Effects of People

It was my uncle's practice that when he returned from his Tableeghi journeys, he would always undertake a journey for a week or so to Raipur or to Sharanpur. Otherwise, he would make I'tikaaf in his own Masjid for three days. He used to say: "At these Jalsas, I have remained among people of all the types. From all the people there is an effect of turbulence and muddiness on my temperament and upon my heart. And now I do this to wash my heart clean of those effects."

As I was dictating this, Maulana Manzoor Nu'mani Saheb arrived from Deoband. He said that these words just mentioned are found in Hazrat Dehlawy's Malfoozaat and in the very same words. We asked for the Malfoozaat to be brought and found these words: 'Hazrat said: "Even when I have to go to Mewaat, I always try to go in the company of the righteous and pious people of Zikr. But then still, because of the mixing with people the condition of my heart changes so much that as long as I do not cleanse it through the means of I'tikaaf or a few fasts, or go to stay for a few days in the company of the special ones at Raipur or Saharanpur, my heart does not rreturn to its former condition." He sometimes said: "It is necessary for those travelling about for the sake of Deen, that they should cleanse themselves from the necessary after effects of ghusht and moving among men, by sitting in solitude, making Zikr, and meditation."

This theme is extracted from the Hadith where it is said that crowds have an effect upon the hearts of the saintly ones. In Kitabut-Tahaarah of Mishkat, there is a Hadith that Rasulullah صلى الله عليه و سلمwhile once performing Salaah, recited Surah Room. While reciting the Surah, he became confused with the Mutashaabih (similar) verses. At the end of the Salaah, he said: "Some people do nnot perform wudhoo properly (and join in the Salaah) and these people cause confusion in our recitation." (Mishkat, Nisai)

When the effects of one person not performing his wudhoo properly affected the Salaah of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه و سلم, then how much more is it not, that there should be detrimental effects from a crowd, wherein there are all kinds of people, even evil doers, and sinners?

All those Elders and Sheikhs who have to work and mix with the public, whether it be Tableegh or lectures or in Jalsas, and even those who are involved in teaching (as the students are of all kinds), should be very particular about cleansing themselves and to make a special point of purifying their hearts through 'Zikr and Fikr.' we understand that it is not easy for every person to perform I'tikaaf. But during those Jalsas and afterwards, they should spend some time in Muraqaba (meditation), Tasbeeh, Wirds, Salawaat (Durood), and Istighfaar.

Aap Beti, Page 425-426

Punctuality and Rights of the Madressa

Maulana al-Haaj Inayat Ilahi Rahmatullah Alayh was the principal of the Madressa. (May Allah grant him a lofty place in paradise). He was not only the principal but also a Mufti and all the Madressa's legal affairs were entrusted to him. Apart from that he was also respon­sible for collecting funds monthly.

Whenever the collector came to report someone not having given his monthly contributions towards Madressa expen­diture after having already been to him once or twice, he himself would on his way to or from the Madressa to his house, go to that person and request the voluntary pay­ment, explaining that the funds did not yet come in. The manner of soliciting would be so beautiful as to be effec­tive. We cannot go into detail in this short discussion. Anyway, in his office he had two ink-stands and pens, one belonging to the Madressa and the other being his own together with some personal writing paper. Whenever he had to write any personal letters, he used his own pen and paper, not the Madressa's.

He used to come to the office at eight o'clock in the winter and at about seven o'clock in summer, leaving only after Asr. After working the whole afternoon, he visited the houses of contributors towards Madressa funds en route to and from the office.

In spite of that, Hazrat Saharanpuri Rahmatullah Alayh once or twice recommending an increase in salary for the other officials insisted that his increase be withheld, because of his arriving at Madressa late in the morning. I immediately indicated that he worked for more than six hours daily, but Hazrat in spite of recommendations and pleas by others persisted, saying: "Punctuality is of the ut­most importance for Madressa employees."

Dealing with Death

Maulana Sayed Ahmed

(رحمة الله عليه)

, the brother of Shaykhul Islam Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madani

(رحمة الله عليه)

, advises Hazrat Shaykh

(رحمة الله عليه)

on how to cope with the death of his father, Maulana Yayha

(رحمة الله عليه).

"بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

To beloved Maulana Zakariyya (May Allah protect him),

from Sayed Ahmed

After sincere Islamic greetings to you, I inform you that I am in sound health, hoping that you together with your family are in good health. You have become a teacher, so how will you still remember us who are far away from you. My relationship with your late father was so close and friendly that even if you should be indifferent to us, we will not be the same to you, that we sit still quietly.

When I read the letter from Hafiz Muhammad Yakoob of the sad demise of your father, only the Knower of the Unseen will know what sorrow passed over my heart. But beloved brother, what is there that one can do except say: "Inna lillaahi wa inna ilayhi Raaji-oon" From this I have the hope of receiving the reward of "Salaawaatum min Rabbihim."

Now it is your turn to show that you are a true substitute for him as he was with his academic and moral qualities.

"The real young hero is he who says: 'Here am I"',

Not the one who says: 'My father was like this and that.'"

....

... Now listen Bhai Zakariyya, if you do not reply my letter, I will become offended and displeased. Thereafter, no matter how hard you try to please me, I will not be pleased. I herby conclude my letter without saying anything else.

From Sayed Ahmad

26 Jamadil Awwal 1337 Hijri

Aap Beti, Page 379-380