Hazrat Sahib (RA) was the accomplishment of his father's dream, who was the Hazrat Munazir-e-Azam, Maulana Muhammad Umar Ichirvi (RA). Hazrat Sahib (RA) born in the historical city of Sheikupura. He was the third son, out of a total of five sons and seven sisters.

When Hazrat Sahib (ra) was 3 years old, he had mastered to read the Qur'an and was making excellent progress in his education of the Islamic and Modern Sciences. His first teacher was Maulana Hafiz Abdul Majeed who taught him how to read the Qur'an. Hazrat sahib had finished reading the Qur'an at the age of 4. In the earlier years, he was taught up to the stage of makoof ilaih by his honorable father, m-e-a. His father had brought him up with the tradition that ignorant and illiterate sons had no place in the historical accomplishment of the families service to Allah's way.

Hazrat Sahib (ra) was merely 6 years old when he had accompanied his father to an extensive trip of Sind, a province of Pakistan. His mother, knowing that he would be away for a period of six months, and would be meeting dignitaries and scholars, decided to pack for him more of a dozen expensive silk-like material suits, in order that her son would look the best, whilst accompanying his father. Upon reaching Karachi, Hazrat Sahib (ra) attending his first official function with his father, in which the Governor of Sind was present and m-e-a was to deliver a sermon on aqi'ad. Knowing the importance of the function, Hazrat Sahib (ra) decided to wear one of those expensive suits that his mother had given to him. After the function, m-e-a asked Hazrat Sahib who had given him the suit, replied that his mother had given that suit as well as another dozen different types. M-e-a asked his son to bring all of those suits to him, as he was interested to seeing them. Hazrat Sahib (ra) quickly ran to bring those suits thinking that his father would marvel at seeing them. m-e-a collected all of the suits and piled them on the floor and set fire to them. Hazrat Sahib (ra) neither protested nor asked his father the reasons for this action. M-e-a exclaimed to his son that " if you want to become an Alim (a scholar) with amal (piety) then you would have to forgo the fancifulness of this dunya (material world) and learn the humility and humbleness that comes with the study of Allah's way. When you have learnt and accomplished yourself within the confines of that "ilm", then that experience will allow you to be disinfected from the materialism of the dunya. Afterwards you can adopt the fancies of the dunya knowing that such fancies will never take you away from your real mission in life ". M-e-a took his son to the local market and brought cloth of 'khadr' which is the cheapest material that was worn by the common man, and an ordinary head covering made of straw, and clothed his son in simplistic way. Hazrat Sahib remembers that his father did this in order to build the characteristics of his son, rather than spoil his son to the luxuries of materialism which would cause hindrance to Hazrat Sahib (ra) ultimate mission. This instance it may seem to be harsh, but in this there is a lesson for the reader, in that children of today demand designer clothing and other accessories which have prices for the labels rather than their function. Munazire Azam taught us that the next generation must be saved from the evils of dependence on the luxuries of materialism and should be made to be prepared for any adversity or calamity and be able to survive rather feel that their living is not worthwhile if they do not have a '£150 trainers' necessary to equal their social status in school.

When Hazrat Sahib (ra) graduated with dars-e-nizaami degree and his degree from the University of Punjab as a graduate, Munazire Azam remembering the lessons of humility had taught his son whilst he was young, traveled to Peshawar and brought cloth which was then known as 'shashkeen' known to be the garments for the rich and awarded that to his son for wearing, and saying that now you are no longer going to be affected by the materials of the world and also that you would run after the world but the world will run after you. It was this kind of tarbiyyah (development), which made Hazrat Sahib (ra) so independent from materialism, but yet so radiant in whatever he wore.

Hazrat Sahib (ra) education was completed in the dars-e-nizaami by Ustad-e-Ulema, Sheikh-ul-Hadith, Hazrat Maulana Ghulam Rasool Sahib, and finalized by Muhadis-e-Azam, Hazrat Maulana Sadaar Ahmad Sahib (RA).

