al_etidaal_gn

We know that a seven year old child is not yet liable and responsible for his deeds
(according to Shariah). That is not the point. The point is this that when a child
commences Salaah at seven years and makes a habit thereof in his childhood, Salaah
becomes an easier task for him to perform throughout his life.
From the age of seven years I was brought up under strict rules that up to age of
seventeen I was not allowed to talk to anyone. Neither was I allowed to go anywhere
except in the company of my late father or uncle.
So strict were the rules that even in Madrasa, I was not allowed to take lessons from
anyone except from two elders. I did not even have the permission to attend the sittings
of our elder and the spiritual guide of our elders Shaikh Maulana Khalil Ahmad
(Rahmatullah Alayh)-except in the company of my father or uncle, for fear that I may
converse with any of the class-mates or with those around me in the sittings. Except for
two or three people, I could not converse with anyone. I could not even go home alone.
So stringent were the rules that only under the supervision of a few special persons was I
allowed to join the congregations for Salaah. If I should relate the happenings of that
period of my life, it will read like the stories in “A Thousand and One Nights.” The rules
and regulations governing me were such that I was almost like a hardened criminal being
kept imprisoned.
However I give great thanks to Allah that He gave me the strength and ability to bear all,
the results and blessings of which I am now experiencing in this world.
By way of example, let me quote one instance. It so happened that someone once
removed my new pair of shoes from the Madrasa. For six months thereafter there was no
need for me to buy another pair for the simple reason that for that whole period of time
there never arose for me the need to proceed outside the Madrasa. Jumua prayers used to
be held at the Madrasa Masjid. Outside the toilets there is always a pair of old shoes for
those in need of visiting the toilet (as is the system today). And as there was no need to
leave the Madrasa and so there was no need for shoes. Many similar stories can be told.
The end result of this type of childhood was that today I have a great fear of crowds. For
me to attend any gathering is a tremendous ordeal. I feel so much more at ease when I am
alone. And when I am in a room with the door bolted, I feel much more secure and happy
tIn when the door is left unlocked. Now I ask you, how can such a shy and extremely
inhibited person, for whom it is pure agony and an ordeal to be in any gathering,
associate with anyone?
Persian couplet:
“The cage is all that we know, so ask us not the path that through the garden winds; For
we were snatched from our nest before our hrains started fo function.”
Apart from this there is another thing. In these functions it often happens that the
speakers utter such unseemly and bombastic words in their zeal. Accordingly, one finds it
in the light of Shariat extremely difficult to keep silent at such moments. If however one
should interject and object, it causes disruption in the function. Now these words of these
Al- Eti’daal Fi Maraatibur- Rijaal 28