Hazrat Choudhry Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khan (ra)

Hazrat Choudhry Sir Muhammad Zafrulla Khan (ra) — Page 20

It so happened that Respected Bashir Ahmad Khan Rafiq Sahib, the then Imam and Missionary- in-charge, told me once that someday I would be required to deliver a Friday sermon in English. I expressed the opinion that there is no rush for this and that in due course such opportunities will arise, insha-Allah. I thought that was the end of the matter. However, a few days later, it was Friday. I had offered my sunnah and the second Adhan was called shortly after. Khan Sahib, who was sitting next to me, nudged me to get up for the sermon. I was not mentally prepared for that but there was no room to make excuse and could not engage in discussion as the Mosque was full of worshippers. I had to get up. With prayers, I started the sermon with Tashahud , t’awwuz , and Sura al-Fatiha. That was easy enough. When I looked around, I saw Choudhry Sahib seated in a chair as usual towards the right end of the first row. As he heard the voice of a new speaker, he glanced at me. I am sure he would have prayed for me, but I was awestruck by his personality. Just then I remembered the farewell advice by