In the
city of Sharqpur Shareef the esteemed Hazrat Shayr-e-Rabbaani Miyaan
Shayr Muhammad Saahib (Allaah have mercy on him) was a great holy man
and spiritual succor (Ghaus) of his time.  This incomparable and
honorable Hazrat Miyaan Saahib gave the glad tidings of a personality to be
born who would be of great status and grandeur.  To give an idea of how
much Almighty Allaah blessed this personality I narrate these words with total
honesty and confidence.

 

My
respected Hazrat Saahib Qiblah Maulana Muhammad Shafee Okarvi (Allaah have
mercy on him) is remembered with the titles of Khateeb-e-A’zam, Ameer-e-Ahle
Sunnat, Mujaddid-e-Maslak-e-Ahle Sunnat, Ghaazi-e-Deen-o-Millat,
Muhaafiz-e-Naamoos-e-Risaalat and so on.  People may think he was
merely a unique orator and writer but I can say with complete honesty and
sincerity that Hazrat Maulana Okarvi was truly a beloved of Almighty Allaah and
the holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam).  He was a
friend of Allaah and a beautiful individual with many qualities.  He was
dignified and had very pleasant personality.  He was not just one in a
thousand or a million, rather he was one in a billion.  Almighty Allaah
made him excellent and elegant in appearance and nature and he alone undertook
work that thousands of organizations and religious schools (Madaaris)
combined could not do.  The splendor and merit of the Ahle Sunnat seen
today is the result of the efforts and struggles of our Hazrat Maulana Okarvi
Saahib.

 

 

When
he left this world, he took all joy with him and now Karachi seems lifeless
without him.  Even some of our own people resented and envied him because
of the Divine qualities bestowed on my Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib. 
Rarely would he say anything after hearing their words but when he did it was,
“All [these people] will remember me and will mourn.”  Ten years have
passed since Hazrat Okarvi Saahib left this world and still people say his
absence is desperately felt.  We were busy talking, Hazrat would
work.  Today everyone remembers him and grieves.

 

For
the past four generation, he was the religious and spiritual guide as well as a
holy man in my family.  My elders consider him their guide and
leader.  Moreover, I have heard my elders say they had never seen or heard
an orator like Hazrat Maulana Okarvi in their lives.  That is why we can
truly say that my Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib was an exceptional and distinct
speaker and narrator.  Only once in a century does someone like him
appear.  He was a unique disciple of an exceptional guide and Allaah
Kareem turned this unique disciple into a perfect guide.  I have seen and
heard Hazrat Okarvi Saahib for quite a while and could perhaps compile an
entire book if I wrote all I remember.  However, I will only write about a
few incidents I have witnessed.

 

1.)
 My sister, Rubina was eight years old at the time and as usual, would go to school every
day.  One day the school teacher sent some boys to our house saying, “Your
daughter fainted so come and get her”.  In great distress, my mother and
sisters immediately ran to the school.  We also came home from the market
after receiving the news.  My mother and sisters brought her home. 
She was unconscious and appeared as though lifeless.  A local doctor was
brought home who said, “Take her to the hospital immediately.  You must
not delay.”  So at once, we reached the hospital where the doctors
examined her.  The doctors tried to give her an injection but when they
attempted to give it this unconscious girl resisted so strongly that even six
men collectively could not control her.  The doctors tried various methods
but could not succeed in giving her the injection.  Finally, the doctors
disappointed us by saying, “We are sorry but we couldn’t inject her and
couldn’t revive her.”

 

We
were so angry.  The doctors had only proved their incompetence by
expressing their regrets.  What could we achieve by getting anger? 
When anger is mixed with misery, no proper thought comes to mind.  We became
suspicious that she might be under the effect of some magic or jinn.  When
disappointed with world, a person remembers Almighty Allaah.  Since she
could not get medical treatment, some kind of du’aa (supplication) had
to be done for her.  I thought of my Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib. 
Everyone said to talk to him immediately.  He was the center of everyone’s
hope.  My mother began to say, “I don’t know why we did not think of him
before.”

