Rooh-e-toheed

Chapter 1

Abbi lost his parents in early childhood. Allahabad was the stronghold of the war of independence at that time.   His elder brother, Mr. Syed Muzaffar Hasan who my Abbi considered a father figure to him in absence of his father. Also jumped   into the fight for freedom.  Hence,the deprivationfrom the patronage of adults sincerely childhood, so much so that I always felt his pain deep down.  Despite the extraordinary adverse conditions in his early years, Abbi received his BA degree from Allahabad University.

At that time, Sri Harivansh Rai Bachchan was his English professor. After completing his college Abbi got trained as pilot and learned to operate the plane called Tiger Mouth. But he left that field saying, “do not want to work for the British’. His strong opposition against all kinds of exploitation and his empathy for labor class took him on a path of quest for truth and justice.  At the same time, his   interest in poetry and philosophy increased. He became acquainted with other like-minded personalities of the time, some of whom I have heard the names of like Ali Sardar Jafri, Firakh Gorakhpuri, Majaaz, Ratan Singh, RamLal etc.

Abbi was incredibly talented and creative.  He made a name for himself in abstract paintings also.    His one-man shows were held at the Jahangir Art Gallery in Bombay and the then Vice President of India, Sri V. V. Giri and Mr. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed inaugurated his painting exhibitions. When my Abbi was married to Azra Bibi,the daughter of  Syed Habib Ahmed sahab of Masauli, his life took a new turn and that was his directionto turn towardsIslam. This book was started in that period. Abbi has poured his heart, the essence of his life, his mind, his whole inner self into this book. Therefore, it is our duty to bring to the world his thoughts, his life experiences and personal achievements. Twenty-three years ago, after this book was completed, my dear Abbi suddenly left us and this world forever.

I cannot forget that time of 9th October 1997 till date. It took me so much time to work on this book because obviously the emotional strength required to do this was lacking and needed this much time.  However, to bring this book to public became the purpose of my life, so now it is being presented. Please read this book and let us know of your valuable opinion.   My intention is to spread goodness in this world in my Abbi’s name for which I want to lay the foundation of Hasan Shaheer Memorial Urdu Academy which will promote Urdu language and literature and help the needy in any way possible. God willing that is my next step.