292. Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) is narrated to have said that the person who comes after hijrat (migration) and stays in our daira and the person who comes in the future, they are only those whose souls have been rectified (tashih) in the august presence of Imam Mahdi (AS). Nobody renounces the world or confirms (tasdiq) of Imam Mahdi (AS) as true Mahdi under the influence of our sermons (wa'z).

293. A person had renounced the world and was staying in the daira of Miyan Malikji (RZ) for sometime. He had to face starvation for seven days. He came in front of the mosque to quarrel with the other brothers (fuqara). Miyan Malikji (RZ) was informed. He came out and told the quarrelling faqir: "Why were you in a hurry. Your work had been completed. Only the Vision of Allah was remaining. But you have now lost everything."

294. Bandagi Miyan Shah Nemat (RZ) is narrated to have said that Allah Most High had blessed him with perfect piety (kamil taqwa) at this time. After this he went to Ka'aba in Makkah.

295. When the time of demise was nearing, Bandagi Miyan Shah Dilawar (RZ) was suffering great pain in his stomach. His companions asked about the reason for the pain. The Shah (RZ) said that due to the negligence of women (who cooked food) some food that was in the right of fuqara had gone into his stomach without his knowledge and Allah had appointed two angels who were removing some flesh from the stomach. Hence the pain, as the angels are removing the flesh.

296. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have said that Allah does not become happy in the initial condition of His seeker, but when the seeker brings to perfection his desire (talab), Allah becomes happy.

297. A vali (saint) once said that he recognized the eater of permitted (halal) and prohibited (haram) things and differentiated between them. Other people asked him how he did it. The saint said: "I see that if a person is in the remembrance of Allah day and night, I recognize him as the person who eats permitted (halal) things. And if the person is negligent in the remembrance of Allah, I recognize him as the one who is the eater of prohibited (haram) things. The person, in whose stomach the permitted food goes, becomes devoted to Allah as his heart (or mind) becomes habituated to the remembrance of Allah. It is he alone who renounces the world (tark-e-dunya) and becomes the seer of Allah. And the person, in whose stomach the prohibited (haram) food goes, is busy in the world, neglects the remembrance of Allah and goes to the Hell when he dies. May Allah save us from such destiny.

298. In the daira of Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ), a person is narrated to have become liable to Quranic punishment (hadd). The Miyan (RZ) ordered the flogging of the convict. A brother flogged him. The convict said that he was (unjustly) oppressed (zulm hua). The Miyan (RZ) ordered a second flogging. The convict reiterated that he was (unjustly) punished. Now the Miyan (RZ) ordered the brother: "Untie you hand and flog him a third time." The convict was flogged again. Thus he was flogged thrice and expelled from the daira. The reason was that the convict had called the divine command an "unjust punishment."

299. Bandagi Miyan Shah Nemat (RZ) had four wives. He had stricken four nails respectively at the door of the house of each wife. When the shadow of the sun reached the nail he would go to the house of the next wife and stayed there for a day and night and performed all his duties and provided the maintenance equally among the four wives.

300. Bandagi Miyan Shah Nemat (RZ) is narrated to have had no slave girl (bandi) in his house because even Imam Mahdi (AS) too did not have a slave girl. The Shah (RZ) was a perfect follower of the Imam (AS).

301. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have said: "To protect the faith (iman) in these days has become like placing fire on the palm of the hand. If it remains on the palm, the hand burns. If it is placed on the ground the fire extinguishes, as the earth is full of water. If the fire remains on the palm, the speed increases. Otherwise, it becomes difficult to retain the fire on the palm. In other words, one should keep oneself within the divine limitations and protect them. And perfectly follow the Quranic injunctions.

302. Imam Mahdi (AS) was staying at a tomb (gumbad) with seventeen of his companions. Nobody knew the name of any other companion. They were thus engaged in the remembrance of Allah. They did not entertain any other thought, but they were immersed in the remembrance of Allah.

303. Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) is narrated to have said: "A tarik-e-dunya (faqir or one who had renounced the world) had lived in a daira for a hundred years in the remembrance of Allah and went out of the daira in the desire of the world and died outside the daira, then he is a kafir (infidel). But if a Mahdavi spent a hundred years in the desire of the world, but finally he changed the direction of his desire towards Allah, started to go to the daira but died after leaving his house, he is a mumin (believers ).

304. A companion is narrated to have asked Imam Mahdi (AS), "I experience great trouble due to the presence of the wife and children. I will send them away if your good self permits me. The Imam (AS) said: "Hold their hands and take them to the Paradise. Do not send them away. Allah Most High will give you great divine rewards because of them. Be patient."

