In the final days of Ramadan, Abdul Qadir Sahib's video became widely popular on social media. He received much appreciation for his humble attire. I also expressed my wishes for his safety and added prayers for more respect for him.
Certainly, the love for the Haramain (the holy cities of Mecca and Medina) resides in the heart of each one of us.
However, there is one unfortunate aspect of our behavior: we tend to commercialize everything. Recent videos reveal that people are approaching this elderly gentleman. They ask him to recite blessings, offer him garlands, and conduct interviews with him. Even this simple old man is concerned about these developments. Housing societies and businesspeople are approaching him to promote their products, gain easy fame, and exploit him for their own gains.
I Mufti Abdul Wahab also worry that Baba Ji (the elderly gentleman) might not even be aware of the opportunists using him, and this situation may continue for some time. Donations might start pouring in, and he may be elevated to the status of a saint. A shrine might even be established in his name, and after his passing, his shrine could become a place of veneration. Additionally, we see the emergence of his supposed successors. What is the meaning of all this? We, the people, should reflect on this.
We must always hold onto our beliefs; nothing is more crucial than that. The attire and simplicity that made Baba Ji famous are common throughout Sindh and Balochistan. I personally know many individuals who, despite enduring poverty, have saved for a long time and eventually managed to travel to the Haramain by selling their land and other possessions. I am grateful that I have helped numerous such individuals make their journeys to the Haramain, and I've met many of them in Madina Munawara and Makkah.
However, it is disheartening that even someone's simplicity
can be exploited, often leading to unfavorable consequences. Hopefully, no new
sect or cult will be attributed to this elderly man. May Allah Almighty have
mercy on the condition of our Ummah (Muslim community). Ameen.