TRIBUTE TO PEER GHULAM HASSAN SIDDIQUI (R.a)
By – Zeeshan Rasool Khan
On instructions of his father, Peer Hassan Sahb started his career as an
evangelist (Da’ee). His role in the construction of the Central Mosque (Jamia
Masjid) Aishmuqam has been cardinal. He launched a fund-collection drive across
his hometown and its adjacent areas. He approached philanthropists with avidity to raise funds for the
Mosque building project.
Because of his overwhelming erudition, he was chosen as a prayer leader
(Imam) and preacher (Khateeb) of the same Mosque and spent decades
preaching and guiding the masses. Hassan sahib also served as a government
teacher. He delivered the service as an Arabic teacher at different government-run
institutions for almost seven years. His material life did not affect his
spiritual pursuits. He always attached value to religious obligations. He would
not take the classes during prayer time. To welcome the then Prime minister, Jawaharlal
Nehru, who was on an official visit to the state, the government had organized
the ceremonial event. And Hassan Sahb was deputed somewhere for reception
formalities. As the Zuhr prayers neared, Hassan Sahb preferred (Zuhr) prayers
to his assignment. On noticing this apparent dereliction, the administration
sought an explanation from him. In response, Hassan Sahib wrote, ‘on one hand, Hai e Alal Falah (hurry to success) was echoing and on other hand, the political
leader was to be greeted’, where a believer should have gone? To prostrate before
Allah or to greet a Prime Minister?. And conclusively submitted his
resignation. The officials persuaded him to rejoin the department but he
refused.
In contrast with contemporary clerics, who nowadays are distributing certificates
of heaven and hell due to excessive pride of knowledge, Hassan Sahb was quite
humble. Despite being a man of letters, he loathed pomposity. He never boasted
about his intelligence and accomplishments. Whenever anyone would come to seek an
answer to any query, after expounding the matter perfectly, Hassan Sahib would tell
the questioner ‘do verify this from any qualified scholar’. This humbleness was
the outcome of parental counseling. During
the initial stages of his career as chief priest, he found that one of the local clerics is
imperfect in Quranic recitation. He pointed out his error openly. When his
father heard about this incident, he threw a fit and said, O Hassan how can you insult the cleric publicly.
Is this a way of rectification? Are you only the scholar? After this severe
reprimand, Hassan Sahib never lead prayers and confined himself to preaching.
He was an effective speaker. His passionate
fondness for Masnavi and a good grip on Arabic added to his worth. Muslims
of different backgrounds would
attend his gatherings. His sermons used to be full of marifa - mystical knowledge and potent enough to change the
audience for the better.
Even though the guidance of his father was ample to catapult him to the higher levels
of spirituality, still he adopted the company of reverent personalities like
Meerak Shah Kashyani and others. Ergo, Hassan Sahb reached the top rung on
the Spiritual ladder. He later quit preaching and avoided contact with the
people completely. According to his companions, he never visited the market thereafter.
He would devote considerable time to meditation and spiritual processes. Speaking
less and maintaining prolonged silence was a part of his hermit life. After some time, he resumed social
contact. He rose to prominence as a saintly figure and proved to be an observant
faith healer and Samaritan for
hundreds and thousands. He mentored scores of people and directed them to the religious
path. He placed the stress on personal enrichment and social reformation
in line with Islamic teachings. He encouraged disciples to shun the
materialistic pursuits and tread the divine path. He emphasized the importance of the
fundamentals of Islam and inspired his followers to adhere strictly to obligatory practices like prayers, fasting, and
have a taste of verbal remembrance of Allah’s name. He fostered his children
likewise and the asceticism of his son, Late Peer Rafiq ul Aalam Siddique (R.a)
confirms that.
He lived a productive life, utilized his time judiciously, and authored books
like; Mau’izzat-ul Hassan in Urdu and
Tazkiyat-ul Hassan in Arabic. Even he
has elucidated
Qasida Burdah
in Arabic quatrains and has composed poetry of merit. Except for Mau’izzat-ul- Hassan, all other works are unpublished yet. Anyhow,
his devotees are enthusiastic about putting his work to press in times to
come.
On 10th December 2014, he left for heavenly abode and was laid to rest
near the Jamia Masjid, where he served for almost 35 years. He left behind a glorious
legacy and wonderful teachings that inspire the people for self-introspection and
self-reformation, which are the key steps to purify the self, and indeed successful
is the one who became pure (Kad Aflahaa
man Tazakka - Al-Quran 87:15).
Zeeshan Rasool Khan is a columnist and
comments on diverse issues and tweets @zeeshan_rk
Feedback :- mohdzeeshan605@gmail.com.
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