305. Some of the companions are narrated to have been staying with Miyan Hameed (RZ). An opponent of one of the brothers came with a group of his supporters. The brother came to know of the arrival of his opponent and ran away. Miyan Hameed (RZ) and his other companions were sitting on the prayers mat. The supporters of the absconding brother came and killed Miyan Hameed (RZ) and his companions. Bibi Malkan (RZ) asked Bandagi Miyan Shah Dilawar (RZ): "Imam Mahdi (AS) has said that you are an ahl-e-dil (man of the heart or one who knows the hidden truth). What is the condition of Miyan Hameed (RZ)?" The Shah (RZ) thought for a moment and said: "Miyan Hameed (RZ) is with Imam Mahdi (AS) in Paradise." The Bibi (RZ) again asked: "Tell me about the brothers (who were killed with Miyan Hameed (RZ))." The Shah (RZ) said: "I do not know where the other brothers have gone." He did not say anything about the brothers. Miyan Hameed (RZ) is laid to eternal rest at Raveri village in Pargana (district) Arandol, which is in Burhanpur.

306. Miyan Saadullah (RZ) son of Bandagi Miyan Shah Dilawar (RZ) died at Ahmadabad. Four days passed. On the fourth day chautha meals were prepared. Bandagi Miyan Shah Dilawar (RZ) did not allow the feeding. After forty days he allowed the preparation of the meals and feeding. The Shah (RZ) said: "I have now seen Miyan Saadullah (RZ) with Imam Mahdi (AS) in Paradise. Allah had imprisoned Miyan Saadullah (RZ) for forty days because he had been sitting in the company of Nizam-ul-Mulk as a child and respected those who were present." The punishment was given in spite of the fact that Saadullah (RZ) had remained in the company of Imam Mahdi (AS) and he was the son of Bandagi Miyan Shah Dilawar (RZ). He had died in the daira and the Shah (RZ) had said his funeral prayers. What would be the fate of people like you and us if this were the condition of such (eminent) people.

307. The person who is waiting for contributions (futuh) is not mutawakkil (one who trusts in Allah). Taking sawaiyats (share of futuh distributed by the murshid of the daira) is not allowed (jaiz) for him. Some of the people have not taken sawaiyat. Imam Mahdi (AS) said that this servant (banda) tells you that you should take sawaiyat when this sadaqa (charity) comes.

308. A person is narrated to have come and met Bandagi Miyan Shah Dilawar (RZ) and gave something to him in the way of Allah. Later, he went to give something to the fuqara (indigents) of the daira. The Shah (RZ) came out as the visitor was returning and asked him where he had gone. He said that he had gone to give something to the fuqara. The Shah (RZ) asked if he had given something to Miyan Abdul Karim (RA), Miyan Vaziruddin (RA), Miyan Yusuf (RA) and Miyan Abdul Malik (RA). The person said: "No." The Shah (RZ) said: 'It would have been better if you had given something to these people instead of giving to the others. You would have got more divine rewards (sawab). Then he did as suggested by the Shah (RZ).

309. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have said: "Wisdom is of three kinds. One wisdom is nuri (of light), the second is the desire of the Hereafter (of aakhirat) and the third is of leading the life (zindagani).

310. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have said that Maqam-e-Mahmood (the praised place) is the Vilayat (sainthood) of Allah

311. While Imam Mahdi (AS) was in Khorasan, Miyan Syed Salamullah (RZ) is narrated to have written a letter to Miran Syed Mahmood (RZ): "The Imam (AS) is conferring the (eminent) positions of prophets (on his companions). But despite being his son you are not present here." Seeing this letter, Imam Mahdi (AS) tore it into pieces and said: "You should not write such a letter to Bhai Syed Mahmood (RZ). Syed Mahmood (RZ) is near us and we are near Syed Mahmood (RZ)".

312. Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) is narrated to have said that Imam Mahdi (AS) went away as he had come. "Neither did we recognize him nor could extract (akhaz) anything from him."

313. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have said that it should not be taken as authority if Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood (RZ) and Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) do a wrong (zaif) thing. "The authority is Quran, Prophet Muhammad (SLM) and this servant of Allah (meaning the Imam (AS)). These two companions too will never do any wrong act." The Imam (AS) said: "It is not proper for me too to act wrongly."

