ARIF NAUSHAHI QADRI

Muballigh-e-Islam (The Preacher Of Islam), Peer-e-Tareeqat (Spiritual Leader), Peer Syed Ma’roof Hussain Shah Arif Qadri Naushahi is amongst the very few personalities who have the credit of reviving Islam In Britain. He is the founder of Jamiyat Tableegh-ul-Islam and spiritual, intellectual and administrative leader of this movement. He is also amongst the founders and first convenor of the World Islamic Mission. He has been involved in the activities for the promotion and preaching of Islam in Britain and other European countries for the past forty years. In fact Peer Syed Ma’roof Hussain Shah Arif Qadri Naushahi is not the name of a person, but of a mission, an urge and a passion. His person is versatile in qualities and attributes. He deserves all praises because he undertook the task of the intellectual awakening of the muslims in Britain at a time when they were estranging from their religion. His service, spread over four decades is a history in itself.

FAMILY BACKGROUND

Peer Syed Ma’roof Hussain Shah Arif Qadri Naushahi was born on June 20, 1936 i.e. 13 Rabi I, 1355 Hijrah at Chakswari (Mirpur District) State of Jammu and Kashmir. He hails from a very respectable family, which enjoys a very prominent place in the Ahle-Sunnah of Pakistan. His father Peer Syed Chiragh Aalam Shah Naushahi was a perfect saint and dervish Sufi of his time who blessed a large number of people with spiritual benefits. The forefather of Peer Syed Ma’roof Hussain Shah Arif Qadri Naushahi , Syed Bin Ya’la Qadri came to India for preaching Islam during the era of Hazrat Peer Syed Abdul Qadir Gilani (RA) and with his permission. The prominent saint of the sub-continent , Mujaddid-e-Azam, Syed Nausha Gunj Bukhsh Qadri was from his descendents and Peer Syed Ma’roof Hussain Shah Arif Qadri Naushahi was born in the ninth generation of Hazrat Nausha Gunj Bukhsh (Picture Below).

Holy Shrine Of Hadhrat Nausha Ganj Bakhsh Qadri (ra)

Ranmal Sharif - Gujrat

Please click play below to view a video of the holy Shrine Of Syed Nausha Ganj Bakhsh Qadri (RA)

The lineage of Peer Syed Ma’roof Hussain Shah Arif Qadri Naushahi directly links with Hazrat Nausha Gunj Bukhsh after eight generations. The link is established through (1) Syed Nausha Gunj Bukhsh, (2) Syed Muhammad Hashim Darya Dil, (3) Hazrat Peer Syed Muhammad Saeed Shah Doolha, (4) Peer Syed Muhammad Ibrahim Shah, (5) Peer Syed Muhammad Mulik Shah, (6) Peer Syed Muhammad Hassan Shah Arif, (7) Pir Syed Ghulam Shah (Bahr-ul-Uloom), (8) Peer Syed Naseeruddin, Peer Syed Chiragh Aalam Shah and Peer Syed Ma’roof Hussain Shah Arif Qadri Naushahi. The latter was born in this religious family and found religious and spritual environment all around hin. He found his early education from his father, Peer Syed Chiragh Aalam Shah and brother Peer Syed Abul Kamal Burq Naushahi. Before his death, his father assigned the responsibility of his upbringin to his brother Peer Syed Abul Kamal Burq Naushahi. He had his Bai’t in Qadria order at the hands of his elder brother on June June 28, 1953 i.e 15 Shawwal 1372 Hijrah at Ranmal Sharif, he passed through the various stages of spritual elevation and was bestowed upon Khilafat and Niabat.

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Peer Syed Ma’roof Hussain Shah Arif Qadri Naushahi did his matriculation from the Government High School in Chakswari in 1954 and then went to Jhelum for religious education from the most competent teachers of Darul Uloom Ahle Sunnah Machine Mohallah No 1. One year later he came to Jamia Chistia Ghausia, at Morgah Rawalpindi and got education from Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Sadiq Golravi. Then he went to Darul Uloom Ahsanul Madaris, Markazi Jamia Masjid Rawalpindi. It is there he got his educational and spiritual benefit from very famous teachers like Shah Muhammad Arif Ullah Qadri, Maulana Abdul Mateen, Maulana Abdul Hai, Maulana Alla Bukhsh, Maulana Hafiz Muhammad Azim and Maulana Israrul Haq Haqqani. During this period he learnt Persian from Peer Syed Abdul Qadir Shah Jilani and had the honour of completing the learning of all academics in 1961.

