Dr.Syed Mehboob
Those who dedicate themselves to the noble cause of serving suffering and downtrodden human beings are like angels on earth, great people, and need to be paid rich tribute. Among them was Hakim Said, who has done a wonderful job by chartering six universities, establishing the Hamdard School System, writing more than two hundred books, establishing Hamdard University, BaitukHikmat Library, excellent contribution in exploring Muslim scientists’ great achievements and bringing them before the world, a Hafiz and great scholar of Quran, a philanthropist, a true friend and staunch supporter of Pakistan, whole nation remembers him and pays rich tribute to him.
For me, Hakeem Said was a source of inspiration. I studied most of his books. When I was a child, I started reading his magazine monthly, “Naunehal”, and later studied several books written by him. He had Himalayan knowledge of various subjects, including the Quran, Sunnah, Fiqh, Seerah of Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), medicine, science, history, geography, politics, and dozens of other branches of knowledge. He was an ocean of knowledge, yet down to earth. He was a very punctual man and worked like a jinn. He was also a very successful entrepreneur, and Hamdard became a legendary and one of the best brands not only in Pakistan but worldwide. He alone, whatever he contributed to Pakistan, is collectively more than all others, including many institutions and governments. Hakim Mohammed Said was also one of the finest exponents of Eastern medicine, who had treated millions of patients from all over the world, including Pakistan, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, by the time of his martyrdom (Shahadat) in October 1998. He also achieved international renown as a scholar and researcher in medicine in recognition of his meritorious services and scholarly achievements when he was awarded Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Posthumous) by the Government of Pakistan in 2002. As a prolific writer, he had to his credit a large number of books and articles. He edited many research journals and periodicals on medicine, history, and Islam. Hakim Mohammed Said also created two very widely attended national forums: Hamdard Shura (for leaders of public opinion) and Naunehal Assembly (for children). He attended and read papers at numerous conferences all over the world and organized several international conferences for the promotion of science in Pakistan in collaboration with national and international organizations, including UNESCO and WHO. He also held important offices and memberships in dozens of national and international organizations related to education and health care, the fields to which his contributions are universally acknowledged. A man of Herculean intellectual and organizational capabilities, Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said will be remembered most for creating Hamdard University, which he stewarded to appear as one of the top institutions of higher education and learning in Pakistan.
Naunehal, one of his famous brands, the brainchild of Hakim Mohammed Said was began in 1953 with an aim that not only enhances Children’s language skills, but it is also to be a great source of Tarbiya, moral, intellectual, and social training and knowledge enhancement. In October 2020, Hamdard Foundation Pakistan revamped this most loved and admired children’s favourite magazine, introducing an English section, making Naunehal bilingual with content in English and Urdu, alongside offering the best of both worlds, for children to hone their skills in both languages. Hamdard Foundation Pakistan aims to promote Naunehal as part of various schools’ curriculum for students to continue their reading habits, and arrange writing workshops/camps for children to enhance their creative skills.
“Services to humanity are one of the noblest attributes a man can acquire”. This was what motivated Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said’s father, Hakim Abdul Majeed, to establish Hamdard, a synonym for humanity, in Delhi in 1906 and work hard for its success so that he could make it a “ WAQF”. Although he was not destined to do so in his life but his visionary wife and mother of Hakim Said, made Hamdard a “ Waqf” in 1946. After partition, Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said decided to come to Pakistan. At that time had had very little money, but had some valuable assets. His vision, accompanied by his enthusiasm, determination, and great commitment, undertook noble works and endeavored to usher in the golden era of Islamic revival, especially in the field of Eastern medicine. He established “ HamdardDawaKhana” in Karachi in 1948, and by 1953, it was converted to a Waqf. Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said possessed innumerable qualities of head and heart and had a vivid imagination. He realized that it was becoming difficult for Hamdard (Waqf) to manage the business as well as the charitable and welfare activities, and therefore, he decided to establish Hamdard Foundation Pakistan to look after the humanitarian affairs of Hamdard. In one of his books, he says, ‘Wealth is that sticky smog which destroys the lustre of the soul forever’ so he endowed all the profits of Hamdard (Waqf) to Hamdard Foundation Pakistan to carry out its charitable, educational, and other philanthropic activities.
