Pietermaritzburg, nestling in a valley about 80 km from Durban, is the second largest city in KwaZulu Natal. In 1909 Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA purchased a portion of land stretching from East Street to the banks of Dorpspruit river. There were very few homes here because this formed the boundary of the city at the time.

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He established a Mosque, Madressa and quarters for the Imam and the Muezzin. A few rooms were later built for travellers and wayfarers. Mass feeding started immediately, which was a feature not only in the Khanqahs of Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA but in all Sufi Khanqahs throughout the world. A flagpole was implanted near the entrance to this institution. The famous Chistia Habibia Nishaan (Flag) was flying high, a sight so familiar up to this day at the various institutions established by Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA in Southern Africa.

Azaan filled the air five times a day. Children were attending the Madressa classes on a daily basis. Adult clases were also in operation. People were being assisted with their various needs and aspirations. The down trodden, who were roaming the streets found refuge and solace in the Khanqah.

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The following served as Trustees:

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1909-1911 Founder, Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA

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1911-1954 Hazrath Shah Mohamed Ebrahim Soofie RA

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1911-1935 Hazrath Shah Abdul Aziz Soofie RA in charge of the legal aspect of the Trust with the local Muslims administering the daily affairs

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1935-1940 Hazrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie RA, third son of Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA.

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Hazrath Shah Abdul Aziz Soofie RA (1940-1947) and Hazrath Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie Sani RA (1947 - 1978) were in charge of legal matters. Sayyida Khatoon, wife of the late Hazrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie RA, was in charge of the daily affairs assisted by the Mussallees and the local Muslims. From 1980 Hazrath Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie, the third son of Hazrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie RA served the community from this institution. Hazrath Shah Mohiyudin Soofie eldest son of Hazrath Shah Abdul Kadir Soofie RA and Hazrath Shah Mustapha Ariff are also trustees.

 

Hazrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie Siddiqui RA

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He was the third son of Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA and was born at Ibrahim Pattan, Ratnagir, India. He arrived in Durban in 1897 with his mother, Hazrath Zainab Soofie RA to join his father.

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He grew up at the Darbar at Riverside and received his education at the Madressa at Riverside. He grew up under the watchful eye and guidance of his illustrious father. He married Nizam Bi daughter of Hazrath Abdul Majid Qadi RA the younger brother of Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA. One son was born from this marriage, Abdul Latief, who passed away at an early age. He married Sayyida Khatoon the daughter of Sayed Rasool. The following are the children - Rabia, Goolam Mohiyudeen, Fathima, Goolam Mohamed and Zohra. When his wife Nizam Bi passed away he was very depressed. The letter that he wrote to his maternal uncle, Hazrath Shah Goolam Hassen Qadi RA in Cape Town, immediately after the tragedy is preserved in the archives in Riverside.

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It is reported by a businessman from Carolina, Transvaal that as a youth he lived with his parents in Pietermaritzburg. Once in the early hours of a cold wintry morning, just after Tahajud prayers (voluntary night prayers), his father saw Hazrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie RA carry water which was drawn from a well and poured into the water tanks of the Musjid for Wudu (ablution) purposes. His father instructed him and his brothers thereafter to take ove this duty.

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Hazrath organised Meelad Shareef, Gyarwin Shareef, Urs Shareef and observed all the auspicious nights. He used these opportunities to enlighten the people on Islam with practical traning. He used to visit the sick at their homes and help bury the dead whose relatives could not afford the expense. Thus he carried out the tariqa of his father, Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA.

When Hazrath Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie Sani RA married in 1936, Hazrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie RA presented his nephew with the “Dalail Khairath”, a famous Book of Darood Shareef, which had belonged to Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA. 

The health of Hazrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie RA suddenly deteriorated and he passed away in May 1940 (Rabi-ul-Awwal 1359) at the young age of 45 years. His Janaza Namaz and burial took place in Riverside.

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Hazrath Shah Goolam Mohiyudeen Soofie and

Hazrath Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie

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They are the sons of Hazrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie RA, the third son of Hazrath Soofie Saheb (R.A.). Shah Goolam Mohiyudeen Soofie was born in Pietermaritzburg and received his Islamic education first from his father and then from his mother, and also from the Darbar Madressa at Pietermaritzburg. He has two children, Irshad Soofie and Sherbanu.

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Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie also received his education from the Madressa at the Darbar, Pietermaritzburg and from his parents. He married Nizambi Soofie, the youngest daughter of Hazrath Shah Mohamed Habib Soofie RA of Soofie Darbar, Springfield, Durban in 1970. One son Abdul Kader Soofie, was born.

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Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie was a businessman until 1980 when he decided to serve the community, following the footsteps of his father, Hazrath Shah Abdul Kader Soofie RA and grandfather, Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA. However, there was some misunderstanding on the part of certain Mussallees who were administering the daily affairs of the Mosque which resulted in a lengthy court case in the Supreme Court, Pietermaritzburg, which eventually ruled in favour of the Soofie Trust. Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie was bestowed with Khilafat by Hazrath Shah Ahmed Sheriff RA (Poone Wale Shah Saheb).

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Presently, Shah Goolam Mohiyudeen Soofie, Shah Goolam Mohamed Soofie and Shah Mustapha Ariff are the Trustees of this institution. They are ably assisted by Shah Irshad Soofie. The Mosque was extended and completely renovated. A Jamatkana for ladies was added. A Pre-school was established and a new hall was built.

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This Darbar established in 1909 is still serving the various needs of the community, Al Hamd-O-Lillah.