Hazrat Thanwi (Rahmatullahi Alaih) – Narrated by Hadhrat Maseehul Ummat Rahmatullahi alayh
One night the sound of somebody groaning woke him up. He could not sleep. He came downstairs from the upper floor and woke up the servant. He told him: “There is this sound of somebody groaning. Go and see what is happening.”
There is groaning and crying in the whole world, so why feel upset? Why feel grieved, anxious and upset? But he could not bear it. From this one can gauge how soft his temperament was. But when it was a matter of islâh, he observed absolute discipline.
The servant went to find out. When he came back, he said: “Hadhrat, Barî-bi, the neighbour, came and informed me that her daughter-in-law was experiencing the pangs of labour (pains when a baby is born).” Hadhratwálá said: “Very well.” At that time he was in need of making ghusl. He immediately made ghusl. Having made ghusl, he wrote out a ta’wîz for the easy birth of a child. This requires the writing down of a Qur’ân Sharîf âyat. If a person is in need of making ghusl, how can he write it? It is not permissible (nâ-jâ’iz). It should also not be written without wudhu.
He then handed the ta’wîz to the servant and said: “Give it to Barî-bi and tell her to tie it to the left thigh. The moment the child is born, it should be removed.” The servant went and handed the ta’wîz over with the instructions given. By the order of Allâh Ta’âlâ and the barkat of Hadhratwálá, the child was born immediately.
What was the item that was the basis for the stirring of the emotions within when hearing the sound of groaning coming to him? What was that item in the heart? Answer: It was the connection with Haqq-Ta’âlâ. It was the muhabbat of Rasûlullâh ﷺ. These made him restless. “If I am questioned: ‘When you heard the sound of the groaning of a person in grief, what steps did you take to alleviate that grief?’ What answer will I give?”
Ponder over this! People perform a lot of namâz. wazâ’if are recited in abundance. However, what answer will you give?
“The creation of Allâh is His children.”
This is the effect of the awe of Haqq-Ta’âlâ and the affection and muhabbat of Rasûlullâh ﷺ that he could not tolerate to see the grief of his ummat. Now, from this, try and assess to what a high level of following the sunnat (ittibâ-e-sunnat) would be in him.
During the period of his illness, when he was experiencing an extreme degree of weakness and feebleness, so that it was extremely difficult for him to stand or even sit, a musallâ was laid out for him, with a cushion placed at the place of sajdah, alongside the chârpâî on which he was lying and on which he finally passed away. However, from the time of Tahajjud till the morning, according to his routine, his blessed forehead was laid on the cushion.
Why was this? The reason is that he had developed a special attachment and muhabbat with Allâh Ta’âlâ; that he had developed a special muhabbat, at the level termed ‘ishq’, with Rasûlullâh ﷺ. The most minute action, something that we consider insignificant and petty, that minute issue was also a major issue.
Source: For Friends Number 28
