Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
On one occasion a person had placed a gift in an ordinary basket and presented it to Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi Alaihi). Once the person departed, Hazrat (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) told the khaadim (servant) that, although this basket seems simple and ordinary, however ensure that you return it. Thereafter Hazrat addressed those present and said that I don’t even ask the person whether he wishes to have it back or not, rather it is my habit that I always return it. Hence, if the person does not want it, he may return it to me. On the other hand, if you ask the person whether he wants it back or not then there is the possibility that he wanted it, however due to feeling ashamed of asking for it, he will unwillingly and grudgingly let you keep it. Nevertheless, this fact was established once while I was travelling to Rewari. A person had given me a small used ghee canister. I instructed some of my companions to empty the contents and return the canister to the owner. They told me that this seems to be a simple ordinary canister, what is the need to return it? I replied that only the womenfolk of the house will know the true value of this. A new canister will not be as well greased as this canister due to it being used so much. Nevertheless, later the person who gifted the ghee attested to this and said that his wife stressed upon him to bring back the canister. However he did not have the courage to take back such an ordinary canister. Did you see how the Deeni principles that we are asked to adopt in our lives proved beneficial? In short, whoever adheres to the sunnat of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and the principles of Deen, he will never regret. (Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 10/ 73)
