This was my first visit to Deoband. At the station we found Moulana there waiting. Whatever the reason may be for those accepting the Buzrugi [saintliness] of Moulana, and those who think highly of Moulana, in my eyes his greatest karaamat [miracle] is his self-abnegation [denial of his own interests in favour of the interests of others], down-to-earth nature, humility and selflessness. Forget about discussing knowledge, academic merit, simple life and durwaishi [asceticism]. Moulana was an epitome of:
ہم نے ہر ادنی کو اعلی کردیا ،خاکساری اپنی کام آئی بہت
We have raised every low-ranking individual
Our humbleness has been very helpful
Mohammad Ali Jauhar said the following couplet in respect of his Shaikh, Moulana Abdul Baari Farangi Mahalli (Rahmatullahi alaih):
اُن کا کرم ہی اُن کی کرامت ہے ورنہ یار
کرتا ہے کوئی پیر بھی خدمت مرید کی
His munificence is his magnificence, otherwise Friend!
Does any Peer serve his Mureed?
This couplet also fits Moulana Deobandi [Madani] perfectly.
Perhaps people do not gain so much pleasure in taking work from others as Moulana derives pleasure from doing the work of others. When meeting him at his home he brings food with his own hands. He will prepare your bed. When travelling with him he will run to get a ticket for you. Before even reaching your home, he will pay the horse cart owner the fee from his own pocket whilst you are still checking how much money you have in your pocket. In the train, he will spread out your bedding. He will bring water for you in a jug. He will endeavour to carry your luggage.
All this was fully confirmed with personal observation in our three-day stay in Deoband. Reports upgraded to visual observation. He went out of his way for guests and visitors. Meals upon meals, cups after cups of tea!
When requesting him for bai’t he said:
یہاں کیا رکھا ہے؟ ذرا تھانہ بھون چلئے۔
“What’s there here? Go to Thanabawan!”
Embedded in my mind was just that. One day, in the afternoon, this small caravan departed, as echoed by this verse:
مؤمن چلا ہے کعبہ کو ایک پارسا کے ساتھ
A Believer has left for the Ka’bah with a holy personage
However, here, I had not just one holy person with me, but two. And the journey was not to the Ka’bah. It was to the Ka’bah of my objective.
Where could I get a better guide to such a destination! Allah! Allah! Where does a person get the good fortune for such a journey; [a journey to a Shaikh-e-Kaamil]?!
We come to the purpose of this discussion. The digression was very lengthy, but not fruitless. Now, let the readers take the trouble to once again come to Thanabawan station.
