The Martyr - Hazrat Sahibzada Abdul Latif — Page 97
Part III—Introduction 97 At one time, the General of Khost oppressed his subjects by going around forcibly circumcising people who lived on the out- skirts of the town and would also take many bribes from them. Once, he came to a town near Syedgah called Duairah. On Friday, the General sent a man to inform Hazrat Sahibzada ra to wait for him so that he could also partake in the Friday prayers. Hazrat Sahibzada ra completely ignored his request and started the Friday prayers. The General entered while Hazrat Sahibzada ra was deliv- ering the sermon. Afterwards, the General lamented to Hazrat Sahibzada ra that he had done a great service to Islam as he has circumcised many people. Hazrat Sahibzada ra responded, “What service to religion? You took the leather off of poor people and oppressed them. You took bribes from them. Even the clothes you are wearing are haram [forbidden] and your daily prayers are negated while you wear them. ” Hearing this, the General became ashamed and was rendered speechless. Once, Hazrat Sahibzada ra went to the court of Ameer Abdur Rahman Khan and he was delighted to see him. In talking, the Ameer said to him, “Either the people of Swaat will live under the British rule or under our rule. They certainly cannot live inde- pendently. I have summoned them, but the son of the Maulvi of Swaat has refused to come. Is refusing to live under a Muslim government not equivalent to kufr [disbelief ]? After hearing this, Hazrat Sahibzada ra silently thought to himself, “Who knows why the son of the maulvi may have refused?” The Ameer then asked again, but Hazrat Sahibzada ra did not respond. The third time, the Ameer asked the others around him in the courthouse and yelled, “Surely, such a one would become a disbeliever!” However, Hazrat Sahibzada ra cautiously remained silent.