Book Name:Dawat e Islami Aur Islah e Muashrah
The following incident occurred during the initial days of Dawat-e-Islami. After delivering a speech, Mawlana Ilyas Attar al-Qadiri دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ was returning home with two Islamic brothers when they saw a group of youngsters busy in conversation. Their appearances gave the impression that they were up to no good. One of the youngsters spat the juice of the betel leaf he was chewing at the Shaykh’s clothes as he walked past.
Although this was an action that would enrage a person, a preacher will suppress his anger and use this opportunity to invite others towards goodness with wisdom. This is exactly what Mawlana Ilyas Attar al-Qadiri دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ did. He approached the young man, greeted him with salām and gently said, “Dear brother! What have you gained by spitting at me?” The youngster mockingly replied, “We enjoy harassing maulvis.”
Upon hearing this, the Shaykh دَامَـتْ بَـرَكَـاتُـهُـمُ الْـعَـالِـيَـهْ held out his shirt and said calmly, “If your heart is pleased by this, spit on my clothes again.” The patience and simple nature of the Shaykh was enough for the youngsters to lower their heads in shame and understand their mistake. They asked for forgiveness, and the Shaykh said with a smile, “You will not be forgiven like this. You will have to have tea with me first.”
اللہُ اَکْبَر! On one hand, we have the misbehaviour of the youth and on the other, we have the politeness of the preacher. The young men were moved by this and accepted the offer. As they drank tea, the Shaykh invited them to participate in Dawat e Islami’s weekly gathering. They were already inspired by the Shaykh, so they accepted his invitation.
When they arrived at the masjid, they saw that the very man they had harassed and considered to just be a normal individual was delivering a speech in front of thousands of people, who were listening with utmost attentiveness. They asked the Islamic brothers next to them, “Who is