Alahazrat received substantial mail from all over the country. Apart from letters from admirers, he would regularly receive letters filled with profanities. Once a disciple happened to read an exceptionally vitrioltic missive addressed to Alahazrat and wished to sue the person for libel; Alahazrat brought out a bunch of letters that praised him, and asked the man to first send gifts to the people who had praised him, and then ...
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Alahazrat had a habit of chewing betel (paan), which is common in North-India. Once when he was in retreat [iýtikāf] in Ramađān, a boy delayed bringing betel after ifţār. He was slightly annoyed and he cuffed the lad saying: “Why so late?” Thereafter, he called the boy and said: “I was wrong when I cuffed you earlier; it was not your fault. So please forgive me and slap me on my ...
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It is well-known that Alahazrat became a mufti in his fourteenth year and that his father gave him the permission to issue fatwā. This was not merely the confidence of a father in his son’s abilities, but a fact also acknowledged by other scholars. Once, Mawlānā Irshād Ĥusayn Rāmpūrī issued a fatwā which was attested by many senior scholars. It was also brought to Alahazrat’s father Mawlānā Naqī Álī Khān ...
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Alahazrat had immense respect for scholars and sayyids.[1] One of the indications of sincere love of the Prophet ﷺ is to love and respect his heirs – righteous scholars and his progeny. Once a sayyid who had fallen into penury came to his door and said: “Can somebody help a sayyid?” Alahazrat had received money for his monthly expenses that very day and he took the till which was full ...
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The Nawab of Rāmpūr had once invited[1] Alahazrat and was very impressed by the young man. He advised him to study logic and philosophy from Ábd al-Ĥaqq Khayrābādī.[2] Incidentally, Shaykh Khayrābādī arrived at the scene. After introductions, he asked a young Alahazrat: “How far have you studied logic?” Alahazrat replied: “Qāzī Mubārak.” Khayrābādī sneeringly asked: “Have you read Tahdhīb?” Alahazrat shot back: “So you teach Tahdhīb after Qāzī Mubārak?”[3] Khayrābādi said: ...
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During the Khilāfat Movement, many Muslims were attracted to Mohandas Gandhi, and a major Sunni scholar had also approved of his proposal [to join together putting aside differences of religion]. Encouraged by the latter scholar’s joining the movement, a person came to Alahazrat with a message from Gandhi that he wished to come to Bareilly to meet and discuss some issues with him. Alahazrat replied: “What will Gandhi discuss with ...
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Once a group of tafđīlīs[1] conspired to corner Alahazrat when he was ill and knew that he had taken a laxative and was unable to go out that day; they challenged him for a debate and he promptly accepted it. The paramedic urged him not to accept it, as it was risky to go out in this condition; Alahazrat refused to stay back and said: “I would rather die debating ...
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Once a poor young man invited Alahazrat for breakfast. Alahazrat agreed to go and went with one of his companions to the young man’s home. It was in the poorer neighbourhoods of the city. The young man was half-expecting that he may not come and upon seeing the great man walking towards his door, he was exhilarated and ran inside saying: “The Mawlānā is here!” Meanwhile, Alahazrat’s companion had stopped to ...
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