EARLY CIRCUMSTANCES

~ 7 ~ His parents owned a bookshop which was managed by his elder brother, Maulana Yahya. Maulana Ilyas, being too weak for physical exertion, could not undertake to help his elder brother in his work. Instead, he devoted his time and attention to religious studies, while his elder brother worked hard to run the bookshop. One day the manager suggested to him that Maulana Ilyas should also be engaged in the work. Maulana Yahya, was quite disconcerted at his remark, and replied, “The prophet has said, ‘You owe your provision to the weaker members of your family.’ I believe that it is owing to this child that I am provided for.” He further admonished him not to say such things to him in future. In this atmosphere of absolute purity of thought, word and deed, it was natural that his emotions and feelings should be cast in the same mould. One of the Maulana’s classfellows has narrated an incident which took place when he was a student. “One day,” he said, “The Maulana brought a stick, and holding it, in his hand, he said, “Come, my dear Riyazul Islam, let us declare holy war on those who do not say their prayers.”