Written by Javed Raza

Personally, I have heard hundreds of singers who try to copy, imitate or even try to absorb this legend’s type of singing. But they are not even close to Rafi Sahab. Because Rafi Sahab had a unique quality. He sang patriotic songs, ghazals, semi classical, classical, qawallis, sad songs, happy songs, devotional songs bhajans etc etc. They all had an outstanding quality. This itself shows that he was Blessed by the Almighty God.

I strongly feel that the faqeer whom Rafi Sahab (as a child) used to follow him when he used to visit his house on Thursday (Shab-e-Jummah) and try to imitate his singing. That faqeer was not an ordinary man, he was an Angel. He must have given his blessings to Rafi Sahab. His songs are soulful, filled with roohaniyat. He used to regularly offer Namaaz-e-shab along with his regular five times of prayers. He used to fast for 30 days in Ramzaan. When he used to offer Jummah prayers at Bandra mosque, his sherwaani pockets were filled with bundles of 100 rupee bills.

After prayers, he used to empty his pockets giving alms to the poor. First week of every month, more than 1500 poor people used to collect their regular “pension” from “Rafi Villa”. Each envelope had their name on it and they used to sign or give their thumb impression and collect their envelope.

Once Naushad sahab called Rafi Sahab and said that the prayer mats at Bandra mosque are torn and worn out. The next day Rafi Sahab made arrangements to change the entire prayer mats at the mosque.

I personally know a lady (still alive) she is related to Fazal Nawaz Jung Bahadur from Hyderabad. She had developed some kind of cancer of Thyroid. Her surgery was in J.J. hospital in Bombay. She went door to door to collect donations from various film personalities and businessmen. According to this lady the highest amount was given by Rafi sahab. The amount was Rs. 10,000. This was in early seventies. Rafi sahab didn’t even ask her to sign any paper and this lady was a total stranger to him. He gave her cash.

He used to wake up at 3:00 am offer namaz-e-shab and then practice till fajar azaan, then offer fajar prayer, recite Quran and then go for his regular badminton game at the gymkhana. On his return, he will take a shower, have his breakfast and then visit 3-4 different music directors. Between 2-5 pm, he used to record the songs. Never had any bad vices. Always smiling, never involve in any kind of gossip, if people used to say things about others, he would refrain from even replying to them. A thorough saint; a thorough gentleman.