Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R)
By
Mufti Zubair Dudha (H.A.)
Khalifah: Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R)
As the sun set in Karachi Pakistan on Sunday 2nd June 2013 22nd Rajab 1434h drawing with it darkness on the horizon, such news spread throughout the world that darkened the horizon of the hearts of millions. There were still 6 hours to go for Sunset in the UK but the sun set early that day. The sky despite its glow became dreary, the earth despite its enormity became constricted.
The news that brought such darkness was the demise of a great saint and friend of Allah, Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar (R), the shinning sun and guidance for millions throughout the world. Millions is no exaggeration, as this was the effect that this great Wali (Friend) of Allah had on the lives of people. Through his heart burning moving discourses, his publications in many languages and the gaze that would penetrate the most harden heart and leave it soften with the love of Allah. Through the travels of this great Wali throughout the world, travelling with the lamp of the love of Allah, enlightening hearts in its wake, Through this great Walis deputies, without exaggeration millions have benefited and we pray will continue to benefit till the end of time.
The media, social sites and forums were flooded with tributes to Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R). Even those who had not heard of Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) began to rue the fact that they had not benefited directly from him and had not known him.
A biological father to a son and a daughter, but a spiritual father and mentor to many, Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R), born in 1928 was a natural Wali (Friend) of Allah. In his childhood, where other children would entertain themselves with play and amusement, Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) would entertain himself and find ease in the Masjid. When children would be in awe at the dressing of entertainers Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) marvelled at the dressing and ways of the people of the Sunnah.
Many who find the way to Allah find it at a later stage in their lives, but this Wali of Allah found closeness to Allah from a very young age by separating himself from his surroundings and spending time in the remembrance of Allah. When other children transcended into puberty having experimented with all sorts of vice and sin, Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) as he mentioned himself "reached puberty in the company of the pious".
In his own words; "When other youth would go to the Jumna river to ogle at the women bathing there, I would go to Shaykh Muhammad Ahmad Sb Partabghari (R)".
One can just image if the early maturing of a person was such how his later life must have been.
Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) always wanted to study Islamic knowledge, however, his father wanted him to be dependent in later life hence enrolled him at college to study medicine, promising him to continue his Islamic studies after medicine. Despite being at Medical college, surroundings a far cry from an Islamic environment, Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) sustained his pursue to acquire recognition of Allah Ta'ala.
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) has mentioned;
يُخَالِلُالرَّجُلُ عَلَى دِينِ خَلِيلِهِ فَلْيَنْظُرْ أَحَدُكُمْ مَنْ
"A person is on the religion (way) of his friend, so let one of you look whom he befreinds"(Sunnan Aabu Dawood)
Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) was on the way of three great luminaries of their time.
1. Shaykh Muhammad Ahmad Sb Partabghari (R) who lived absorbed in the love of Allah. Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar (R) had allot of love for him and Shaykh Muhammad Ahmad Sb Partabghari (R) was very fond of him as well.
2. Shaykh Shah Abdul Ghani Poolpuri (R) titled as 'Siddiq' by his own Shaykh, Hakeemul Ummah Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanwi (R). Another personality who would be entranced in the remembrance of Allah Ta'ala and had seen Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) 17 times in his dream. Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) spent 17 years of his youth in the company of such a personality and served him in a manner that became exemplary for others.
3. Muhayus Sunnah Shaykh Abrarul Haq Sb Hardoi (R) who was the youngest Khalifah of Hakeemul Ummah Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanwi (R). His Teacher of Abu Dawood, Shaykhul Hadith Shaykh Zakariyah (R) had testified to his nisbat (connection) with Allah Ta'ala whilst still a student.
The above were three rivers that flowed into the ocean in the figure of Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R).
It would be great injustice to leave out the mentioned of Moulana Jalaludeen rumi (R) in the life of Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R), as Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) himself mentioned Moulana Rumi (R) being his first Shaykh. Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) had such understanding of the Mathnawi of Rumi, that for five hours his own Shaykh, Shah Abdul Ghani Poolpuri (R) sat with tear filled eyes listening to his heartfelt rendition of the commentary of the Mathnawi.
وہ چشم ناز بھی آتی ھے آج نم
اب تیرا کیا خیال ھے اے انتھاۓغم
"Those tear filled sovereign eyes are visible even today,
What is your opinion now, O extreme sorrow"
His own verses in Persian were so similar to the Mathnawi that one could easily mistake it as being the Mathnawi. This led the like of Shaykh Yusuf Binori (R) to proclaim; لا فرق بینک وبین مولانا روم "There is no difference between you and Moulana Rum".
Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) was the personification of these great scholars and friends of Allah. He was, for us living in the 21st century a pure example of the saints of the past, a link between us and them. His demise has broken that link and our eyes now search vigorously for such a model without triumph.