ARRIVAL IN BRITAIN

Peer Syed Ma’roof Hussain Shah Arif Qadri Naushahi arrived in Britain on April 26 1961 and after a few weeks stay in Birmingham, arrived in Bradford. Peer Sahib observed that the religious condition of muslims and they had estranged from the fundamentals of Islam. They did not even exactly ascertain the beginning of Ramadhan or the celebration of Eid. Some muslims thought that instead of abiding by the limits and restrictions of Islamic life, a liberal and secular way of life should be adopted. The muslims had forgotten their values and identity. Pakistani and Kashmiri muslims were publicly doing what is strictly prohibited in Islam. Drinking, cinema going and perversity was very common. Most of the muslims were not ashamed to do shameful acts. When Peer Sahib were visited by his colleagues, they regretted that he arrived to Britain with a beard.

JAMIYAT TABLIGH-UL-ISLAM

After coming to Bradford, Peer Sahib stayed with his friend, late Chaudhry Farman Ali Naushahi. Peer Sahib advised his friends that they must offer prayers.The Holy Quran was also taught to those who could not recite it and links were established with religious people living in Bradford. They were impressed to launch missionary work. It was under this uncongenial environment, Peer Sahib formed Jamiyat Tableegh-ul-Islam. There was no formal mosque in Bradford at that time and a house was used in Bradford 8 as a mosque. The purpose behind the establishment of Jamiyat Tableegh-ul-Islam was awaken the muslims. The struggle ahead was to establish Mosques and Madaris.

After some time, Peer Sahib moved to the residence of Al-Haaj Said Muhammad of Chakswari at 25 King Street, Bradford 8. In 1962, Peer Sahib purchased a house at 18 Southfield Square Bradford, at the cost of 750 pounds and set up the office of Jamiyat Tableegh-ul-Islam in one of it’s rooms.

18 Southfield Square Bradford

Arrangements were also made for offering prayer in that house, collective (Ba-Jama’at) prayers during Ramadhan and Eid prayers. There was a religious gathering on edvery Sunday to communicate the message of Islam to all colleagues. Peer Sahib had also by this time, started working night shifts in woolen factories (for twenty five years), and this was done alongside rendering religious services.

MISSIONARY VISITS AND INVITATION TO ULEMA AND MASHAIKH

 Peer Sahib visited Pakistan after 6 years consecutive stay in Britain, in 1967. On his return he arranged the visit of Shah Muhammad Arifullah Qadri to England via Iraq. Peer Sahib says “ When he arrived in Britain we took him with us on missionary visits and exhorted the people to resort to Islamic values and teachings. During this mission we visited London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Nottingham, Yorkshire, Lancashire and Wales to apprise the Muslims about the importance of the establishment of mosques and made efforts to organize them. We told people that we had brought our religion here with us so there was a need to work for its promotion. These efforts bore fruit and after some time Muslim organizations started emerging. The Islamic spirit of people was awakening. For this purpose, we arranged the visits of Hazrat Peer Haroonur Rashid of Mohra Sharif, Hazrat Peer Allaudin Siddiqi of Nairian Sharif, Peer Auliya Badshah of Mohra Sharif, Sahebzada Sultan Fayyazul Hassa Qadri, Quaid-e-Ahle Sunnah Allama Shah Ahmad Noorani Siddiqi, Peer Muhammad Qaram Shah Al-Azhari, Mujahid-e-Millat Maulana Muhammad Abdul Sattar Khan Niazi, Allama Arshad-ul-Qadri, Professor Shah Faridul Haq, Maulana Shah Muhammad Arifullah Qadri, Hazrat Maulana Rehan Raza Khan, Allama Ziaullah Qadri, Qazi Israrul Haq Haqqani, Mufti Abdul Shakoor Hazarvi, Peer Haidar Shah Dhoda Sharif Gujerat, Hazrat Mufti Muhammad Abdul Qayyum Hazravi, Mufti Ashraful Qadri, Maulana Qari Saeed Ahmad, Maulana Aurangzeb Khan Qadri, Maulana Hafeez Khan Niazi and many others. We made efforts to make the visits of these personalities successful”