Hazrat Sahib (ra) wants recalled the circumstances in which he acquired Ilm-e-Deen. He said that in the early 50's the Centers of Islamic Education were so dilapidated or non-existence that most of the teachings had to be done tents or make-shift buildings. This meant that when there used to be blizzard, they used to cover their faces with rumaal (mufflows) in order to keep the dust out of their eyes and keep themselves focused on the lessons being taught. Despite this adversity, it was this kind of class of humble Islamic Law students that created great pioneers like Hazrat Sahib (RA). Some of Hazrat Sahib (ra) class fellows recalled, many incidents in which there was aberration and aggilation of Hazrat Sahib (ra) by his contemporaries and his lecturers. His lecturers would constantly remark that Hazrat Sahib (ra) stood out from the class with unique and incredible faculties of learning as well as a charm that made it a pleasure to simply to look at him let alone teach him. His contemporaries would always remark that they could see that Hazrat Sahib (ra) would become a beacon of light in the future for the Muslim Ummah and that he would develop into a great Muslim Leader one day.

At a very young age, Hazrat Sahib (ra) was taken to the great Sheikh of Karama Walah, Hazrat Pir Syed Isma'eel Shah Saab Bukhari and directed to give him bai'ya (spiritual allegiance). In order that they can be intellectual and spiritual fulfillment simultaneously. Pir Syed Isma'eel Shah Saab Bukhari (RA), who was a great Alim himself, never allowed other Ulema to deliver lectures and sermons on his presence. Hazrat Sahib (ra) was the only person who had such a status and respect in the Darbaar of his Sheikh. As a young child, Hazrat Sahib (ra) recalls that one day Pir Syed Isma'eel Shah Saab Bukhari (RA) invited Hazrat Sahib's (ra) father, Munazire Azam to work with him into the gardens surrounding the house of Hazrat Sahib (ra) Sheikh. Eagerly awaiting this opportunity to accompany them, Hazrat Sahib (ra) stroll behind his Sheikh. Suddenly his Sheikh turned around and ordered Hazrat Sahib (ra) to go and lie down on the bed and not to accompany them. Saddened by this direction, but obedient in his resolve, Hazrat Sahib (ra) went to lie on the bed and could not understand the rationale behind being told to sleep at four in the afternoon. Hazrat Sahib (ra) recalled that during the course of that sleep, he had the first opportunity to be present in a ground of people who were also exclaiming, 'salaatu was'salamu alaika Ya Rasool Allah' whilst their eyes were resting on the glorious face of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Upon waking up, Hazrat Sahib (ra) seeing that his Sheikh is back ran to him and greeting him by kissing his hands and thanking him for the reward that had been given the chance to see the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).

After Hazrat Sahib (ra) graduated from the Islamic Law School, he studied English and Urdu and Persian and at the Valpur University, Pakistan, and accomplished Faazil Arabi and Faazil Persian Degrees from the same University. He had also accomplished a comprehensive understanding of reading and writing the English Language. Many of his contemporary Ulema could not understand the reason for him wishing to learn these languages, but Hazrat Sahib (ra) always exclaimed to them that it was important for an Alim and for an Alim to be versed with not only the language of his origin but also other languages in order to equip him in most eventualities. Upon graduation, Hazrat Sahib (ra) became the editor of Al-Miqyas Magazine, which was a monthly periodical to the Islamic movement and guru Politicians of his time, like Maulana Kausar Niazi and Maulana Mawdudi, stating that they often read Hazrat Sahib's (RA) editorial articles with interest.

One day Hazrat Sahib (ra) was summoned by his father, in a very unusual and hurried manner. Munazire Azam said that he had had a visitation from Hazrat Da'ta Ganj Baksh Ali Hujwari, who he had served as Khateeb for jumah prayers for twenty years and that Da'ta Saab had ordered him to direct Hazrat Sahib (ra) to lead and be the Imam of Hazrat Da'ta Saab's Mosque. Not questioning the logic of becoming an Imam Sugarah, having qualified and gained the ability to become an Imam Khubarah, Hazrat Sahib (ra) accepted the said post with obedience. It was during the course of this one and half years Imamat, that Hazrat Sahib (ra) recalled many incidents of karamat in which Da'ta Ganj Baksh Ali Hujwari showered Hazrat Sahib (ra) with spiritual blessings. Once such incident was when Hazrat Sahib (ra) was woken up by the President General Ayub, the then Head of State of Pakistan, and he said to Hazrat Sahib (ra) that he needed him to accompany him to the shrine of Hazrat Da'ta Ganj Baksh Ali Hujwari, in order to pray for the victory of Pakistan over India. Hazrat Sahib (ra) quickly made wudu and in the loneliness of the night, led the special supplication to Allah (swt) followed by General Ayub and his entire military Cabinet for the victory. The next morning, General Ayub announced an all out assault and attack against the enemy and history witnessed that it was this effort that defended the borders of Pakistan and 1966 war led to an understanding between the two Nations that they should be co-existence through mutual respect rather than humiliation of one or the other Nation.

