Name and Background:
Al Shaykh al Murabbī Muḥammad Ya’qūb Ḥammād, a revered scholar and saint, was born in the early 1970s in Quetta, Pakistan, and descends from a distinguished Pashtun lineage. Since childhood, he has exhibited an ardent love for Dīn, knowledge, and virtuous individuals.
Childhood and Learning:
Commencing his quest for enlightenment at the tender age of five, Shaykh Ya’qūb embarked on a relentless pursuit of knowledge, diligently studying conventional sciences in the morning, and delving into the Sacred Islamic Sciences in the evenings at local masājid. Following the completion of his primary and secondary education, Shaykh Ya’qūb pursued higher education with exemplary distinction, earning BSc and MSc degrees and majoring in organic chemistry. He then dedicated several years to working in the medical field until the year 2000.
Physical Training and Sports:
Shaykh Ya’qūb was actively involved in sports and physical exercise in his youth. He showcased remarkable skill as a cricket player, excelling particularly in fast bowling and often being compared to figures like Shane Warne. He also dedicated himself to rigorous gym training for two years and immersed himself in the practice of martial arts for six months. However, as the Shaykh recounts, during this course, experiencing multiple injuries led him to eventually turn away from these pursuits, realising that Allāh had another path planned for him.
Spiritual Guide:
Despite his immersion in secular and physical persuits, driven by an unyielding passion for the Sacred Sciences and spiritual refinement, Shaykh Ya’qūb embarked on a transformative journey. After an extensive search, he found spiritual solace under the tutelage of the esteemed walī, Maulānā ‘Abdul Hādī al Qādrī al Naqshabandi (may Allah be pleased with him) (d. 2020), with whom he spent eighteen enriching years.
Acquiring the Sacred Sciences:
In 2003, Shaykh Ya’qūb completed his Mishkat Year under the esteemed guidance of Al-‘Allāmah Al-Qadī Aḥmad Jān at Maẓharul ‘Ulūm, Gujranwala. Subsequently, in 2004, he completed his Dawrah al Hadīth at the renowned seminary, Jamiah Farooqiyyah, Karachi, under the esteemed mentorship of al ‘Allāmah Shaykhul Hadīth Salīmullāh Khān and other distinguished scholars.
Glad tidings by the Prophet ﷺ:
In the summer break of 2003, preceding his Mishkāt Year, Shaykh Ya’qūb stayed in seclusion within a chamber in a madrasah situated on the borderlands between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
At night, he saw a dream where a person appeared, announcing, “The Prophet ﷺ is calling for you”. Under the shimmering blue of the night sky, there were a lot of crowds. Seeing this the Shaykh returned to his chamber, but he was summoned again mirroring his first experience. Following the guide, he encountered groups of people, spanning different ages, all fervently searching for the Prophet ﷺ. Despite searching through countless rooms, they were unable to locate him. In the midst of this, yet another messenger appeared telling the Shaykh that the Prophet ﷺ has instructed him: “Bring Ya’qub here”.
The Shaykh followed the messenger who took him to a room in which the Prophet ﷺ was residing. When his eyes fell upon the Prophet ﷺ, he found him to be covered from head to toe in a shawl surrounded by a swarm of flies that were gathered towards his face. Overcome with concern, Shaykh Ya’qūb cried: “O Prophet of Allāh! You need not worry. I am here now, and you will be relieved.”. With determination, he raised the curtains, opened the windows, and ushered the flies out. Witnessing this, the Prophet ﷺ was relieved and he warmly addressed the Shaykh: “Ya’qūb Jān! You have arrived and I have been granted relief from this affliction”. However, the Prophet ﷺ appeared frail and aged. The Shaykh’s eyes opened, amazed by the profound encounter in this dream.
A year later, during his Mishkāt Year, the Shaykh was blessed with another profound dream. In this dream, he heard a person calling out to him: “The Prophetﷺ is summoning you”. Suddenly, he found himself standing at the blessed Rawdah ofthe Prophet ﷺ. Then, instantaneously, the Rawdah cracked open and the Prophet ﷺ came out adorned in royal and elegant cloths as if he were a young man of forty. Upon seeing theShaykh, the Prophet ﷺ warmly beckoned: “Come Ya’qub Jān!” Moving forward, he embraced Shaykh Yaq’ūb tightly on his chest. The Shaykh’s eyes opened, once more struck by the profoundness of yet another encounter.
Distressed by the intensity of these two dreams, Shaykh Ya’qūb sought an interpreter. He found Shaykh Zāhid al Rāshidī, the son of Allāmah Sarfrāz Khān Safdar ra, who proved to be invaluable. Upon hearing the dreams, Shaykh Zāhid declared them to be a great blessing and glad tidings from Allāh. He explained that the frail and aged condition of the Prophet ﷺ was a reflection of the sins and innovations of his ummah, while his youthful and adorned appearance symbolised the revival of his Sunnah– a source of solace for him. He concluded that Allāh ta’ālā will use Shaykh Ya’qub for the revival of Islām.
In the Company of His Murshid:
With the exception of the years 2003-2004, Shaykh Ya’qūb devoted a span of eighteen years, from 2000 to 2020, under the cherished guidance of his beloved Murshid (Spiritual Guide). His journey was characterized by unwavering devotion and selfless service to his Murshid and his Lodge. He continued enduring extreme hardships and separation from his family, even as his wife faced multiple miscarriages in his absence. His dedication knew no bounds as he selflessly served guests, disciples, and wayfarers, cooking for them, fetching water across vast distances in barren deserts, and tirelessly attending to their needs during the late and early hours of the night. With humility and devotion, Shaykh Ya’qūb undertook even the most menial tasks, such as cleaning bathrooms and toilets, embodying the essence of true servitude and spiritual devotion. During this time, Shaykh Ya’qūb also faithfully accompanied his Murshid, Maulānā ‘Abdul Hādī, to seek the company and wisdom of Khawājah Khān Muḥammad, the Imām of the Naqshabandi Order for a decade.
