Miserliness and Sainthood Cannot Co-exist

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.

The Maestro of Mercy
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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 Maestro of Mercy
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[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