Very soon after his graduation, Hazrat Sahib (ra) achieved a reputation as being a formidable Munazir (Debater) on the issues of aqhi'ad (beliefs). In the early days, he accompanied his father, Munazire Azam and participated in the debates in terms of supporting the research done by his father. Very soon after his graduation, he attended to some of the Prophet (saw) enemies and delivered great victories for the aqeedah of the Ahle Sunna beliefs. On one occasion, he was summoned by a very eminent personality, by the name of Pir Karam Shah Saab (RA) a Supreme Court Shariah Judge, who has had to deal with a certain group within the Jhang area, who due to their financial and vociferous power out maneuvered most of the opposition. Hazrat Sahib (ra) arrived in Jhang at the request for Pir Karam Shah Saab and within the first day of the debate, delivered a heavy blows to the arguments of the enemy and very soon the debate turned onto a physical onslaught which again was defended by Hazrat Sahib (ra) in equal strength, to the extent that by the end of first day that group of trouble makers in Jhang realized that they had met somebody of greater and superior intellectual capabilities and conceded defeat. On other occasions, Munazire Azam asked his son to preside over munazirs that he had undertaken with the enemies of Islam and Hazrat Sahib (ra) presided over these debates with great maturity and patience.

It is also a matter of great inspiration that Hazrat Sahib (ra) was not only a Sheikh and an Alim, a journalist, an author, an academic, a lecturer and a political scientist but also he took keen interest physical exercises. Hazrat Sahib (ra) created a wrestling ring inside the sixty bedroom house he group in, and next to it, he built a badminton court. Hazrat Sahib (ra) believed in the agility of the mind as well as the body and therefore built physical strength by wrestling and physical agility by becoming an excellent badminton player. Although he had many opportunities to play at a national level, he refused to do so on the basis that his interests in sports for his physical well being rather than taking it to a competitive level. Hazrat Sahib (ra) recalled when once talking to a number of young people that after having jogged for four miles and one thousand press-ups every day, and spending half-an-hour in the wresting ring, they would be no ground for him to loose on the basis of physical and mental strength. He believed that the idea of Islamic leadership should not just be or act the part but also to look the part as well.

In 1969, Hazrat Sahib (ra) decided to leave Pakistan and take a business trip to Germany and kindled his interests in import and export. He began to initiate this business in a very successful manner, but upon reaching Germany he very quickly received a letter from his father, m-e-a stating that these are the days when he should be spending his time at home and with his father, rather than pursuing anything out of town, let alone out of the home. This letter to be the catalyst for the prophesy of m-e-a that he was about to leave this world, and that Hazrat Sahib (ra) should now start top spend more time at home and on the Ghadhi (spiritual seat). Hazrat Sahib (ra) returned very quickly to Pakistan and in fact two years later, m-e-a past away.

On the janazah (funeral ceremony) of m-e-a, all the esteemed gathered Ulema and Mushaikh decided unanimously to place the paghari (spiritual crown) on the head of Hazrat Sahib (RA). This was accepted by his elder and younger brothers.