WORLD ISLAMIC MISSION AND ISLAMIC MISSIONARY COLLEGE

Peer Sahib from the beginning, wanted there to be a collective platform which could serve as a liason between Ahle Sunnah school of thought the world over. Peer Sahib says “ When I went to perform Haj in 1972, I convinced Ulama from Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Kashmir about the need for the setting up such an international platform. Many meetings were held at my residence at Misfalah Mohallah in Makkah in which decision about the formation of the World Islamic Mission was taken. I was made the convenor of the organization. It was decided that launching meeting of the organization was held in Britain. I completed all arrangement for this meeting and the convention was held at Saint Georges Hall Bradford. Allama Shah Ahmad Noorani Siddiqi was made the first President, me vice president and Allama Arshad-ul-Qadri the secretary general. I set up Bradford Islamic Missionary College in 1974 in which 55 students memorized the Holy Quran in the beginning.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES OF JAMIYAT TABLIGH-UL-ISLAM

There are currently 15 mosques and madaris which are working under Jamiyat Tableegh-ul Islam, and over 40 Ulama, Huffaz and Qaris serving these institutions. Libraries have also been established in the mosques and literature in Arabic, Urdu and English has been made available. 1.6 Acre of land was purchased from Bradford City Council at a cost of 135 Thousand Pounds for the construction of a Grand Mosque. So far an amount of 20 Lakh pounds has been spent on it. Construction work on two main halls, many rooms and place for the performance of ablution has been completed. 5 Domes and most of the external work have since been completed except minarets. It is expected that the project will be completed very soon. A big library is to be set up, and arrangements will be made for the lecture of Ulama at this Grand Mosque.

Peer Sahib says “ When we started the work of religious preaching, we used to book halls for lectures and took Ulama on missionary visits at our expenses in order to help the community live an Islamic life. Our struggle has borne fruit now and a large number of Ulama are rendering religious services and mosques have been constructed in all cities and towns of Britain “ At the outset, Peer Sahib wanted religious services all over England to be provided from the platform of Jamiyat Tableegh-ul Islam and institutions established under its auspices. It would have helped maintain unity and harmony. But, Peer Sahib changed his mind because the communities lacked spirit of working unitedly. However, the mission was the selfless promotion of Islam, and there was a needd to continue to do that in the future.

 In total there are 17 institutions working under Jamiyat Tableegh-ul Islam, 15 are in Bradford, 1 in Oldham and 1 in Sheffield. Peer Sahib states “ We impart the education of the fundamentals of Islam and the Holy Quran. Lectures on the Holy Quran are delivered in these mosques. At some mosques these lectures are given in English as well “. Peer Sahib has also established 3 mosques in Holland and 2 in Pakistan.

In recent times, Pir Sahib has focussed on the building of a central mosque in westgate, Bradford. This is truly a unique mosque, and there is absolutely no mosque of such in Europe . The mosque even attracts the attention of non-muslims, as the building has such beauty. The land was bought for £135000 from Bradford Council and to present day £3000000 have been spent on it. Its foundations were layed in 1995 By Pir Sahib. Its Dome is made of only lead which makes it the only mosque in Europe which's dome is made from lead. Currently three halls of it are fully functioning, regular 5 times Prayers, weekly Jummah prayers, Taravee prayers, and Eid prayers take place here.A very high vloume of Bradfords Muslims come here to pray on Fridays. The Friday prayers are led by Pir Syed Irfan Shah Mashadi. The mosque has ample car parking. Capacity of 5000 males.1000 Women. Below are some pictures.

