Shaykh-ul-Ḥadīth Haḍrat Mawlānā Muḥammad Zakariyyā Kandelwhī writes that, I have not experienced this incident at first hand, but have heard it from two trustworthy sources.

Once a very high personality from among the relatives of Ḥaḍrat Mawlānā Khalīl Aḥmad Sahāranpūrī, who held a high position, came to visit him, while he was teaching. Up until the end of the lesson Ḥaḍrat Sahāranpūrī paid no attention to him and only attended to him at the end of his period.

The man told him,

“Ḥaḍrat, please remain seated where you are.”

Ḥaḍrat, taking the precautionary measure, replied,

“The madrasā (Islamic seminary) has supplied this cushion for teaching purposes, not to sit on it and engage in personal discussions, for this reason I moved away from my place”

I (Shaykh-ul-Ḥadīth Mawlānā Zakariyyā) have never seen him using anything belonging to the madrasā (Islamic seminary) for his personal needs.

(Āap Bītī)

Categories: Memorable Episodes from the Lives of the ʿUlamā of Deoband