Hazrat Sayyid Mufti Mukhtaruddin Sahib رحمه الله
Founder of the Movement of Iman and Taqwa (Tehreek-e-Iman-o-Taqwa)
Hazrat Sayyid Mufti Mukhtaruddin Shah Sahib is the founder of the Movement of Iman and Taqwa (Tehreek-e-Iman-o-Taqwa), a movement devoted to the revival of Iman and Taqwa, purification of the heart, spiritual development, righteous character, and the practical implementation of the complete teachings of Islam.
His life reflects a deep concern for the spiritual condition of the Muslim Ummah and a lifelong commitment to Iman, Taqwa, Tazkiyah, Ihsan, Da‘wah, service to humanity, and the unity of the Ummah.
Birth and Family Background
Hazrat Mufti Sahib was born on 2 January 1952 in Karbogha Sharif, in the household of Al-Hajj Sahibzada Fazl-ur-Rahman Sahib, son of Sahibzada Muhammad Yaqub Sahib, son of Hazrat Sayyid Umar Shah Sahib, popularly known as “Sahib Mubarak.”
Karbogha Sharif is a large area comprising approximately 39 villages. Hazrat Mufti Sahib belongs to the village known as “Sahibzadagan,” named after the descendants of Hazrat Sahib Mubarak.
Hazrat Sayyid Umar Shah Sahib, known as Sahib Mubarak, was a great Mujahid and Sufi of his time. People travelled from far and near to benefit from his spiritual guidance and blessings. Such was the love and reverence people held for him that they affectionately called him “Sahib Mubarak” rather than addressing him by his personal name. His children and descendants consequently became known as Sahibzadagan and Akhundzadagan.
Among Hazrat Sahib Mubarak’s sons were distinguished scholars, spiritual guides and personalities, including Sahibzada Abdul Haq Sahib, Sahibzada Isamuddin Sahib, Sahibzada Fazl-e-Haq Sahib—widely known as “Gul Aba Sahib”—and others from this distinguished family.
Hazrat Maulana Abdul Jalil Sahib, an eminent scholar and spiritual personality, was also the teacher of Hazrat Mufti Sahib. A family relationship was later established when his pious daughter was married to Hazrat Mufti Sahib.
Hazrat Mufti Sahib’s direct lineage through this family is:
Hazrat Sayyid Umar Shah Sahib (Sahib Mubarak) → Sahibzada Muhammad Yaqub Sahib → Al-Hajj Sahibzada Fazl-ur-Rahman Sahib → Hazrat Sayyid Mufti Mukhtaruddin Shah Sahib.
Early Life and Journey to Qatar
From childhood, Hazrat Mufti Sahib had a deep inclination towards religious matters and a strong desire to understand and investigate matters of Deen. At that time, however, his family was facing financial difficulties. He therefore completed his schooling up to Year 7 and, while still young, travelled to Qatar in search of employment.
His journey to Qatar was extremely difficult. With only four hundred rupees given to him by his father, he travelled through Karachi, Lasbela, Turbat, Panjgur, Kharan and Dubai before eventually reaching Qatar.
Despite the financial hardship, when people in Qatar wished to collect donations for him because of their respect and connection with his family, he firmly declined and instead began earning his own livelihood.
His first employment involved strenuous excavation work for six riyals a day. He later moved to construction work, where he carefully observed and learned different skills. His ability was soon recognised, and he progressed from an ordinary labourer to more responsible work and eventually became a foreman.
Later, he began taking building contracts himself. These early experiences demonstrated his independence, determination, willingness to work hard, and ability to learn and take responsibility.
First Meeting with Hazrat Shaykh al-Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya رحمه الله
During one of his journeys for Hajj, Hazrat Mufti Sahib had his first blessed meeting with Hazrat Shaykh al-Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya رحمه الله in Madinah Munawwarah.
Hazrat Mufti Sahib had already developed great love for Hazrat Shaykh through reading Tablighi Nisab. During this first meeting, Hazrat Shaykh showed him great affection and promised to make dua for him. This meeting left a deep impression upon Hazrat Mufti Sahib and became an important stage in his spiritual journey.
After returning from Hajj to Qatar, and later visiting his homeland, Hazrat Mufti Sahib spent three chillas with the Tablighi Jamaat. He particularly sought the company of those who were more experienced and religious so that he could benefit from their good influence and training.
His Search for Spiritual Training
After spending time in the work of Tabligh, Hazrat Mufti Sahib felt an increasing need to remain in the company of a knowledgeable, sensible and religious spiritual guide from whom he could receive proper moral and spiritual training.
