The Devotion of Life — Page 472
472 Sheikh Muhammad Yaqub Sahib Chinioti ra The caravan which arrived in Qadian from Ratan Bagh Lahore on 11 May1948 included a young man who illuminated the hearts of his fellows. It quickly came to be known that he was that fortunate young man honoured to join the 313 ‘Darweshan’ of Qadian, and that he had said farewell to his family and dear ones and chosen to be separated from them forever. He was a brilliant son of a well- to-do family from Chiniot. His name was Sheikh Muhammad Yaqub ra. Right from the beginning, remembrance of God was his favourite occupation. In the holy atmosphere of Qadian, this pursuit became so passionate and powerful that it brought into the minds of others a gratifying real perception of the remembrance of Allah. Day and night that was his activity and it would be better said that throughout his time as ‘Darwesh’ he spent his nights awake busy in the remembrance of Allah. He would often be the first to arrive in Mubarak Mosque for Tahajjud (optional pre-dawn) prayers. Then, after the Fajr prayer, he would come back to his room, sit on his bed and recite the Holy Quran in a very touching, melodious voice. During his recitation, one felt as if he was trying to hold back a flood of tears, and they would gush out as soon as he completed recitation. The recitation of the Holy Quran and remembrance of Allah had become part of his constitution. His relationship with Allah was in fact an inspiring picture of ‘You are mine and I am yours’. He was an embodiment of dignity and respect, whether sitting in Mubarak Mosque or Aqsa Mosque. Whenever someone spoke to him, he replied softly and in such a low voice as if to convey that this is the place from where the voice of the Messenger of God was raised, therefore, let our voices