Hazrat Maqsood Ali Shah R.A

Hazrat Maqsood Ali Shah (RA) hailed from Kumble, a small village in the district of Raigadh, Maharashtra, India, approximately 160km south of Mumbai.At a very young age he was destined to become a protégé of Hazrat Khaksaar Ali Shah Qadri (RA), the great saint of Kalyan, Hyderabad, and whose URS Shareef is commemorated in India as well as in Lenasia, South Africa.

Hazrat Maqsood Ali Shah (RA) was born in to a noble family in the year 1919, the precise date could not be ascertained. He was born as Muhammad Yusuf. His youth was mostly spent in the company of his Pir-O-Mushid, Hazrat Khaksaar Ali Shah (RA). He was recognised by the village folk as the shadow of Hazrat Khaksaar Ali Sha (RA). He emulated the great saint in all his actions, both physical and spiritual. Hazrat Maqsood Ali Shah ( ) e the perfect understudy to his mentor, Hazrat Khaksaar Ali Shah. His elder brother Hazrat Karaamat Ali Shah (RA), who is also a Khalifah of Hazrat Khaksaar Ali Shah (RA) and having received a spiritual decree, conferred Khilafat on Hazrat Maqsood Ali Sha (RA). He was recognised by his piety and spiritual actions from his early childhood days.

In 1981, under the command of the Peer-O Murshid, Hazrat Karaamat Ali Shah (RA), mureeds of the silsila in South Africa invited Hazrat Maqsood Ali Shah (RA) to attend the URS Shareef of Hazrat Khaksaar Ali Shah (RA). The URS was being commemorated in Lenasia in September of that year. His presence at the URS Shareef created a spiritual awareness that attracted many people from all walks of life.

In South Africa, he was hosted by the mureeds of the silsila. He stayed at the residence of the late Abdul Wahab Burood in Kingfisher Street, Lenasia. During his stay in Lenasia, his spiritual influence galvanised the local community and hundreds of visitors received his blessings, many of whom became his mureeds. He visited the major cities in South Africa including Durban, Cape Town and neighbouring states. Wherever he went he attracted large crowds of people who were deeply moved by his magnificent personality and his Sufi teachings.

He was a strong advocate of the equality of all men and did not hesitate to render assistance to people of all religious denominations. His entire life was based on the sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and he emphasized the importance of Salaah and spiritual enlightenment and that it is incumbent for a seeker of truth to acquire the blessings and spiritual guidance of a Sufi Master. Many of his mureeds witnessed numerous miracles that were influential in transforming their way life. He helped cure the crippled and paralyzed, and previously barren women were able to bear children. He also made numerous predictions that turned out to be true. When bidding farewell to his many mureeds in South Africa, he mentioned he will not meet them again.

On 23rd March 1982, Hazrat Maqsood Ali Shah (RA) left for Umrah accompanied by his Khalifa, Hazrat Qamar Ali Shah (R.A). After completion the Umrah, he visited Ajmer Shareef to pay respects to Sultan-Ul-Hind, Hazrat Khawaja Gareeb Nawaaz (R.A).

Maqsood Ali Shah (R.A) made wisaal on the 23rd Rajab 1402, (17 May 1982).He took wisaal in the presence of Hazrat Karaamat Ali Shah (RA). It was his desire to live up to the age of 63 years, similar to that of our Beloved Phophet Muhammad (SAW). Alhamdulillah, his wish was granted with his wisaal coinciding with his duas and expectations. Hazrat Karaamat Ali Shah (RA) instructed the burial of Hazrat Maqsood Ali Shah (RA) to be under a barren mango tree, in the Kumble Masjid Yard. The mango tree instantly sprang to life and began bearing fruit within a short space of time. His Mazaar Shareef is regularly visited by his mureeds who derive many blessings from this Sufi Saint.

Forty days after the wisaal of Hazrat Maqsood Ali Shah (RA), his biological son, Hazrat Irfaan Ali Shah was decreed Khilafat from Hazrat Karaamat Ali Shah (RA). A few years later, Hazrat Gulzar Ali Shah was decreed Khilafat. In 1991, Hazrat Irfaan Ali Shah and Hazrat Gulzar Ali Shah arrived in South Africa in the company of Hazrat Karaamat Ali Shah (RA) and are presently residing here. They were sent here to continue the good work which their father had initiated. Both sons were sent to do Hifz and further their studies in India. Alhumdulillah, Hazrat Irfaan Ali Shah and Hazrat Gulzar Ali Shah have continued the good work of Hazrat Maqsood Ali Shah (RA). The Khanqah-E-Maqsoodi has been established in Vrededorp where the spiritual work is practiced and taught intensively.

The annual URS Shareef of Hazrat Maqsood Ali Shah (RA) is being commemorated in Lenasia since 1987 and is subsequently being commemorated in Durban, Cape Town, Australia and in India. The URS Shareef in India is attended by many mureeds from South Africa. Also, many Sufis, Ulema and Dignitaries both from South Africa and abroad have attended the URS Shareef in South Africa.Presently the mission of Hazrat Maqsood Ali Shah (RA) is continuing through the dedicated efforts of his mureeds and two sons.