BASHIR HUSSAIN NAZIM: A STAUNCH ADVOCATE OF PROPHET MUHAMMAD'S TEACHINGS

Mahtab Bashir

mahtabbashir@gmail.com

03335363248

Islamabad

    Many moons ago, as I set out for the office, I spotted my father standing outside home, with each hand cradling a bundle of books. Curious about his destination, I shared that I was headed to F.8 Markaz. He explained that he was waiting for a colleague who had promised to pick him up but was running late, so I offered father to give him a ride. He accepted, settling behind me with the books resting on his thighs.

    As we navigated through H-8, I asked him where to next. “Take me to Constitution Avenue,” he replied. Moments later, we found ourselves on that grand road. I inquired again about our destination, and he instructed me to drop him off at the President House. I brought my bike to a halt in front of the main gate, just as two armed personnel approached us briskly. One of them recognized my father and greeted him warmly, “Nazim sb, how are you? We met at Pir Naseer-ud-din Naseer sb’s hujra. Where are you headed?” Father explained that he had been invited to meet the President at 9:30 AM, and it was currently 9:20, the armed man assured him, “I’ll escort you inside.” Turning to me, father instructed me to leave and join office.

    As I pulled back onto the majestic road, the Parliament House to my left, I watched a parade of luxurious vehicles glide by. In that moment, I couldn’t help but reflect on the contrast: countless wealthy individuals travelling in those opulent cars, while the President of Pakistan had chosen to meet my father, Bashir Hussain Nazim, whom I had just dropped off on my CD-70 motorcycle.

    This is how I know my father: a man of deep humility, a gentle spirit who navigated life with an unassuming grace. Though he moved effortlessly within a vast social circle that included politicians, bureaucrats, religious scholars, academics, lawyers, and journalists, my father was never swayed by their status or influence. Instead, he found true admiration in those who possessed the wealth of knowledge, valuing wisdom over titles and connections.

    Bashir Hussain Nazim was a highly esteemed scholar, intellectual, and poet proficient in seven languages. He made significant contributions in the fields of Naat Writing and Naat Khawani, for which he was honored with the Presidential Award for Pride of Performance by the government of Pakistan in 1992. He authored more than 37 books in Urdu, English, Punjabi, Persian, and Arabic languages, covering a wide range of socio-economic, religious, and Iqbaliyat topics.

    He was a staunch admirer of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace and Blessings Upon Him). I recall my childhood vividly, especially the moments when we would hire a cab. As soon as father settled into the back seat, he would turn to the driver and ask, “Is this your own vehicle, or are you renting it?” Many drivers would share their struggles, lamenting the burdens of inflation and the difficulty of making ends meet. After listening intently, my father would pause thoughtfully before offering a glimmer of hope. “I have a solution for all your troubles,” he would say, “one that will invite the Almighty’s assistance and pave the way for your progress.” Eagerly, the drivers would lean in, asking, “What is it?” With a warm smile, he would reply, “Recite Durood-e-Pak (PBUH) as often as you can. You’ll notice a remarkable change in just a few days.”

    For my father, reciting Durood Sharif (PBUH) was as essential as the air he breathed, a spiritual nourishment that filled his days from dawn until dusk. Each night, before he drifted off to sleep, he meticulously recorded his recitations in a diary. One day, curiosity led me to open that diary, where I was astonished to find entries of 40, 000, 50,000, 35,000, and 45,000 next to each date. I found myself bewildered by those numbers, yet a sense of hesitation kept me from seeking clarification. I held my questions close. It wasn’t until after his passing that I learned the truth someone saying, “Bashir Nazim had recited an astounding 60,000,000 times Durood Sharif during his life, and that figure is merely what’s documented- the true count is likely far greater.

Bashir Hussain Nazim’s unwavering commitment to sharing Iqbal's profound discourses did not go unnoticed. In 1998, the Central Majlis-e-Iqbal, Pakistan, honored him with a prestigious Gold Medal, celebrating his remarkable 52 years of contributions to literature, religion, and social welfare. Mr. Nazim's translations of pivotal works on Tasawwuf garnered him widespread acclaim in the mystical realm, while his Persian poetry—most notably the verses etched at the mausoleum of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA) in Lahore—revealed the depth of his extraordinary talent.

    Throughout his illustrious career, Mr. Nazim was a vibrant presence in television and radio programs, a frequent participant in Mushairas, and dedicatedly served as the stage secretary for the annual National Seerat-un-Nabi Conference for many years. His mastery of Urdu, Persian, Punjabi, English, and Arabic was truly impressive, and he left a significant mark on Urdu literature, most notably by transforming 'Diwan-e-Ghalib' into the enchanting 'Naat Genre.'

    During my early career at "Daily Times" (2007 to 2011), my father rarely took the time to read my stories, unless they were critical of his fellow writers who called him and complained about me. I vividly remember a specific evening when I submitted an investigative piece about a prominent official at the Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL). While we were having dinner that night, my father brought up the story, saying, “One of my colleagues mentioned your article. What’s it about? He suggested it seems like a nephew turning against his uncle.” I quickly fetched the newspaper, summarized the story for him, and handed it over so he could read it himself. After skimming through it, he looked at me and remarked, “You have such a lovely name—why don’t you write your full name, Muhammad Mahtab Bashir, instead of just Mahtab Bashir?” I explained that the layout didn’t provide enough space for my full name. He returned the paper to me, brushed off the content of story and insisted, “You should make sure to use your full name.”

    He has garnered immense acclaim within the realm of mysticism for his translations of remarkable works on Tasawwuf. His contributions include the revered 'Kashf-al-Mahjoob' by Hazrat Data Ali Hajveri (RA), 'Shawahidun Nabuwwat' by Maulana Jami (RA), 'Darul Muarif' by Hazrat Shah Ghulam Ali Dehlvi (RA), 'Zubdatul Muarif' by Hazrat Khawaja Hashim Kashmiri, and 'Fayyuzatul Rabbaniya' by Hazrat Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (RA), among many others.

    In his capacity as Deputy DG in the Ministry of Religious Affairs, Mr. Nazim took on the esteemed role of speechwriter for the Prime Ministers and Presidents of Pakistan. His keen insights as a literary critic, especially within the Naat Genre, underscored his astute judgement and significant impact in the world of literature.

    My father devoted his entire life to the art of writing and reciting Naat-e-Rasool-e-Maqbool (pbuh). Among his cherished memories is a poignant Punjabi Naat recited by Shaida Chishti- a dear friend of him. This heartfelt rendition beautifully encapsulates the profound love for the Prophet (pbuh), and I feel compelled to share it here.

حمد دے سر تے میم مروڑی تیرا ناں

تیتھوں صدقے میرا پیو تے میری ماں

میں پاپاں دیاں دھپاں ہیٹھاں مر جاندا

جے نہ ہو ندی تیرے رحم کرم دی چھاں

میں حسان، بو صیری، رومی ، جامی نہیں

تیری نعت لکھن دا دعویٰ کنج کراں

فرد عمل دی خالی پلے کجھ وی نہیں

حشر دا لاڑا تو تے تیرے ہتھ نیاں

ناظم مینوں دیتی اے تو فیق خدا

تیریاں نعتاں لکھ کے اپنی شان ودہاں

The writer feels that every achievement and possession he has is a testament to his father's unwavering support.