AFTER MAULANA

AFTER MAULANA A CPS Members Reminisces O N October 4, 2022, I reached the residence of Maulana Wahiduddin Khan (Nizamuddin West, New Delhi). When I opened the gate and entered, Maulana’s daughter Dr Farida Khanam called out to come upstairs. My steps were faltering. Somehow, I managed to climb the stairs and enter the room of the late Maulana. The person I used to see there was absent. I felt strongly about his absence. My eyes were tearful. A few simple and beloved words of Maulana were echoing in my ears. For example, Hey brother! Look brother! Listen brother! etc. It was like the cry of an aching heart. Along with this, these questions also started to be heard: “Iqbal Sahib! Fayyaz Sahib! Do you have any new news, any new experience?” Once a gentleman said that there is no news. In response to this, Maulana said how can you say this? Every day a new sun rises, the whole universe is moving in high order—isn’t that news? As if, according to Maulana, news was not just what was printed in the newspapers, but the real news was the one, from which the sustenance of God-realization is obtained. I felt that today the questioner is apparently not present in front of us, but the question remains. So that even after Maulana, the process of God-realization continues without stopping. I looked at the empty chair in Maulana’s room, where he used to sit, with tears in my eyes, thinking, on one side the empty chair on the other side all the academic works of Maulana. As if the chair and books were saying that his personality is now present in these books. At Panch Piran Graveyard: After this, for the first time, I got the opportunity to visit Maulana Wahiduddin Khan’s grave in Basti Hazrat Nizamuddin Cemetery. After entering through the main gate of Panch Piran, there is a strong wall of a mausoleum at the end of the graveyard. Just before that, Maulana’s grave is situated. The words AsSalam Alaikum ya Ahl al-Quboor (O inhabitants of the grave! peace be upon you) lingered on the tongue. I approached, ascertained the qiblah direction and performed the funeral prayer. My heart was addressing Maulana saying, Maulana! At present I am by your grave. With the level of knowledge that you have reached, my colleagues and I will have to move forward. At that time, I was in the cemetery in a state of anxiety. Sometimes I would touch the inscription on the grave, sometimes I would look at the grave. As if I