Adherence to Sunnah

Shaikh-ul-Hind Moulana Mahmood Hasan (Rahmatullahi Alayh) is the khaleefah of Moulana Rasheed Ahmad Gangohi (Rahmatullahi Alayh). He was the head ustaad of Darul Uloom Deoband. He spent his whole life teaching Hadeeth Shareef. He made an appearance in the political arena to liberate India. He was apprehended and imprisoned in Malta for many years. He was harshly tortured but he remained firm and steadfast. The torture left scars on his chest and sides. When he returned from Malta, the news spread about how he spent his time in jail. When he would get up for Tahajjud in very cold conditions, he would make wudhu with water from a lota (jug) which Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani (Rahmatullahi Alayh) had kept against his stomach (for hours) so that the coldness of the freezing water could be reduced. (Moulana Husain Ahmed Sahib was also incarcerated at Malta at that time.)

The English sentries would pierce Hadhrat Shaikh-ul-Hind (Rahmatullahi Alayh) with a special stick, the edge of which was as sharp as a knife on his chest and sides whilst he read Tahajjud Salaah. The officer in charge was also an Englishman. He said, “What in the heavens are you doing? This man is such that if you have to kill and burn him, then from his blood and ashes the words, ‘Haq, Haq’ would be emitted.”

When the day of Jumu'ah arrived, Hadhrat would wash his clothes and make ghusal in preparation of Jumu'ah. Then he would go as far as the gate and find the gate to be locked. He would shed a few tears there and return to his place to perform Zuhr Salaah. Hence, he would do everything within his capacity to prepare for Jumu'ah (and he used to say, “I did what was in my capacity”).

(Maslak-e-Ulama-e-Deoband aur Hubbe Rasul [Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam])

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