How the Akaabir Valued Time, Humility and Service
MOULANA ASHRAF ALI THAANWI’S VALUE FOR TIME
Dr ‘Abdul Hay ‘Ārifi rahimahullāh narrates regarding his mentor Moulana Ashraf ‘Ali Thanwi rahimahullāh that:
‘In the eyes of our respected Shaykh rahimahullāh, time held great value. It would appear that Allāh ta‘ālā had made valuing time part of Shaykh’s rahimahullāh nature. He would ensure that each second was spent efficiently and his eyes would always be on the clock. Shaykh rahimahullāh would follow a strict timetable, fulfilling each allocated action at its appointed time. It is through this strict discipline that Shaykh rahimahullāh was able to produce a great treasure of scholarly works and deliver priceless advices which continue to be a means of guidance.’
Once, Shaykh-al-Hind,Mawlānā Mahmūd Al-Hasan rahimahullāh visited Shaykh ‘Ashraf ‘Alī rahimahullāh. Shaykh Ashraf ‘Alī was a student of Shaykh-al-Hind Mawlānā Mahmūd Al-Hasan rahimahullāh and held him in such high regard that he would refer to him as Shaykh-al-Ālam (The Shaykh of the World). It so happened, that Shaykh-al-Hind Mawlānā Mahmūd Al-Hasan’s rahimahullāh visit overlapped with the time that Shaykh Ashraf ‘Alī rahimahullāh had scheduled for writing. With great politeness, Shaykh Ashraf ‘Alī rahimahullāh mentioned to his teacher that this was the time he had allocated for writing and requested permission to fulfil this routine task.
Shaykh-al-Hind Mawlānā Mahmūd Al-Ḥasan rahimahullāh happily granted him permission. Even though the visit of his teacher entailed that Shaykh Ashraf ‘Alī rahimahullāh did not feel like writing, he did not forgo his regular practice. Thus he wrote a few sentences and once again returned to benefit from the company of Shaykh-al-Hind Mawlānā Mahmūd Al-Hasan rahimahullāh.
MOULANA ZAKARIYYAH’S VALUE FOR TIME
The intense dedication towards religious work and the value attached to time by Shaykh-al-Hadīth Mawlānā Muhammad Zakariyyā rahimahullāh can be gauged from the fact that on occasions the respected Shaykh rahimahullāh would not even realise that he has not eaten. It was only when some 30 hours would pass since his last meal and when the effects of hunger would begin to manifest as weakness that Shaykh-al-Hadīth Mawlānā Muhammad Zakariyyā rahimahullāh would remember that he had not had food. His commitment to his work was one of the reasons that he received the special attention of the pious.
In his autobiography, Shaykh-al-Hadīth Mawlānā Muhammad Zakariyyā rahimahullāh narrates how he would pay regular visits to Thānā Bhawan for the printing of Badhl-al-Majhūd. He would receive the final draft by Zuhr time and he would need to submit the edited version before leaving in the evening. Thus, the respected Shaykh rahimahullāh would sit in a corner of the masjid reviewing the texts thoroughly until ‘Asr time. The public lectures delivered by Shaykh Ashraf ‘Alī Thānwī rahimahullāh would also take place in Thānā Bhawan at this time. Hence, Shaykh-al-Hadīth Mawlānā Muhammad Zakariyyā rahimahullāh would feel great deprivation at not being able to attend due to the demands of his research.
On one occasion Shaykh-al-Hadīth Mawlānā Muhammad Zakariyyā rahimahullāh mentioned this feeling to Shaykh Ashraf ‘Alī Thānwī rahimahullāh and said, “People come from far and wide to benefit from you. Yet this unworthy one, despite being in close proximity, is unable to benefit from your lectures.” In reply Shaykh Ashraf ‘Alī Thānwī rahimahullāh commented, “Do not worry. Even though you are not in my company I am in your company. I continue to watch you and greatly admire your dedication. Indeed, this is the manner through which work is accomplished.”
