GenN
05-08-2004, 07:35 AM
Humility in being a leader
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Assalamu Alykum,
Hazrat Moulana I'zaz 'Ali (rahimahullah) was a great personality known in Darul Uloom Deoband as 'Shaykhul Adab'. He was the Ustad (tutor) of many great luminaries of our time including Mufti Muhammad Shafee (rahimahullah) who himself went on to become the Grand Mufti of Pakistan. Mufti Muhammad Shafee (rahimahullah)relates an incident about his Ustad Moulana I'zaz 'Ali (rahimahullah).
Mufti Sahib says: "We were once on journey from Deoband with our teacher while waiting at the station for our train to arrive, Moulana I'zaz 'Ali said: "It is mentioned in a Hadith that when a group of people are on journey, they should appoint someone as an Ameer (leader). In conformity with this Hadith we should appoint an Ameer!"
Being students in the presence of our learned tutor we spontaneously responded by saying that there is no need to select an Ameer, It is most obvious that our learned Tutor (Moulana I’zaz Ali) should be the Ameer.
Moulana, asked: "Who?" We replied, "You are the teacher and we the students."
Moulana I’zaz Ali Saheb remarked: "So you wish to appoint me as the Ameer?" "Yes of course", we replied, "Who else other than you can be the Ameer?" Moulana then said: " It is fine with me but remember, the instruction of the Ameer is decisive and has to be obeyed. The definition of 'Ameer' is one whose orders are obeyed."
When the train eventually arrived Moulana I’zaz Ali Saheb quickly picked up all the luggage of his travelling companions. Some he placed on his head and some he carried in his arms. He then proceeded towards the waiting train. We protested, "Hazrat, this is most inappropriate? Let us carry the luggage!" He replied, "You have selected me as Ameer, now you have to obey me. I will carry everyone’s luggage." Saying this he carried all the luggage on to the train.
Thereafter, throughout the journey whenever any need arose, he would personally see to it, and if we objected he would remind us, "You made me Ameer and an Ameer must be obeyed! Therefore obey the Ameer!"
"Making him our Ameer turned out to be very difficult for us."
Such was the character of our pious elders. Their ardent willingness to serve and assist humanity was solely due to the humility and self annihilation which had become second nature to them. The Hadith says “He who humbles himself for the pleasure of Allah, Allah elevates him”..
May Allah Ta’ala also grant us such qualities.
Al Jamiat - Vol 5 No 6
Was Salaam
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians
Tel : +27 (0) 31 3067786 - Fax : +27(0) 31 3064786
Email : info@jamiat.org.za - Website : www.jamiat.org.za
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Assalamu Alykum,
Hazrat Moulana I'zaz 'Ali (rahimahullah) was a great personality known in Darul Uloom Deoband as 'Shaykhul Adab'. He was the Ustad (tutor) of many great luminaries of our time including Mufti Muhammad Shafee (rahimahullah) who himself went on to become the Grand Mufti of Pakistan. Mufti Muhammad Shafee (rahimahullah)relates an incident about his Ustad Moulana I'zaz 'Ali (rahimahullah).
Mufti Sahib says: "We were once on journey from Deoband with our teacher while waiting at the station for our train to arrive, Moulana I'zaz 'Ali said: "It is mentioned in a Hadith that when a group of people are on journey, they should appoint someone as an Ameer (leader). In conformity with this Hadith we should appoint an Ameer!"
Being students in the presence of our learned tutor we spontaneously responded by saying that there is no need to select an Ameer, It is most obvious that our learned Tutor (Moulana I’zaz Ali) should be the Ameer.
Moulana, asked: "Who?" We replied, "You are the teacher and we the students."
Moulana I’zaz Ali Saheb remarked: "So you wish to appoint me as the Ameer?" "Yes of course", we replied, "Who else other than you can be the Ameer?" Moulana then said: " It is fine with me but remember, the instruction of the Ameer is decisive and has to be obeyed. The definition of 'Ameer' is one whose orders are obeyed."
When the train eventually arrived Moulana I’zaz Ali Saheb quickly picked up all the luggage of his travelling companions. Some he placed on his head and some he carried in his arms. He then proceeded towards the waiting train. We protested, "Hazrat, this is most inappropriate? Let us carry the luggage!" He replied, "You have selected me as Ameer, now you have to obey me. I will carry everyone’s luggage." Saying this he carried all the luggage on to the train.
Thereafter, throughout the journey whenever any need arose, he would personally see to it, and if we objected he would remind us, "You made me Ameer and an Ameer must be obeyed! Therefore obey the Ameer!"
"Making him our Ameer turned out to be very difficult for us."
Such was the character of our pious elders. Their ardent willingness to serve and assist humanity was solely due to the humility and self annihilation which had become second nature to them. The Hadith says “He who humbles himself for the pleasure of Allah, Allah elevates him”..
May Allah Ta’ala also grant us such qualities.
Al Jamiat - Vol 5 No 6
Was Salaam
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians
Tel : +27 (0) 31 3067786 - Fax : +27(0) 31 3064786
Email : info@jamiat.org.za - Website : www.jamiat.org.za