Hazrat Maulvi Nooruddin - Khalifatul-Masih I — Page 13
Hadrat Maulw i Nur-ud-D i n ra — Khalifatul Masih I IN QUEST OF KNOWLEDGE 13 embarrassed him somewhat, but there was no helping it. Arriving in front of the revered personage he greeted him in a resounding voice with: " Assal a mu Alaikum " (Peace be with you), and extended his hands. H ak i m Sahib returned his greeting gently and clasped his dust covered hands in his own delicate ones. The visitor seated himself opposite H ak i m Sahib. The company were outraged by the whole proceeding. Even his greeting sounded outlandish in their ears. One of them, a leading personality, could not restrain himself and enquired: "Sir, which civilised region do you hail from?" He answered: "This lack of ceremony and my bold greeting are the result of the teaching of the unlettered one of a barren valley, who had at one time been occupied with grazing goats and may my father and mother be his sacrifice. " His words struck the company like lightning, and H ak i m Sahib was overwhelmed with emotion. He asked the questioner: "You have been a courtier of the King, have you ever been so confounded before?" After a short pause H ak i m Sahib enquired from his visitor what was his errand, and was told that he had arrived to learn medicine from him. To this H ak i m Sahib made answer: "As you see, I have grown old and do not find teaching agreeable. I have made a firm resolve to teach no more. " The visitor countered in an agitated and pained tone with: "Then the Shir a z i philosopher was mistaken in affirming that it is sinful to offend a human heart. " H ak i m Sahib was deeply moved, and on reflection suggested: "Maulaw i N u r Kar i m is a very able physician. I shall recommend you to him. He will teach you well. " The visitor had recourse to another Persian adage: "God’s earth is vast and I have a strong pair of legs. " To this H ak i m Sahib surrendered completely and observed: "I give up my resolve. "