The Simple Man
Civilian societies and various governments have honoured Pir Sahib’s service to Islam. The government of Pakistan awarded him the Sitara lmtiaz (Star of distinction), Al-Azhar University honoured him with a gold medallion in 1993. He served on various government bodies as well as being the judge on the Shariah bench of the supreme court. Apart from being the head of the great Chishti order with thousands of Mureeds and hundreds of scholars, teachers and Imams, he was a simple man. He lived in a small room next to the library situated in the centre of the college, he never ate from the langer (free meals). His meals came from his home, which was a hundred yards from the college. Furthermore, he never took a salary from the college. He lived off his inherited 100 acre estate. Undoubtedly he was an example of a true Muslim. He died on the 7th of April (10th Dhul Hijjah) l998 in Islamabad. Thus set the sun, which had been shining for nearly half a century; teaching, preaching and writing Quran and Hadith.
Abu Zuhra, one of the renowned professors of Cairo University paid a glowing tribute to his able student, Muhammad Karam Shah on his departure from Al-Azhar in 1954 “My spiritual friend and intelligent student Muhammad Karam Shah. Our first meeting was on the Rahman’s spiritual table when you reminded me of defending and fighting for the truth. I have found you striving to achieve lofty ideals, and far from vanity. After every meeting with you I felt new blessings and found your spirit to be free from the worldly anxieties. My son, you have made me realise that East is not only the place of sunrise but also the place of spiritual horizon. My son, you have made me understand that Muslims are one nation and the distance of countries and cities doesn’t matter in this relationship.“
Source: Dr. Musharraf Hussain UK
No comments:
Post a Comment