A view of the Central Mosque - Westgate, Bradford

A view of the Dome (Inside)

Main Prayer Hall - Ground Floor

VISITS TO HOLY SHRINES AND PARTICIPATION IN INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES

Peer Sahib has conducted missionary visits to Germany, Holland, Belgium, France and Spain and set up religious institutions there. The woek for the promotion of religion is being carried out there by these institutions. Peer Sahib has also visited Iraq (especially Baghdad) and Lebanon to visit the Holy Shrines of the muslim saints. Peer Sahib has also performed Haj four times and visited the Great Mausoleum of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH). Peer Sahib has been attending the Al-Aqsa Conference in London, Al-Hijaz Conference London, Kanzul Islam Conference and Khatme-Nabuwwat conference in Birmingham. Public meetings and processions on the eve of Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) are being chalked out under Peer Sahibs supervision. Urs celebrations of Hazrat Ghausal Aazam and Mujaddid-e-Azam Syed Nausha Gunj Bukhsh Qadri are arranged with great reverence and solemnity. Peer Sahib fully co-operated with Gilan Ramez Baghdadi, who was the organizer of the International Al-Aqsa Conference at Royal Albert Hall of London. Peer Sahib also delivered a lecture at this conference on the importance of Masjid-e-Aqsa and the obligations of the muslims to it.

MARKAZI BAZM-E-NAUSHAHI

Peer Sahib has devoted his life for the promotion of popularization of the teachings of Qadria Naushahia Sufi Order in Pakistan, Britain, Holland, Belgium, France, Germany and Spain. Thousands of people have so far joined this spiritual order due to Peer Sahibs efforts. Markazi Bazm-e-Naushahia was set up in 1961 under which the Urs of Mashaikh belonging to this spiritual order are held. The publication of literature about Mashaikh-e Qadria Naushahia and the maintenance of the shrines are also the responsibility of the Bazm. Zikr programmes are held on weekly and monthly basis in various areas. These gatherings are held at the residences of the followers. Zikr circles have also been set up in Holland and France in which followers participate in large numbers and gain the spiritual benefit.

FEDERATION OF MUSLIMS (AHLE SUNNAH) IN BRITAIN

Peer Sahib laid the foundation of the Federation ofMuslims (Ahle Sunnah) in Britain. Its objectives include, coordination and unity between organizations of Ahle Sunnah, protection and propagation of Islamic ideas, practical steps for creating an Islamic environmentm, coordinated efforts for Islamic education and teaching of Arabic, formation of a common and united religious strategy and chalking out a common syllabus under it, steps to provide Islamic literature, efforts to set up standard religious institutions, cooperation and consultation in the process of the construction of mosques and appointment of Ulama, the presence of a scholarly eloquent speaker who could address people in various areas on Islamic topics, formation of inner city missionary parties, the celebration of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) in a befitting manner, struggle for the rights and interests of the world muslims, assistance and cooperation with Ahle Sunnah teaching institutions and publication of a journal under the auspices of Ahle Sunnah.

SETTING UP LIBRARIES AND PUBLICATION SERVICES

Peer Sahib has made his best efforts in this field as well. Islamic Times (an English magazine) is puiblished regularly in collaboration with Sufi Muhammad Ilyas Naushahi. Sufi Muhammad Ilyas Naushahi is settled at Stockport near Manchester. Kanzul Eaman of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi (Translation of The Holy Quran) was translated into English from Doctor Auni Tai Naushahi Kuwaiti and Doctor Syed Muhammad Hanif Akhtar Fatmi Naushahi. Some sixty books on various topics have been written and translated. Efforts are being continued to get more literature translated into English. Regular financial support is provided for publication of a new version of Fatwa-I-Rizvia. 3 big libraries have been set up in Bradford and Jhelum in which a large number of books in Urdu, Persian, Arabic AND English have been made available. Below is a clip taken from PTV Prime in which Pir Saahib talks about the library in Naushapur sharif, Pakistan.

Please click on play to view the clip.