314. Bandagi Miyan Shah Nizam (RZ): "Nobody could extract (akhaz or properly understand) the explanations (of Quran by Imam Mahdi (AS)). How could anybody do it? The explanations of the Imam (AS) were directly inspired by divine instructions. The Imam (AS) explained each of the Quranic verses in certain passages of words. The listeners were astonished."

315. Bandagi Miyan Shah Nizam (RZ) was sitting near water (on the bank of a river). The chicks of peacock came to drink water. The Shah (RZ) asked (his son) Miyan Shah Abdur Rahman (RZ) if he could recognize which of them were the male ones and which the female ones. Miyan Abdur Rahman (RZ) said he did not know. The Shah (RZ) said the one that comes out of the water without turning round is the male and the one that turns round and comes out is the female. The male are those chicks that do not allow their tails to become wet in the water. The female chicks allow their tail to become wet in the water. Similarly, the slaves of Allah came into the world and returned without involving themselves in sins. They died with their faith (iman) safe and perfect. The others came into the world, involved themselves into sins and died faithless (be-iman). Prophet Muhammad (SLM) has said, "Faqirii (indigence) will soon become kufr (infidelity). Faqiri blackens the face in both worlds. A faqir is not muhtaj (in need of anything) of his own zath (nature, essence) or of his Rab (Lord). When his faqr (indigence) and faqa (starvation) became perfect, he became Allah (that is, he fully perished himself in Allah)."

316. Imam Mahdi (AS) has said that when faqr (indigence) is perfected, a faqir becomes the slave (banda) of Allah.

317. A prophet is narrated to have asked Allah to provide him with a miswak (toothbrush made of wood) and a badna (pot for carrying water). The divine command arrived: "Your finger is your miswak and your two hands are your badna. We have given you all things. Why then do you demand things?"

318. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have said: " Whatever the voice (command) of Allah this servant (banda) hears by his ears, he conveys it to you by the word of mouth. Whether you obey the commands or not is your business. That is between you and Allah."

319. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have said: "Makhluq (people created by Allah) looks at the (crescent moon) and rejoices. It should not rejoice. In fact, they should cry and feel sorry that life is being wasted and death is coming closer. Why do the people not curse (malamat) themselves? Why do they not repent?"

320. The hujras in the daira of Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) were very close. One of the brothers broke a grain of green gram between his teeth. The brother in the next room rebuked him; "Why are you disturbing (me) in the remembrance of Allah." Such were the seekers of Allah.

321. Bandagi Miyan Shah Nemat (RZ) is narrated to have said: "There is great loss for a seeker of Allah in the initial stages to go out of his hujra because he wants what he sees and becomes disturbed. But if a seeker in the final stages goes outside the hujra he does not incur any loss. He witnesses the glory of the creation of Allah at every step. If his nafs diverts his attention and brings evil thoughts (khatra) he opposes it and does not act according to evil thoughts."

322. A seeker of Allah is narrated to have been starving for the previous three days. He came out of his hujra (room) and asked for food somewhere. A dog that was at the door followed him. He told the dog, "I will give you half of what I get." He got one loaf of bread. He placed half of the loaf in front of the dog. Allah Most High blessed the dog with the power of speech. It said, "How can I eat bread offered by a person who is without courage?" The seeker asked, "How did I become a person without courage?" The dog said, "You were a seeker of Allah. But you came to the door of makhluq to beg after starving for three days. But we have been starving for the last seven days and we did not leave the door of the makhluq. The seeker threw the loaf of bread on the ground, repented (tauba) and remained steadfast for the rest of his life.

323. Bandagi Miran Syed Mahmood (RZ) is narrated to have seen in a reverie (muamala) that Prophet Muhammad (SLM) was holding one of his hands while Imam Mahdi (AS) was holding his other hand. They told him, "O Syed Mahmood, this is not a suitable place for you." They held his hands and brought him out of the house. The Miran (RZ) woke up from his sleep, immediately took leave of all his people and took to the path of Allah Most High. He came to the place where Imam Mahdi (AS) was staying. His nafas brought the thought to his mind, "There is great difficulty (in staying with the Imam (AS)). What would you eat? What would you wear?" The Miran (RZ) told his nafas, "I will serve the seekers of Allah, if I cannot trust Allah. I will eat what they give me. I will pick up the rag lying on the ground, wash it and wear it." This is how he rejected the thought brought to his mind by the nafas. Allah liked it and made it easy for him to tread His path.

