History

Haji Hafiz Pir Syed Jamaat Ali Shah ( 1834–1951) born in Alipur Sharif Dist, Sialkot, Pakistan was a Naqshbandi Sufi Saint and mass leader of traditional Barelvi Muslims of south Asia. He was President of Sunni Barelvi organisation All India Sunni Conference and was main leader in Shaheed Ganj Mosque. Through his standing among the Sunni Sufi followers he gave his open support to Pakistan Movement and therefore one of the prime religious leader of Pakistan Movement.

Ancestors, Birth and Education:

Born sometime between the years 1830-1840, he was named “Jama’at Ali” by his respected father, Sayyid Karim Shah. His ancestors, who belonged to Shiraz, Iran, migrated to India during the reign of the Mughal Emperor Humayun. He was born in Village Alipur Sayyidan, Tehsil Narowal, District Sialkot, in the Punjab province of Pakistan, of which the family is a permanent resident. At a very tender age, he learnt the Holy Koran by heart. He belongs to the Hassani & Hussaini family of Sadaat, i.e., Sayyids.

Knowledge and Virtue:

By birth, Ameer-e-Millat was a subtle genius and was endowed with such superb characteristics as mild, gentle right-mindedness and exceptional intuition. These excellent qualities were further refined by learned and accomplished teachers through especial and dedicated attention. Alongside mastering various intellectual and traditional sciences, he gradually kept on achieving latent and spiritual advancements. Indeed, he rivalled the competency of Imam Zahbi in learning, and that of Imam Hajar Asqalani in all-inclusive memorizing. In that era, he was conspicuous for his eloquence par excellence and was unrivalled in dazzling displays of public speaking.

Titles & Appellations Of Honor:

In 1935, during the “Masjid Shaheed Gunj” movement, he was chosen as Ameer-e-Millat (Leader of the Nation) by a convention of religious scholars and elders from all over Punjab. He thus became famous by this “Ameer-e-Millat” title.

Earlier in the 20th century, when Arabia was stricken by a severe famine, he set up a “Madinah Fund” and personally administered tremendous relief work. This ensued in the conferring of the title “Abul Arab” to him from the holy land (Hijaz).

In 1920, a Khilafat Conference was held in Lyallpur, in which Maulana Shaukat Ali addressed him as The Eloquent Person of Hind (India), but he was best known as Huzur Qibla-e-Alam.

Miracles (Karamat):

His miracles are countless, which really calls for a big volume to record. Nevertheless, the most remarkable and outstanding among them is that each and every one of his descendents to date has been “Hafiz” of the Holy Koran, learned and accomplished religious scholar, and leading a life in strict conformity with Islamic jurisprudence.

Homage:

Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam’s father, Karim Shah was formally enlisted as a disciple in the Sufi order of Naqshbandia with his maternal grandfather, Sayyid Husain Shah. He (Karim Shah) was a distinguished saint, showering bounties in abundance to public at large. Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam inherited his due share from his celebrated father. Several of his teachers were among the top-ranking religious scholars of their time, who went out of their way and passed on their respective proficiency in different fields of knowledge to Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam. Nevertheless, he still yearned for more and was on the lookout for a venerable guide who could lead him to the mystic way of life.

It so happened that Hazrat Baba Faqir Muhammad Churahi Naqshbandi, a renowned saint of that period, came over to visit Maulvi Ghulam Nabi, who resided at village Chak Quraishiyan, District Sialkot, located in the vicinity of Alipur Sayyidan. On getting the news, Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam lost no time in calling in on Hazrat Baba Sahib. The latter very kindly admitted him as a disciple into the Naqshbandia religious order, and favoured him with especial consideration.

Shortly afterwards, Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam paid his first visit to Churah Sharif to meet Hazrat Babaji. At the time of the former’s departure, Hazrat Babaji took off his turban and put it on Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam’s head, thus appointing Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam his deputy, and adding: “Be resolute in remembering Allah, and persist in religious instruction to people at large.”

Some of Hazrat Babaji’s disciples started grumbling and complained to him about this instantaneous elevation in rank of Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam, notwithstanding the complainants’ long-standing allegiance and day and night attendance at Hazrat Babaji’s shrine. The latter declared in no uncertain terms: “I am well aware of matters that you people don’t know about. I just cannot make any such decisions without the explicit command of Almighty Allah. Hafizji Sahib (Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam) had carried with him all the paraphernalia: lantern, wick, and oil, all bestowed upon him by Almighty Allah. What I simply did was setting the lantern alight with divine directive.”

Devotion To Rasul Allah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam:

During the rule of the Turks, everyone offering prayers in the Holy Haram Sharif at Madinah was forced to leave the premises after the ‘Isha prayers. However, Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam enjoyed the special privilege of staying overnight inside the grill of the tomb of Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.), accompanied by four other people. Whenever he visited the holy tomb, he was overawed by respect and his whole body trembled out of sheer reverence. Even in bitter cold, he would break out in a sweat, making his dress wet, while his complexion would turn pale or ruddy.

