Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
The Great Sacrifice of Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahimahullah) – Part 12
Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahimahullah) was prepared to make any sacrifice and undergo any hardship for the sake of Deen. He once mentioned, “It is the general system of Allah Ta‘ala that one’s progress in Deen is based upon the level of sacrifice and effort that one makes. The more a person humbles himself to achieve his goal, and the more he tires himself and exerts his limbs, heart, energy and capabilities, and makes them tolerate hardships and sacrifices, the more Allah Ta‘ala’s special mercy will descend.”
(Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas aur un ki deeni da’wat pg. 231-232)
Hazrat Moulana Manzoor Nu’maani (rahimahullah) wrote the following regarding the immense sacrifices and hardships of Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahimahullah). He wrote:
“Though Moulana (rahimahullah) was very weak and frail, but for the sake of tableegh, he underwent such hardships that if supposedly Jannah with all its bounties and pleasures and Jahannam with all its torments were unveiled to any person and it was said to him that if he did this certain action, he would get Jannah and if not, he would be cast into Jahannam, then he would perhaps not strive as hard as Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahimahullah) had done particularly during the last phase of his life.”
Despite his ill-health, Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) patiently endured the difficulty of travelling to Mewat and other places for tableegh which were normally difficult for even a healthy and strong person to travel to. In order to achieve his goal, he would forget about his comfort, food and drink.
Sometimes, he covered as many as 24 miles a day on foot. He would eat contrary to his normal eating habit. At times, he would not find time to eat for 36 to 48 hours. On several occasions, he left Nizaamuddeen on Thursday night or Friday morning after having his meal, and only ate again on returning to Nizaamuddeen on Sunday.
He kept awake at night, crossed mountainous terrains, traversed difficult paths with the blowing of the hot winds of May and June. The hot winds of Rajastan in Mewat were even more intense. Then it was the chilly, cold air of December and January in the open lands of Mewat. He tolerated all of this happily and used to encourage his companions by saying, “On the other side of ‘Jabal-e-Juhd’ (mountain of toil and hardship) is Allah. Whoever wants, may come and meet Him.”
Such was the courage and determination of Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) that despite his ill health and frail condition, when they faced difficulties, he would be a source of courage and strength for others.
Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) was once travelling up a mountainous road in Kaltaajpur on an ox cart when the cart overturned. The travellers were injured, and managed to reach the top of the mountain with great difficulty, but they were now exhausted and covered in dust. Among them were a few Ulama who were not accustomed to undergoing such hardships.
Before anyone could complain of their tiredness, pain and hardship, Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) changed their frame of mind by saying, “Friends! For the first time in your life, you have faced a mountainous climb like that of Mount Hira! Now tell me, how many times did Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) do this? We should express regret and remorse that we are deprived of such opportunities.” After hearing these words, no one had the heart to complain, and not a word of complaint was heard from anyone.
(Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas aur un ki deeni da’wat pg. 228)
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