324. It is narrated that some harsh words were exchanged between Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) and Bandagi Miyan Shah Nemat (RZ). The Shah (RZ) said, "I will not say my prayers with you." Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) lined up his followers behind the rows of the Shah (RZ) and said, "I will say my prayers with you."

325. It is narrated that there were a few exchanges between Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) and the muhajirin (his migrant-companions). Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) rebuked the muhajirin. Then he made seventeen of the muhajirs take their marriage vows afresh.

326. Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) is narrated to have washed the hands of the muhajirs with water and drank the same water. Such was his humility.

327. Bandagi Miyan Shah Nizam (RZ) is narrated to have stayed in a deserted place for some days. He would come to the town after dusk. He came to the town mosque one night. The local people asked him who he was. He did not say anything. One of the local people hit the Shah (RZ) with a stick. The Shah (RZ) said, "The king's blow (chout) is a sack of sugar." The Shah (RZ) returned to the deserted place. Sometime later somebody brought food. All the eatables were sweet. One of his companions asked whence the food had come. The Shah (RZ) said, "The food has come from where the (blow of) stick had come." In other words both the blow of the stick and sweet eatables had come from Allah.

328. A person is narrated to have told Imam Mahdi (AS) that a certain dervish experienced hal (ecstasy) when he listened to a musical tunes (raag). The Imam (AS) said, "What kind of an ecstasy is it that it comes when he listens to the raag and it does not come when he does not listen to the raag. This is not called ecstasy."

329. A person is narrated to have asked Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ), "What do you say about the people who refrained from the (august) company of Imam Mahdi (AS). Bandagi Miyan (RZ) said, "How dare I open my mouth on this issue? Whatever the Imam (AS) has said is true and final. The ruler has given the ruling."

330. Bandagi Miyan Shah Nizam (RZ) is narrated to have experienced (divine) ecstasy when he listened to a raag . His son Miyan Shah Abdur Rahman (RZ) would give a hint to the singer to stop singing. However, Bandagi Miyan Shah Nizam (RZ) said, "Miyan Abdur Rahman, The servants of Allah (bandagan-e-Khuda) rise above the ecstasy."

331. Bandagi Miyan Shah Nemat (RZ) came to Daulatabad ..The pack animal of Khwaja Mahmood (RZ) went missing. There were a hundred mahmoodis (local gold coin) were on the animal. The Khwaja was very anxious. At the time, the Shah (RZ) gave five hundred hun (another local gold coin) to the Khwaja and said, "Spend this money on food and remain steadfast. Allah gives."

332. The companions of Imam Mahdi (AS) are narrated to have been in great distress (iztirar). Bandagi Miyan Shah Dilawar (RZ) had only one cloth to cover his lower body. Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) had a daghla (garment) to cover the body and a piece of cloth to cover his head.

333. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have said, "Our people will die wearing rags (chindiyan). Such will be their poverty."

334. A person is narrated to have come into the august presence of Imam Mahdi (AS) and said, "Bibi Rabea Basari (RA) shamed men." The Imam (AS) retorted, "Shut up. She might have shamed the impotent people (namard). There are many Rabeas in our daira. She is nothing before them."

335. The practice of the brothers of the daira was that if they were sitting on something, they would make a couple of the visitors sit with them on the same thing. They would not allow the visitors to sit on the floor. If the number of visitors was large, the hosts themselves would sit on the floor. If they were lying down, they would rise and come to the visitors. And sit with them. If somebody were to bring his footwear, they would prohibit him.

336. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have said, "If you say you can work, then come forward that you can work. But if you say you cannot work, then go away and sit down that you cannot work."

337. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have said, "There is great difference between people with wives and children and people without wife and children because the former are ten times more superior than the latter. The former take great burden, and therefore they deserve greater divine rewards."

338. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have asked a person, "Do you have itminan (comfort, satisfaction and contentment)?" The person replied in the affirmative. The Imam (AS) said, "I am not asking about the manifest (zahiri) contentment, because if you are with Allah Most High, that is called contentment (itminan)."

339. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have laid great stress on the performance of naubat (watching at night in shifts and performing zikr in turn) and said that it was a pillar (rukn) of religion. Then again he said. "If three brothers (fuqara) are present, each one of them should perform his naubat for three hours." Imam Mahdi (AS) and his companions have given insistent command (takeed) for the naubat and they themselves participated in it.

