Assalamualaikum Warahmatullah – I greeted the lustrously glowing faced venerable ‘buzurg’ whose wavy white beard had turned moist with tears. A bright brown wooden scepter in his right hand was adding volumes to his awe, elegance and majesty. His big black eyes as deep as ocean were full of dejection, exasperation and sorrow. He was repeatedly correcting the wraps of his snow-white turban which was symbol of his grace. Signs of anxiety and unrest were evident in his face. He was constantly looking at the point of entrance of the big playfield where he was stationed to address a big gathering. Meanwhile a cavalcade of dozens of cars with security men moving briskly to and fro, to escort a very important looking celebrity to the podium, concluded the anxious wait of everyone there. I heard people whispering – Baba Davood Khaki (RA), the famous disciple of Makhdoom Sahab (RA) has arrived.
His arrival calmed the buzurg stationed there. Baba Davood Khaki (RA) greeted the ‘buzurg’ as if he was subordinate to him. My curiosity to learn about the ‘buzurg’ rose to new high. I asked a middle-aged man, sitting next to me, “Who is the monarch-looking ‘buzurg’. The man replied , ” He is Sheikh Hamzah Makhdoom (RA). Goosebumps spread over my entire body. I was extremely nervous yet a unique euphoric sensation to have the glimpse of Peerani-Peer (RA), ran over my soul, and tranquilized my rusty heart. The high decibel loudspeakers installed there, resonated, ” Dear brothers in Islam, it is our pleasure to welcome our own reverend and exalted spiritual mentor – Sheikh Hamzah Makhdoom (RA) on the dais.” A pin drop silence in the reverence of this noble son of soil, turned the audience lifeless for a moment. I had already fixed my gaze at the glowing face of the ‘buzurg’ who now stood up from his chair and began his sermon.
“My dear disciples – my motherland has been witnessing an unfortunate surge in evils and offences for last many years. Spine-chilling incidents have become norm of the day, here. Heinous crimes like rapes, robberies and murders are going unabated. Deception and cheating is now your hobby. You don’t pay any heed to the Quran and the Sunnah. I wonder if you really are the successors of saints and sages. A nation that was once known for its rich values and ethos, is swiftly falling prey to immorality and transgressions. Custodians of shrines, mosques and temples have surprisingly resorted to barbarism and brutality. You have maimed and injured my soul terribly. You have inflicted relentless pains and miseries upon me. I am not able to take rest at the famed Kilohi-Maran, because your demoniac acts have brought shame upon me. I feel demeaned among angels because you have tainted the glorious traditions and customs of my land. My disciples and followers were the truest ambassadors of humanity and sufism. I feel insomniac in my grave for your misadventures.
Now, you no more fear Allah (SWT). Inherited values of your ancestors have begun to evaporate from your lives. Kindness, courage, compassion, perseverance, patience, love, loyalty, honesty, humility, generosity, empathy, forgiveness and integrity are no more your stations. You have crossed the frontiers of humanity, kashmiryat and sufism. I can’t believe that you have begun to kill your own real brothers. You have been butchering your own daughters in the wombs of their mothers. Even someone last year killed his seven year old daughter in a north Kashmir district. A young man from south Kashmir murdered his real mother ruthlessly. Tales of your animality have no parallels in the history. You have blotted and blemished the sacred relationship of marriage. Somewhere a husband sets his better half ablaze, and, somewhere a wife massacres her groom for an extra marital affair. You have scooped out binding force of love from your uterine relationships.
I hardly pay any attention to your calls and cries. The dirt of unlawful earnings has fouled and mucked your feasts. You, now, hardly bother about the immaculately clean ways of your earnings as your forefathers would do. Legitimacy and illegitimacy makes no difference to you all. Your progeny has become absolutely immodest and disobedient, because they swallow illicitly earned meals. Humiliation and slavery has become your fate. Satisfaction, tranquility, calm, peace and comfort are annoyed with you, despite you work your fingers to the bone, to gain it all. You have become virtual drudges who work tirelessly, but desperately fail please anyone. This trade is sure to perish your here and hereafter.
Unlike the pagans of Arab who had erected idols in Khane-Kaabah, you worship your wealth, children, big houses, cars, lust and bellies. You have forgotten your Creator and His heavenly constitution. You have rebelled against your Sustainer. The heavenly rage is about to entrap you. You can’t run away or escape the retributory punishment of Allah (SWT). With this, he (RA) began to cry bitterly. His sobs were audible to every ear. The entire gathering burst into tears. He (RA) restored himself and resumed his speech, “My dear disciples, I have decided to fly to some distant land, because I feel choked and suffocated for your follies and evil deeds.” This made the huge gathering to cry loudly. Sighs and screams reverberated the skies. No one dared to request him (RA) to change his mind. Meanwhile, Baba Davood Khaki (RA) stood up, and with folded hands begged Peerani-Peer (RA ) to relook into his decision. The entire gathering of disciples gathered courage, and tried to persuade their mentor and guide to change his decision. But, he (RA ) looked determined to leave. In the mean time, a high decibel voice from our mosque echoed into my ears – Allahu Akbar, Allahu Akbar. My sleep broke, and I found my whole body drenched in sweat. I asked my better half for some water, which she instantly extended towards me. I made ablution, and straight away went to Masjid Sharif for Fajr prayers.
(Author is a Teacher and a regular Columnist. He can be reached at: [email protected])
