he invited me to attend Dawat-e-Islami’s weekly Sunnah-inspiring Ijtima’. Upon his invitation, I attended the weekly congregation, and I really liked it. I started attending the congregation regularly, and also began to invite my classmates; they also started to attend the weekly congregation.

اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ, I started performing Salah regularly, and as the time passed, I adorned my head with the ‘Imamah (turban). Upon seeing the ‘Imamah, my family used to oppress me; and they would forcefully pull the ‘Imamah from my head, مَـعَـاذَ الـلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ. I used to be stopped from giving Dars, and when I grew my hair according to the Sunnah, they forcibly cut my hair. My beard had not grown yet [as I was young], but I had intended to keep a fistful beard.

Even after such circumstances, the strength of the Madani environment, and the company of devotees caused me to get closer and closer to the Madani environment of Dawat-e-Islami. Listening to the speeches from Maktaba-tul-Madinah gave me strength, and taught me how to be patient. اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ, the Madani environment also started inspiring my family members, and the family members who used to stop me from travelling in Madani Qafilahs, gave me permission to travel for 12 months. The weekly Ijtima’ of Islamic sisters started in my house and my father adorned his face with the beard.

گرچہ فنکار ہو، قافِلے میں چلو            گو  گلوکار ہو، قافِلے میں چلو

خُلد درکار ہو، قافلے میں چلو              فضلِ غفّار ہو، قافِلے میں چلو

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب       صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! In conclusion, I take this opportunity to mention the excellence of a Sunnah as well as some Sunan and manners. The Prophet of Rahmah, the Intercessor of the Ummah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said, ‘Whoever loves my Sunnah, loves me, and whoever loves me will be with me in Jannah.’

(Ibn ‘Asakir, vol. 9, pp. 343)

سینہ تری سُنَّت کا مدینہ بنے آقا         جنَّت میں پڑوسی مجھے تم اپنا بنانا