Alhaj Hazrath Peer Sahvi Shah
The Muslims of India celebrate the Urs of Hazrath Gharib Nawaz on a magnificent scale, on 6 th of Rajjab every year. Those who do not go to Ajmer, celebrate it in their cities and towns on a very grand scale. It is on that day, 80 years before; Hazrath Sahvi Shah was born in Hyderabad (1923). His father, Hazrath Ghousi Shah named him after Hazrath Shaikh-E-Akbar Ibn-E-Arabi as he saw the great saint in a vision before the birth of his son.
The Shah family is one of the great Sufi families of Hazrath Ghousi Shah, was initiated by Hazrath Machliwale Shah. Around Machliwale Shah moved galaxy of city intellectuals, Judges and men of very high calibre. When Sahvi Shah was 4 years, 4 months his Bismillah Ceremony was performed. The proceedings took place under the patronage of Hazrath Machliwale Shah (R.H).
Alhaj Kareemullah Shah Saheb, his grand father was a noted saint of Hyderabad and was a great interpreter of Moulana Rum. Hazrath Ghousi Shah Sahab was his mureed, Khalifa and successor. He died in 1913.
Hazrath Sahvi Shah was nine years old, when the ILAHI chaman saint passed away. He had the privilege to serve him, even as a child. By that time, he could learn Arabic, Persian and Urdu and Hadith, Fiqh, Tafseer. His father Ghousi Shah played a great role in moulding his child’s intellectual purity and instigated in love for Tasawwuf.
Hyderabad was a great seat of learning in the second decade of the 20 th century. And it was a Mecca of Scholars, Poets, Writers, and Sufis. The best of them from all parts of India found their place here. The Sufi’s were looked upon with great respect, since the city enjoyed a religious climate. And Hazrath Ghousi Shah enjoyed a great following. In such socio religious atmosphere, Sahvi Shah had his upbringing. The father took special care to see the son, learnt everything desirable in a religiously surcharged society.
Hazrath Sahvi Shah published his first book of verse when he was just 18. “AKSE LATEEF” the collection was highly commended in the Press. The great Critic NIAZ FATEHAPURI, hailed it as a commendable output from one who was young and intelligent. He said the young poet had all the characteristics of a good poet. Sahvi Shah Sahab continued to publish further collections namely “TAKDEESE SHER”, “NAZRE MADINA”, TATHIR-E-GHAZAL – all well received. He dubbed in the new form of poetry SULASI and wrote it with great feeling.
Sahvi Shah Saheb was 27 when Khilafat was conferred upon him. The conferment of Khilafat was hailed by other members of futernity. It was in 1954 a few months before Hazrath Ghousi Shah passed away. Right from 1954 till 1979. Hazrath Sahvi Shah Saheb, lectured, and wrote ceaselessly and toured all parts of India, spreading the tenets of TAWHID.
He translated passages from Quran (Alam Tara; Surah Baqarah) and wrote on TASAWUF(IRSHADAT-E-SULOOK) explaining the significance of Sufi tenets. In Bidat-E-Hasna, he defended the practices of Sunnis. His talk TAZKIA NAFS – Purification of the self, from All India Radio, Hyderabad was highly hailed in spiritual circles. He was a man of many parts, He was a journalist too. He edited Urdu Weeklies / Fort- Nightlies and “JHALKIAN & INQUILAB” when his father was alive edited AL-NOOR, after his death in memory of his father. The magazines became popular in spiritual circles. As the core menage was the spread of Tawheed.
He combined in his person, all the traits of a great Murshid. He lived the life of TAWAKKUL and GHINA(trust in god) He was courageous and his behaviour was free from all artificialities. He was a totally transparent man. He was AASHIQE RASOOL – a great lover of the Holy Prophet(PBUH). Besides, he was a great lover of God too. Much of his life was spent, in reciting His name and obeying his commands.
He conferred the Khilafat upon his eldest son, Hazrath Ghousavi Shah, before his death and he was made successor. Ghousavi Shah has kept alive the traditions of his father. Baith-Un-Noor has become the markaz(center) of all spiritual of seekers. He is preoccupied totally in spreading the message of his father and grand father, through writings and lecture. He conducts ZIKR every week in his KHANAKHA and the Urs celebrations of the four saints of the Silsila are observed regularly. Besides Lecturers are also conducted on Hazrath IMAM ABU HANIFA and Hazrath IBNE ARABI.
