My Mother — Page 29
Spiritual Haven 29 Chaudhri Muhammad Amin had gone to the railway station to watch the arrival of the august visitor and I had accompanied them, but all we could glimpse from our carriage was the immense crowd jostling and pulsating outside the station. My maternal uncle who watched the arrival of the party and the slow progress of their carriages through the crowded streets described to us later some of the incidents that occurred en route. Next morning when my father was about to leave for court, asked whether she might go and call on the august visitor and see if he was the venerable personage of her dreams. ‘Go by all means’, he said, ‘and find out, but make no commitment. ’ ‘Should it be the same person, I would be guilty of default in the estimation of Allah if I were to hold back after the clear guid- ance that He has vouchsafed to me. ’ ‘This is a vital matter and I would not wish that we should be divided over it. As you know, I am studying it. We shall discuss it together and I hope we may arrive at the same decision. ’ ‘You are a learned person, and I have no book learning. But I feel that God, of His grace, has chosen His own way to guide me. If I find that His guidance points in this direction, I must proceed accordingly. Should it be otherwise, I shall be glad to discuss the matter with you and we can come to a decision together. ’ ‘A brief delay would do no harm. I would dread the prospect of our finding ourselves on opposite sides on so vital a question. ’ ‘I have told you how I feel. ’ He left. God alone knew the travail of her soul. She was con- fronted with the most soul-searching crisis of her life. How would it turn out? She must have supplicated earnestly to be guided