EMBRACING OF ISLAM BY NON-MUSLIMS

Peer Sahib has rendered most of his services to ensure that our own people do not go astray. However, in the pas forty years some 200 englishmen have embraced Islam at the hands of Peer Sahib. The Englishmen who embrace Islam here have their own organization, and they are also encouraged to be linked with the rest of the their community so that they could communicate the message of Islam to others. Recently a dutch embraced Islam at the hands of Peer Sahib, during a missionary gathering. Also, in the year 2000 an Englishman, his mother and another Christian embraced Islam at the hands of Peer Sahib.

RELIGIOUS SERVICES IN PAKISTAN

A religious institution has been set near the residence of Peer Sahib at Darbar Aaliya Naushapur Sharif in Jhelum since 1991. A Darul Uloom (Jamiyat Tableeghul Islam) was set up at Daulatnagar in Gujerat in 1968 – this is a grand mosques as well as a darul uloom, Jamia Islamia over eleven kanal land in Chakswari in 1973, Darul Uloom Jamia Naushahia at Khabbal Awan near Sohawa. Religious services are being rendered at these places satisfactorily. Peer Sahib is the financial supporter of these establishments. Shrines have also been built at Chakswari in Azad Kashmir.Naushapur sharif in Kashmir Colony, Jhelum has various Islamic Institutions that are offering excellent oppurtunities for children and adults. Millions of rupees have been invested in making sure that islamic education, along with Hifaz claases are available to all. Children from the UK also enrol and there is excellent facilities in terms of board. Pir Sahib ensures that there is a high standard of ulema for all classes. Ulema are paid a very good salary, and are also provided with accomodation. For an ordinary person, this kind of project would be impossible to imagine, let alone to actually implement it successfully. What is also amazing that Pir Sahib's house is in one corner of the land - whereas most of the land is dedicated to religious services. Pir Sahib regularly visits Pakistan to make sure that the facilities are managed effectively. Below are some pictures of Naushapur sharif, along with video footage of the outstanding islamic establishments. Below are video clips of Naushapur Sharif as well as images.

                             Video footage of naushapur sharif during the construction of the International Islamic University

Video footage of naushapur sharif after the completion of the International Islamic University

Video footage of naushapur sharif - filmed in June 2007.

Naushapur Sharif - Jhelum, Pakistan - Madrassa and Jalsa Area

Naushapur Sharif - Jhelum, Pakistan - World Islamic University

Naushapur Sharif - Jhelum, Pakistan - Urs Ghaus-ul-Aazam (ra) 2003

Naushapur Sharif - Jhelum, Pakistan - Urs Ghaus-ul-Aazam (ra) 2003

BELOW IS A CLIP FORM THE URS MUBAARAK OF SYED ABDUL QADIR GEELANI (RA) (2003) WHICH IS HELD EVERY YEAR. THOUSANDS ATTEND THIS ROOHAANI URS MUBAARAK FROM THE UK, HOLLAND, FRANCE AND FROM ALL OVER PAKISTAN. FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO TRAVEL FROM WITHIN PAKISTAN, PIR SAAHIB ENSURES THAT THEIR TRAVEL EXPENSES ARE RE-IMBURSED.

Naushapur Sharif - Jhelum, Pakistan - Madrassa Class

 In June 2007, Qibla Pir Sahib organised an Urs Mubaarak to take place in Ranmal Sharif (The Darbaaray-Aqdas of Syed Nausha Ganj Bakhsh Qadri (RA). This was an historic occasion as it was the first time Pir Sahib had arranged this. Within a couple of weeks, Qibla Pir Sahib had made the arrangements which included a large room and washing facilities for overseas visitors. Many attended the Urs Mubaarak from Uk, Holland and Pakistan. The Urs Mubaarak was held at the same time as the annual Urs Mubaarak of Syed Nausha Ganj Bakhsh Qadri (RA) which attracts hundreds of thousands of muslims who attend to pay their respects to a great saint of Allah. Below are a few pictures from the Urs Mubaarak, which was held on 28th June 2007. Qibla Pir Sahib has the intention to make this an annual event and for this cause a further 12 rooms will be built to accommodate visitors.