 

I
immediately called Hazrat Okarvi Saahib.  Perhaps due to his extensive
religious research and other commitments Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib did not
write ta’weez (protective amulet) or exorcise ill effects like others
who did it professionally.  Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib said, “I will
pray. May Allaah Kareem cure this girl and I advise you to take her to a
well-known peer saahib in Karachi.”  I had heard the claims and stories of
this peer sahib, whose name I will not mention, dealings with Jinns.  I
requested that Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib to contact this peer saahib on our
behalf.  Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib said, “You go there.  I will
inform him about you.”

 

We
immediately went to the spiritual center (aastaanah) of this peer
saahib.  We were in immense distress and disturbance.  Every moment
felt like doomsdays.  We waited nearly three hours there to meet the peer
Saahib.  Time passed with great difficulty.  The peer saahib saw the
girl, did damm (read some verses and blew air on her) and gave a ta’aweez
but no benefit was evident on her.  The peer sahib did damm a few
times to dispel the illness but there was no affect and I was
disappointed.  The peer saahib said, “Take this girl home.  She will
be fine when she goes home”.

 

It was
almost evening when we reached home and my sister did not regain consciousness
and the whole day worn on in depression.  Again, I called the esteemed
Hazrat Maulana Okarvi Saahib and gave him all the details and I requested to
bring my sister to him.  He agreed and I went straight to Hazrat Maulana
Okarvi Saahib’s home.  I lay my unconscious sister on a bed in his
house.  Hazrat Maulana Okarvi Saahib came from his sitting room and held
her little finger in his hand.  He may have read something quietly but I
did not see it.  Under oath I say this that it was only a matter of the
touch of Hazrat Okarvi Saahib’s hand and she instantly regained consciousness
and sat up fully revived.  Tears of happiness glittered in my eyes and I
said, “Why did you send us elsewhere?  The whole day we were worried and
coming to you our misery is dispelled with the blink of an eye, Maa Shaa
Allaah!”  Hazrat Maulana Okarvi Saahib said, “There is nothing
to worry about.  With the Grace of Allaah this girl is absolutely fine.”
 I insisted that a ta’weez be given so that my sister would not
faint like this again.  Hazrat Okarvi Saahib said, “Rest assured and take
the girl.  In Shaa Allaah she will be fine and if required I will
write a ta’weez later.”  Al Hamdu Lil Laah, we came home
happy.  To this day, my sister is fine.  Hazrat Okarvi Saahib never
gave any ta’weez nor was it required, Maa Shaa Allaah!

 

2.)
 I had this reoccurring problem where small boils would appear on parts of my body and would
rupture, meaning pus would come out.  I tried different medicines from the
doctors but this condition would not go away.  I was exhausted with the
doctors.  One day I called Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib and during the
conversation, I apologized that I could not visit and mentioned this
illness.  I requested that he keep his gracious glance on me as I was
always upset because of this complaint and I was not getting any proper comfort
from any medicine.  The respected Hazrat Okarvi Saahib said, “I will tell
you a simple and small wazeefah (verses to read as a daily
practice).  If you read regularly you will never need any medicine or
doctor.”

 

Hazrat
Qiblah Okarvi Saahib taught me the small wazeefah and the methodology
of reading it.  I followed his instructions and surely Allaah bestowed
graciousness and my ailment started disappearing.  Now when I follow the
same practice on any other sick person he is also cured with the Grace of
Allaah Kareem, to the extent that even severe wounds are also healed. 
Anytime I told Hazrat Maulana Okarvi Saahib any of my miseries or difficulties,
he would just say, “Do not worry, Allaah Kareem will bestow kindness it will be
fine.”  And indeed success would come.

