Arrival at Khaanqah Imdaadiyah Thanabawan
On the 30th of June 1928 AD at around 9.30pm a small group of three travellers disembarked at Thanabawan Station. Of the three, one was the famous leader and Shaikhul Hadeeth [Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani]. The other two consisted of an Aalim [Moulana Abdul Baari Nadwi] and a layperson [referring to himself; Moulana Abdul Maajid Daryabadi].
At that time, the town station had not yet been opened. It was the old and big station which the public now call “Jalalabad Station”. From here, Thanabawan town was still approximately 3 miles [5km] away.
We hired a horse cart. Travelling through a desolate road we reached the town after about half an hour.
When your feelings are on the rise and thoughts are occurring like waves then half an hour seems like several hours.
My regard [for Hazrat Thanwi] was yet fresh and intense. My imagination drew an excellent portrait of him.
The horse cart stopped at the gate of Khaanqah Imdaadiyah and Moulana Husain Ahmad Saheb paid the fare. At Saharanpur also, he arranged and paid for the meal. At Deoband station also, he rushed to pay for the tickets.
The two of us [Moulana Abdul Baari and Moulana Daryabadi] were much younger than him. We were left just staring with open eyes. When he is a travelling companion, who can outstrip him in seeing to everyone’s needs?
This was also the birthplace of Hakeemul Ummat’s Murshid, Haji Imdaadullah Saheb Muhaajir-e-Makki. His chamber and abode were here. The chamber is still in its original state. There has been substantial expansion to the courtyard, Masjid, buildings and Khaanqah. Collectively, these have been named after the blessed name of Haji Saheb as, Khaanqah Imdaadiyah.
Much of the night had already passed by. The gate of the Khaanqah was typically locked. Moulana Husain Ahmad’s company helped once again. After searching for a few minutes, a khaadim of Hakeemul Ummat was found. The poor soul woke up from a slumber and lodged us in the courtyard of a neighbour’s home. He arranged for three chaarpais [the traditional wooden-framework lightweight beds used in India].
We were all set to meet [Hazrat Thanwi], but it was too late. How should we now pass the balance of the night?
A Sleepless Night and a Barrage of Thoughts
It was the short night of the 1st of July. There were only a few hours left of it. Where did the force of my high regard [for Hazrat Thanwi] allow me to sleep for the remaining hours?!
“Hakeemul Ummat is a Wali-e-Kaamil [perfect saint]. He must be staying awake the whole night. Do the Awliya-Ullah even sleep?! Definitely he must be awake now. Certainly, he must be a Saahib-e-Kashf [one receiving divine inspirations] as well. It must have been revealed to him about the musaafirs who have arrived. Leave alone our arrival, where can the secrets in our hearts even be hidden from him?! Definitely, everything must be open to him! These Allah Walas are like Allah; intelligent and insightful. These bricks, plaster, walls and distance can never block their gaze into the unseen!”
These thoughts emanating from approbation and which are mostly erroneous and nonsense whilst being partially true, overwhelmed my mind and heart. My beliefs at that time were such.
Physically, I was also very tired. I slept a little and woke up. The remainder of the night passed by, and it was the beginning of Fajr time when we readied ourselves for the Sight of Ashraf.
Moulana [Deobandi], well he had old ties with him [Hazrat Thanwi] and he was an associate. The second companion, Molvi Abdul Baari Nadwi was also honoured with visiting a few years ago. I was the unfortunate soul totally inexperienced and desiring to see what he did not yet see, reciting the Tasbeeh of:
اے اسیرانِ قفس! میں نو گرفتاروں میں ہوں
O Cage Prisoners! I am a new arrival!
I was the only one on the blacklist.
