Worldly, we try to excel each other today for example if we happened to see someone’s luxurious bungalow, we have a desire to have like that; if we happened to see someone’s excellent dress, we have a desire to wear like that; when we see someone’s brand new shining car, our hearts are inclined towards it; when we see someone’s flourishing business, it makes our mouth water. In short! We have become excessively greedy of worldly wealth that we sigh and moan all day and night in pursuit of wealth and do not take even a single pause when acquiring wealth. Would that by seeing someone doing virtuous deeds we also feel greed for good deeds. If only, having seen others going to Masjid, we could long for performing five times daily Salah; having seen others going to Masjid, we could also become amongst those who have devotion to the Masajid! A’la Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه undertook long journeys and during facing the trials and the sufferings of travelling etc., he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه never missed even a single Jama’at, let alone missing any Salah. In this connection, let’s listen to a faith-refreshing parable.

A’la Hadrat’s devotion to Salah

At the age of 52, A’la Hadrat, Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه embarked on Hajj for the second time. After performing Hajj rites, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه fell ill for more than 2 months, when he recovered somewhat, he geared up to behold the blessed ‘Rauda-e-Rasool صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم’ as such he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه left by boat; from there, he reached ‘Raabigh’ after 3 days crossing through ‘Jeddah’, and from Raabigh, through camel ride, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه reached ‘Bayr-e-Shaykh’ near Madinah. But a very little time was left for Fajr Salah, on the other hand, the camel riders wanted to stop their camels at the destination (Madinah) but there was a strong probability that Fajr Salah time would end.  Observing this situation, Sayyidi A’la Hadrat رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه, along with his fellows, stayed there and the caravan left.

He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه had a bucket (made up from special jute) but there was no rope through which water can be drawn from the deep well; therefore, he tied Imamah Sharifs together to get water and made ablution and performed his Fajr Salah in time. Thereafter the serious weakness after a long illness was a major concern for A’la Hadrat رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه as it was rather impossible for him