 

3.)
 I once had the chance to go to Paak Pattan Shareef with the respected Hazrat Okarvi Saahib.  We
travelled by train and reached Sahiwal in the morning and from there we went to
Paak Pattan Shareef.  Those who have had the pleasure of Hazrat Qiblah
Okarvi Saahib’s company will know very well that you do not feel the journey
while travelling with him.  Sometimes he would narrate the events of his
own spiritual leader and other times events about other respected Friends of
Allaah.  Sometimes he would teach many important issues with questions and
answers.  Moreover, when another scholar travelled along the discussion
would be very academic.  I was travelling to Paak Pattan Shareef for the
first time.  I had heard of the renown of Hazrat Saiyyidinaa
Baabaa Fareed Ganj e Shakar (Allaah be pleased with him) from Hazrat
Qiblah Okarvi Saahib.  I was overjoyed to visit this great sacred shrine
in Hazrat Maulana Okarvi Saahib’s company.

 

We
reached Paak Pattan Shareef in the night having spent the whole day in
Sahiwal.  There too Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib has many devotees as he
used to lead Friday prayers in Sahiwal’s Muhaajireen Masjid before coming to
Karachi.  The degree of love and devotion exhibited by the people of
Sahiwal when he announced his departure to Karachi may never have been seen for
anyone else before.  People lay on the railway tracks with the intention
of stopping Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib from leaving.  With the Grace of
Allaah Kareem, my Hazrat Maulana Okarvi Saahib is well-known and loved
everywhere.

 

The
silence of the night had spread in Paak Pattan Shareef and it was approximately
10 pm although in this area, it seemed as if it was midnight.  Hazrat
Qiblah Okarvi Saahib said, “We have to pay homage at the sacred shrine of
Hazrat Baabaa Fareed (Allaah have mercy on him) before sitting in the
house”.  Hazrat Okarvi Saahib kept his luggage at his dear sister’s home
where he met close relatives who were present.  From his respected
sister’s house, he started walking towards the holy court of Baabaa
Fareed.  As we reached the boundaries of the sacred shrine, [we saw] the
doors of the hujrah (sacred chamber) were already locked and the khaadim
(caretaker) was returning after locking them.  Seeing us he said,
“The door is locked. You can come in the morning.”  It was my first visit
and I was desperate.  Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib said to the khaadim,
“Let us only give our salaam (salutations).”  However, the khaadim
would not listen.  Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib said, “It does not matter
if we say salaam from outside, these walls are no veil for Hazrat
Baabaa Saahib.”

 

Therefore,
from a distance Hazrat Maulana Okarvi Saahib stood with his arms folded and
presented salaam.  However, I was deeply disheartened and
depressed as I had come with great devotion and love.  I felt very
dejected because I was denied my first visit to the sacred shrine.  Hazrat
Qiblah Okarvi Saahib was still busy in salutation while the khaadim who
had locked the doors was standing near the hujrah, perhaps he was
waiting for us to leave.  Suddenly he sprinted to the door as if someone
had called him.  Then he walked quickly towards Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi
Saahib and asked, “Are you Maulana Okarvi Saahib?  Please come, Hazrat
Baabaa Saahib is calling you.”  He opened the doors of the sacred hujrah. 
At that instant I began to shiver.  I was in a strange state of happiness.
 For the first time in my life, I was witnessing a miracle with my own
eyes.

 

Such a
man of high grandeur and status was my Hazrat Maulana Okarvi Saahib.  How
beloved he was of Allaah and the people of Allaah.  Hazrat Okarvi Saahib
had a secret conversation with the respected Baabaa Saahib and yet he was also
paying respect; a model of humbleness and humility.  I, on the other hand,
was in a peculiar state of elation.  Hazrat Okarvi Saahib did some
recitation, supplicated then kissed the holy grave and said, “Let’s go” but I
did not feel like leaving.  The khaadim told us, “Baabaa Saahib
took the name of Maulana Okarvi Saahib and ordered the door be opened for
him.”  He shook Hazrat Maulana Okarvi Saahib’s hand with great
devotion.  The delight of this occasion endured for a long time and left a
lasting impression in my heart.  I think there are few people who are
chosen like my respected Maulana Okarvi Saahib.  Not every scholar or
orator gets such acceptance and honor.  Undoubtedly, he was a perfect
Friend of Allaah Kareem, a portrait of truth and sincerity.