23rd October 1969, was another historical date when the rules and regulations of Hamdard Foundation Pakistan were registered under the Societies Registration ACT XXI of 1860. The philanthropic activities of Hamdard were initiated and completed by Hamdard Laboratories (Waqf) Pakistan on 1st January 1964 by establishing Hamdard Foundation Pakistan. Since then, Hamdard Foundation Pakistan has been involved in various types of philanthropic activities. Expansions are being made in these activities rapidly and systematically.
Hamdard Foundation is a pride of Pakistan synonymous with dedication and commitment to serve humanity. Besides education, health services, and humanitarian aid, with the programme including Hamdard University, it is engaged in numerous other valuable activities like mobile dispensaries, vocational training, social awareness, promotion of patriotism, and Islamic values.
Hamdard University was founded by Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said in 1991. Hamdard University is one of the first and the oldest private institutions of higher education in Pakistan. At present, the University has seven faculties, which include the Faculty of Eastern Medicine, the Faculty of Engineering Sciences & Technology, the Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, the Faculty of Social Sciences & Humanities, the Faculty of Law, the Faculty of Management Sciences, and the Faculty of Pharmacy. Excellent separate hostel facility for boys and girls for off-station students, and citywide transport is provided to facilitate the students. All the degree programmes offered by the University are approved by HEC.
Hamdard University is also running four major hospitals, including Taj Medical Complex, Shifa-uI-Mulk Memorial Hospital, Hamdard University Dental Hospital, and Naimat Begum Hamdard University Hospital. Also, a Primary Health Care Centre at Khuda Ki Basti to offer affordable healthcare services to the needy. Hamdard University is honour-bound to provide value-based education to students of every caste, colour, creed, and religion within its bounds to fulfill the vision of its Founder, Shaheed Hakim Mohammed Said. There are more than 25,000 alumni of Hamdard University employed in organizations in Pakistan and worldwide, and the institution looks forward to witnessing exceptional growth in their success stories.
Baitul Hikmat, sometimes termed as the Hamdard University Library, is an integral part, the first major institution of Madinat al-Hikmah. Inaugurated by H.E. Mr. Ghulam Ishaq Khan, the Former President of Pakistan, on December 11, 1989, it has leaped into focus as the largest and best equipped library in Pakistan, with a collection of books and journals in various disciplines and various languages, in areas of science and technology, medicine, management sciences, history, especially Indo-Pakistan history, Islamic studies and Islamic jurisprudence, Arabic, English, Persian and Urdu Literature. Recently, the library, itself computerized, has been linked with international information channels through the Internet.
Hamdard Public School is another great accomplishment of Hakim Said and Hamdard Foundation, which aims to impart quality education to the children where they not only receive education at par with any international standard but then character. The students are motivated to shape themselves into personalities that would be an asset to our nation. From kindergarten to grade ten, the students are exposed not only to world-class education but also to ideals that help shape their personalities and give them a strong moral compass.
Hakim Said Shaheed wrote, edited, or compiled over 200 books and journals in Urdu and English on Islam, education, Pakistan, science, medicine, and health. Besides writing travelogues of countries he visited, he also wrote books especially for youth and children. He also edited some journals such as Hamdard Islamicus, Hamdard Medicus, Journal of the Pakistan Historical Society “Historicus”, Hamdard e Sehat, and Hamdard Naunehal. For several years, he was also the editor of Payami, the Urdu edition of UNESCO’s journal Courier. Hakim Said Shaheed participated in various international conferences on medicine, science, education, and culture, and travelled widely to many countries of the world. While in Pakistan, he organized numerous international and national conferences on topics of prime importance. Hakim Said created two widely attended national forums: Hamdard Shura (for leaders of public opinion) and Naunehal Assembly (for children). He held offices and memberships in dozens of national and international organizations related to education and healthcare. He launched two journals, Hamdard Medicus and Hamdard Islamicus. Hamdard-e-Sehat, which was already being published under his editorship since 1940, also appeared from Karachi in 1948. He launched a magazine for young readers, Hamdard Naunehal, and established a separate division, NaunehalAdab, for producing quality books for children.
17th October 1998 was the darkest day in the history of Pakistan when Hakim Said was murdered by terrorists. The whole nation felt severe pain in its heart and plunged into Himalayan grief and oceanic sorrow on his death. He is no more with us, but will live always in our hearts. The whole nation is indebted to his contribution and pays him rich tribute. May Allah shower His trillions of blessings and rewards on him.
