Qudraatullah Shahab – Enduring Legacy

Syed Naveed Abbas has sent this contribution for Jahane Rumi. Shahab was an outstanding writer though his politics remains controversial and his extraordinary claims of piety and sainthood are deeply contested. However, he has inspired generations of writers and readers. RR

MAQDOOR HO TUO KHAK SAY POCHOO KEH AIE LAYEM

TUO NAY WO GANJ HAAE GERA MAYA KYA KEA

(If I was fortunate enough, I would ask the earth, Oh! Miser,

What did you do with those priceless treasures?)  – Ghalib

A careful study of the biographies of great men reveals that they lived for a central idea and their life’s work consisted of delivering that message to humanity. History tells us that when such men met with obstacles in their path, they further intensified their efforts to achieve their objectives. The greater the challenges great men had faced, the more determinedly they held aloft the torch of intellect which burned with ever-increasing brightness against the darkness that enveloped all other objects. Such single-minded zeal characterised the life of Qudraatullah Shahab embellished with the eternal spirit of “Maan Ji”. The manifestation of excellent character, eloquent speech, exemplary writings, austere principle, reflection of mysticism, unassailable integrity, an unfathomable love for humanity, and yet with all such extraordinary qualities of mind and heart — an incredible humility and self-effacing modest personality. He distinguished himself both as a great writer and an illustrious civil servant. He was not so much a person as a legend, not so much a man as a myth, most of the time, people think of him as icon of icon, as a powerful idea and above all a literary giant whose range of intellectual pursuits was awesomely wide and extensive. A man of many graces, he was much more then a writer. His many-faceted genious took in its sweep a great deal of achievements and landmarks.

Hafeez Jalandari poignantly writes:

Jab kahein inqalaab hota hai

Qudraatullah Shahab hota hai

(Whenever there is a revolution

Qudraatullah Shahab is there)

‘Shahab Nama’ one of the greatest classic of Urdu literature is the autobiography of Qudraatullah Shahab. The significance of this book lies in three reasons. First, it works on the roots. Second it’s deep, practical, and comprehensive. Third, it inspires hope. As we read this book, it motivates us to think like a “Social ecologist” so that we could see the relationships of all things and how ultimately all things are rooted in trust. He endeavored to reform the society through his master piece; pure as a pearl, he continued to prick our dead conscience, shocking us out of our self-absorption, our complacency. It gives an enlarged and sequential process to transform a cultural shock, changing values, and societal ethics at large. Shahab’s writing will continue to warm our hearts and tickle our collective conscience. He forced us to think so that we could be better human beings. Through powerful and practical illustrations, it shows how the principles apply universally, whether it’s personally or in a one-on-one relationship, a family, a friend, a business, an acquaintance, a social institution, a government department, a military service etc. This book breathes hope. As we move sequentially through each episode of Shahab Nama, we begin to feel optimistic and inspired that no matter what the situation, how society behaves, we are the active agent in establishing or restoring trust, rebuilding as a nation and feel affirmed and empowered.  It is a must-read book for all those who love Shahab and his legacy.

Qudraatullah Shahab was invariably stood first in school and college throughout his period. In those days the Muslims got very rare opportunities for higher studies. In the dark days of British rule in the sub-continent, the Muslims were usually kept out of the government services. There was very little for the young and promising Muslims to participate and excel. He had a firm conviction to exhibit to the rulers that Muslims too had good brains and talent. He had the drive and vigour to let them know that it was not only the Hindus and British who could run the administration of the country but also the Muslims. So with this in mind, in 1942 he sat for the competitive examination for Indian Civil Services and succeeded with luminous accolades. An insatiable passion and a deep love for knowledge was his key message to enable a person to serve humanity throughout his life. What a wonderful man, what a wonderful lesson which has been a guiding light for every national. He served on several high offices including being Ambassador of Pakistan to Netherlands.

He was an ambitious and competitive person, impatient to get ahead in life, won a prize in an international essay writing competition organized by a student society in England. He stood first amongst nineteen thousand competitors from all over the world. The prize was a gold medal and 750 pound in cash. At this grand success he was received congratulations from renowned leaders like Mr. Quaid e Azam and Mr. Gandhi. Shahab sahab was a man of transparent clarity in expression and masterly simplicity in language. Not only that he said things in an exquisite manner; he also managed to adorn his writings with thought-provoking substance. He determinedly proclaimed, that Urdu is our national language and has a bright future; but English being an international language, cannot be done away with. Its sheer hard work and deep understanding which tramples all bottle-necks. He had the supreme honour in international English essay writing competition and won the gold medal although the British were also competing. He knew thoroughly how one respond to bottle-necks.

Mindful of his unparalleled abilities, it is worth mentioning that after the Jews occupied Arab territories in 1967, they changed the text-books for the children of Palestinian refugees. They introduced new text-books against Islam and Arab culture. Shahab Sahab was then a member of the UNESCO executive board. The Arab lodged a complaint in UNESCO but the Jews denied any change in the text-books. So he paid a secret visit to Israel – incognito and brought one hundred and thirteen objectionable text books and placed them before UNESCO. The UNO then took action and all the books were replaced.

Qudraatullah Shahab was himself a great mystic. His outpourings on paper are in fact reflection of his own inner consciousness. Ironically, no words could adequately explain the experience of mystical union. Yet his words are inspiring signposts which point towards the divine. A true patriotic, great writer and illustrious civil servant; Shahab  was much  perturbed by the holes in our own social fabric; he wanted to see Pakistanis as a diligent and cohesive nation, collectively and singly able to think its own thoughts and stand firmly on its own strong feet. Holding the moral flag high he sought to bring a higher purpose of being into the body of civil service in Pakistan, somehow his legacy has merely become the reading occupation of the young civil servants at the civil services academy rather than their guiding beacon.

Islamabad

Naveedabbas.j@gmail.com

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