A Legacy of Roohaniyat

Born: 28 Zul Qadah 1384 (1 April 1965)
Passed away: 3 Safar 1428 (22 February 2007)
Compiled by: Hafiz Cassim Paruk sahib (khalifa of Hazrat Haji
Muhammad Farouq sahib RA)

GLIMPSES INTO THE LIFE OF HAZRAT DR MUHAMMAD SAABIR SAHEB Rahmatullahi alaihi

INTRODUCTION
Time has witnessed the passing away of great personalities and our hearts are grieved at the demise of Hazrat Dr Muhammad Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi; may Allah Ta’ala elevate his soul and grant him worthy recompense for the selfless manner in which he showed concern for the Ummah, Aameen! Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi would always reflect on the sublime manner adopted by our spiritual mentor Shafeequl Ummah Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Farooq Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi. The essence of the ta’leemaat (teachings) of Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi was:
Perfect moderation in behaviour and action.
Obedience to the Sunnah
Imparting the teachings of Deen through absolute compassion
Extreme humility.

Undoubtedly, the manner of Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb’s (rahmatullahi alayhi) spiritual instruction was as compassionate as that of Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi. When we discuss the life of Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi, we invariably compare and discuss the life of Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi; the similarities in approach leave us astonished at the unique bond that existed between Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi and our Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi.

LOVE FOR THE SHEIKH
One of the most outstanding features of the life of our Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi was the intense and immense love for our Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi. He reminded himself and others of this great bounty of guidance for the Ummah to the extent that he attributed every part of his teaching to the blessings of our Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi. It was mentioned time and again that even Hazrat him self was amazed at the fine points being discussed and with tears in his eyes; he always said: “This is all the barkat of Hazratwala rahmatullahi alayhi”. Another point worthy of mention is the importance he attached to meeting with the associates of Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alayhi, whom he would respectfully visit, offer hope and encouragement and seek advice on numerous matters.

We have witnessed the close bond he had with Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi where, by merely sitting with him, the lessons were revived. Also, we were astounded that immediately after the sad demise of Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi, Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi took on the responsibility in such a manner that he mended our broken hearts and gave us courage and direction. No doubt, this was the perfection of sincerity of Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi.

LOVE OF ALLAH TA’ALA
Amongst the major themes of his life was to guide the saalik to the love of Allah Ta’ala and ensure that we not be misled by the deviate opinions of our base desires (nafs). A beautiful incident he shared with us in Sukkur, where the joy was so apparent on his noble countenance, about Hazrat Thaanwi rahmatullahi alaihi. Hazrat Thaanwi rahmatullahi alaihi went to a village to give a talk and after the lecture, a clean shaven person immaculately dressed, with many followers, comes and congratulates Hazrat on the amazing discourse. Hazrat Thaanwi rahmatullahi alaihi is further shocked when this person requests that he opens his mouth; Hazrat assessed that this person looks refined and would not spit into my mouth. This clean shaven person puts a piece of mithai in Hazrat’s mouth. Upon exchanging formalities, it transpired that he was the mureed of Hazrat Haaji Imdaadullah Makki rahmatullahi alaihi and he spoke glowingly and lovingly of his Sheikh. Hazrat Thaanwi rahmatullahi alaihi assessed that this person has been misled due to working on his opinions rather than emulating the teachings of Hazrat Haaji Imdaadullah rahmatullahi alaihi. At this juncture, Hazrat Thaanwi rahmatullahi alaihi remained silent.

After some time, Hazrat Thaanwi rahmatullahi alaihi was invited to the same locality and this clean shaven “sufi” is once again present with the garland of flowers proudly saying that they were blessed at the grave of Hazrat Moulana Abdul Quddoos Gangohi rahmatullahi alaihi. Hazrat Thaanwi rahmatullahi alaihi does not put on the garland of flowers but holds it in his hand; addresses the clean shaven “sufi” as to who he is spiritually linked to. Very elegantly he mentions the name of Hazrat Haaji Imdaadullah rahmatullahi alaihi. Hazrat Thaanwi rahmatullahi alaihi then leads him on and asks that if a person is used to adorning himself with exquisite fragrances and he then is offered something lowly; what would his reaction be? The clean shaven “sufi” responded that not only is this unacceptable but if the cheap fragrance is applied, this will give him a headache. Hazrat Thaanwi rahmatullahi alaihi then said: “My dear friend, Hazrat Moulana Abdul Quddoos Gangohi rahmatullahi alaihi presently perceives the beautiful fragrances of Jannah and you offer a lowly fragrance in the form of this garland; are you not then inconveniencing the blessed inmate of the grave?