He had learned that through Tasawwuf a person develops intense love for Allah Ta‘ala, becomes firm in Tawhid, and receives purification and spiritual training.
Although there were several respected spiritual personalities within his own family, and he met many other Pirs, his heart remained in search of the person under whose guidance he was destined to receive his spiritual training.
Second Hajj and Bay‘ah
Around 1976, Hazrat Mufti Sahib developed an intense desire to perform Hajj again. At that time, his residence documents had expired and the normal procedures for obtaining the required documents and visas were expected to take weeks or even months. The Hajj caravans were also already departing.
He nevertheless turned sincerely towards Allah Ta‘ala and continued his efforts. Through a remarkable sequence of events, the necessary visa and residence formalities that normally required a lengthy period were completed within a single day. Despite further difficulties in obtaining his Saudi visa and onward travel, Allah Ta‘ala opened the way for him and he eventually reached Makkah Mukarramah and performed Hajj.
Following Hajj, he travelled to Madinah Munawwarah. While in Riyad al-Jannah, he offered Nafl Salah and earnestly asked Allah Ta‘ala to connect him with a righteous person through whom his Iman and Yaqin could increase and from whom he could receive proper spiritual training.
At that moment, he remembered a dream from his childhood in which the names “Zakariyya” and “Mukhtaruddin” had been called together. He now understood its connection with Hazrat Shaykh al-Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya رحمه الله.
Soon afterwards, Hazrat Mufti Sahib presented himself before Hazrat Shaykh and took Bay‘ah at his hands. Hazrat Shaykh instructed those present in Tawbah, strongly emphasised abstaining from Shirk, and gave them the initial spiritual practices (Ma‘mulat).
Hazrat Mufti Sahib carefully and consistently followed these instructions.
Acquisition of Religious Knowledge
After taking Bay‘ah, Hazrat Mufti Sahib developed a strong desire to acquire formal Islamic knowledge. He wished to understand the Qur’an and Sunnah properly and to be able to distinguish between differing religious opinions with knowledge and understanding.
At approximately twenty-one or twenty-two years of age, he began his formal religious studies.
In Karbogha Sharif, he initially studied Kanz with his father-in-law and teacher, Hazrat Maulana Abdul Jalil Sahib. While in Qatar, he also studied religious books with an Imam from Kurram Agency at a mosque near his residence.
As his studies advanced and it became difficult to continue them while living in Qatar, he left Qatar around 1978 and continued his education in the Madaris of Pakistan.
Later, for Takhassus fi al-Fiqh (specialisation in Islamic jurisprudence), he spent time at Darul Uloom Karachi, Korangi. He particularly appreciated its high standard of training and the scholarly and research-oriented approach of Hazrat Shaykh al-Islam Maulana Taqi Usmani Sahib
Tasawwuf, Suluk and Ijazah
After taking Bay‘ah, Hazrat Mufti Sahib’s love for Hazrat Shaykh al-Hadith Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya رحمه الله became very strong. He carefully maintained the Masnun Tasbihat, fasting, Nawafil and other spiritual practices prescribed to him.
As he progressed on the path of Suluk and Ihsan, he became increasingly conscious of the faults of his own Nafs and felt an even greater need for spiritual purification and guidance.
Approximately one year later, during another Hajj season, he again had the opportunity to meet Hazrat Shaykh. Hazrat Shaykh asked him to write down all the spiritual practices he performed during the day and night and to return the following morning.
When Hazrat Mufti Sahib presented the details of his practices, Hazrat Shaykh granted him Ijazah (authorisation) in the presence of several attendants and senior personalities.
The responsibility affected Hazrat Mufti Sahib deeply. Overcome with emotion, he began to cry and said:
“I am not worthy of this work.”
Hazrat Shaykh smiled and replied:
“That is precisely why this has happened.”
Hazrat Shaykh then gave him books and guidance relating to Suluk and Ihsan, including Akabir ka Suluk wa Ihsan and Ibtida’i Ma‘mulat.
Hazrat Mufti Sahib initially kept his Ijazah private and continued his religious studies and spiritual practices.
Foundation of the Movement of Iman and Taqwa
Although Hazrat Mufti Sahib kept his spiritual authorisation private, within him grew an increasing concern and restlessness regarding the need for practical work for the Islah and spiritual development of people.
He felt the need for an organised approach through which the teachings of Deen, Tazkiyah, Suluk and Ihsan could be brought into practical life.
It was from this concern and sense of responsibility that Hazrat Mufti Sahib laid the foundation of Tehreek-e-Iman-o-Taqwa the Movement of Iman and Taqwa.