The Tale of the Title
"Khateeb ul Asar"
The content on this page are taken with thanks from Dr. Ibtehaj Khurram's book
on Shah Baleeghuddin saheb (in print). Shah Baleeghuddin Foundation
Personalities with special qualities are often fondly remembered by a title highlighting their uniqueness. Mohammad Ali Jinnah, Founder of Pakistan was given the title of Quaid e Azam, by the people during the Pakistan movement. Similarly, Nawabzada Liaquat Ali Khan, Quaid’s most trusted associate is remembered as Quaid e Millat. Nawab Bahadur Yar Jang, a front line Pakistan movement leader and a Khateeb par excellence was given the title Lissan ul Ummat.
In Pakistan and India the title of Moulana is generally accepted and used before the name of Islamic Scholars and for those persons serving in any religious capacity such as Imam’s of the mosque as a symbol of reverence. Before the partition of subcontinent India, the title Allama was exclusive for Scholars of very high caliber with extra ordinary contribution e.g. Allama Shibli Noumani, Allama Iqbal, Allama Enayatullah Mashriqi, Allama Jafar Shah Phulwarvi, etc. Following the partition, however, persons with basic Islamic knowledge with some public standing started to call themselves, an Allama.
Shah Baleeghuddin saheb never liked the titles and never enforced any title for himself during his lifetime. Though the organizers of Seerat un Nabi SAW meetings in their communications used to call him Allama but he always strongly discouraged them. Shah saheb liked to be identified as a regular person and not as special bread. Ironically, he was never called Moulana, although he was an outstanding Islamic Scholar, since he never had the typical attire that is synonymous with Moulanas or Moulvis, i.e. Beard and Aba o Qaba.
Allama Jaffer Shah Phulwarvi, a renowned and very well respected Islamic Scholar, Sufi and a great Khateeb was given the title of Khateeb ul Asr by his fans and followers. In a huge public meeting on Seerat un Nabi SAW, held in Nazimabad, Karachi, Allama Phulwarvi and Shah Baleeguddin sahib were the main speakers. In that meeting Allama Phulwarvi very fondly said in his speech “…. my followers and fans had given me the title of Khateeb ul Asr, but in my opinion Shah saheb deserves it and I declare him as Khateeb ul Asr.” (1)
Later in another memorable Jalsa e Seerat un Nabi SAW (Public meeting on Seerat) at Liaquatabad, Karachi, Admiral Muzaffar Hasan, former Chief of Staff of Pakistan Navy, on behalf of the organizing committee formally presented Shah Baleeghuddin saheb with the title of Khateeb ul Asr in front of a mammoth crowd of over 60,000 people.
In spite of receiving this title, Shah Baleeghuddin saheb never enforced this title for himself during his lifetime. He preferred to be simply called by his name sans any fancy title. After his death, however, the Board of Directors of Shah Baleeghuddin Foundation have unanimously passed a resolution that this title shall be used in all its formal communications on Shah Baleeghuddin saheb, as he truly deserved to be called Kahteeb ul Asr meaning " The Orator of the Time".
1: Mujalla e Usmanian, Vol: 1, issue no:4, April-June,1996, Page # 58.
Published by Usmania University Old Boys Association & Bahadur yar Jang Academy, Karachi.
