Islamic Convener Hazrat Maulana Muhammad Kaleem Siddiqui (Phalat)
“Hazrat Maulana is a great preacher of the Islamic World, on whose hand almost five hundred thousand non Muslims have accepted Islam. His world renowned book ‘Naseem-e-Hidayat Kay Jhonkay’ (Breeze of Restoration) is a worth reading document.”
With his head down and thinking deeply, Hazrat Shah Abdul Raheem رحمت اللہ علیہ was sitting outside the entrance of the mosque. In the meanwhile his old sweeper crossed in front of him. As per tradition he sought attention of Hazrat, submitted his Salam and said: ‘ Hazrat sahib! Why are you in deep thoughts? What are you thinking?’ Hazrat replied: ‘ I am thinking as to when a dog gets grown up.’ The sweeper immediately replied: ‘ This is no big issue. When the dog starts to urinate while raising his leg, it means that he is grown up.’ Shah Sahib was very happy and thanked the sweeper.
Hazrat Shah Wali Ullah رحمت اللہ علیہwrites that after this it was my father’s routine that wherever he was, when he came across that sweeper, he would rise in his honour saying that this sweeper is my teacher. He has told me something which I did not know. This supreme respect and honour which Hazrat Shah Abdul Raheem had for his teachers made him a guide and Shaikh al Shayookh who converted Shah Wali Ullah to Hujjatul Islam Shah Wali Ullah Muhaddis. My Hazrat Maulana Syed Abul Hassan Ali Nadvi رحمت اللہ علیہused to say that people are well aware of Hazrat Shah Wali Ullah رحمت اللہ علیہ but they do not make a mention of his father Hazrat Shah Abdul Raheemرحمت اللہ علیہ who made him Shah Wali Ullah رحمت اللہ علیہ.To seek knowledge about the level and events of life of Hazrat Shah Abdul Raheemرحمت اللہ علیہ ,one must read the great book ‘Anfas al Arefeen’ written by his endowed son Hazrat Shah Wali Ullahرحمت اللہ علیہ . The biography of Hazrat Shah Abdul Raheemرحمت اللہ علیہ in this book highly impresses even the most capable people with the excellence of his level.
For example, Shah Sahib has narrated an event: Although against his nature, one day Shah Sahib kept wandering in a town for the entire day. He met such people and went to such streets, going where was absolutely astonishing. In the evening, Hazrat’s servant Hazrat Shaikh Muhammad Phalti رحمت اللہ علیہ got worried and inquired him: ‘Hazrat! it has been all day that you have not eaten or drank anything or done any work. What are you in search of? You could have order us for anything you needed.’ Shah Abdul Raheem رحمت اللہ علیہ replied: ‘Shaikh Muhammad! There is nothing hidden from you. Today Allah has blessed me and it has been revealed upon me that Allah is saying that Abdul Raheem today I am so gratified with you that I have decided that whosoever will see you today, I will forgive him. When Allah has said so, I am thinking that it is better that as many people possible should see me.’
This is the level of sympathy and blessing. It was not easily attained by the father of Shah Wali Ullah, Hazrat Shah Abdul Raheem رحمت اللہ علیہ the spiritual guide who made him Hujjatul Islam Shah Wali Ullah رحمت اللہ علیہ . He could attain this high level only because of the guidance and blessings he sought from references and personalities, whose greatness and honour was humbly acknowledged by him and to whom he always submitted his high level of gratitude in the most obliging manner. Quran Majeed says: ‘Question those who know if you do not have the knowledge.’ The meaning of asking question is that become a beggar to seek knowledge from those who possess it. Gain knowledge from them with humility, gratitude and obedience and only then your ignorance can be eradicated. Respect for teachers, books and small sources of knowledge and admitting their greatness is the master key to seek knowledge. Without this a student returns deprived while even the vastest of all sources of knowledge are accessible.
