Dedication to Getting One’s Takbeer-e-Ula

Hadhrat Moulana Aashiq Ilaahi (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) mentions:

“Once Hadhrat Moulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) was present for the jalsah in Deoband. There were large crowds of people surrounding Hadhrat Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) wishing to shake his hands and meet him. It was at that time that the jamaat for Asr salaah commenced. The Imaam leading the Asr salaah was Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Ya’qoob (Rahmatullahi Alaih). 

Due to the large crowds, Hadhrat Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) was unable to reach the Musjid in time and get the takbeer tahreemah. Instead, he only managed to join the salaah once the Qiraat had commenced. After completing the salaah, Hadhrat Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) with a deep sense of grief and sorrow exclaimed: “After twenty two years, today I have missed my Takbeer Oola.”     (Jawaahir Paare 238/1-Tazkiratur Rasheed)