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CONJUGAL LIFE

Peer Sahibs first marriage was held on August 11 1953 with the daughter of Syed Faqir Muhammad Shah Naushahi, Syeda Razia Fatima Naushahi at Thil Sharif in Jhelum District. She is living with Peer Sahib in Bradford. Peer Sahibs second marriage was held with the daughter of Maulana Ilyas Idrees, Syeda Bilqees Fatima on January 8 1994. Peer Sahib has three sons :

Syed Muhammad Ahsan Shah Sahib Sharafat Naushahi – Born September 11 1995

Syed Muhammad Hasan Shah Sahib Azhar Naushahi – Born April 25 1997

Syed Muhammad Mueen Hasnain Shah Shah Qayyum Naushahi (RA) – Born July 5 1998 - SHAH SAHIB PASSED AWAY ON DECEMBER 31ST 2005. THIS WAS A GREAT LOSS TO QIBLA PEER SAHIB. QIBLA PEER SAHIB TRAVELLED TO PAKISTAN IMMEDIATELY ON 1ST JAN 2006.

Peer Sahib Also has two daughters :

Sahebzadi Syeda Fatima Naushahi – Born July 25 2000

Sahebzadi Syeda Zainab Fatema Naushahi - Born 30 June 2003

All of Peer Sahibs children were born at the Taj Puri hospital in Dina, Jhelum and Peer Sahib himself proposed their names.

MESSAGE FOR BRITISH MUSLIMS

In his message to the British Muslims, Peer Sahib says that we can re-organise our scattered strength to play our role in securing the future of our posterity. Ulama and Mashaikh should also work with unity and make concerted efforts to safeguard the future of our posterity. Peer Sahib has said from the very beginning that he has been making efforts for the promotion and progress of the Ahle Sunnah school of thought because he is part of it. Peer Sahib says “ I have devoted my energies, knowledge and potential for this cause. I shall continue to work for the progress of Islam and the promotion of Maslak-e-Ahle-Sunnah “

The above resource has been taken from the following Book :

ULEMA-E-AHLE SUNNAH. MASHAIKH AND SUFIS IN THE UK – KHALID AKHTAR

 When a definitive history of muslims in Britain is written, the contribution of “Pioneer” religious leaders like Pir Syed Maroof Hussain Shah Arif Qadri Naushahi should not be overlooked. Pir Sahibs energy and range of initiatives are extraordinary. In 1963 Pir Sahib established Jmaiyat Tableegh-Ul-Islam, and its aims were to spread Islam among mislims and non-muslims in the light of the Holy Quran, Hadith, the consensus of the community and the Hanafi Law.

Jamiyat Tableegh-ul-Islam was also committed to follow the spiritual teachings/mysticism (tasawwuf). Pir Sahibs first love is tasawwuf (Islamic Mysticism) and he has a fine library of standard works in Arabic, Persian and Urdu. Pir Sahib himself writes devotional poetry in praise of Allah and the Holy Prophet (PBUH). In 1985 on his brother’s death he succeeded him as a spiritual guide in the Qadri Naushahi order, which traces it’s ancestry back to the founder of his order in Gujerat, Pakistan – Haji Muhammad Nausha Gunj Bukhsh (RA), and thence to the Prophet (PBUH). In all, Pir Sahib is 34^th in a chain, silsila, including the Prophest’s (PBUH) son in law Hazrat Ali (RA), as well as great Sufis like Hazrat Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA).

Pir Sahib is critical of free wheeling, self styled spiritual guides and insists on the importance of any Pir to belong to an order, to have his own spiritual guide and to have his permission to initiate devotees.

Pir Sahib has a huge range of responsibilities, and this leads to a punishing schdule involving up to five months travel a year, some 4 months are spent in Pakistan visiting his devotees and two seminaries. A month is spent in Holland, France, Belgium and Germany visiting his followers among the Pakistani diaspora and organising the festivities which surround the Birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), as well as the anniversary of the death of Hazrat Nausha Gunj Bukhsh (RA), and the anniversary of the death of Hazrat Pir Syed Abul Kamal Barq (RA).

