Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Respect and Love for the Pious Ulama
Hajee Abdul Wahaab (rahimahullah) mentions:
Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahimahullah) was once travelling to Raipur in Muhammad Shafee’ Quraishi’s car. Throughout the journey, Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) only spoke of the great virtues and esteemed position of Hazrat Moulana Shah Abdul Qaadir Raipuri (rahimahullah).
In fact, Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) praised Hazrat Moulana Raipuri (rahimahullah) to such an extent that Muhammad Shafee’ Quraishi began to think that Hazrat Moulana Raipuri (rahimahullah) must be an even greater buzurg (saint) than Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahimahullah) himself!
Thereafter, the car they were travelling in broke down, due to which they decided to walk for the remainder of the journey. While walking, Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) said, “The rank of Hazrat Moulana Raipuri (rahimahullah) is so high that that we ought to walk on our heads (out of respect) when going to see him.” Hearing this statement from Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah), Muhammad Shafee’ Quraishi became even more surprised.
Hazrat Moulana Ihtishaam (rahimahullah) was accompanying them on this journey, and as they were traveling, he started a conversation with Muhammad Shafee’ Quraishi. As soon as Hazrat Moulana (rahimahullah) noticed them talking, he said, “Moulana Ihtishaam! Do you not know where we are going? Why are you speaking?”
At this point, Hajee Abdul Wahaab (rahimahullah) explained, “When going to visit the pious, special friends of Allah Ta‘ala, one should keep his tongue moist with zikr and dua, and keep the lofty position of these saints before him.”
On the other hand, as soon as Hazrat Moulana Raipuri (rahimahullah) heard that Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahimahullah) was on the way, he came out of Raipur, traveling a considerable distance, to welcome him. Hazrat Moulana Raipuri (rahimahullah) would address Hazrat Moulana Muhammad Ilyaas (rahimahullah) with the title ‘Hazrat Dehlawi’, and they would both show each other an immense amount of respect and honour.
When Muhammad Shafee’ Quraishi saw the great respect that each showed the other, he was astonished and wondered to himself, “Who is the greater buzurg (saint) from the two?”
Hajee Abdul Wahaab (rahimahullah) then said, “This is true respect for elders. You should regard yourself to be a non-entity in front of your elder.” (Mere Hajee Sahib, page 54)