Amidst the rigors of their journey, under the steadfast guidance of his Murshid, Maulānā Muḥammad Ya’qūb underwent a transformative tarbiyah, ascending to the pinnacle of spiritual excellence.
Steadfastness in Gaining Knowledge:
Despite his focus on spiritual reformation, Shaykh Ya’qūb remained steadfast in his pursuit of knowledge, engaging in extensive study, research, and scholarly discourse. Until 2020, the Shaykh continued to deepen his understanding of Tafsir, Hadith, Fiqh, Usulul Fiqh, Kalam, and Tasawwuf, delving into rare manuscripts and advanced works that distinguished him as an erudite scholar among his peers.
Ijazāt inḤadīth:
He received ijāzah in Ḥadīth from notable scholars including:
– Shaykh ulḤadith al ‘Allāmah Salīmullāh Khān, head of Wifāqul Madārisul al ‘Arabiyyah, Pakistan, rector and Shaykhul Ḥadīth of Jamiah Farooqiyyah, Karachi
– Al ‘Allāmah al Shaykh Sarfraz Khan Safdar, Nuṣratul ‘Ulūm, Gujranwala
– Al ‘Allāmah al Qāḍī AḥamdJān, Mazharul ‘Ulūm, Gujranwala
Ijāzāt in Sulūk:
Shaykh Ya’qūb also embarked on journeys to visit other esteemed Mashāyikh across Pakistan from the Qādriyyah, Naqshabandiyyah, and Chishtiyyah Orders to seek their blessings. Acknowledging his esteemed status in wilāyah, some bestowed upon him ijāzah upon their first encounter, while with others, he further traversed through various stages of spiritual development until they too honoured him with the mantle of ijāzah to guide others on this sacred path.
These revered Mashāyikh include:
– Shaykh ‘Abdul Hādī , Khalīfah of Khwājah Khān Muḥammad, and Ber Sharīf Maulānā ‘Abdul Kareem Qureshi, as well as Maulana Ali al Murtada of DG Khan (His main murshid).
– Maulānā MiāMas’ūd Aḥmad al Dīnpūrī (Qādriyyah Rāshidiyyah)
– Maulānā AbduṢamad al Hālījwī (Qādriyyah Rāshidiyyah)
– Maulānā Miā Ajmal Qādrī, grandson of Maulānā Aḥmad ‘Alī al Lāhorī (Qādriyyah Naqshabandiyyah)
– Maulānā Abdul Bāsit of Thal (Qādriyyah Rāshidiyyah)
– Maulānā Sayyid Tāj Maḥmūd al Amrothī (Qādriyyah Rāshidiyyah)
– Al Shaykh al Sayyid Sirāj Aḥmad al Shāh al Kilānī (Qādriyyah Rāshidiyyah)
– Hadhrat Khawājah Azīz Aḥmad al Bahlawī (Naqshabandiyyah)
– Maulānāal Ḥafiẓ Nāṣirudīn Khākwānī, leader of the International Khatm e Nubuwwat Movement (Naqshabandiyyah)
– Shaykh Rashīd Miā al Lāhorī (Chishtiyyah Ṣābriyyah)
– Maulānā Muḥammad Muzaffar al Raipūrī (Chishtiyyah Ṣābriyyah)
– Professor ‘ImrānYūnus al Lāhorī (Chishtiyyah Ṣābriyyah)
Books:
He has also been divinely inspired to author some works and therefore authored two works during the Covid period. One of these is titled “Durr e Maknūn: Āthār e Qādriyyah ma’a Khazāin e Naqshabandiyyah”, which is currently awaiting printing.
Students and Disciples:
His students and disciples are dispersed across various regions of Pakistan, as well as in Afghanistan, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Ireland, Australia, the United States, and beyond. His disciples include a vast array of scholars, muftis, senior guides in the fields of Da’wah and professionals.
Family and Residence:
Residing with his wife and son in Quetta throughout the year, and migrating to Taunsa Shareef during the winter months, he maintains both a madrasah and a dargāh (lodge) in each location.
Qualities and Virtues:
Shaykh Ya’qūb epitomizes humility, generosity, and kindness, with a gentle demeanour and remarkable wisdom and insight. In his company, everyone feels as if he is the most honoured and closest to him. His humble abode is a sanctuary for scholars, the devout, and the needy alike, offering solace and support to those in need. Proficient in nearly ten languages, including Urdu, Pashto, Barohi, Punjabi, and Siraiki, he also possesses adeptness in English, Arabic, and Sindhi.
Yet, he shrouds his greatness and abundant virtues within the cloak of his silence, simplicity, aversion to publicity, and innate kindness, rendering them elusive to the casual observer.
His true worth remains known only to those endowed with divine insight, recognising him as a precious gem hidden in plain sight, bestowed with elevated status by the grace of Allāh.
Conclusion:
May Allāh ta’ālā grant us the opportunity to benefit from him, and may we be instrumental in spreading his goodness and wisdom throughout the world.
(Written based on information provided by the Shaykh himself to the writer and insights from his direct family and disciples)
Written by Humza I. Khan