towards Allah Almighty leaving everything) and confessed: ‘You truly are deserving of honour and reverence (respect).’ (Ihya-ul-‘Uloom, vol. 5, pp. 324)

Along with his eminent father (Maulana Mufti Naqi Ali Khan A’la Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه) visited the blessed court of Shah Aal-e-Rasool Ahmad Qaadiri رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه and was initiated (took Bay’at) in the grand Qaadiri Sufi order. Not only did his Murshid-e-Kamil (Perfect Spiritual Guide) accept his spiritual initiation (Bay’at), in fact he also granted A’la Hadrat  رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه the authorisation (‘Ijazat) to initiate other people into all spiritual orders, as well as the role of his Shaykh’s deputy (Khilafat) and the authority to transmit Ahadees (Sanad-e-Hadees) on his behalf as well.

(Hayat A’la Hadrat, vol. 1, pp. 69)

The interesting point here is that Shah Aal-e-Rasool رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was actually tremendously cautious with regards to granting such authorisations (ijazat) and selecting deputies (Khilafat). (Noticing these astonishing bestowals immediately after the initiation ceremony of Bay’at) one of the Sheikh’s disciples decided to question: “Your highness! Khilafat in your family is only rewarded following tremendous spiritual exercises and struggles. You have immediately bestowed Khilafat upon him?” Shah Aal-e-Rasool رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه explained the reason for and significance of his decisions to the questioner: “People usually arrive here with filthy hearts and souls; purifying them is usually a fairly lengthy endeavour; but he came with a refined soul; he only required a connection (Nisbat), which I completed.” Then he declared to the people in the room: “A particular concern has bothered me since many days, اَلْـحَمْـدُ لـِلّٰـه عَزَّوَجَلَّ, now I am no longer concerned about that issue; on the Judgement day when Allah Almighty will ask; “Aal-e-Rasool what have you brought for Me?” Then I will offer my disciple (Mureed) Ahmad Raza Khan  رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه. (Anwar-e-Raza, pp 378/ Peer par Itiraaz mana hai, pp. 47)

Qualities of pious individuals

Dear Islamic sisters! We've learnt that piety and abstinence is the criteria for approval and merit in the eyes of Islamic Saints too.  Fame is definitely not the sole criteria for excellence; age is definitely not the criteria for distinction, beauty and physical attraction is definitely not the criteria for distinction, exterior sophistication (Zahiri safa’ie suthra’ie) is definitely not the criteria for distinction, possessing academic diplomas is definitely not the criteria for distinction, being a millionaire is definitely not the criteria for distinction, owning a fancy property or business is definitely not the criteria for distinction,