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