Sayyidi wa sanadi Shaikh Mufti Mohammed Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve & protect him) mentioned that his respected father Mufti Muhammad Shafee’ Usmani narrated that Hakim Ul Umma (Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi)(Allah have mercy on them) used to say that it is very difficult to become a (proper) human being. I could not become one but Allah showed us true human beings such that now (a beast like) a bull cannot deceive me saying that I am a human being.

Respected Mufti Shafi added that Hakim al Umma used to say this about himself (i.e. that he could not become a true human being) due to his humility, whereas this statement actually applies to me.

After looking at such people we understood how a human being should be like. If someone else comes and says that a human being should be something different, then Inshallah we would not be deceived.

He would also recite a couplet sometimes:

دل میں سما گئیں ہیں قیامت کی شوخیاں

دو چار دن رہے تھے کسی کی نگاہ میں

Unexplicable pleasures are infused in my heart,

I stayed under someone’s supervision for a few days

He also used to stay: “I have not read to many books. But I have observed men of Allah.” Like Shaikh (Rasheed Ahmed) Gangohi, Shayk al Hind, Hakim al UmmaThanvi, (Allah have mercy on them all).

Meaning I stayed in their company for a long time. Their company created a certain temperament and way of thought. After observing their outstanding demeanor, Alhamdulillah the heart does not get attracted to others.

Books give outwardly knowledge, but man is made by man, i.e. with his companionship. How to act on (and implement) on that knowledge is learnt from men.

Ramadan 1439, malfuzaat collated by Br KaiserNizamani #11