Mujeeb Jaihoon on the the magnanimity of Shaykh Mohiyuddin Athipatta, the celebrated Sufi mentor of the Shadhilli order from Kerala
June 20 2022 (Masjid Al Maghfira, Sharjah): It was my first to witness a Hadith Sanad (chain of transmission) ceremony between two ‘experts’. They recited and celebrated several traditions to join the blessed chain of narrators who transmitted the eternal sayings of the Holy Prophet. Both the Initiator and Initiated must excel in virtue and knowledge in order to qualify for such honor. Hence, I was disqualified without a second thought.
However, during their conversation, I noticed they mentioning a Syrian proverb which meant something like, ‘Miserliness and Sainthood (Sufi) cannot co-exist’.
As the ceremony concluded, I enquired to the ‘Initiated’ about the Syrian saying. He replied with an example from the noble life of Shaykh Mohiyuddin Musliyar Athipatta (1936-2018), the late illustrious Sufi mentor of the Shadhilli order from Kerala.
Shaykh Mohiyuddin was boundless in generosity for those around him. His kindness and mercy to humans, birds and beasts require a separate dictionary of human behavior.
During his early years when he was employed in the UAE, he used to pre-empt his salary by helping the poor and needy. Hence, he really had nothing much left even when he received his remuneration.
Once when his Roommate was about to leave for his homeland, Shaykh Mohiyudden asked him to take a pen and paper to note down the names to whom he owed money and clear their dues. The Roommate asked, ‘What about your debtors who owe you large amounts of money?’. The Shaykh replied, ‘No need to record their names. They will come on their own’.
There is another well-known instance about the wallet of Shaykh Mohiyudden that went stolen. After a few days, the thief sent the wallet back to its owner because he did not find anything valuable inside it except a leaflet of invocations.
[The Hadith Sanad ceremony was held between Dr. Abdul Samie Anis (University of Sharjah) and Dr. Bahauddeen Muhammed Jamaluddeen Nadwi (Darul Huda Islamic University, India)]
June 21 2022
3 comments
SubhanAllah!! Athipatta Ustad Sheikh Moideen Kutty was an institution in himself. When we say Sufism is the religion of love, he actually cemented the beliefs with his benevolence & altruistic practices. His ideals were based on fundamentals of profound spirituality. He was what we could describe as “Insan-e-Kamil”, for the divinity in him was of the highest hierarchy.
Reading your article, makes me vascillate between emotions of joy & sadness. Joy for the reason that blessed are those who know him and MashaAllah you were among the most fortunate ones to have his Dua. Sadness for the reason that he now resides in his eternal abode & at this point in life, when I truly, from the depths of my heart, need his mercies, there is a complete void. Even at my lowest, feeling completely lost & emotionally exhausted, I reflect on him & pacify myself. Because a Sufi never leaves anyone empty handed. A sufi knows what a tormented soul is.
They spread the belief that submission to Almighty is the greatest virtue which purifies the spiritual sentiments.
Your article on his Karamat was spellbinding. Absolutely phenomenal!! Perfection demands arduous sacrifices, & his selfless love for humanity will always be remembered.
May Almighty bestow you with his choicest blessings and may your words shine bright forever more
Blessed scholars
May allah gather with these ulema in jannah