Amazing Story of Istiqamat (Steadfastness)

Mufti Abdur Rauf Sukkharvi (May Allah Taala preserve him) has related this wonderful story while mentioning the benefits of Istiqamat (steadfastness) in one of his lectures: Sultan Shamsuddeen Altamash (R) was a very pious ruler of Indian sub continent. He was a Mureed of Khawaja Baqibillah (R). Khawaja Baqibillah (R) had thousands of Mureeds, who would attend the Khanqah of Khawaja Sahib (R) for spiritual uplift. Once the Sultan (R) requested Khawaja Baqibillah (R), I desire to waqf (make a charity as endowment) some villages for your Khanqah, so that the earnings of those may be spent to fulfill the Khanqah requirements. Because, thousands of people come here and spend time, arrangements need to be made for food and services of its attendants. I dont know how all these arrangements are done; if some village-earnings are affixed for its expenses, providing all the services would become easy. The friends of Allah do not rely on worldly matters; they directly rely on the Zaat of Allah Taala. And Allah Taala somehow accomplishes their works. Sultan Shamsuddeen Altamash (R) stated a means to be arranged for the services of Khanqah and desired to manage its services. However, upon this request Khwaja Baqibillah (R) became displeased and annoyed. He said, How could you even think of such an arrangement? Why did such a thought pop up in your mind? I will also take an exchange from you for such deliberations. In the meantime, the final hours of Khawaja Baqibillah (R) drew near. Regarding his Janazah Prayer, Khawaja Baqibillah (R) left back a special note to his Khadim . He added that this note should be announced prior his Janazah prayer in front of the gathering. Khawaja Baqibillah (R) passed away. Thousands of Muslims, including a large number of his Mureeds gathered to perform the Janazah of this pious Shaykh. There were many Ulama and Talaba (students) present. Many must have had the desire to be the blessed one to lead the Janazah of Khawaja Baqibillah (R). Among such contemplations suddenly the Shaykhs Khadim attracted all by announcing that the Shaykh has given me a message to reach it to you and it is regarding the person who will lead Shaykhs Janazah today. Listening to this, the audience awaited eagerly, many expecting his name to be called as the lucky one. However, to great surprise theKhadim thereafter announced,

The Shaykh said that his Janazah prayer will be led by a person who possesses three qualities. The first among the qualities is, he should be such a person, who had never ever glanced evilly toward a woman; second quality, he had never ever missed theTahajjud prayer, i.e Tahajjud never got Qadha in his entire life; and the third and final quality is, he had never missed the four Rakaat Sunnah of Asr throughout his life. This message made the whole crowd spellbound. Who could be so steadfast in these practices in whole life! These are deeds, which often get breached! None of these is such that it could easily be carried out throughout the life. Would there be no one today to lead the Janazah of Shaykh Baqibillah (R) then! Wondered all. However, after sometime it was the pious Sultan, Shamsuddeen Altamash (R), who moved forward to lead the Janazah of Khawaja Baqibillah (R) and proved to be the possessor of such great qualities! This is an example of Istiqamat steadfastness of good deed, steadfastness of fulfilling the commandments of Allah Taala. We, the Muslims should take lesson from it! May Allah Taala provide us the Tawfeeq (ability) to be steadfast on His Path