HAZRAT KHWAJA MOHAMMAD DURRAB KHAN (RA)

 Khwaja Mohammad Durrab Khan

also known as Pir Saani Sahib, may Allah’s Mercy be upon him

Younger brother of Khwaja Ghulam Mohiuddin Ghaznavi

Khwaja Mohammad Durrab Khan was born in 1912, in the Ghazni province of present-day Afghanistan.

His initial Islamic education was obtained from his father Khwaja Sheikh Mohammad Akbar Khan and from his uncle, Khwaja Gul Mohammad, may Allah’s Mercy be upon them all.

The major turning point of Khwaja Mohammad Durrab Khan’s life came when his elder brother, Khwaja Ghulam Mohiuddin, took a visit to India on a business trip for his horse trading commerce. On his travels, he decided to visit the centre of Mohra Sharif where he stayed for some time and received much spiritual blessing. Eventually he pledged allegiance (bayt) at the hands of the great Khwaja Mohammad Qasim Mohrvi, may Allah’s Mercy be upon him, who then became his spiritual guide and teacher.

Khwaja Ghulam Mohiuddin’s level of devotion towards his spiritual guide heightened with every moment, in whose presence he had found the true path to Allah and the Holy Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him. This immense love and devotion towards his Master, Khwaja Mohammad Qasim, reached such an extent that his mind was absorbed in fayz, causing him to forget all thought about his business and his family.

For six or seven years, his parents did not receive any letters from him nor did they hear any news regarding his welfare. Naturally, their anxiety and concern deepened so they sent his younger brother, Khwaja Mohammad Durrab Khan, to Punjab to find him and ensure of his wellbeing.

Thus, Khwaja Mohammad Durrab Khan travelled from Afghanistan to Punjab, to Rawalpindi and then to Mohra Sharif, where he finally found his elder brother. Upon this joyous reunion, he also met Khwaja Mohammad Qasim who asked him to stay at Mohra Sharif for a few days.

Consequently, remaining in the honorable company of Khwaja Mohammad Qasim had a profound effect on him and he too eventually pledged allegiance to him, thus becoming a Mureed (disciple) alongside his elder brother.

Thereafter, Khwaja Mohammad Durrab Khan’s respect and love towards his Shaykh increased further, and he soon felt unable to bear even a moment's separation from his presence. He then remained at Mohra Sharif with his elder brother for several years as a result of this spiritual bond, and later, reflecting upon the experience, he himself said, “I only came here (to India) to find Khwaja Sahib.”

Eventually when he had successfully completed his spiritual training, his Shaykh appointed him as one of his Khulafa (deputies). He was then sent to the blessed land of Nerian Sharif, along with his elder brother, to establish Islam and serve in the footsteps of our Beloved Prophet, may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him.

Through much service and struggle, Khwaja Mohammad Durrab Khan held a prominent role in enlightening the region of Kashmir with the teachings of Islam and the siraat-al-Mustaqeem(Straight Path). Today, his devotees in Kashmir amount to thousands.

Khwaja Mohammad Durrab Khan passed away and was reunited with his Lord on Thursday 5 Jamadiul Aakhir 1409 (12 January 1989) at 4:10am. He was 77 years old.

He was then laid to rest in the honourable court of Aastana Aalia Nerian Sharif, near his elder brother Khwaja Ghulam Mohiuddin Ghaznavi, may Allah’s Mercy be upon them both.

Almighty Allah blessed Khwaja Mohammad Durrab Khan with seven sons, whose names are given below. After his death, his eldest son Sahibzada Pir Abdul Ghaffar Ghaznavi was appointed as hisSajjada Nasheen (spiritual successor).

Sons of Khwaja Mohammad Durrab Khan:

1. Sahibzada Pir Abdul Ghaffar Ghaznavi, may Allah’s Mercy be upon him

2. Sahibzada Pir Abdul Irshad

3. Sahibzada Abdul Wahhab

4. Sahibzada Khaleelur Rahman

5. Sahibzada Habeebur Rahman

6. Sahibzada Azeezur Rahman

7. Sahibzada Mehboobur Rahman

Khwaja Pir Abdul Ghaffar Ghaznavi, may Allah’s Mercy be upon him, passed away in August 2006 after dedicating years of devotion in the path of Islam as an Imam and Khateeb in Keighley, England.