The present work is a book form presentation of writings of Hazrat Shahidullah
Faridi, may Allah be pleased with him R.A.). An eminent Sufi Sheikh, he
is also known for his earlier works, 'The Moral Message of God and His
Prophet' and 'Everyday Practice in Islam'.
Since Sayings and Writings of Aulia Allah are a source of inspiration,
guidance and blessings, any comments on the merits of this book would be
superfluous. A few words about the author would, however, not be inappropriate.
Hazrat Shahidullah Faridi (R.A) was resident in Karachi for about three
decades prior to his passing away in 1978. In the earlier part of his life
he lived in England where he was born (1915), brought up (in a wealthy
British family) and educated (Oxford). Having embraced Islam after reading
Kashful-Mahjub (The Unveiling of the Veiled), the classical treatise on
Sufism written by the famous Saint Ali bin Uthman al-Hujwiri (known in
Pakistan as Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh), he had come to this part of the world
on a visit (1937) in search of a Murshid (Spiritual Guide). The visit,
however, turned into a prolonged stay as a result of his coming into contact
with Hazrat Syed Muhammad Zauqi Shah (R.A), a Murshid in the Chishtiya
Sabiria Sufi Order. He became his Murid (pupil) and preferred to remain
in the company (suhbat) of his Spiritual Mentor. He could have spent the
rest of his time in comfort and luxury which he had inherited but chose
a totally different kind of life, in the way of Allah. The prolonged stay
eventually became permanent in that his association with Hazrat Syed Muhammad
Zauqi Shah (R.A) lasted some fourteen years, until the passing away of
the latter. Hazrat Shahidullah Faridi (R.A) was about forty when the responsibilities
of spiritual succession to his Sheikh were entrusted to him. At this juncture,
he had his own business. He voluntarily closed the business and devoted
the rest of his life exclusively to his new duties in the service of Allah.
He was sixty-three.
Abdul Karim Khanzada of Zaida
7th November, 1985
