Sought apology from a child

Once, A’la Hadrat, Imam-e-Ahl-e-Sunnah, Maulana Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه was sat in I’tikaf in the Masjid of Bareilly Shareef. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه would not eat food after Iftari. He would just eat a Paan (betel leaf). Moreover, in Sahari, a small bowl of Feerini (a sweet dish) and a bowl of chatni (mint sauce) would come for him. He would just consume that.

One day after the Iftar, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه did not get paan. It was his firm habit that he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه would not ask for anything to eat. Therefore, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه remained silent. However, he did mind it a bit though. Around two hours after the Maghrib Salah, a child brought a Paan. A’la Hadrat رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه tapped him and said: ‘you brought it so late?’ But later, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه thought to himself that it was not his fault. It was the fault of the one who sent it late.

Therefore, after the Sahari, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه called the same child who brought Paan the previous night. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه said to him: ‘Last night, I did a mistake by tapping you. It was the fault of the one who sent it late. Therefore, you do the same on my head.’ Then he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه took his cap off and kept insisting. People sat in I’tikaf were stunned to hear this. The child also started trembling out of anxiety.

He joined his hands together and humbly said: ‘Huzoor, I have forgiven you.’ He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه replied: ‘You are Na-Baaligh (pre-adolescent). You do not have the right to forgive. So do the same to me.’ However, the child could not dare to do so. He رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه called for his box and took out fistful of money. He  رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه showed that money to him and said: ‘I will give you this money. Do the same to me.’ But the poor child kept saying: ‘Huzoor, I have forgiven.’ After all, A’la Hadrat رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه held his hand and tapped his own head several times with it. Then, he رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه gave him the money and let him go. (Hayat-e-A’la Hadrat, vol. 1, pp. 107; summarised)

O devotees of A’la Hadrat! Did you see that A’la Hadrat, Imam-e-Ahl-e-Sunnah, Maulana Shah Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ تَعَالٰی عَلَيْه practically taught his admirers that no matter how high rank one is appointed at, if she ever hurts someone’s feelings, then she shall not feel embarrassed in apologising to her at all. Because the matter of the rights of people is very sensitive. This