu Jaffar
al-Mansur, the second caliph of the Abbasid Dynasty, and enlarged by King Haroun
al-Rashid during which era it reached the height of its prosperity. Baghdad is
dotted by many mazaars-those of Hazrath Junaid Baghdadi RA, Hazrath Mansur al
Hallaj RA, Hazrath Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani RA and Imam Abu Hanifa RA, to name
a few. The tomb of Zubeida, the queen of Haroon al-Rashid is also here.
After discussing the trip with
the members of his family, Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA left for Bombay. He set sail
again with Baghdad as his destination, in search of a Pir O Murshid (Spiritual
Master).
Stay in Baghdad Shareef
After arriving in Baghdad,
Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA went to the khanqah (monastery) of Hazrath Ghousal Azam
Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani RA to arrange accommodation and then visited his
Mazaar Shareef where he spent a few hours before going out in search of a Pir.
Here he met Hazrath Shah Goolam Mustupha Effendi al-Qadri RA who accepted
Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA as a mureed(disciple) in the Qadiri Silsila, one of the
orders into which the Sufis are classified, the other principal orders being
Chistia, Suhrawardia and Naqshabandia. These orders have no fundamental
differences except in matters of minor details. While in Baghdad he visited many
places such as Karbala, Najaf, Kufa, Damascus, Jerusalem and others.
Riazath and Mujahedas
Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA used to
sit in the Mazaar Shareef of Hazrath Ghousal Azam RA especially after Fijr
Namaaz. He had to recite certain wazifas (daily round of the holy recitals)
before performing Ishraq and Chast namaaz. After Tajahud (middle of the night)
namaaz he spent his time in reciting the Holy Quraan. These daily routines known
as Riazath and Mujahedas, were indulged in for the next six months.
It was Hazrath Shah Goolam
Mustupha Effendi RA who first called him Soofie. One day on the request of his
Pir he respectfully sat down by his Qadri Pir and was told to return to India in
order to meet his Chisti Pir, Hazrath Khwaja Habib Ali Shah RA in Hyderabad.
Meanwhile, both these Pirs, communicated with one another by means of spiritual
contact about the disciple, Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA.
Meeting
with his Chisti Pir
Without any questions, Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA left Baghdad
for India. After a journey of three weeks he arrived in Bombay. The first thing
he did was to inquire about a place called Hyderabad when he learnt that Hazrath
Khwaja Habib Ali Shah RA was in Majghown, a village not far from Bombay, where
he had a small Khanqah to cater for his mureeds in this part of the country and
from where he spread the silsila. When Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA arrived here he
found a Sama Khani in progress (recitation of devotional and mystic poetry).
However, he quietly slipped into the room which was full of devotees and Hazrath
Khwaja Habib Ali Shah RA recognised him and one glance from him put Hazrath
Soofie Saheb RA into a trance (Istighrag) or engrossment, a position which
lasted for two days after which Hazrath Khwaja Habib Ali Shah RA embraced him
and immediately accepted him into the Chistia Silsila.
Hazrath Khwaja Habib Ali Shah RA was very satisfied, when he
discovered that his young mureed was not interested in worldly gain. This is
what he had expected from his shining star and made dua for him to progress in
the path of Sufism.
Back
in Kalyan
After a few days Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA set off for Kalyan
to resume duties as a teacher in the madressa and as leader in the Musjid.
Hazrath Khwaja Habib Ali Shah RA loved his mureed, Hazrath
Soofie Saheb RA very much. As a result he used to visit his mureed quite
regularly in Kalyan. In return, Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA showed the greatest
respect for his Pir. On one such trip he kissed the feet of his Pir out of sheer
love and respect. However, a few members of the congregation (unable to
differentiate between worship of Allah and respect for mankind) caused a
dispute. When he found that the congregation was being divided, Hazrath Soofie
Saheb RA, not to offend anyone, resigned as Imam and teacher at this institution
in Kalyan and returned to his home in Ratnagir, after which he went to Hyderabad
to serve his Pir.
Khwaja
Habib Ali Shah RA Visits Mazaars
Meanwhile, an important incident took place in Delhi which
was to change not only the life of Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA but the life of the
Muslims in South Africa. Hazrath Khwaja Habib Ali RA used to visit the various
mazaars in the Indo-Pakistan sub-continent especially during the Urs Shareef
(Death Anniversary) celebrations. During one of his visits to the Urs Shareef
celebration of Hazrath Khwaja Naseeruddin Chirag RA (a Khalifa of Hazrath
Nizamuddin Awliya RA and a Sufi saint of the Golden Age of Sufism in India)
whose illustrious Mazaar is in Delhi, Hazrath Khwaja Habib Ali RA was seated
beside the Holy Grave of Hazrath Khwaja Naseeruddin RA. He was reading the Holy
Quraan and wazifas when suddenly he was in spiritual contact with Hazrath Khwaja
Naseeruddin RA who instructed him to send his brilliant mureed, Hazrath Soofie
Saheb RA to South Africa to propagate Islam and spread the Chistia Silsila.
In
Hyderabad
From Ratnagir, Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA left for Hyderabad
where he remained in the service of his Pir O Murshid and at the same time he
was given instructions in the path of Sufism. He also had various duties to
perform at the Khanqah Shareef of his Spiritual Master.
One day, Hazrath Khwaja Habib Ali Shah RA called Hazrath
Soofie Saheb RA to his presence and instructed him to proceed to South Africa
where he was to carry out his mission. Once again, without any questions,
Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA left the city of Hyderabad and went to Ratnagir to make
preparations to leave for South Africa.
Back
in Ratnagir
Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA spoke of his intended trip to South
Africa with the members of his family who were very supportive and his mother
readily gave him permission and blessing to leave the shores of India for South
Africa.