Chosen Saints of God and the Bigoted Mullas — Page 13
were deadly against him and on account of their allegations he was brought from Yaman to Baghdad. This inglorious journey entailed great hardships and humiliations for the venerable Imam. . He was subjected to a shower of taunts, sarcasms and invectives. . While on the road the mobs jeered at him and this chosen servant of God listened quietly". ("Harba-i-Takfeer: p. 23, printed 9th April, 1933). The third century Hijra (1) HAZRAT IMAM BUKHARI (born 195 H. , died 256 Hijra), was the greatest collector and compiler of the Sayings of the. Holy Prophet. His “Saheeh Bukhari” is incomparable and is generally acknowledged as the most authentic book next to the. Holy Quran. In spite of all his learnings and piety the Mullas caused him to be exiled and he was also declared to be an apostate. . A distinguished scholar, Al-M'otasim Billah Safi Ullah, has stated, "They banished him from Bukhara and sent him to. Khartang. But even at Khartang he could find no peace. Three thousand reprobates came out with overwhelming evidence of apostacy against the Imam. Engulfed in this manner in the sea of hatred and enmity and seeing no avenue of escape, he fervently prayed to Allah saying, “O Thou the Redeemer of Thine servants, Thou art Thyself a witness to the treatment these erring and misguided people are giving me. They have made it impossible for me to move in Thine wide world. Thou art the. Creator and the Lord of all that exists, do please grant me space in Thy own neighbourhood". This ardent prayer was accepted and the angels soon caused him to die and carried his soul to the place reserved for the Chosen friends of God”. (Nazm-udDurr, Fin Silk-us-Seer: p. 167) (2) HAZRAT ZUNNOON MISRI (died 245 Hijra), was an acknowledged sage of his time, greatly revered and loved by the people. He was also accused of apostasy. . Hazrat Abdul Wahhaab Sh'eraani has written, “Zunnoon. Misri was brought from Egypt in chains and a host of witnesses 13