This struck a responsive chord and respectfully, this clean shaven “sufi” departed with a startling lesson in respect and recognition. A few months later, Hazrat Thaanwi rahmatullahi alaihi visits the same village and notices a person with an immaculate countenance dressed according to the Shariah. This pious servant of Allah Ta’ala asked Hazrat Thaanwi rahmatullahi alaihi whether he recognises him to which Hazrat responds in the negative. Hazrat Thaanwi rahmatullahi alaihi is then reminded of the previous meetings and his subsequent reformation. The main point, however, is that this person told Hazrat Thaanwi rahmatullahi alaihi that his method of islaah captured his heart. We can safely say that our beloved Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi encapsulated the teachings of our elders in general and our Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi in particular, imparted the temperament of islaah so compassionately that a person’s reformation was being made and he was not aware of the filth and evil being expelled from within.

ROAD TO ATTAINMENT
Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi said that two factors: love (for Allah) and the corresponding actions, are vital factors for success. He explained that we have some lands full of weeds; either we take out each weed individually, then prepare the soil, thereafter plant the seeds and anticipate the growth of the crops. This will take a lifetime. The easier option is that we light a fire which will result in all the weeds being eradicated in minutes. Also, we do not require fertiliser because the burnt out weeds and debris that remain act as fertiliser. The seeds are then put in the ground and the crops are realised within a short space of time. In a similar manner, the road to Allah Ta’ala is attainable very easily by putting fire to everything (of the world) besides Allah. Once that happens, our hearts will become fertile to guidance and the corresponding actions of obedience will follow. Subhanallah! What a beautiful and easy prescription! Another point worthy of mention is that our Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi always reminded us to take the easier option to reach Allah Ta’ala. The object is primarily to rid ourselves of frustration.

ASPECT OF RESPECT
Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi left behind a legacy of respect which was unparalleled amongst his contemporaries. Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi once, before relieving himself, took out his pen and gave it to his servant and said that mention of the pen is found in the Qur’aan; our Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi never took his pen to the toilet because of respect and I am but emulating this act so that I too can attain respect.

To many, this may seem trivial and inconsequential but, because of the sheer awareness of Allah Ta’ala, this heightened from of respect consumed these personalities and propelled them towards greater dimensions. May Allah Ta’ala bless us with some part of the respect shown by our beloved Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alayhi – aameen.

Another beautiful incident related by Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi and re-emphasised by our Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi was when Hazrat Moulana Rasool Khan Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi, a Khaleefa of Hazrat Thaanwi rahmatullahi alaihi, intended making hijrat to Pakistan. Hazrat Moulana Rasool Khan Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi had a very old clay urn which was worn out but he respectfully put it amongst his possessions. He was told that this urn is very old and can be replaced in Pakistan. Hazrat Moulana rahmatullahi alaihi replied that this urn has been made with the blessed soil of Deoband; so he will take it with him at all costs. With great care he looked after it and after a period of time the urn broke and Hazrat Moulana rahmatullahi alaihi cried excessively because of the nisbat (link) is had with Deoband. Hazrat Moulana rahmatullahi alaihi thereafter accumulated all the pieces and put them into a new urn so that the blessings of Deoband remained!

We have witnessed on many occasions that Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi, whenever the name of Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi was written in any kitaab, he would lovingly kiss the name of his Sheikh, put the name of his Sheikh to his eyes, onto his head and thereafter clasp the kitaab close to his chest. Tears would flow from the eyes giving testimony to the pangs of separation. On numerous occasions, Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi mentioned that when he is given the taufeeq of making dua for our elders, his Imaan becomes fortified. Need we say more!

FEAR OF ALLAH TA’ALA
Always discussed frequently in his discourses, Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi explained that the lack of fear is generally attributed to the love of the world and heedlessness. A beautiful example we learnt was of Hazrat Zaahir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi who was a Khaleefah of Hazrat Thaanwi rahmatullahi alayhi. This gentleman was an engineer in Pakistan. Once an arms manufacturing company tried to sell to the Pakistani army a fleet of ships that were defective. They offered him a bribe to pass the deal. Hazrat Zaahir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi responded that he is being watched. Numerous attempts were made to lure him to accept the bribe but he always responded that he is being watched. The director of the company then called him personally to his office and told him that nobody is here watching us and presented a suitcase full of dollars. Hazrat Zaahir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi once again replied that he is being watched. The director in frustration tells him that with the exception of us, nobody is here – what is the meaning of this? Hazrat Zaahir Engineer Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi said: My Allah Ta’ala is watching each and every action of mine.
To attain the fear of Allah Ta’ala, we need to meditate on His anger and the subsequent result of our actions. Hazrat explained that just as a robber will abstain from stealing because of the fear of being caught, the child fears being rebuked and stays away from mischief, the driver abstains from driving fast and recklessly because he is wary that he may be fined for his negligence; in exactly the same manner, everybody requires to instil the awareness of Allah Ta’ala in their personalities so that the fear of accountability severs the root of all evil and one is propelled towards the obedience of Allah Ta’ala.
This was the concept instilled into our hearts by our Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alayhi. We make duaa to Allah Ta’ala that we too, are blessed with a similar type of awareness and concern, Aameen.

