Performing Salaah behind Habib Ajmi (Rahmatullahi Alaihi)

Hadhrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) relates:

Hadhrat Hasan Basri (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) was blessed with profound understanding and comprehensive knowledge in all sciences of Deen; he was a Muhaddith (commentator of Hadith), Mufassir (commentator of the Quraan), Sufi and a Qaari. One night while Hadhrat Habib Ajmi (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) was performing nafl Salaah, Hadhrat Hasan Basri (Rahamtullahi Alaihi) happened to pass by. The thought had entered his heart of joining Hadhrat Habib Ajmi in salaah, however upon hearing his style of recitation of the Quraan (which was non-Arab style, though the recitation was correct), he dismissed that intention of his and left. That night he had a vision of Allah Ta’ala in his dream. He supplicated to Allah Ta’ala with the following words, “O Allah, guide me to that path that will lead me closest to You.” The reply he received from Allah Ta’ala was, “O Hasan, if you wish to reach Me, then perform Salaah behind Habib Ajmi.”

Note: At times, one does not think much of others due to their recitation not resembling the Arab style of reciting the Quran. However, from this incident we understand that as long as the recitation conforms to the correct pronunciation of the makhaarij which are consistent with the rules of tajweed, it is accepted by Allah Ta’ala, though one lacks the tune and style of the Arab.  (Jawaahir Paare)

يـٰأَيُّهَا النّاسُ إِنّا خَلَقنـٰكُم مِن ذَكَرٍ وَأُنثىٰ وَجَعَلنـٰكُم شُعوبًا وَقَبائِلَ لِتَعارَفوا إِنَّ أَكرَمَكُم عِندَ اللَّـهِ أَتقىٰكُم إِنَّ اللَّـهَ عَليمٌ خَبيرٌ ﴿١٣﴾

O mankind! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may be able to recognize each other (not that you may despise each other). Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is he who possesses the most amount of Taqwa (i.e. who is most righteous). And Allah Ta’ala has full knowledge and is aware of everything.