The Mystery of The Abdullah Shah Ghazi Shrine

Who Was He?

Born forty years after the event of Karbala, Abdullah al-Ashter Ghazi was the great-grandson of al-Hasan al-Muthanna Ibn Imam Hasan and Lady Fatima Sughra Binte Imam Hussain. He is the closest and most honourable of the Ahlulbayt in the entire Indian subcontinent. 

He is also reported to be the representative of Imam Jafar as-Sadiq. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn't Mohammed Bin Qasim who brought the flag of Islam to Sindh, but it was this braveheart Shah Ghazi who did the honours. He migrated to Sindh at a time when Ahlulbayt and their lovers were suffering at the hands of tyrant rulers. He spent several years propagating Islam in the land of Sindh and died a martyr at the hands of the oppressive rulers.

A Shrine Built 10 Centuries Ago

His shrine is the largest shrine in Karachi today but this wasn't always the case. For years, his grave lied in obscurity upon a hill surrounded by the sea. Over the years, the seawater receded, bringing the tomb of Shah Ghazi under the spotlight. It soon became famous for granting wishes to desperate people. Not much later, another mysterious belief started taking root in the hearts of the locals...

Control Over The Weather?

Yesterday, Karachi was brimming with excitement: The government of Sindh announced a holiday for schools and offices due to a very high likelihood of a cyclone hitting the coast of Karachi. 

The people waited and waited, only to meet disappointment. In case you're wondering why would people wait with excitement to get hit by a cyclone, then here's a little background: The idea of a cyclone denotes thrill and adventure to the people of Karachi, as they've never seen one. There's very little rain throughout the year, thunderstorms or heavy rains are a rarity. But a full-blown cyclone of the dangerous kind is totally unheard of. Every time a warning is issued by the weather department, something happens and the cyclone system either subsides or changes route. The twin cyclones (Gulab and Shaheen) that were meant to hit Karachi yesterday, they too turned around for another destination at the eleventh hour.

Why is this becoming a pattern? Is Karachi one of those strange coastal areas that have a mysterious weather pattern? Yet, unlike most unfortunate areas (like the Bermuda Triangle) that are prone to weather mishaps, Karachi, on the other hand, is eerily lucky to be a safe spot in this regard.

However, anytime there's a buildup of strange coincidences, strange beliefs start surfacing too. It is said that a dangerous cyclone system hasn't hit Karachi in the last thousand years. I do not know if that is true, but guess what else has been around for a thousand years? The grave of Abdullah Shah Ghazi.

A vast number of locals believe that it is the mystical power of the shrine that sends heavy thunderstorms and cyclones away. According to them, as long as the shrine of Shah Ghazi is stationed like a saviour at the coast of Karachi, no cyclone can get past.

"Of course, many Karachiites also laugh off such beliefs, but even to this day there are a number of people in this city who are convinced that Shah Ghazi’s spirit remains Karachi’s best deterrent against raging cyclones emerging in the Arabian Sea." -Nadeem F. Paracha

Likewise, many people swear by the mystical power of the shrine to grant wishes to its visitors. Undoubtedly, all miracles happen by the Will of God, when they do. However, it is said that people who are closer to God and those who spend their life supporting His Cause, their spirits continue to be a source of guidance even after their death. And who knows? their graves may cast away dangerous cyclones too, occasionally. 

References: Abdullah Shah Ghazi: The saviour saint - Pakistan - DAWN.COM

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