WINNING YOUTHS’ HEARTS
Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi shared his experience with this servant on his visit to the United Kingdom where there was a youngster who was not only disrespectful but downright rebellious. The means of communication was closed and the distance between the father and son was growing. Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi asked to meet the youngster who abruptly responded that he does not wish to meet him. Hazrat adopted a strategy of humility and went to the youngster and told him: “What’s wrong? I have done you no wrong? Why don’t you want to meet me?. This baffled the youngster and slowly, he came for short periods just to assess our Hazrat Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi. After a few hours, he came and started discussing the issue of football and ascertained the sentiments of Hazrat rahmatullahi alaihi regarding the sport. Hazrat rahmatullahi alaihi told him that instead of watching the game, rather become involved and achieve fitness which will benefit the health. Furthermore, the youngster made Hazrat rahmatullahi alaihi make duaa for his football team! Thereafter, it transpired that this youngster was 17 para Haafiz but he was being deprived of Deen due to a lack of concern and love. Hazrat rahmatullahi alaihi mentioned that this youngster read Quran very immaculately. The last day, with tears in his eyes, the youngster tells Hazrat rahmatullahi alaihi that he loves him. Hazrat rahmatullahi alaihi responded likewise. Understand the tolerance of Hazrat rahmatullahi alaihi when the youngster then asked as to how Hazrat rahmatullahi alaihi will remember him. They agreed that they would sign their names on their respective arms so that the love can grow greater. The manner of approach of Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi left one astounded. Again he shared this with this servant that Allah Ta’ala had inspired him to work according to this plan.

GOOD THOUGHTS
A destructive trait in the path of sulook is the entertaining of evil thoughts with regard to others. Our Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi stressed that not only is it not permissible to talk ill of a fellow Muslim, it is sinful to talk ill of a kaafir, it is also sinful to talk ill of the next man’s possessions or his means of conveyance. Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi had on numerous occasions mentioned that this is such a destructive trait that it destroys a person’s good deeds. Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi further advised that if you cannot talk good of another, it is best that you remain silent instead of becoming a pauper.

DETESTING EXCESSIVE LAUGHTER
We had been rebuked on many occasions with regard to excessive laughter by our Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi who warned us that our hearts become hard and blocked towards hidayat. Furthermore, this vile habit destroys the concern for the Hereafter. Once, on journey, we went swimming and Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi heard us joking and laughing. He commented that whilst Islam does not forbid relaxation but our Deen despises laxity and negligence of Allah Ta’ala. He added that by the tone of your voices, we detected a barrier and warned that we should always be on guard. Needless to say that this lesson had become embedded in the hearts of those that were present.

LOOKING AFTER THE HEARTS OF LADIES
It was always the noble habit of Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi to personally express his gratitude to the ladies for their services for the spiritual family of our Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi. He always reminded us that the blessings of the visitors sustain itself for 40 days.

HALAAL SUSTENANCE
Hazrat Aarifi (Dr Abdul Hayy) rahmatullahi alaihi would, before taking any morsel, contemplate that he is eating the food to attain strength in his ibaadat. A thought-provoking incident was related by Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb (rahmatullahi alayhi) about a young man, recently married, who complained of the grief caused by his wife. Hazrat (rahmatullahi alayhi) made duaa but the problem increased to the extent that there was direct confrontation with Shariah Hazrat (rahmatullahi alayhi) asked as to which family the wife came from and, after investigation, it transpired that her father was involved in interest. Hazrat (rahmatullahi alayhi) advised the young man that, because his wife was nurtured through haraam, she would never be able to think straight.
Our Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi always warned that if sustenance is attained in a lawful manner, Allah Ta’ala will give a person the good fortune of spending it in halaal avenues, whereas if sustenance was attained unlawfully, the avenues of expenditure will also be haraam.

TILAAWAT OF QUR’AAN
We noticed that upon awakening, Hazrat Dr Saabir Saheb rahmatullahi alaihi seldom engaged in any discussion prior to him finishing the tilaawat of the Qur’aan. This was a great lesson for all of us in that he showed by example that we require to give our spiritual rooh sustenance. We also learnt from Hazrat rahmatullahi alaihi that the punctuality on tilaawat ensures the safety of a person’s Imaan. Our Hazrat Shafeequl Ummah rahmatullahi alaihi advised us that due to the duties towards the creation of Allah Ta’ala, our Akaabir could not fulfil completely their ma’moolaat. However, in three things there was no compromise:

Tahajud Salaah
Tilaawat of the Qur’aan
Excessive Darood Shareef