Hazrath Haji Shah Goolam Muhammad Soofie Siddiqi Chisti Nizami Habibi RA was born in 1267 AH [1848] in Ibrahimpatan, Ratnagir, India. He was the eldest son of Hazrath Ibrahim Siddiqi RA, a direct descendant of the first Khalifa of Islam, Hazrath Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq RA.

Unlike many other children of his time, he was brought up in a strict Islamic atmosphere, and received his early education from his father, who was the Imam (leader) of the local masjid and teacher at the madrasah (Islamic school). Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA excelled in his studies and qualified as a hafiz (one who has memorized the Holy Qur'an) at this madrasah. After the demise of his father in 1872 (when he was 22 years old), he was appointed as the Imam of the masjid and teacher.

Introduction
The spread of Islam in the southern most part of Africa occurred under arduous historical circumstances due to the political defeat and colonisation of Muslim societies across the world by various European colonial powers. For most part of its history the practical development of Islam in South Africa was a difficult process as Islam was banned by the colonial authorities and even after its unbanning Muslims were discriminated against as a group. Notwithstanding this our early pioneers were both learned alims in sharia and sheikhs of tariqa. Thus, the spread of Islam in this part of the world occurs largely through Sufi sheikhs from various tariqa’s, but predominantly from the Qadri and Chisti tariqa’s.

Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA travelled to the Cape and bought the land on which the Habibia Masjid and madrasah now stands in Doornhoogte. Upon his return to Durban, Hazrath Soofie Saheb RA told his nephew, Moulana Abdul Latief Qadi RA that he wished him to proceed to the Cape to establish a masjid and Khanqah (institution) on the land, which he had bought. The strong spiritual link between the two bore down heavily on Moulana Abdul Latief RA to accept the guidance of his spiritual mentor, and he proceeded to the Cape.