As a spiritual guide Pir Sahib performs a range of pastoral tasks. There are a range of anxieties and questions, which lead people to seek advice of Pir Sahib. Pir Sahib usually prays for them, or offer a ta’wiz, and where necessary they are reffered to a GP.

Pir Sahib is involved in a wider political and religious areana. Under the World Islamic Mission auspices, two important works of Ahmad Raza Khan Barelvi (RA) – founder of the Barelvi tradition – were translated into english. The first of these was his Urdu translation of the Holy Quran, which has a preface written by Pir Sahib, and the secound was his famous Durud Sharif, litanies in praise of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) – known as Salaam – each verse in Urdu ends with the word Salaam. The Salaam is ofter read at the conclusion of Friday prayers in mosques. Some of the verses from the Salaam, which give us an unrivalled insight into the status of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), are shown below :

Blessed be Mustafa, mercy for mankind,

God’s light, the right way to find.

Blessed be the splendour of the next world,

Dignity, justice and grandeur of this world.

Blessed be the source of knowledge divine,

Outstanding and the last in the Prophet’s line.

Blessed be the point of Life’s hidden unity,

And also the centre of its visible diversity.

Blessed be the giver of blessings diverse,

On whose account God created the universe.

Blessed be the prime cause of creation,

The final medium of Salvation.

Such devotion to the person of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) both explains the passion which informs rivalries with other Muslim groups, who in Barelvi eyes do not adequately esteem the Prophet (PBUH).

The other muslim groups include Wahabi, Deobandi, Jama’at-I Islami and Ahl-I Hadith. The issues dividing Barelvi and Deobandi/Wahabi groups were made very clear at the Hijaz Conference, a large gathering which was organised by the World Islamic Mission at the Wembley Conference Centre in May 1985. In the presence of a galaxy of dignitaries, Including Pir Sahib, the conference attracted more than 3000 participants from all over the UK. Formal resolutions were passed: condemning the Saudi Officials for confiscating and allegedly destroying translations of the Holy Quran by Ahamd Raza Khan (RA) and devotional books. There were also concerns about the draconian measures muslims in Mecca and Madinah were exposed to when they sought to celebrate the Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) birthday. Assurances were sought that remaining sites associated to The Holy Prophet (PBUH), his family and companions would be respected and maintained.

Local and national gatherings and processions on the occasion of the Holy Prophet’s birthday (milad-un-nabi) continue to be the central event of the Barelvi calendar. Pir Sahib organised the first public procession through the streets of Bradford on the occasion of Milad-Un-Nabi in 1984.

Juloos Milaad-un-Nabi (saw) - 1997

Juloos Milaad-un-Nabi (saw) - 1998

Juloos Milaad-un-Nabi (saw) - 2004

Juloos Milaad-un-Nabi (saw) - 2006

Such religious gatherings are often advertised in the national Urdu press, and Pir Sahib’s procession in 1988 was promoted in the Daily Jang (urdu). In 1987 Pir Sahib was chosen by the World Sufi Council to be it’s representative in Britain. In autumn of 1987 and 1988 under it’s auspices Pir Sahib organised enormous gatherings in Hyde Park – London, comprising some 25000 people. The Daily Jang carried a report and pictures of the 1988 gathering on it’s front page.

To this day, Pir Sahib continues to arrange gatherings, in the form of Urs, or Juloos/Jalsa, in the UK, Pakistan, Holland, France Germany and Spain. Thousands of people participate in the annual procession (celebrating the Holy Birthday of Prophet Muhammad PBUH), which takes place in Bradford. There is no doubt that Pir Sahib is a reviver of Islam and has made huge efforts over the last 4 decades to ensure that Islam, specifically Ahle Sunnah practices and beliefs, are spread throughout the communities, all over the UK, Europe and Pakistan.It is for this reason that Pir Saahib was awrded in February 2007 for providing 50 years of service to Islam (award shown below).

 AWARD THAT WAS PRESENTED TO PIR SAAHIB

THE ARTICLE BELOW APPEARED IN THE DAILY JANG ON 8TH FEBRUARY 2007

WRITTEN BY JANAAB MANSOOR AAFAAQ SAHIB.

Copyright(c) 2005. All rights reserved.