Today, Monday, December 15th, at 2 PM, the funeral prayer of the great spiritual leader, reformer of the Ummah, and pure Sufi, Pir Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi Mujaddidi (may Allah have mercy on him), was offered in Jhang, and more than one and a half hours have passed since then. A large number of seekers of knowledge and wisdom, scholars, students of religious schools, sheikhs of the Tariqa, and the general public from all over the country participated in this funeral.
Especially, a full and prominent participation was seen from Jamia Khair-ul-Madaris Multan. Among the esteemed teachers of Darul Iftaa, Hazrat Aqdas Maulana Mufti Muhammad Abdullah Sahib, Mufti Abdul Hakeem Sahib, and Mufti Zeeshan Nadeem Sahib (may their blessings be upon them) participated in the funeral prayer, expressing their heartfelt connection and devotion to the deceased. Similarly, in addition to approximately seven students from Takhassus fil Fiqh, second year, numerous students, teachers, and administrators from various levels of the university also reached Jhang.
This extraordinary participation is clear proof of the fact that the beneficence of Pir Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi Mujaddidi (may Allah have mercy on him) was not limited to Khanqahi circles only, but his position was also very high and accepted in the hearts of religious schools, people of knowledge, jurists, and seekers of truth.
Wealth, power, and the world — then why choose poverty?
Pir Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi Mujaddidi (may Allah have mercy on him) was born on April 1, 1953, in the respected Kharal family of Jhang. There was a religious atmosphere, an atmosphere of remembrance and worship, and spiritual values in the house, which had a profound impact on his personality from the very beginning.
He achieved remarkable successes in modern education.
He obtained a BSc degree in Electrical Engineering in 1972, while he completed further education from UET Lahore. In practical life, he emerged as a highly educated engineer, under whose management there were more than 35 factories. Around 1990, his daily income was said to be around one hundred thousand rupees, and according to his own statements, he also paid taxes with complete honesty.
The decisive turning point in life:
It is said that the real turning point of his life came in Lahore, where he met Maulana Syed Zawar Hussain (may Allah have mercy on him). During the same period, he deeply studied the letters of Hazrat Mujaddid Alf Sani (may Allah's mercy be upon him), which brought about a revolution in his inner self.
He himself used to say that he had made a promise in his heart that
as soon as he turned forty, he would retire from worldly life.
And then, without any hesitation, he fulfilled this promise exactly at the age of forty.
This was the inner revolution that made him not just a person but a movement.
Thousands of scholars, people of knowledge, and people of heart from Pakistan and India came into his company and relationship. A large number of graduates, teachers, and speakers of Madrasas were included in his circle of devotion.
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Writings and intellectual heritage::
According to the current record, Pir Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi Mujaddidi (may Allah have mercy on him) authored more than 140 books, some of which are prominent:
1. Khutbat-e-Faqir
2. Ba Adab Ba Naseeb
3. Tamannaye Dil
4. Zad-e-Haram
5. Literary Secrets and Mysteries of the Holy Quran
The message of purification of the soul, sincerity, following the Sunnah, and inner reform is clearly reflected in his writings and statements.
Courageous stance in favor of Madrasa students:
On one occasion, when a commissioner declared the students of Madrasas to be useless and worthless, Pir Sahib (may Allah have mercy on him) said in a very compassionate manner (in meaning):
When Allah shows His displeasure after seeing the affairs of the world,
and at the same moment a student takes the name of Allah,
then the Lord Almighty feels love.
It is through the blessing of these students that you have mercy on you,
appreciate them.”
Allama Iqbal and the Mendicant Relationship:
He used to say that a Rubai of Allama Iqbal had entered his heart, which was apparently his favorite as well:
Tu Ghani Az Har Do Alam Man Faqeer
Roz-e-Mahshar Uzr Haye Man Pazeer
War Hisabam Ra Tu Beeni Na Gazeer
Az Nigah-e-Mustafa (peace be upon him) Pinhan Bageer
Translation:
O Allah! You are independent of both worlds and I am a mendicant.
Just accept one request of mine on the Day of Judgment.
If it is inevitable to take my account,
then take my account by keeping me hidden from the eyes of Mustafa (peace be upon him).
The void created by the death of Pir Zulfiqar Ahmad Naqshbandi Mujaddidi (may Allah's mercy be upon him) will not be filled by time alone. He was such a Sufi who explained the meaning of poverty to the modern educated class and connected the people of religion with the spirit of action.
Today, the soil of Jhang has embraced such a lamp in its bosom whose light will continue to illuminate hearts for a long time.
May Allah forgive him, raise his ranks, and grant us the ability to act on his teachings. Amen.
Muhammad Owais Rasool