A Brief Biography of Shaykh Hafiz Muhammad Naqib-Ur Rehman
and his son, Muhammad Hassaan Haseeb-ur-Rehman Sahib
Hazrat Shaykh e Tariqat Mohammad
Naqib-ur-Rehman Sahib (“Pir Sa’ab”)
Muhammad Hassaan Haseeb-urRehman Sahib (“Sa’ab Ji”)
The only official title of Shaykh Hafiz Muhammad Naqib-Ur Rehman, known to his loving
followers as “Pir Sa’ab”, is “Custodian of Eidgah Shareef”. The Shaykh advances the mission and
teachings of Eidgah Shareef with the assistance of his son Sahibzada Muhammad Hassan Haseeb Ur
Rehman, aged 20, known affectionately to the devotees of Eidgah Shareef as “Sa’ab Ji”. Pir Sa’ab’s
ancestors, the previous Custodians of Eidgah Shareef, were all Sufi Masters and linear descendants of
the 15th century Mughal Emperor Babur. In about 1960, the family gave Pakistan a large proportion of
the lands that were used to establish Pakistan’s planned capital city, Islamabad, located not far from
Rawalpindi.
The Honorable Shaykh, born in January of 1953, memorized the Holy Quran at an early age, like
his ancestors before him. He is an expert in the field of Islamic Jurisprudence, its Doctrine and Blessed
Ahadeeth-e-Mubarakah. He holds an MSc degree in Botanical Sciences from Quaid-i-Azam University,
a prominent Pakistani university. He speaks fluent Urdu, Punjabi, and English and can comprehend and
write Arabic very well. Together, Pir Sa’ab and Sa’ab Ji preside over about four million followers from
all parts of Pakistan and about 50,000 more in the UK. Pir Sa’ab tirelessly serves his followers both at
Eidgah Shareef and during frequent visits to villages and cities throughout Pakistan to give sermons and
lectures. He is very much aware of world economies and ever changing social, political, and
environmental scenarios and their impact on the peoples of the world. He has a particular interest in
interfaith activities and in working to foster better understanding among religious communities.
The Shaykh is a man with inborn graciousness and a compassionate nature who exudes a special,
spiritual charisma. His respectful eminence is a paragon of virtue that walks in humility and with utmost
humbleness. Whenever an individual meets with him on the veranda of Eidgah Shareef, whether it is
the US Ambassador or an illiterate laborer, warmth and love radiates naturally from his smiles and
greetings, engulfing the guests in its embrace. He is like a river of generosity and kindness that compels
people from all walks of life to come and share their problems with him. They seek his blessed wisdom,
regardless of the nature of their individual problems, whether worldly or spiritual.
Eidgah Sharif
Eidgah Sharif is a Sunni Sufi Shrine located in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. It was founded over a century ago
by the Great Grandfather of the present Custodian, making five generations of leadership including
Sa’ab Ji, all of whom can trace their commissions back to the prophet Muhammad, Peace Be Upon Him.
Eidgah Shareef is host to many international visitors, including the annual visit of the United States
Ambassador at the beginning of Ramadan. Eidgah Shareef is also the frequent host of religious
gatherings known as Milaad Paaks. A Milaad Paak is comprised of a series of presentations by scholars
and by “reciters” who present religious material in solo a capella. At the largest of these, such as the
Urs Paak on June 8, more than 500,000 visitors crowd the grounds of Eidgah Shareef and spill over into
the streets for blocks around.
Eidgah Shareef has been providing humanitarian services in Pakistan since the nineteenth
century. These include a food program that provides millions of free meals throughout the year, free
healthcare, and schools in Rawalpindi where boys and girls are educated in both academics and religious
matters. The shrine actively provides aid during natural disasters across the country, including the
provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab and Sind. The Shrine is supported in its charitable endeavors
by a foundation in the UK, Mankind Welfare Trust, and by over four million volunteers from virtually
every part of Pakistan. More information can be found at the shrine’s website, www.eidgahshreef.com.
Pir Sa’ab and Sa’ab Ji hosting a visit to Eidgah Shareef on
July 12, 2013 with US Ambassador to Pakistan, Richard
G. Olson, a former Minnesota resident
Pir Sa’ab meeting with the Archbishop of Canterbury,
Rowan Williams, in the UK
Pir Sa’ab meeting with former US Ambassador to
Pakistan, Cameron Munter and his wife Dr. Marilyn
Wyatt
The UK Ambassador to Pakistan Philip Barton visits the
Pir Saha'b shrine on May 24