TheRamadanOfShaykhAl-hadithMuhammadZakariyyaKandhelviAndOurEldersByShaykhDrMuhammadIsmailMemonMadani

the ramadan of shaikh muĤ ammud zakariyyĀIn consideration of their need and due to lack of space, theorganizers announced repeatedly, “Those who are in i‘tikāf shouldrest in their designated places, in the masjid or under the canopies.If people not in i‘tikāf wish to rest, they may go to the vacantdormitories of the school, the roof of the masjid, or on the matslaid out for this purpose outside the masjid.” This rule broughtrelief to the groups who recited nightly in voluntary śalāt andothers who stayed awake the whole night for recitation or otherworship. The people who performed worship the whole nightindividually or collectively took up the whole courtyard of themasjid.Some prayed individually while others in congregation. Somesat and recited, some cried and made du‘ā fervently, and somewere engrossed in dhikr and tasbīĥ. This continued until seĥr.The workers who prepared and arranged the food never sleptthroughout the night.The Gathering of AdviceĤađrat did not attend this talk. One of his successors gave a talk for30-40 minutes and ended it with a short du‘ā. In the beginning, itwas Muftī Maĥmūd Ĥasan who delivered simple, impromptu talksthat captured the essence of Islam. His every word was noteworthyand full of wisdom.Every day he discussed a new subject: following the Sunnasof the Blessed Prophet s, adherence to the Shari‘a, Muslims donot lie, the virtues of Ramadan, the blessings of fasting and śalāt,punishment for ignorance towards the Dīn, having certainty in theHereafter, punishment of the grave, the virtues and place of i‘tikāf,advising the hosts and guests etc. Generally, the talk was based onsuch topics.Everyone is aware of the beautiful qualities and immenseknowledge which Allah u blessed Muftī Śāĥib with, which clearlymanifested itself in these brief talks. Often he narrated incidentswhich had a profound spiritual effect on the listeners. Unfortunately,he became sick after a few days on the 6th of Ramadan 1400/1980.64