Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas’ (rahimahullah) Consideration for People and His Outstanding Humility – Part Ten
Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahimahullah) was very particular about fulfilling the rights of people, and always ensured that he never usurped any person’s rights.
Once, one of his companions occupied extra space in the train compartment. Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) told him, “The other passengers also have a right to that space that you have occupied. These are general rights that belong to every person.”
On one occasion, Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) stopped the bus to perform Salaah. After the Fardh Salaah, a few people decided to perform their Nafl Salaah. Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) stopped them and said, “Brothers! There are other passengers (non-Muslims) in the bus who have a right as well. (Thus, we cannot delay the bus traveling unnecessarily by us performing our Nafl Salaah).”
(Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas aur un ki deeni da’wat pg. 248)
Consideration for the Feelings of Others
Just as Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahimahullah) was particular about the rights of others, he was also concerned about not causing any type of pain or discomfort to anyone. In fact, Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) was prepared to sacrifice his own comfort for the sake of others.
Once, Muhammad Shafee’ Quraishi and his friend, Maalik Sahib, insisted that Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) should travel in the second-class compartment of the train which was contrary to his normal practice (of traveling in the third-class). Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) felt very uncomfortable sitting in the second-class compartment, but did not want to hurt their feelings and thus accepted.
Later, while sitting in the second-class compartment, they asked Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) whether he was comfortable or not. Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) says, “At that time, I thought to myself that if I have to tell them that I am uncomfortable, they will feel sad that they spent so much extra money, just for my comfort, but it caused me discomfort instead. On the contrary, if I have to tell them that I am comfortable, then it will be untrue. Hence, I asked them, ‘Are you happy and comfortable that I am seated here?’ When they replied in the affirmative, I said, ‘This is sufficient! Because you are happy, I am also happy and comfortable.’”
(Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas aur un ki deeni da’wat pg. 254)
An Embodiment of Humility
Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahimahullah) was also an embodiment of humility. Despite the acceptance that Allah Ta‘ala had blessed him with, and the recognition and devotion that he received from the people, he never thought anything of himself. Rather, he was always worried about his own reformation and was concerned that he should not displease Allah Ta‘ala in any way.
He once wrote the following to Moulana Abdul Lateef (rahimahullah), the naazim (rector) of Mazaahir-ul-Uloom, and Hazrat Shaikhul Hadith, Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahimahullah), who in addition to being younger in age was also his nephew and student. He wrote:
“It is through the grace of Allah Ta‘ala that this work has progressed to a great extent and it has gained acceptance. I now do not feel secure against my nafs and I fear that I should not fall prey to pride and vanity. Hence, I am in dire need of supervision by the pious elders like yourself and request you to exhort me to be steadfast on good and warn me against any evil.”
(Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas aur un ki deeni da’wat pg. 257)
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