DEDICATION & LOVE FOR SUNNAH

DEDICATION & LOVE FOR SUNNAH

At the government house in Kabul- It was soon after the expulsion of the Russians from Afghanistan. Rabbaani was the president. This writer was in a group of twelve Pakistani Ulama on a visit to Afghanistan. When the president was informed of the presence of a South African Aalim in the group, he extended an invitation to have meals with him. The invitation was accepted. We proceeded to the government palace. On arrival, we found the large ornate tables prepared for the food to be served. The tables and chairs were of an ornate kind. This was the government palace of the Russians. Everything was in western style. The tables were set to accommodate more than a hundred persons, government personnel, guests, etc. The scenario was decidedly abhorrent for this writer. I explained to the Ulama with whom I was that I shall not be joining them for meals, and that I shall wait for them in the vehicle. They were immensely perturbed and argued that Rabbaani had specifically expressed his desire to meet the South African Aalim. I explained that regardless of the president‟s desire. He has his protocols, and I have my Sunnah protocols. It was necessary for the host to have enquired about the protocols of the guest so that the latter would not be put to inconvenience and discomfort. I advised our Ulama group to locate the chap who is in charge of the place and to explain that an arrangement for us be made in an adjacent room to sit on the ground. The chap in charge was located. However, he declined. He was unable to accommodate us. Nevertheless, I was firm in my resolve not to act in contravention of the Sunnah so flagrantly in public. The Ulama in the group were perplexed and worried. Whilst we were arguing the issue, in came president Rabbaani flanked by armed bodyguards. I instructed a Maulana colleague in our group: „Here comes the president. Go and explain the Sunnah directly to him and our stance.” The Maulana Sahib stepped forward sheepishly and confronted the president. On hearing the request of the Maulana, President Rabbaani, turning to me said apologetically: “I apologize for the inconvenience. True, it is the Sunnah to eat on the ground. Do forgive us. We have just come in from the mountains and found the place as it is.” Then he called the chap in charge and instructed: “Arrange for the guests in the other room. I shall join them.” The arrangement was made for us. While the other dignitaries, etc. were eating in the hall, the president sat with us on the floor and expressed  considerable happiness. Even after meals, he remained sitting on the floor engaging us in conversation.

With Shah Mas’ud -This was the second incident. Shah Mas‟ud also invited us to his headquarters in Bagram. The food was spread on tables. When our stance was explained, Shah Mas‟ud accommodated us with considerable respect and we all sat on the floor in Sunnah style.

In Bangladesh- In 1999 this bandah was arrested and detained in jail in Bangladesh. After six months detention I was let out on bail. The charges related to terrorism and the like, and I remained in Bangladesh for another six months since my passport was confiscated. I was not allowed to leave the country in view of the pending trial. Since the government was aware of the baseless and bunkum charges against me, on my release I was befriended by the Minister of Law and Justice. It was election time. The Minister requested me to accompany him on his election campaign. I accepted his request and travelled with him in his car to many far-spread villages. Enroute we stopped at a government guest house. The Minister was expected to stop at the guest house.  When we reached, I observed that the food was about to be served. Of course, everything was in western style –tables and chairs. At least Rabbaani and Shah Mas‟ud in Afghanistan had a good idea of the Sunnah. But in Bangladesh, the Sunnah was absolutely unknown. The personnel present were high ranking officers from the army, air force and navy. There was no semblance of the Deen on them. It was as if I was in total kuffaar company. All of them were westernized modernists from whom percolated only kufr. As we entered, I reacted without delay and said: “You gentlemen may have your meals on tables. However, I am more comfortable with the Sunnah and I shall sit on the ground.” So, saying, I quickly sat on the ground a few metres from the tables. Undoubtedly, they were flabbergasted, bewildered. They cast puzzled looks. How did they practically react? Despite their modernism, there was no need for me to avail of the advice proffered by Hadhrat Mufti Muhammad Shafi (Rahmatullah alayh). Far from ridiculing are attemopting to sway my stance, the Minister of Law announced that he was joining me on the ground. He ordered the dastrkhaan to be spread. Then, Alhamdulillah, hidaayat dawned on all the officers present. All of them joined this bandah on the ground and happily participated in the meals. Not a single one of them sat at the tables. They did not express any ridicule nor made any untoward comments.