Risaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan
Risaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan (دسالدارمحمدحنيف خان) (1882–1947) an Owaisi saint – neither had he taken oath of allegiance from anybody nor he owed allegiance to any person. He defeated the limitations of Distance, Time and Speed in his life. He sought grace on Owaisi pattern and granted this grace in abundance to Hazrat Khawaja Abdul Hakeem Ansari in a friendship relation. His excellent grace enabled Hazrat Khawaja Abdul Hakeem Ansari to achieve his aim of ‘the closeness and vision of Zaat-i-Beht’ and enabled him to start the fifth doctrine of spiritual thought 'Toheedia' (توحيديه). Toheedia was an addition into the already existing four doctrines Naqhbandiyya, Suhrawardiyya, Qadiriyyah, and Chishti order. Risaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan and his grace in abundance was the back bone in the life achievements and contributions of Hazrat Khawaja Abdul Hakeem Ansari.
Family history
Ancestral homeland
He born at Mahendragarh, commonly called Kanode, District Narnol, Patyala state presently the region of Rajpotana. At that time, his homeland Mahendragarh was a town that became a city and district afterward. Its population was of more or less one hundred thousand people. Mahendragarh was named as ‘Kanode’ that was capital of the governor of Jhager state. There was fort of the governor. During riots of 1957 in Indian subcontinent, the greatest resistance to British Army was from the governor of Jhager. It was a big state comprising Rewari, Narnol, Kanode, Hsar, Sirsah, Bhawani, Krnal, Rohtak, Klanor, and Bhunda. He was living, with his parents, at ‘Rathoran’ ward at a bungalow constructed by his brother Risaldar Rafique Ahmad Khan. His residence was at the beginning of the town while his other relatives were the residents of the core town.
Ancestors’ acceptance of Islam
First Muslim in his forefathers was ‘Ghande Rao’ who belonged to the capital of Qanooj state and married in the family of the king of Bekaneez. Ghande Rao was the Commander in Chief of the state army of Bekaneez. On demise of the king of Qanooj there was a dispute for succession between two brothers. Ghande Rao’s younger brother was living at Qanooj with his father. After his father’s death, he intrigued and became the king of Qanooj state. Ghande Rao travelled from Bekaneez to Qanooj for succession of the crown and to participate in funeral ceremony of his father. He was accompanied with his wife, two sons, and a short security squad. He realized the situation showed a happy and satisfactory reaction. Ghande Rao silently left Qanooj but his younger brother felt threat of his invasion back to Qanooj. He sent some armed men to kill Ghande Rao on the way to Bekaneez. These armed men killed all except kids and woman. As per well settled convention Rao don’t kill kids and women and consider this type of [...] an act of worst cowardice.
An old man was watching this bloodshed in close proximity. He was a Muslim. After the incident, he came to the scene and inquired about the matter from the other side of that lady’s veil. Ghande Rao’s wife identified his husband from the dead bodies. The Muslim felt that Ghande Rao was injured badly but was breathing. He brought him to his hut with the help of that lady and served the first aid. It was the start of the new history.
When the Muslim saint asked about his name and religion then Ghande Rao replied that he had passed away, he got a new life due to the old man. Ghande Rao declared his religion same to that old man and his land to be his homeland for his coming life. Ghande Rao embraced Islam and lived with that old man.
Risaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan was from the seventh generation of Ghande Rao.
Race and tribe
He belonged to the ‘Rathorr’ tribe in the Rao family. He took his first breath in the house of Doost Muhammad Khan and Khair un Nisah. They had a daughter and six sons. Risaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan was the eldest. His younger brothers were Muhammad Rafique Khan, Kabir Khan, Saghir Khan, Nasir Ahmad Khan, and then Shabbir Ahmad Khan.
Family background
Family
His family belonged to the armed forces. Father Sobedar Doost Muhammad Khan served in forces who transferred from First Skeaners Horse to Platoon and retired as Sobedar. Sobedar of Platoon is equivalent to the commander of a squadron - Risaldar. Risaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan retired as Risaldar – the commander of squadron. He was Risaldar in the First Skeaners Horse Regiment. Muhammad Rafique Ahmad Khan was Risaldar in Second Royal Lancers at the time of his retirement. Kabir Ahmad Khan was employed in forces but he left this job to be with his father. Saghir Ahmad Khan was in First Skeaners Horse Regiment and he retired as Risaldar after partition in Pakistan. Nasir Ahmed Khan was commanding officer in a cavalry, his regiment was deployed at Singapore at the time of partition. He migrated to Pakistan and retired at the post of sub-commissioned officer. Shabir Ahmad Khan was serving in traffic police before partition.
Parental dignity
His father Sobedar Doost Muhammad Khan had an excellent worldly rank and dignity with the high position on religious grounds. He had Owaisi relation with the Islamic prophet Muhammad, who taught him meditation of Islam. His father Doost Muhammad Khan had been deputed for the appointment and transfers of the people on Holy services. He took oath of allegiance on the hands of Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi and selected Maulana Maseeh Ullah Khan as his refiner. Sobedar Doost Muhammad Khan is at the top of the list of Majazeen of Maulana Maseeh Ullah Khan in his book ‘Shariat-o-Tareeqat’. He also took oath of allegiance of Hazrat Shah Abdur Rahim Rae Puri.
