PIETERMARITZBURG
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg,
nestling in a valley about 80 km from Durban, is the second largest city in
KwaZulu Natal. In 1909 Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA purchased a portion of land
stretching from East Street to the banks of Dorpspruit river. There were very
few homes here because this formed the boundary of the city at the time.
He
established a Mosque, Madressa and quarters for the Imam and the Muezzin. A few
rooms were later built for travellers and wayfarers. Mass feeding started
immediately, which was a feature not only in the Khanqahs of Hazrath Soofie
Saheb RA but in all Sufi Khanqahs throughout the world. A flagpole was implanted
near the entrance to this institution. The famous Chistia Habibia Nishaan (Flag)
was flying high, a sight so familiar up to this day at the various institutions
established by Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA in Southern Africa.
Azaan filled the air five times a day. Children were
attending the Madressa classes on a daily basis. Adult clases were also in
operation. People were being assisted with their various needs and aspirations.
The down trodden, who were roaming the streets found refuge and solace in the
Khanqah.
The
following served as Trustees:
1909-1911
Founder, Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA
1911-1954
Hazrath Shah Mohamed Ebrahim Soofie RA
1911-1935
Hazrath Shah Abdul Aziz Soofie RA in charge of the legal aspect of the Trust
with the local Muslims administering the daily affairs.
1935-1940
Hazrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie RA, third son of Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA.
Hazrath Shah Abdul Aziz Soofie RA (1940-1947) and Hazrath
Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie Sani RA (1947 - 1978) were in charge of legal
matters. Sayyida Khatoon, wife of the late Hazrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie RA,
was in charge of the daily affairs assisted by the Mussallees and the local
Muslims. From 1980 Hazrath Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie, the third son of Hazrath
Shah Abdul Kader Soofie RA served the community from this institution. Hazrath
Shah Mohiyudin Soofie eldest son of Hazrath Shah Abdul Kadir Soofie RA and
Hazrath Shah Mustapha Ariff are also trustees.
Hazrath
Shah Abdul Kader Soofie Siddiqui RA
He
was the third son of Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA and was born at Ibrahim Pattan,
Ratnagir, India. He arrived in Durban in 1897 with his mother, Hazrath Zainab
Soofie RA to join his father.
He grew up at the Darbar at Riverside and received his
education at the Madressa at Riverside. He grew up under the watchful eye and
guidance of his illustrious father. He married Nizam Bi daughter of Hazrath
Abdul Majid Qadi RA the younger brother of Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA. One son was
born from this marriage, Abdul Latief, who passed away at an early age. He
married Sayyida Khatoon the daughter of Sayed Rasool. The following are the
children - Rabia, Goolam Mohiyudeen, Fathima, Goolam Mohamed and Zohra. When his
wife Nizam Bi passed away he was very depressed. The letter that he wrote to his
maternal uncle, Hazrath Shah Goolam Hassen Qadi RA in Cape Town, immediately
after the tragedy is preserved in the archives in Riverside.
It is reported by a
businessman from Carolina, Transvaal that as a youth he lived with his parents
in Pietermaritzburg. Once in the early hours of a cold wintry morning, just
after Tahajud prayers (voluntary night prayers), his father saw Hazrath Shah
Abdul Kader Soofie RA carry water which was drawn from a well and poured into
the water tanks of the Musjid for Wudu (ablution) purposes. His father
instructed him and his brothers thereafter to take ove this duty.
Hazrath organised Meelad
Shareef, Gyarwin Shareef, Urs Shareef and observed all the auspicious nights. He
used these opportunities to enlighten the people on Islam with practical
traning. He used to visit the sick at their homes and help bury the dead whose
relatives could not afford the expense. Thus he carried out the tariqa of his
father, Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA.
When Hazrath Shah Goolam
Mohamed Soofie Sani RA married in 1936, Hazrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie RA
presented his nephew with the “Dalail Khairath”, a famous Book of
Darood Shareef, which had belonged to Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA.
The health of Hazrath Shah
Abdul Kader Soofie RA suddenly deteriorated and he passed away in May 1940
(Rabi-ul-Awwal 1359) at the young age of 45 years. His Janaza Namaz and burial
took place in Riverside.
Hazrath
Shah Goolam Mohiyudeen Soofie and
Hazrath Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie
They
are the sons of Hazrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie RA, the third son of Hazrath
Soofie Saheb (R.A.). Shah Goolam Mohiyudeen Soofie was born in Pietermaritzburg
and received his Islamic education first from his father and then from his
mother, and also from the Darbar Madressa at Pietermaritzburg. He has two
children, Irshad Soofie and Sherbanu.
Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie
also received his education from the Madressa at the Darbar, Pietermaritzburg
and from his parents. He married Nizambi Soofie, the youngest daughter of
Hazrath Shah Mohamed Habib Soofie RA of Soofie Darbar, Springfield, Durban in
1970. One son Abdul Kader Soofie, was born.
Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie
was a businessman until 1980 when he decided to serve the community, following
the footsteps of his father, Hazrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie RA and grandfather,
Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA. However, there was some misunderstanding on the part of
certain Mussallees who were administering the daily affairs of the Mosque which
resulted in a lengthy court case in the Supreme Court, Pietermaritzburg, which
eventually ruled in favour of the Soofie Trust. Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie was
bestowed with Khilafat by Hazrath Shah Ahmed Sheriff RA (Poone Wale Shah Saheb).
Presently, Shah Goolam
Mohiyudeen Soofie, Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie and Shah Mustapha Ariff are the
Trustees of this institution. They are ably assisted by Shah Irshad Soofie. The
Mosque was extended and completely renovated. A Jamatkana for ladies was added.
A Pre-school was established and a new hall was built.
This Darbar established in
1909 is still serving the various needs of the community, Al Hamd-O-Lillah.