Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Hazrat Sheikhul Hind (rahimahullah) – Part Two
Ikhlaas (Sincerity)
Ikhlaas (sincerity) is the golden ingredient that brings life and value into our actions. The person who carries out a small action with ikhlaas is far superior to the one who carries out huge actions for show and pride.
Hazrat Sheikhul Hind (rahimahullah) was a personification of ikhlaas. Everything he did was solely to acquire the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala. He was never seen doing anything to show off or to come into the limelight. The following incident highlights Hazrat Sheikhul Hind’s (rahimahullah) high levels of sincerity:
Ikhlaas when Delivering a Lecture
During the period when Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thaanwi (rahimahullah) was an Ustaad in Kaanpur, he invited his ustaad, Hazrat Sheikhul Hind (rahimahullah), to deliver a lecture in the annual jalsah.
In Kaanpur, there were certain Ulama who were renowned for their expertise in the field of ma’qoolaat (logic). These Kaanpur Ulama felt that the Ulama of Deoband were only knowledgeable in the field of manqoolaat (the sciences relating to the Qur’aan and Hadith). As for the field of ma’qoolaat (logic), then they were of the opinion that the Ulama of Deoband were deficient and lacked expertise in this regard.
At that time, Hazrat Moulana Thaanwi (rahimahullah) was still quite young, and one of his intentions of inviting Hazrat Sheikhul Hind (rahimahullah) was so that when he delivers his lecture at the Jalsah, then the local Ulama will be able to see the lofty status of the Ulama of Deoband and their expertise in both ma’qoolaat (logic) and manqoolaat (the sciences relating to the Qur’aan and Hadith).
Eventually, the jalsah took place and Hazrat Sheikhul Hind (rahimahullah) commenced his talk. It so happened that during the talk, a discussion on some issue pertaining to the field of ma’qoolaat commenced. However, at that point, the Kaanpur Ulama were not yet present. Rather, they walked in later on, just as Hazrat Sheikhul Hind (rahimahullah) was reaching the peak of the discussion.
When Hazrat Moulana Thaanwi (rahimahullah) saw these Ulama walking in at that time, he was extremely pleased, as he hoped that they will now get to see the high levels of ilm possessed by the Ulama of Deoband. However, it so happened that the moment Hazrat Sheikhul Hind (rahimahullah) saw these Ulama entering, he abruptly ended his talk and sat down.
Hazrat Moulana Fakhrul Hasan Gangohi (rahimahullah) was also present at the Jalsah. He addressed Hazrat Sheikhul Hind (rahimahullah) and said, “Hazrat! This was actually the time for you to continue your talk. Why did you abruptly end your talk?” Hazrat Sheikhul Hind (rahimahullah) replied, “Yes! Actually, this thought also crossed my mind.”
What he meant was that up to this point, the lecture was being delivered with the sincere intention of acquiring the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala. However, after this thought had come to mind, if he continued with the lecture then his intention would be to impress others with his knowledge. It was for this reason that he abruptly ended the talk.
Fear for His Actions Not Being Accepted by Allah Ta‘ala
At all times, Sheikhul Hind’s (rahimahullah) concern was that Allah Ta‘ala should be pleased with him and accept his actions. His sole goal was to acquire the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala, and at no time did he regard his actions as being worthy of acceptance.
It is mentioned that once, while Hazrat Sheikhul Hind (rahimahullah) was in the prison of Malta, some of his companions noticed that he was extremely sad and grieved. Observing him in this condition, they tried to console him. They thought that he was perhaps thinking of home or feared that they will be executed shortly.
When they tried to console him, Hazrat Sheikhul Hind (rahimahullah) said to them, “I am not sad because I am far away from home. What worries me is that I do not know whether our striving is accepted by Allah Ta‘ala or not.”