Hazrat Sahib (RA) had already by then developed a great reservoir of spiritual strength. By the time he was ascending to the Ghadhi he had accomplished many "chillas"(spiritual exclusion), in which he could communicate with the "morkileen" and the "jinaat"(both made from fire, species created by Allah) that had been the murids (disciples) of the family for many generations. Before his ascension to the ghadhi there were many instances reported of his exorcism of "jinaat" and Hazrat Sahib was known to possess the "Sixteenth Bangal" of the Prophet Sulaiman (as) with which he could exercise control over "jinns" if they ever interfered or possessed any human beings. They are hundreds of verified reports of exorcism of jinaat that he had carried out, but when Hazrat Sahib (RA) ascended to the ghadhi he refrained from exorcism, but continued to have a very friendly relationship with the "muakileens" and the pious "jinns". One such relationship was a very elderly and wise jinn, commonly known as "Baba Jee", who was also exclaimed as the "king of the jinns", with whom Hazrat Sahib (RA) had a very deep friendship. Hazrat Sahib (RA) used to communicate through recitation of 'kalaam' (words of Allah (swt)) and then blowing upon a child who would then be able to see Baba Jee in the flame of a candle and with whom he could then speak and communicate. I can myself remember a number of occasions when Hazrat Sahib (RA) did the same recitation of kalaam and Baba Jee appeared and gave answers to many problems. Baba Jee was also able to summon the spirit of good people and there was communication with them through the good offices of Baba Jee. On one occasion Hazrat Sahib (RA) was asked by a family of forty, who had gathered at his home to find out where precious gems and jewellerys had disappeared to valuing around £100,000. Hazrat Sahib (RA) summoned Baba Jee, and Baba Jee pinpointed that one of the persons present in the congregation was the perpetrator of the offense. At that very moment, the same person stood up and pleaded for mercy and forgiveness as that person realized that they were in the presence of a great Saint and this was their chance for redemption from Allah (swt) with the intercession of this Saint.

As a young person, Hazrat Sahib (RA) had befriended a number of people who were older then him by at least ten to fifteen years. On one occasion Hazrat Sahib (RA) was asked why it is that his friends were not his own age but people who were much older then him, Hazrat Sahib (RA) said that through my friendship with these people I will be able to learn a lot more about better conduct in life. The reality as it turned out with the benefit of hind sight was that people like Mukhtar Saheb who was an affluent business man in the local community says to this day that, even in those days Hazrat Sahib (RA) was the beacon of inspiration for them and even at that stage they knew that they were seeing the modeling of a great saint of Islam.

One day whilst as a young academic scholar and orator of Islamic theology Hazrat Sahib (RA) explained that he used to travel by public transport to visit various places in Pakistan to deliver his lectures. On one such occasion he said that he was traveling from Lahore to Multan and the coach stopped halfway and Hazrat Sahib (RA) alighted from the coach to make fresh wuzu. Hazrat Sahib (RA) remembered that before he could get back on the coach there was an old man who stopped Hazrat Sahib (RA) from getting on to the coach. Hazrat Sahib (RA) asked him what is the reason for this, and he gave no answer except to say that he should not go on to this coach for the sake of Allah and His blessed Prophet. At this plea, Hazrat Sahib (RA) said he had no choice but to accept what the old man was asking him to do, and an hour later Hazrat Sahib (RA) left on the following coach. When the coach had been traveling for an hour, it suddenly came to an stop and the driver asked all the passenger to alight as he said that he would need to free the space in the coach for an emergency that he was witnessing. Hazrat Sahib (RA) said he alighted from the coach on the main motorway and saw that the coach that he had been sitting on before that had proceeded to go towards Multan, had in fact crashed and all the persons within that coach had died and it was then that Hazrat Sahib (RA) realized that the old man in fact was an Angel of Mercy, who had come from Allah Almighty, to prevent Hazrat Sahib (RA) from proceeding on his journey on that coach.

