Allama Syed Muhammad Taher Shah Muddazillahul Ali’s Short Life History
He was born in 1941. According to the late Haji Muhammad Rashidul Haque, the year 1941 is correct. It is worth noting that he took over this Silsila after Allama Syed Muhammad Tayyab Shah Rahmatullahi Ta’ala Alayhi and is gradually taking it to higher peaks. In 1958, during Hajj, he took the oath of allegiance from his grandfather Allama Syed Ahmad Shah Sirikoti Rahmatullahi Ta’ala Alayhi at the ‘Arafat Maidan’. This 40th descendant of Huzoor-e-Ikram (peace be upon him) received the caliphate from his father Allama Syed Muhammad Tayyab Shah Rahmatullahi Ta’ala Alayhi in 1976. Currently, about one crore people have participated in the activities of his Silsila in the country and abroad. Such rapid progress in a very short time is undoubtedly a manifestation of his excellence.
In the case of Hazrat Taher Shah Muddazilluhul Ali, the position of his father was not changed in the case of this important responsibility of the Silsila. Like Hazrat Syed Muhammad Tayyab Shah Rahmatullahi Ta’ala Alayhi, his status has also been raised and he has been given the order of Imamate. In view of which, among those who have received the caliphate from Hazrat Syed Muhammad Tayyab Shah Rahmatullahi Ta’ala Alayhi, Allama Syed Muhammad Taher Shah Muddazilluhul Ali is at the top. He has been fulfilling the special important responsibility entrusted to him. Therefore, he is the Khalifa-e-A’zam of the mission left by his father. In his educational life, he received primary education according to the traditional customs of his homeland. In addition, he attained mastery in all the subjects of Islamic knowledge and science such as Tafsir, Hadith, Aqeed, Fiqh and Usul in just a few years. His teachers were his grandfather Allama Syed Ahmad Shah Sirikoti and his father Allama Syed Muhammad Tayyab Shah Rahmatullahi Ta’ala Alayhi. Moreover, he was specially brought up in the Tawajjuh of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). In 1945, when he was five years old, his grandfather Allama Syed Ahmad Shah Sirikoti (peace be upon him) came to visit the Rawza Mubarak of Huzoor-e Akram (peace be upon him). At that time, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) instructed him to bring his beloved grandson Syed Muhammad Taher Shah with him when he came in the future. He continued to acquire modern and general knowledge along with acquiring religious knowledge. Later, he got admitted to the Government Medical College for F.Sc. and studied till the finals and acquired immense knowledge in medical science. In addition, his knowledge in modern advanced technology engineering and technology astounded even the experts. This trend of his acquisition of knowledge is similar to the educational life of Allama Fadla Rasool Badauni Rahmatullahi Tala Alaihi and Allama Na’imuddin Muradabadi Rahmatullahi Tala Alaihi.
In short, this great saint, who was well versed in religious and worldly knowledge, was always keen to keep his knowledge and glory secret. Whenever it was revealed, he immediately attributed it to his Pir-Mashaykh. Moreover, silence and good speech were among his characteristics. In extremely necessary cases, his brief yet meaningful and guiding speeches for this and the hereafter were unique. Thus, he was born into a family steeped in spirituality and he excelled in it. Even then, he concentrated on strict prayer and discipline. It is known from reliable sources that he was engaged in sleepless prayer for seven years. On the day his father, Allama Syed Muhammad Tayyab Shah Rahmatullahi Ta’ala Alayhi, departed from this world, his father ordered him to sleep in his own bed the night before. He hesitated, but as soon as he lay down, he fell asleep under his father’s strict orders. When he suddenly woke up in the middle of the night, he saw that his father was praying Tahajjud.
After his father hidden from the world, he was seen regretting to his relatives that he did not have the opportunity to arrange water for ablution due to sleep that night. The example of spending a sleepless night in the service of his father through the prayer of Allah Ta’ala is truly rare in this era. That is why his face sometimes shows the crimson hue of a red rose and sometimes the beautiful color of a full moon. When he is in a state of meditation, the rays of light that develop are even inferior to the dazzling light of electronic lights.
In fact, he is the wonder of the wise and the virtuous, the magnet of guidance, the glimpse of power, the desire of the leader of the prophets, the guide of the helpless and sad masses. Where it is difficult for renowned scholars to guide one or two people by preaching and praising for weeks on end, it is truly his unique miracle that in the blink of an eye, thousands of people accepted guidance, became namaz-tahajjud-guzar and became devoted servants of the religion and madhhab. This process of his in giving guidance is in line with the blessed rule of Khwaja Garib Nawaz Hazrat Moinuddin Chishti (may Allah have mercy on him). Khwaja Garib Nawaz (may Allah have mercy on him) did not preach and praise in any gathering or conference; yet thousands of people would believe in him after seeing him. Allama Syed Muhammad Taher Shah is taking the reforms that his respected father, Sunnis and Sunnism, have made at the grassroots level even further.
His strong faith in Allah and His Messenger, his love and respect for Him are his guiding principles, his way of life is Sunnah and Sunnah, his constant prayer and pursuit of knowledge are his pursuits, his calmness is his habit and his silent efforts are his way of working. Therefore, it is natural for him to live his days in a simple manner, free from showiness. At the same time, his intimate relationship with Ghausul-A’zam Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (may Allah have mercy on him) is particularly noteworthy.
Since 1987, he has been directly involved in the propagation of the Silsila on the instructions of his father. According to those close to him, he is able to fully control his emotions, perfections and the emotions of his devotees. He is unique in respecting the elders and loving the younger ones. He is uncompromising in respecting the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Following the Sharia, firm belief and sincere love are his prescriptions. Therefore, it is truly surprising that in a crowd of thousands of people, his attention is equally focused on all these good deeds, both near and far. For this reason, Allama Syed Muhammad Tayyab Shah (may Allah have mercy on him) said, “There will come a time when even a glimpse of him from afar will be considered precious.” I pray to Allah Almighty, may his life be long and his presence be prolonged! Amen.