Ihyaaud Deen An Effort to Revive Deen in Totality
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi Alaih) mentioned that the lessons of Hadith that were conducted in Gangoh by Moulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) were done purely for the sake of Allah Ta’ala. Hazrat Moulana Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) ran the madrasah purely on tawakkul (i.e. he placed his reliance totally on Allah Ta’ala and did not turn to the creation). At the time Moulana discontinued the lessons of hadith and closed down the madrasah due to his eyesight deteriorating, people who were under the impression that the madrasa was still in operation donated large sums of money for the madrasah. Hazrat Moulana Gangohi immediately returned the money stating that the madrasah was no longer in operation. Some people tried to explain to Moulana that the money should not be returned, rather the donor’s permission should be sought, and then the money could be spent in another deeni cause. Upon this, Moulana Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alaihi) said that why should I go around asking people for permission (to spend their money in Deeni causes)? If they wish, they may spend it in any Deeni cause they desire.
Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (Rahmatullahi Alaih) then explained that by asking people permission to spend their money in this manner is a type of begging. However, the correct method is that when the money was not going to be used for the purpose it was donated for, it should immediately be returned. Upon receiving the money, if the donor himself wishes that the money should be used for another Deeni cause, he should resend the money with a note stating that he wishes that the money be spent for another Deeni cause. (Malfoozaat Hakeemul Ummat 10/ 277)
