learned ones, reforming the carnal self (nafs), taking care of people, establishing friendship with them and being aware of their states.

To the extent, that when you attain knowledge and leave, this advice will serve a tool for you. Knowing this advice will become a necessity, as it will enhance your personal knowledge and protect it from becoming faulty.

When you enter Basra, people will greet and come to behold you. They will recognise the status you rightfully deserve; so, you should respect them according to their respective status. Dignify the pious, honour the people of knowledge, respect elders, and be affectionate towards the young.^[1]

Dear Islamic brothers! You have just heard that while advising his student, the great leader of millions of Hanafis, al-Imam al-A’zam رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه, commanded him to respect elders and be affectionate towards the young Remember! The one respecting elders is not just considered to be honourable in society, but at times, even grave sinners are also blessed with forgiveness due to respecting them.

Attained forgiveness due to respecting a saint

Once, a sinner was sitting at a riverbank and washing his hands and face. The great leader of millions of Hanbalis, Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه arrived there, sat at a short distance from him and started performing ablution [Wudu]. When that person noticed that the water used by him was flowing in the direction where a great saint of Allah Almighty was sitting and performing ablution, he did not feel it to be appropriate and sat on the other side of Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal رَحْمَةُ الـلّٰـهِ عَلَيْه   where water used by the Imam رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه was flowing towards him (the sinner).

How greatly he was rewarded for this blessed act of respecting a blessed saint of Allah Almighty! When he passed away, someone saw him in his dream and asked how he was dealt with. He replied: “By the blessing of showing respect to Sayyiduna Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه, Allah Almighty forgave me.”^[2]