Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg, nestling in a valley about 80 km from Durban, is the second largest city in KwaZulu Natal. In 1909 Hadrath Soofie Saheb رضي الله عنه purchased a portion of land stretching from East Street to the banks of Dorpspruit river. There were very few homes here because this formed the boundary of the city at the time.
He established a Mosque, Madressa and quarters for the Imam and the Muezzin. A few rooms were later built for travellers and wayfarers. Mass feeding started immediately, which was a feature not only in the Khanqahs of Hazrath Soofie Saheb رضي الله عنه but in all Sufi Khanqahs throughout the world. A flagpole was implanted near the entrance to this institution. The famous Chistia Habibia Nishaan (Flag) was flying high, a sight so familiar up to this day at the various institutions established by Hadrath Soofie Saheb رضي الله عنه in Southern Africa.
Azaan filled the air five times a day. Children were attending the Madressa classes on a daily basis. Adult clases were also in operation. People were being assisted with their various needs and aspirations. The down trodden, who were roaming the streets found refuge and solace in the Khanqah.
The following served as Trustees:
1909 – 1911 Founder
Saheb رضي الله عنه
1911 – 1954
1911 – 1935
1935 – 1940
Hadrath Shah Abdul Aziz Soofie رضي الله عنه (1940-1947) and Hadrath Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie Sani رضي الله عنه (1947 – 1978) were in charge of legal matters. Sayyida Khatoon, wife of the late Hadrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie رضي الله عنه , was in charge of the daily affairs assisted by the Mussallees and the local Muslims. From 1980 Hadrath Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie, the third son of Hadrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie رضي الله عنه served the community from this institution. Hadrath Shah Mohiyudin Soofie eldest son of Hadrath Shah Abdul Kadir Soofie رضي الله عنه and Hadrath Shah Mustapha Ariff are also trustees.
Hadrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie Siddiqui رضي الله عنه
He was the third son of Hadrath Soofie Saheb رضي الله عنه and was born at Ibrahim Pattan, Ratnagir, India. He arrived in Durban in 1897 with his mother, Hadrath Zainab Soofie رضي الله عنه to join his father.
He grew up at the Darbar at Riverside and received his education at the Madressa at Riverside. He grew up under the watchful eye and guidance of his illustrious father. He married Nizam Bi daughter of Hadrath Abdul Majid Qadi رضي الله عنه the younger brother of Hazrath Soofie Saheb رضي الله عنه . One son was born from this marriage, Abdul Latief, who passed away at an early age. He married Sayyida Khatoon the daughter of Sayed Rasool. The following are the children – Rabia, Goolam Mohiyudeen, Fathima, Goolam Mohamed and Zohra. When his wife Nizam Bi passed away he was very depressed. The letter that he wrote to his maternal uncle, Hadrath Shah Goolam Hassen Qadi رضي الله عنه in Cape Town, immediately after the tragedy is preserved in the archives in Riverside.
It is reported by a businessman from Carolina, Transvaal that as a youth he lived with his parents in Pietermaritzburg. Once in the early hours of a cold wintry morning, just after Tahajud prayers (voluntary night prayers), his father saw Hadrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie رضي الله عنه carry water which was drawn from a well and poured into the water tanks of the Musjid for Wudu (ablution) purposes. His father instructed him and his brothers thereafter to take ove this duty.
Hadrath organised Meelad Shareef, Gyarwin Shareef, Urs Shareef and observed all the auspicious nights. He used these opportunities to enlighten the people on Islam with practical traning. He used to visit the sick at their homes and help bury the dead whose relatives could not afford the expense. Thus he carried out the tariqa of his father, Hadrath Soofie Saheb رضي الله عنه .
When Hadrath Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie Sani رضي الله عنه married in 1936, Hadrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie رضي الله عنه presented his nephew with the “Dalail Khairath”, a famous Book of Darood Shareef, which had belonged to Hadrath Soofie Saheb رضي الله عنه .
The health of Hadrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie رضي الله عنه suddenly deteriorated and he passed away in May 1940 (Rabi-ul-Awwal 1359) at the young age of 45 years. His Janaza Namaz and burial took place in Riverside.
Hadrath Shah Goolam Mohiyudeen Soofie and Hazrath Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie
They are the sons of Hadrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie رضي الله عنه , the third son of Hadrath Soofie Saheb (R.A.). Shah Goolam Mohiyudeen Soofie was born in Pietermaritzburg and received his Islamic education first from his father and then from his mother, and also from the Darbar Madressa at Pietermaritzburg. He has two children, Irshad Soofie and Sherbanu.
Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie also received his education from the Madressa at the Darbar, Pietermaritzburg and from his parents. He married Nizambi Soofie, the youngest daughter of Hadrath Shah Mohamed Habib Soofie رضي الله عنه of Soofie Darbar, Springfield, Durban in 1970. One son Abdul Kader Soofie, was born.
Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie was a businessman until 1980 when he decided to serve the community, following the footsteps of his father, Hadrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie رضي الله عنه and grandfather, Hadrath Soofie Saheb رضي الله عنه . However, there was some misunderstanding on the part of certain Mussallees who were administering the daily affairs of the Mosque which resulted in a lengthy court case in the Supreme Court, Pietermaritzburg, which eventually ruled in favour of the Soofie Trust. Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie was bestowed with Khilafat by Hadrath Shah Ahmed Sheriff رضي الله عنه (Poone Wale Shah Saheb).
Presently, Shah Goolam Mohiyudeen Soofie, Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie and Shah Mustapha Ariff are the Trustees of this institution. They are ably assisted by Shah Irshad Soofie. The Mosque was extended and completely renovated. A Jamatkana for ladies was added. A Pre-school was established and a new hall was built.
This Darbar established in 1909 is still serving the various needs of the community, Al Hamd-O-Lillah.