At a time when the faculty of Tasawwuf merely existed and that which did was stained by the deviant practices of some, Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) revived Tasawwuf and presented it in the most simplest of manners that any novice would feel at ease with it. Even the doubters would succumb to it by the manner it was presented in accordance with the Qur'an and Sunnah. There was nothing fake or bogus in his teachings but a simple straight forward message; "Live your lives as Allah's wants and do not allow a single moment to pass in the disobedience of your Creator."
Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) from his early discourses warned the Ummah of an epidemic which we are witnessing the surge of in the form of Illicit relationships and evil glances. This is a sign of a Mujaddid (reviver), who warns and saves the people of his time from a spiritual plague.
Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) was unique in his love for the Shariah, immense love for the Sunnah, force of Taqwa, purity of intent, boldness against sin and forbearance against hardships. The latter manifested during the last 13 years of his life, of how, without the slightest of complains he continued to praise Allah over his health in spite of being paralyzed for 13 years.
Where again will we find such a saint? Such a face that beamed with radiance, bringing comfort to the grieved, who's company would soothe and mend the most shattered heart. Who's words would emanate from the heart bringing to life the hearts of its listeners. Such a murshid (spiritual guide) and mentor that possessed the compassion of Imdad (Haji Imdadullah (R)) and the sternness of Ashraf (Shaykh Ashraf Ali Thanw (R). Who's each disciple could claim his Shaykh loved him the most.
Not only did Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) possess immense love for Allah Ta'ala but was able to set hearts alight with the love of Allah Ta'ala. Allah Ta'ala must have been so pleased with the lifelong mission of his servant of spreading the love of Allah and his Rasool (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) throughout the world, that Allah Ta'ala had granted Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) deputies throughout the globe who present to their followers the lessons of their Shaykh in their native languages.
On Monday 3rd June 2013 9am local time over 150 000 saddened and heartbroken souls laid this great Wali of Allah to rest. The streets and roads of Karachi bore testimony to how people awed him, with roads and streets blocked with people trying to attend the Janazah that thousands couldn't get to the place of Janazah till after 11am. Scholars, Mashaaikh, politicians, the literate, illiterate, young and old, practising and non practising Muslims, people of all walks of life were in attendance for the final journey of this beloved of Allah. Where people attend the Janazah of the deceased to bless them on their last journey, here people were in attendance to have themselves blessed and forgiven by means of this great Wali of Allah before he was laid to rest. Ah! Even your corpse served and benefitted the people.
Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R)'s Janazah was lead by his deputy and revered son Hadhrat Moulana Hakeem Muhammad Mazhar Sb (D.B.) per his wasiyah (bequest) with grandsons Ml Ebrahim sb and Ml Ishaq sb laying him in his resting place facing the entire body towards qibla again as his wasiyah (bequest). The one who practised and propagated the sunnah his entire life ensured that he leaves this world practising and propagating the Sunnah.
تیرے محبوب کی یا رب شباھت لے کے آیا ہوں
حقیقت اس کو تو کردے میں صورت لے کے آیا ہوں
"In the imitation of your beloved O my Lord! I come,
Making it a reality, I leave to you but with the form I come."
Dear readers Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R)'s life can be summed up from his loss, a loss generations will not be able to fill.
May Allah Ta'ala grant Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R) the highest abode and ranks in Jannah and grant patience to all his disciples following their loss and enable one and all to follow in the footsteps of the Friends of Allah. Ameen.
Glad tidings on the death of Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R)
1- The mother of Mufti Zubair Dudha sb saw a dream that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) held Arifbillah Hadhrat Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar Sb (R)'s hands and took him from the rowza mubarak to jannatul-baqee.
2-One woman in Pakistan saw a dream that in paradise there was a market, everyone was buying different things and her father was also there. She asked her father what he was doing there? He replied that don't you know that our shaykh (Moulana Hakeem Akhtar) is leaving the world to come here.
3- Qari Rafeequl-Islam of Lahore saw a dream that a dead body was kept in the middle and there was a very enlightened man sitting close to it. He asked the man who are you? He replied I Am Bilal Habshi (R.A.). Then he asked what are you doing here? Bilal (R.A.) replied that this is the Janaza of Moulana Hakeem Akhtar (R) and I am waiting for Jibreel (A.S.) as he is coming to lead the Janaza Salah.
مرا جانِ بہاراں سو گیامرقد میں اے دل
بھلا اب تا قیامت کیا بہا ر وصل آئےگی
مرے محبوب مرشد تم کو کیا بھول جائیں گے؟
ہماری جاں تمہاری یاد سے آنسوں بہائے گی
ذرا سی دیر کو تیری توجہ تام ہو جائے
مری جاں درد مہجوری کا افسانہ سنائے گی
تمہارے لطف کی باتیں سب یاد آتی ہیں
جدائ تیری زبیر کو قیامت تک رلائے گی
Khanqah Ashrafiyah Akhtariyah
Islamic Tarbiyah Academy
Dewsbury. UK