His mother had also a high dignity in spiritualism. In her prayers she always see ‘Kabah’ and think it to be as a routine as all Muslims visit this in their prayers.
In a nutshell, his parents were so simple despite all their dignities and ranks.
Domestic environment
There was not extravagant discussion in Risaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan’s house. There was nothing in practice contrary to Islam. All the members of his family were practical Muslims. There were nothing to be the topic of discussion except the names of Allah and Muhammed.
His father goes to his room after the last night prayers and nobody was allowed to enter his room. Early meditation and loudly zikr was his routine. He was like saint, of broader vision, soft speaking, and of balanced temperaments. He had influential position in his town and tribe. He was capable to unite people of different views and was trusted to be the man of principles.
His mother was used to talk to his grandsons and grand daughters until mid night on religious issues. She stops all routine on twelve at night, performs wazu and say her prayers before going to bed. She had learnt by heart the half of the last chapter from the Quran. She recites it and conveys reward of virtue before sleep.
He was named as ‘Bhaia G’ in his family. He was of strict behavior. He never compromised on principles. His personality was a blend of affection towards younger and respect towards his parents. He never made any arguments with his parents and was yes for ever to them. His brother Rafique Ahmad Khan was hard liner. All the members of his family feel threat of him. Kabir Ahmad Khan was reverse of Rafique Ahmad Khan. Everybody enjoy his company and like him.
Practical life
Family
He had five sons and a daughter. His sons were Tanveer Ahmad Khan, Zaheer Ahmad Khan, Zubair Ahmad Khan, Musheer Ahmad Khan and Ozair Ahmad Khan. His daughter Fazeela was the youngest.
Teaching and training of children
Hafiz Tanveer Ahmad Khan was well educated. He had good knowledge of religion, Arabic and Persian languages. He got married when he was eighteen years old. His father wanted him to serve for forces, but he got job at a herbal store in Delhi. Afterwards he joined daily ‘Jang’ and was serving there at the time of partition.
The second son Zaheer Ahmad Khan was studying at Electric Training College Delhi in the Electric course. He was married and living at that college hostel. Third son Zubair Ahmad Khan came to his brother Hafiz Tanveer Ahmad Khan in Delhi after passing his matriculation. He was searching for some job. Fourth son Musheer Ahmad Khan was in tenth class while fifth son Ozair Ahmad Khan was in eighth class.
Education and job
Risaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan joined forces after passing his middle class. He continued his education and passed his English examination in first grade. He had excellent knowledge of Persian and Arabic languages. He had a good command on the knowledge of Quran, Hadith and their interpretations. He had excellent reading habits. He had been deputed at many places like Peshawar, Landi Kotal, Risalpur, Lakhnau, Noushehra, and Bannu during his services. He served his job as per his own temperaments. His mother told him to recite a ‘Dorood’ in his child age. He continued it on a thread counter. During job timings he had this thread counter in his pocket and used to start counting on it while riding a horse. His officers objected on this act but he seemed to quit this job. His expertise and skills forced his officers to accept this type of his extra-job deeds
Political life
His native town Mahendragarh was a Sikh state. There was political party. In 1942, Risaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan laid foundation stone of Pakistan Muslim in this town. He became the President with Mirza Abdus Salam Baig as Secretary, and Shams Uddin Sandal as treasurer with some other office bearers. Hindus started Congress in its reaction. He became the greatest enemy of Hindus by starting Muslim League in this town. He paid no heed to their enmity and served the Muslims.
Spiritual distinction
He belonged to a religious family. Religious practices in his life were rooted from his family background. He had a good relation with Maulan Ashraf Ali Thanvi by letters for a long time. He got his spiritual distinction from the buried saitn in Sialkot Imam Ali ul Haq on Owaisia pattern.
Risaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan was transferred to Sialkot. His friends go for a walk in the evening but he goes to the masjid of Imam Ali ul Haq. After saying his night prayers he sits close to the shrine of Imam Ali ul Haq and recites some Dorood and other things.
One day he was reciting his routine items by closing his eyes. He saw a saint standing in front of him on opening his eyes. He was confused but the saint consoled him and told that he was a good child. He introduced himself to be Imam Ali ul Haq. That saint embraced him and bestowed him the spiritual distinction.
Friendship with Hazrat Khawaja Abdul Hakeem Ansari
Risaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan came to the army training school Balgam as Viceroy Commission Officer in 1928. Hazrat Khawaja Abdul Hakeem Ansari was deputed for translation project at this school. In October 1928, Hazrat Khawaja Abdul Hakeem Ansari met Risaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan. They became close friends. Their friendship continued for nineteen years till the Indo-Pak partition in 1947. They separated but Hazrat Khawaja Abdul Hakeem Ansari consulted his grace in abundance for twenty to twenty five years.
