I was about 5 or 6 years old when I first met my beloved Murshid, Sultan Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani Al Hashmi.  There was a peace that overcame me and I immediately greeted him with a kiss.  Along with some other children I sang the song “Who is Sheikh Gilani?”  Unbeknownst to me, the song that I had sang many years ago would be the question that I would have to answer many times over because of hate, ignorance and malicious intent.  Why would people conjure up countless lies and insults about a person who is the total opposite?  I remember how my mother used to tell me stories of the civil rights era when she was sprayed with fire hoses, tear gas and injured by dogs;   all of this, because a person desired civil rights.  Years later, my Beloved Sheikh only wishes to do Allah’s will and that is to give His servants freedom, education and productive living.  Water hoses and dogs have somewhat been replaced with lies, deceit and slander.

What my Sheikh says and does, I try my earnest to mirror.  Why?  Because He mirrors my Beloved King Muhammad Mustafa Sall Allaahu alayhi wa aalihi wassallam.  I have lived, ate and sat before his eminence many times.  I have learned from him via in person and multimedia.  Never, and I repeat, never have I witnessed my Beloved Sheikh violating, Shariah (Islamic Law), the Sunnah, the 10 commandments, or human rights.  Can I say the same for my politicians, reporters, authors, etc?  NO, I CANNOT!!!  My Sheikh has done nothing but tirelessly worked day and night to improve the lives of so many.  He is continuously working on unifying Muslims, Christians and Jews.  Allah’s will, will be done!  My Murshid will be successful in this mission because his goal is the pleasure of Allah.

My living in an Islamic Community is the result of my parents heeding the request of my Sheikh.  I thank Allah that my parents did not waver in their commitment to establish a place of peace, education and comfort.  Every time I hear one of our villages mentioned in the media, they say “compound”.  Our Sheikh did not establish these villages to “seclude”, but to “include” and educate all of those individuals who wish to know about Islam.  An exemplary Muslim community is what we are striving for.  Actually, we are living the “American dream”.  If you would ask most people, “what would you do if you had One Million Dollars?”  They would more times than not respond, “I would buy a house and some property.”  Well, we are doing what so many only dream of.  Our villages are an example of what unity can do.  An individual may not be able to buy 70 acres, but a group of God-fearing people can do countless things.  This is Islam.  This is family.  This is a welcoming way of life.  Our Christian brothers and sisters have always been welcome to our villages.

Allah sent me my Murshid to cultivate me into a productive member of society.  I am a husband and father of three who appreciates everything that my Murshid has done for me and my family.  Life at the moment is extremely difficult for me, but I reflect on the teachings of my Sheikh and remember him telling me, ALLAH IS WITH YOU.  That alone gives me the strength to overcome hardship and difficulty.  I convey the same message to my sons.  My father did the same for me.  I love my beloved Sheikh, because he loves Allah and Rasool Allah (Sall Allaahu alayhi was sallam).  Without him, I would not be complete.  He has commanded me to be a good husband, father and to aim high and not limit myself.  He has made my vision clear and my heart soft.  May Allah bless and continuously protect my Beloved Murshid, Sultan Sheikh Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani Al Hashmi.  He is my guide, my father, my hero.