As a young person Hazrat Sahib (RA) was very much devoted to his father Munazire Azam (RA). Hazrat Sahib (RA) used to recollect many times when his father would reprimand him directly and some time indirectly in order to ensure the development of Hazrat Sahib (RA) would continue in such a manner that would allow him to accomplish that which he was destined to do. On one occasion Hazrat Sahib (RA) said that after a Friday prayer he had been asked by Munazire Azam to come home quickly to help with the supervision of labourers in the construction of the new home that was being built by his father. Has recollected that after the Jummah prayer which he had lead in Data Saheb, he had been met by several thousands of people and after that many prominent dignitaries had been invited by himself who were his mutaqids and mureeds to come to the home for some tea. Hazrat Sahib (RA) said he had forgotten that he had made the promise to his father that he would help with the supervision of the construction. In any event Hazrat Sahib (RA) states that when he was approaching the home, he saw that his father was standing outside of the home supervising the labourers that where busy in the construction of the home. As Hazrat Sahib (RA) came near to his father, his father scolded him for not having come earlier, and told him to immediately start filling up the wheelbarrow for the labourers to take the concrete to the place where a new roof was being placed. Hazrat Sahib (RA) remembered that he had white clothes on with glowing beauty and was accompanied by these dignitaries and all of those companions were forced to wait for two hours on the side of the road, whilst Hazrat Sahib (RA) accomplished that which his father had instructed him to do. Not one of the people accompanying Hazrat Sahib (RA) had the courage to say to either Hazrat Sahib (RA) or his father that they would intervene and assist with the construction work. This was clearly an example of the levels of obedience that a son should have no matter what his position is to his father as taught to us by the Islamic way of life.

On another occasion Hazrat Sahib (RA) told me that whilst he was a father of three, he would be away on either speech tour or on a meeting which had run till late and when he would return home knowing that his father Munazire Azam (RA) used to sleep at around ten thirty in the evening, Hazrat Sahib (RA) would not use the bell to the house, knowing that the noise of the bell would cause discomfort and may even awake his father and therefore used to contend by throwing small stones, at the window of the room where his family stayed. It is quite clear that the kind of respect Hazrat Sahib (RA) showed to his father is a model for all children in expressing their respect to their parents.

Some years before Hazrat Sahib (RA) passed away, Hazrat Sahib (RA) came to my bedroom in which there was a large picture of Munazire Azam (RA) hanging on the wall. Hazrat Sahib (RA) used to ask me on those occasions to take that picture down as he said he could not bear to see that picture. I questioned him as to why he used to ask me to do that, asking him that I take a lot of pleasure in seeing my grandfather's picture and how it is that he does not take the same pleasure in seeing his father's picture. Hazrat Sahib (RA) exclaimed that when ever he would see his father's picture, the wounds caused by the demise of his father reopen. I could not understand such sentiment at that time but now I can understand it, as I feel the same when I see HAZRAT SAHIB (RA) picture.

When Hazrat Sahib (RA) came to England he settled in a town called Blackburn and stayed there for a period of three years. During the course of that stay, he had occasion to meet many non Muslims for the purposes of inter religious dialogue. It was a new phenomena in those days for people of all faiths to meet each other. On one occasion Hazrat Sahib (RA) was in meeting with a number of Christian clergymen, amongst whom was the bishop of Blackburn. The questions that were being raised at that meeting were in relation to the Islamic teaching of Jinns. One of the priests had asked him whether Hazrat Sahib (RA) himself had seen a Jinn to which Hazrat Sahib (RA) replied, "many times". The priest asked whether Hazrat Sahib (RA) could introduce such a jinn to them so that they could see the jinn as well. Hazrat Sahib (RA) said that if such an introduction of Jinn was made in his full reality, that would cause discomfort and distress to all those present. He could introduce the jinn in a more milder shape to a child who had not reached the age of puberty. The priests started thinking that Hazrat Sahib (RA) was withdrawing from proving that the Islamic teachings are correct. The Bishop quickly stated that his little daughter could be brought into the room, who had not reached the age of puberty and maybe Hazrat Sahib (RA) could introduce her to a Jinn. Accepting such a challenge the little girl was brought into the room where about eleven priests were sitting. Hazrat Sahib (RA) sat her down, and asked her pointing to an empty chair whether she could see someone. She said that she could and that the person was an elderly gentlemen who was wearing white clothes and had a white beard. The father of the girl was shocked, thinking that she might be either in a daze or she might be hypnotized, but when he realized that she was able to engage in normal conversation whilst she was citing this person which they could not see sitting on the seat, he asked Hazrat Sahib (RA) to stop immediately thinking that his daughter might be in danger. On that occasion all the priests were amazed to see how the reality of the teachings of Islam can be proved in such a powerful manner. All of them went away thinking about the glory of Islam, but the father of the little girl who was a priest himself asked Hazrat Sahib (RA) to stay behind and said that he would like to recite the Shahadah and declare that there is no other god but Allah and the Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him is His last Messenger.

