and I would eat little vegetables to overcome my hunger and sometimes I wouldn’t find even these vegetables. When I saw others in search of food, I would return empty-handed, as I did not feel it appropriate to eat as it may deprive others whom I thought needed food more than me and I would continue my studies and sleep hungry on the ground filled with pebbles.

(Qalaaid-ul-Jawahir, pp. 10)

While studying in Baghdad, Ghaus-e-A’zam رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه faced many hardships and was severely tested. Shaykh ‘Abdul Qaadir Jeelani قُـدِّسَ سِـرُّہُ الـرَّبَّـانِی himself used to say: The hardship and difficulties that I faced in Baghdad during my studies were so severe that if they had to be placed on a mountain, then even the mountain would split in two. It is the favour of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ that I passed safely from these dense jungles.’ (Qalaaid-ul-Jawahir, pp. 10)

محمد کا رسولوں میں ہے جیسے مرتبہ اعلٰی

ہے افضل اولیاء میں یوں ہی رُتبہ غوثِ اعظم کا

عطا کی ہے بُلندی حق نے اہلُ الله کے جھنڈوں کو

مگر سب سے کیا اُونچا پھریرا غوثِ اعظم کا

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب       صَلَّى اللّٰهُ تَعَالٰى عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! You have observed the passion of Sayyiduna Ghaus-e-A’zam رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه for acquiring ‘Ilm-e-Deen. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه remained steadfast in the face of all tribulations that came his way during his learning period. Certainly, seeking the ‘Ilm-e-Deen is a great privilege; many advantages are mentioned in the blessed Ahadees for those who acquire knowledge.

Sayyiduna Abu Sa’eed Khudri رَضِىَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَـنْهُ has said that the Holy Prophet         صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, ‘Whoever sets off to gain knowledge of his religion in the morning or evening, is amongst the people of paradise.’

(Kanz-ul-‘Ummal, pp. 61, vol. 10, Hadees 28702)