TheRamadanOfShaykhAl-hadithMuhammadZakariyyaKandhelviAndOurEldersByShaykhDrMuhammadIsmailMemonMadani

the ramadan of shaikh muĤ ammud zakariyyĀthe voluntary śalāt, some continue praying while othersrecite Qur’an in their voluntary śalāt. Dinner starts at 7 p.m.,ending at about 8:15 p.m. Dinner consists of bread [nān], meat,Gujrātī khichrī (boiled rice with lentils), and pilaf. After dinner,Shaikh Muftī Kifāyat Allāh and a crew of Gujrātī brethrenexpertly prepare and serve tea to the guests. Those who havefinished their dinner and tea, move towards Ĥađrat’s privatequarters. At about 8 p.m, the curtains of his quarters areremoved and Ĥađrat narrates stories, advises¸ and reveals theintricate aspects of taśawwuf. Shortly before the end, peoplewho wish to be taken in bai‘a are accepted in bai‘a; MaulwīAĥmad Laulāt Gujrātī repeats the words of Ĥađrat aloud forall to hear. After the bai‘a, a short du‘ā is made and those whotake bai‘a are instructed to take a copy of the booklet on theprescribed Chishtiyya devotions and necessary daily devotionsfor beginners.‘Ishā begins at 9 p.m. and the tarāwīĥ fifteen minutes afterthat, ending between 10:30 p.m.-10:45 p.m. Presently ShaikhSalmān, who is also the imam of the five daily śalāt, recitesthree parts in tarāwīĥ. Tarāwīĥ is followed by Sura Yāsīn anda long du‘ā by Shaikh Balyāwī, then reading from Fađā’il-e-Ramađān by Shaikh Shāhid. Following this, Ĥađrat greets thenewcomers and those departing. All the collective programsof the day end here.It is usually approximately 11:30 p.m. by this time. Afterthis, everyone [those in and out of i‘tikāf ] , gather withfriends for snacks and camaraderie. After the snack, some goto sleep while others recite the Qur’an; some begin recitingQur’an in voluntary śalāt. People actively participate in thesecongregations of voluntary śalāt and one can see big andsmall groups scattered throughout the masjid praying. Upto 60 to 70 people are observed standing behind one ĥāfiż ofQur’an. This continues until seĥr time and is a part of thedaily routine.34