Arba'in — Page 142
142 ARBAIN both of these maulawīs passed away. I had thoroughly insisted¹ that Nazir Husain Dehlvi, who is said to be a muhaddith, settle the verdict with this very prayer, but he was frightened and ran off. On that day, there were almost 7,000 people gathered together in the Shahi Mosque of Delhi when he declined-the very reason he is still alive today. I now conclude this treatise with eager anticipa- tion of the reply from Hafız Muhammad Yūsuf and his ilk. 1. Almost nine years have elapsed since the time I had gone to Delhi and had invited the ghair muqallid* Miyāń Nazir Husain to follow the practice of Islam. After seeing that he was avoiding my advice in every possible way, and on listening to his abusive and obnoxious prattle, I finally decided to ask him to swear that whatever he believes is true; then, if he does not die while I am still alive, within one year of his oath, I shall burn all my books and, God forbid, believe that he stands upon truth. However, he ran away and it is indeed due to the blessing of this running retreat that he has been bestowed life till now. Author *A sub-sect of Ahl-e-Sunnah which does not consider it necessary to follow the fiqh of the four Imams. [Publisher]