Gone are the days when journalists would do everything within their power to uncover the facts. Now the criterion is sensationalism. Seemingly what sells the most newspapers has become more important than telling the truth.

Innocent until proven guilty is no longer the criteria for accusations of wrongdoing, it is just the opposite in fact; guilty until innocence is proven.  As a fellow journalist it has become essential for me to go back in time to the days when a good story meant telling the truth against all odds, and I proudly follow in the footsteps of such greats as the late George Crile, of CBS (may Allah have mercy upon him) who in search of the truth; traveled to Pakistan to the home of the venerable Pir Syed Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani.

It has been over twenty-eight years since my first meeting with Pir Mubarik Ali Gilani; I was 16 years old then. My first impression was long lasting; he is; by far the most charismatic, intelligent, loving and truthful person I have thus far had the pleasure of knowing. He is the shade under which weary hearts take rest. One has only to meet him to know that the allegations being hurled against him cannot possibly be true. He needs no defense for the veracity of his character speaks for itself. For close to 30 years he established one program after another to raise the social, economical, spiritual and moral status of people around the world. His words of wisdom are not limited to the Muslim as some would have you believe, but are universal for all seeking unity with their Creator.

He asks for nothing yet has given everything. His is an undertaking is the same as that of the Holy Nabi Muhammad ibn Abdullah (SallAllaahu alayhi was salaam) which is simply to remind people of their duty to Almighty Allah.

There are many examples of his willingness to aid mankind. These are just a few so that you may come to know him.

When the earthquake in his native Pakistan hit he was there, he personally went to the scene of the devastation. He arranged to have food, clothes, and medical supplies, collected from his students in the United States and continues to do so. A medical team was formed under his direction and was sent to a local hospital there, providing care to patients no matter what their social, economical or caste status. He did this without fanfare. Why wasn’t this publicized in the news? Wasn’t it newsworthy enough or was it because this would then dispel the lies being told?

This is Islam; this is Pir Gilani.

When New Orleans was devastated by hurricane Katrina; he arranged for Muslim Scouts and Hands to Hand (a social service program formed under his direction) to lend assistance to their fellow countrymen.

This is Pir Gilani; this is Islam.

He has established villages with the aim to better the lives of his people. We willingly left the inner cities and ghettos, which threatened to turn our children into someone no longer human. We have with his encouragement farms, businesses, schools and places of worship. He reminds us daily of the love that we should have for our selves, our neighbor and our country.

This is Pir Gilani; this is Islam.

Over the years I have seen him work tirelessly for mankind, a job that does not pay in this life but in the hereafter, while enduring slander and ridicule often times at the hands of those he seeks to aid, and at all times he maintains the utmost integrity.

He has insisted that we educate our children and ourselves; reminding us of one of the traditions of The Beloved of Allah (SallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) instructed us, “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave, even if one has to go as far as China.”

Last year I had the pleasure of talking to him, it was quite a pleasure as I had not spoken to him in a number of years, he told me to do everything I could to encourage my sons to become doctors, lawyers, etc. So I did what I have seen him do; lead by example, so I too have gone back to school!

This is my beloved; this is Pir Gilani, teacher of Islam, devotee of mankind.

I am saddened and wonder when will the day come, when will the truth be all that matters, will I ever see the day when mankind will go back to the teachings of Nabi Abraham, Nabi Moses, Nabi Jesus son of Mary the perfect, and Hazoor Muhammad ibn Abdullah (peace be upon them), or will we continue to earn the displeasure of the Almighty by telling lies and oppressing the innocent. The reality of this life is that those who are best in conduct and diligently work towards the life hereafter; often times face the most adversity, and they do this with the knowledge that their reward will be found only with the Creator of the all the worlds, Allah azza wa jal.

Like so many who have gone on before him; my beloved Pir Mubarik Ali Shah Gilani Hashmi Hasani wa Husaini, will one day be acknowledged by the entire world for the good he has done for mankind, of this I am certain; for he is love personified and I am grateful to Almighty Allah for allowing me the honor to know him and to be known by him.