Hazrat
Qiblah Okarvi Saahib passed away a short while after this.  On his
departure my tears were never ending, he left the whole city deserted.Hazrat
Baabaa Jee Karmaa Waalay said, “The state of the city of Karachi after Maulana
Okarvi Saahib is like that of a woman who has lost her husband.”  When
Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib was in Karachi there were gatherings every day,
there was cheerfulness.  Even after his departure, I remember him when I
have any worldly worry and beg him for help and am benefitted from his spiritual
powers.  Most often, I see the respected Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib in my
dreams smiling in luminous attire.  Once in a dream, I saw him present in
the Friday prayer congregation in Jaame Masjid Gulzar-e-Habeeb.  After
performing his salaat, he went to his sacred tomb and said to me, “I
am very peaceful here.”

My
Hazrat Maulana Okarvi Saahib would shower such kindness while he was alive in
this world, I do not have the words to describe it.  Al Hamdu Lil Laah
from everything he taught me I received bounties and benefits and have
succeeded at every stage.

4.) 
Hazrat Maulana Okarvi Saahib once had a program in Thatta (Sindh) and I had the opportunity to accompany him.  He
spoke openly of the wrongful beliefs of the Shiites sect according to Qur’aan
and Sunnah.  During his speech, threats written by opponents on slips of
paper were passed forward that said, “You will not be going back from here
today.”  Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib completed his speech very
peacefully.  I was disturbed by the threats from these opponents and was
afraid.  After the speech, I said to Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib, “Stay
here overnight, at dawn we will go back to Karachi so there will be no
danger.”  Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib said, “No, we will definitely go
back right now”.  It was Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib’s habit to
immediately return [back home] after functions, even if it required travelling
at night.  I was uneasy to the extent that driving was difficult. 
Respected Hazrat Maulana Okarvi Saahib sat next to me in the car and said, “Drive
peacefully, don’t be sacred.  In Shaa Allaah everything will be
fine.”

It was
a miracle of my Hazrat Maulana Okarvi Saahib that we reached Karachi safe and
sound even though I suspected some evil person would try to harass or harm him
but Allaah Kareem protected him.  In such situations, he would tell his
close friends that the holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam)
has assured him, “No one will be able to kill you.”  How devoted he was to
his beloved holy Prophet (Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa Sallam) and how
strongly he trusted him (the beloved holy Prophet Sallal Laahu ‘Alaiehi Wa
Sallam).

5.)
I was very happy to hear that three
or four years ago my Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib’s successor Allamah Kaukab
Noorani Saahib, his eldest son, went to pay homage to different holy shrines in
Delhi (India) accompanied by some visitors from South Africa and a Saiyyid
Saahib from Karachi.  When he reached the shrine of Hazrat Khawaajah Baaqi
Billaah (Allaah have mercy on him), after visiting other shrines, it was
night and the khaadimeen (caretakers) were closing the door of the
boundary wall.  I heard that Kaukab Saahib said to these khaadimeen,
“We have to return home in the morning.  Let us only give our salaam
(salutations).”  However, the khaadimeen said, “This shrine
cannot be opened after it is closed until morning and never has it been opened
before morning.”

Kaukab
Saahib said, “He is my peer (spiritual master), how can he disappoint
me?”  The South African visitors were sad that they came so late and could
not pay their respects.  Kaukab Saahib said to the guests, “It is our
mistake that we were delayed, you can present your salutation and pray from
here [outside].”  During this time a majzoob (a person drawn
towards Allaah with divine mediation) sitting inside by the shrine called
loudly one of the khaadim and said, “Khawaajah Saahib says to open the
doors for the Maulana.”  Therefore, the khaadim opened all the
locks and said that this was the first time in his life that the sacred shrine
has been opened immediately after closing at night.  Thanks to Almighty
Allaah, the spiritual powers and blessings of my Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib
carries on to his successor.  The mission of my Hazrat Maulana Okarvi
Saahib continues in the same way by Brother Kaukab Saahib.

Many
years have passed yet he is remembered and praised everywhere.  I miss my
Hazrat Qiblah Okarvi Saahib a great deal.  To this day I still wonder why
he left us so soon…….

 

Haaji
Muhammad Haneef Naqshbandi

Karachi,
1994