Adherence To Divine Law & Mandatory Observance Of The Traditions of Rasul Allah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam:

Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam’s philosophy of mysticism was not forsaking worldly relations and becoming a recluse. He enjoyed good food; was well-dressed; and strictly followed the edicts of Islamic law in the administration of his day-to-day affairs. Observance of Prophet Muhammad’s (P.B.U.H.) traditions in letter and spirit was an integral part of his practice and temperament, and he emphasized the need to do the same to his disciples.

Glance , Metamorphosis And Alchemy :

Hundreds of Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam’s followers were, in their early lives, habituated to wicked deeds or were hardened criminals–having been involved in thievery, robbery, drunkenness, roguery, knavery, and what have you. Nonetheless, they were totally transformed and became the exact opposite under the influence of his vibrant spiritual influence—as if transmuted by alchemy! Now, they started strictly observing the daily prayers and the Ramazan fasting; performed Hajj; and devoted themselves to public service, specifically assisting the needy. According to one estimate, the number of Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam’s followers exceeds six lacs, spread all over the world. On a broader spectrum, his blessings and instructions also encompassed the Genii in general, and it is a fact that Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam guided many a rebellious genie to the straight path.

Religious And National Service:

As far as religion is concerned, Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam’s services are inestimable. He funded and was instrumental in the erection of scores of mosques, religious academies, caravanserais, and wells. He paid particular attention to the publication of literature on mysticism.

In 1916, he inaugurated the construction of Masjid-e-Noor at Alipur Sayyidan, which was eventually completed in 1920. The total cost came to around six lacs of rupees, which was an enormous amount in those days.

In March 1901, he founded the Anjuman Khuddamus Sufia, Hind. In addition, he started the publication of the monthly Anwarus Sufia from Lahore.

He was the patron of a number of religious and national institutions, including Anjuman Himayat-e-Islam, Lahore; Anjuman Hizbul Ahnaf, Lahore; Anjuman Nomania, Lahore; Anjuman Islamia, Amritsar; Nadwatul ‘Ulama, Lucknow; Muslim University, Aligarh; Anjuman Khuddamus Sufia, Hind; Anjuman Khuddamul Muslimeen, Kasur; Anjuman Ta’limul Qur’an, Lahore; Madrasa Saulatia, Makkah Mukarramah; Madrasa Naqshbandia, Mysore; All-India Sunni Conference; Anjuman Islamia, Sialkot; Central Muslim Association, Bangalore; etc.

In addition, he presided over many conferences and conventions, including, but not limited to, Tehrik-e-Khilafat Conference; Tehrik-e-Fitna-e-Irtidad; Tehrik-e-Sarda Act; Tehrik-e-Masjid Shaheed Gunj; Jam’iyat-e-‘Ulama-e-Hind (Sunni Conference); Ghazi Ilm Din Shaheed Case; Fitna-e-Mirza’iyat; Majlis-e-Ittihad-e-Millat; and the Pakistan Movement. He led them all dynamically and served them energetically.

The Nuisance & Menace Of Mirza’iyat:

From 1901 to 1908, he led a vigorous campaign against the nuisance of Mirza’iyat. Later, as long as he lived, he persistently repudiated this perfidious faction. Exactly as Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam had earlier predicted, Mirza Qadiyani died “Hell-bound” in a ghastly and disgraceful manner.

All-India Sunni Conference:

Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam presided over three venues of these conferences: Muradabad, 1925; Badayun, 1935; and Benaras, 1946.

For the presidency of the Badayun conference, there was a contest between Maulana Hamid Raza Khan (son of Mawlana Ahmad Raza Khan Alayhi Rahma) and another eminent personality. The former was elected by a majority of votes. After his election, Maulana Hamid Raza Khan announced from the podium: “I now offer the presidential chair to Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam. The votes of all my supporters, as well as mine, are for him. The presidency stipulates a lot of follow-up work, which I am not capable of. Since Hazrat Sahib is accustomed to, and well experienced in such matters, I appeal that he kindly accede to this request and preside over this conference.” The audience overwhelmingly seconded this suggestion, and so Hazrat Sahib was unanimously elected President.

Pakistan Movement:

When the Pakistan Resolution was adopted in 1940, Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam supported it whole-heartedly, and assiduously worked as a pro-active preacher to arouse the Muslims of the Indo-Pakistan subcontinent in order to make the Pakistan Movement a resounding success. In this perspective, his strategy was multi-pronged: he expended huge amounts of money; made extensive tours of the country; published relevant literature; and last, but not least, addressed various Muslim League meetings and gatherings. Hazrat Qibla-e-Alam categorically told his followers that he would not lead the funeral service of anyone who had not participated in the Pakistan Movement one way or another.

Death:

It was at 11 p.m. on 26/27 Zeeqa’d 1370 H., corresponding to 30/31 August 1951, on Thursday/Friday, that Ameer-e-Millat breathed his last and perpetuated his memory.

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