During the course of Hazrat Sahib (RA) stay in Blackburn, he organized the first Jalous (procession) of the celebration of Milaad un Nabi (birthday of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him) it was the start of this great Sunnah, for the first time in the history of Muslims in U.K. that lead to the thousands of such processions taking place in Britain, and all over Europe today. It was strange then for the host community to see the Muslims out in the streets, rejoicing and celebrating the coming of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon him. These processions have been a source of inspiration for not only the Muslims but also the non Muslims as well who have seen Muslims participate in Jalous Milaad with great enthusiasm. Such processions have lead to many hundreds of non- Muslims to see the light of Islam.

In the early days of his stay in the united Kingdom, Hazrat Sahib (RA) was relentless in his efforts to bring about the exposition of the true message of Islam. This meant that when there was a fitna brewing amongst the Muslim community, he was very powerful in stamping out such promotion of fitna. On one occasion in the town of Bury, Hazrat Sahib (RA) challenged the "ghair mukalid" Wahabi Schools for a Munazra (debate) on any issue that they liked and challenged their academics and their Ulema to an open public debate on any issue that divided the majority of the Muslim Ummah to a tiny minority, who were responsible on causing scorn to the personality of the Holy Prophet Muhammad Peace Be Upon Him. In 1975, when the Ulema of the Wahabi School found out that Hazrat Sahib (RA) would be the Munazar leading the open public debate against them, they retreated knowing full well that they would be subjected to a historical defeat. Similarly in 1989 when Hazrat Sahib (RA) gave a challenge to an open public debate with the Qadianies in Holland the expectations was that the leader of the Qadiani movement of Europe would respond, and come to the fore-front to accept the challenge and debate with Hazrat Sahib (RA) on the claims of Mirza Ghulam Ahmed of Qadian. When news of this debate was made public. The Qadiani leader failed to show up to the venue, deciding to distribute leaflets instead, stating that he would conduct an open public debate with any other Muslim scholar except Hazrat Sahib (RA), knowing full well that facing Hazrat Sahib (RA) would mean certain historical defeat for the Qadiani movement

On one occasion Hazrat Sahib (RA) told me of an attempted murder plot against by the enemies of Islam. He said that when he had arrived in the City of Coventry, some of these Ahlai scholars were distressed at the fact that Hazrat Sahibs' (RA) speeches were attracting thousand of people to the historical, traditional and the real way of Islam and their years of hard work in these cities were being reduced to waste. Thinking that the murder of Hazrat Sahibs' (ra) would be the only solution, they hired an Arab to go and kill Hazrat Sahib (ra). The said Arab enlisted as a student in Hazrat Sahib (ra) classes in the mornings, which he used to offer to adults in Coventry. When the Arab came to such classes and being the only Arab, Hazrat Sahib (RA) found it rather strange such a person was learning basic Arabic. However Hazrat Sahib (RA) accepted him fully and taught him whatever he could. After four lessons the Arab got up one day from the lesson and said that he would be coming to the lessons no more. Hazrat Sahib (RA) asked him why it was that he sat in to three to four lessons and now suddenly he is making his plans to never come back. He told Hazrat Sahib (ra) that he had been instructed and paid to murder him, but after he had heard some of the lessons that Hazrat Sahib (RA) had been teaching, he realized that he would be responsible for the murder of great Alim of Islam. He said that he was told that he would be murdering somebody who misinterprets Qur'an and misleads his followers into deviations from the Islamic theology. However his opinion was that no such deviation was noticed and in fact the people who had instructed him to murder Hazrat Sahib (RA), were in fact, not very familiar with the Islamic ideology. He said that he would return their money, but that on the Day of Judgment he would be witness against those people for not only causing Fitna but also being responsible for the hiding of the truth.

 

Young Hazrat Sahib (ra)