TheRamadanOfShaykhAl-hadithMuhammadZakariyyaKandhelviAndOurEldersByShaykhDrMuhammadIsmailMemonMadani

the ramadan of shaikh muĤ ammud zakariyyĀFor example, if one observes two Muslims, one who has attainedthe level of iĥsān and the other who possesses only thevery base level, and both are giving one rupee in charity, theobserver will see no difference in their action, except for thefact that the Blessed Prophet s said that a mudd [1.7 lbs] spentby a Śaĥābī g in the path of Allah u weighs more than amountain of gold spent by anyone else.2. The second reason scholars are deceived into thinkingthey have achieved iĥsān is because of their religious work,instruction and propagation of Dīn. Scholars quickly riseto positions of fame and are given titles like Muftī, ‘Allāma,and Sufi, etc. Even righteous shaikhs will pay them respect infollowing of the Sunna of the Blessed Prophet s that, “Herespected the leader of every people” 43 and others such similarreasons. Though many times this show of respect is actually anallusion to a spiritual condition [in the scholar]. For example,if our shaikh addresses someone in his letter with mukarram (myrespected friend), or muĥtaram (my honorable friend) instead ofazīzam (my dear), it indicates that he is displeased with them.These are the ways of the muśliĥīn (the rectifiers, the shaikhs).Therefore, Shaikh ‘Abd al-Qādir Raipūrī feared the affectionsof his shaikh. Sometimes, he clasped his hands in front of himand begged him, “Ĥađrat! Because of your affections and lovefor me I begin to think you have written me off as unworthy.”Ĥađrat responded, “No maulwī śāĥib, I am never forgetful ofyou.” There are many incidents of his humility in Āp Bītī.3. The third reason is that one sees the fruits of his efforts andreligious work in Dīn and sees himself rising in position andrespect; and the truth is that such a person [who dedicateshis life to the work of Dīn] is truly most deserving of respect,but with the condition that it is done with humility andin servitude to Allah u. But in order for one to gain thishumility and servitude to Allah u he must first eliminate43 Shamā’il al-Tirmidhī, Yakhzinu Lisānahū.72