General temperaments and habits
Risaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan had abundance of worldly blessings but he was hard liner attitude in routine life. He was a good debater. Having good knowledge of Arabic and Persian language, he had a good wisdom and opinion on religious issues of routine life. He was regarded as a saint at job. Many well known theologians, sufis, and religious leaders belonging from remote areas visit him as disciples. Where ever he lived, people searched and visited him for prayers in their hardships. He was straight forward person. He never hides the truth from his visitors and always told him what was being done by his prayers and what was not being resolved. He had a unique pray style. It looked like an order, instruction, or command rather than a request towards heavens. He was often very harsh. No one was in position to predict how his next moment will be or his reaction will be. He ordered many to get lost from his company, he physically pushed many back out of his place, and he even slapped some people in his company. He was hardly used to accept un-willing deeds and acts in his company. He often claimed that Islam is the religion of bold people. If we are bold it is one attribute of Islam. We – the Rao sought it from Islam.
Story of martyrdom
In 1947, there was a great violence in this region of Indo-Pak. Cross border migration and mass [...] was at its apex. He had all the worldly resources to quit for Pakistan with all his family members and their belongings. Many well wishers requested him for migration but he refused by saying that his martyrdom das been decided by Allah on the land of India. He insisted and reacted boldly to all the adverse situations. But finally, he was forced to migrate by a political deal of his friends. He started his journey to Pakistan but his train was stopped on the next station that was preplanned by the intriguers. Someone called his name loudly from the plate form. He looked out from the train. A bullet was fired on him that passed his chest. He fell down on the plate form. Hindus and Sikhs armed with axes and spears started assaulting hm. His wife, two sons and a daughter fell on him and were martyred with him except his small baby girl who was badly injured and sense less between dead bodies.
Risaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan breathed his last on the soil of India as per his claim to be martyred in India as per decided by the Allah.
Existing family
Martyrdom of family
Forty members of his family were martyred in the riots of 1947, including his father, mother, wife, two sons, two brothers and some other close relatives. His wife and two sons martyred at the spot with him on first attack. His brother Kabeer Ahmad Khan fought with the attackers and breathed his last at that place. His father, mother and brother Rafique Ahmad Khan were waiting for the next train with other relatives. They were martyred in attacks by Hindus and Sikhs on the arrival of the train.
Migration of family to Pakistan
His son Zubair Ahmad Khan migrated to Pakistan with his sister on first special train. His brother Shabir Ahmad Khan migrated to Pakistan with his two sons Hafiz Tanveer Ahmad Khan, Zaheer Ahmad Khan, and some other close relatives. His brother Naseer Ahmad Khan was serving at Singapore who migrated to Pakistan. His brother Sagheer Ahmad Khan was also serving at armed forces and migrated to Pakistan and retired in Pakistan. His daughter Fazeela was badly injured and was in dead bodies. She was taken by a Hindu who know her family. Hindu sent her to Pakistan where she met her family in Pakistan.
Family in Pakistan
His three brothers, a sister, three sons and a daughter migrated to Pakistan with other family members and relatives. His brother Naseer Ahmad Khan was settled at Amen Abad, Gujranwala. Sagheer Ahmad Khan was settled at Islamabad, and his brother Shabbir Ahmad Khan was settled at Islamabad. His family is now at Islamabad and Hyderabad. His son Hafiz Tanveer Ahmad Khan was settled at Hyderabad. Other son Zaheer Ahmad Khan migrated to the Uniteed Kingdom, while third son Zubair Ahmad Khan settled at Hyderabad and migrated to Sargodha afterwards. His daughter was married to his first cousin and settled at Islamabad.
References
1. Ali Raza, Mian (Ed.). (2010). Farmoodaat-e-Faqeer: Malfozat-o-Maktobat Hazrat Khawaja Abdul Hakeem Ansari. (فرمودات فقير:ملفوظات و مكتوبات حضرت خواجه عبدالححكيم انصاري). Gujranwala: Markaz Tameer-e-Millat.
2. Abdul Hakeem Ansari, Khawaja (1969). Reality of Wahdatul Wajood (حقيقت وحدت الوجود). Gujranwala: Markaz Tameer-e-Millat.
3. Abdul Hakeem Ansari, Khawaja (1962). Tareeqat-e-Toheedia (طريقت ثوحيديه). Gujranwala: Markaz Tameer-e-Millat.
5. Siddique Dar Toheedi, Muhammad (April 1999). "Hazrat Risaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan". Falah-e-Admiat.
6. Siddique Dar Toheedi, Muhammad (May 1999). "Hazrat Risaldar Muhammad Hanif Khan". Falah-e-Admiat.
7. Tanveer Ahmad, Hafiz (2001). Takween-o-Tashree Ma Sawaneh Tanveer (تكوين و تشريع مع سوانح تنوير). Rawalpindi: Idara-e-Ghufran.