A true scholar, writer, intellectual, innovator, entrepreneur and a philanthropist, Hakeem Muhammad Saeed is alive as an amazing person of diverse abilities in memories of Pakistan even years after his tragic murder in 1998.
Hakim Saeed, as he was popularly known established Hamdard Dawakhana, from the institution his father created in India before partition. His organization which was mainly focused on traditional medicine later went on to diversify in fields of higher education, publishing and social work.
Hamdard is one of the largest production facilities of traditional or herbal medicines in Pakistan. Hakim Saeed’s work in reviving traditional medicine is considered to be pioneering in contemporary times because he established on modern footings and got it recognized by established bodies like World Health Organization (WHO).
“Hakim Saeed was a role model and a pharmacist who worked tirelessly for the health sector. He also worked towards the nurturing of the mindset of the society through education and that, only a true thinker and strategist can achieve”.
Hakim Muhammad Saeed once said “It has been my endeavor to prepare Pakistani youth for the challenges of tomorrow. I would like to see the youth studying at our campuses to develop the qualities of devotion, love, determination and services to mankind.”
With this in mind, he established Madinat-al-Hikmah, the “city of wisdom”, which includes the establishment of Hamdard Laboratories in 1948 and Hamdard University that was founded in 1985. Saeed was one the driving forces in Pakistan that engaged research in medical biology and medicines.
In 1953, after his doctorate, Saeed joined the Sindh University as the associate professor of Pharmacy and taught courses in organic chemistry. He left Sindh as there were differences between him and the current Minister of Health who did not understand the importance of eastern medicine.
Hakim Muhammad Saeed once said “It has been my endeavor to prepare Pakistani youth for the challenges of tomorrow. I would like to see the youth studying at our campuses to develop the qualities of devotion, love, determination and services to mankind.”
Hamdard is well known for its Hamdard College of Medicine and Dentistry, Hamdard Al-Majeed College of Eastern Medicine, Hafiz Mohammad Ilyas Institute of Herbal Sciences, Hamdard Institute of Education & Social Sciences, Hamdard Institute of Management Sciences, Hamdard Institute of Information Technology, Hamdard School of Law, Faculty of Engineering Science & Technology, Hamdard Public School and Hamdard Village School. Bait-al-Hikmah, the library, is one of the biggest and well-stocked libraries of Pakistan.
He understood the need for people to exchange ideas in a safe setting so he created two forums called Naunehal Assembly for children and the Hamdard Shura for people to exchange ideas. The Naunehal Assembly is a forum where teenagers can gather to learn about leadership skills and how to express themselves with clarity.
The Hamdard Shura has become quite the thing for budding entrepreneurs and political leaders. It is the most popular and highly rated intellectual forum in Pakistan. Here people can discuss about the problems confronting Pakistan and find ways to solve these problems.
Saeed also established a number of medical laboratories where the famous products Sualeen and Rooh Afza were researched and created. Sualeen is the cure for all colds as it helps alleviate symptoms of colds, coughs and bronchitis. Rooh Afza is the drink that not only refreshes the body but revives the body with vigor and vitality.
Hakim Saeed received many National Awards and was recognized globally. He was awarded Nishan-e-Imtiaz (highest civilian award of Pakistan) awarded by Govt. of Pakistan in 2000, Sitara-e-Imtiaz by Govt. of Pakistan in 1966, Islamic Medicine Award, Kuwait Foundation for the advancement of Science Kuwait 1982, Sadiq Dost Award from people of Bahawalpur (Pakistan), Certificate of Merit from Institute of History of Science and Technology, Istanbul Technical University 1981 and also recognized for successfully getting World Health Organization to accept eastern medicine as an alternative form of healing.
Hakim Saeed writings include 200 books and journals in Urdu and English on Islam, Education, Pakistan, Science, Medicine and Health. He was fond of Urdu poets and concerned about their financial problems. He hired only qualified academicians and literary figures like Ahmed Chugtai, Ahmed Hamdani, Qamar Hashmi, Nazeer Siddiqui and Qayum Rahi. All of these esteemed writers worked for Hamdard publications at one time or another, “He hired every educated person.”
He left the comfort of his own home and a thriving medical practice some would say that this was an unwise move. Others would applaud his efforts at supporting the new government of Pakistan. He moved forward in the call God gave him as a righteous example for all to follow.
In Pakistan he continued practice Tibb, set up the Hamdard Dawakhana and begin manufacturing eastern medicines. It took just a few years before the eastern medicine products of Hamdard and the name “Hamdard” to become household names.