340. Bandagi Miyan Shah Dilawar (RZ) told Miyan Khund Malik (RZ), "You and I will perform naubat tonight." Both of them spent the whole night standing in zikr till morning prayers. Hadis-e-Qudsi (a saying of Prophet Muhammad (SLM) quoting Allah) quotes Allah Most High as saying. "O, my slave, 'I am near your thought (guman, zan), and I am with you, when you call me with abundant zikr (remembrance of Allah).'" In another Hadis-e-Qudsi, Allah is quoted as saying, "I am sitting with him who performs my zikr."

341. Imam Mahdi (AS) went to Khorasan from Gujarat. Malik Bakhkhan (RZ) too was with him. They were sitting for naubat. He remembered his native place. While sitting for naubat he told the Imam (AS), "Pomp and pageantry has remembered me." The Imam (AS) disallowed him. The Malik (RZ) reiterated twice or thrice his desire to go to his native place. The Imam (AS) too disallowed him as many6 times. And finally, the Imam (AS) said, "Go, if you remember (your native place)." The Malik (RZ) suddenly went back to Gujarat. He died there some time later. The Imam (AS) had given glad tidings to the Malik (RZ) saying, "He ate here and took it there."

342. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have said, "A person has migrated from Gujarat and came to Khorasan, but his thoughts were pinned at Gujarat. The bounty (faiz) of religion will not reach him. But Allah Most High will forgive him if he gives up his thoughts (of his native place) and repents."

343. Nizam-ul-Mulk is narrated to have sent something to Bandagi Malik Ilahdad (RZ). The Malik (RZ) did not accept. it and said, "It smells of rejection (rafz)." He then (spiritually) looked for a safe place in Deccan (to settle down). He found no suitable place other than Daulatabad.

344. Somebody is narrated to have asked Imam Mahdi (AS), "Hatim and Nausherwan did great charity and justice. (What is your opinion about them?)" The Imam (AS) said, "Hatim was stingy and did not give his own zath to Allah. Nausherwan was an oppressor (zalim); he did not do justice to his own self. He was unjust in obeying Allah's commands and interdictions. Hence, one was an oppressor and the other was unjust. One should first of all obey Allah's commands and work according to them and then give orders to others."

345. Shaikh Yahya Muniri (RA) is narrated to have said, "If Mansur (RA) were living in our time, we would have treated him." In other words, we would have married him to some woman. His (divine) ecstasy would have been cured him. Muniri (RA) used to treat his disciples in this manner. If someone were to experience ecstasy (jazba), he would marry him to a woman. His jazba would vanish. Then he would ask the disciple to divorce his wife and engage himself in zikr. The disciple would divorce his wife and perpetually engage himself in zikr.

346. Miyan Abdur Rahman (RZ) is narrated to have said that the prayer (namaz) of Imam Mahdi (AS) was neither long nor short. It used to be of medium duration.

347. A woman is narrated to have come to Prophet Muhammad (SLM) with a proposal for the marriage of his daughter Fatima (RZ). The Prophet (SLM) said, "I have left it to Allah." When the woman came out, Hazrat Ali (RZ) asked her about the Prophet's (SLM) reply to the proposal. She told him that the Prophet (SLM) had left it to Allah. Hazrat Ali (RZ) spent the whole night in ibadat (worship). Allah answered his prayers. Hazrat Jibrael (AS) came with a divine message to the Prophet (SLM) and said, "O Muhammad (SLM), the marriage of Ali (RZ) with Fatima (RZ) has been performed in the heavens." The Prophet (SLM) called Ali (RZ) and said, "Come. Your need is fulfilled." Then the marriage agreement (aqd) was completed.

348. Bandagi Miyan Shah Dilawar (RZ) is narrated to have said that Nizam-ul-Mulk would become a rafzi much before he actually became an apostate (rafzi).

349. Nizam-ul-Mulk is narrated to have kept Miyan Pir Muhammad (RZ) in prison in Kabiri town Miyan Pir Muhammad's mother died there. Miyan Bhai Muhajir's wife sent one of the brothers from her husband's daira without giving information to Miyan Bhai Muhajir (RZ). Later the Miyan (RZ) came to know of the brother's departure. The Miyan (RZ) said, "He has gone without my permission. May Allah not bring him back into my daira." The brother on his return came near the daira but the thieves killed him on the way.

350. Imam Mahdi (AS) was sitting. A dead body was brought. The companions told the Imam (AS), "This body is being punished (azab)". The Imam (AS) cast his glance at the corpse. Allah's command was revealed to him, "O Syed Muhammad, your glance was cast on the corpse. We have blessed it with salvation (najat). Say his funeral prayers." Imam Mahdi (AS) said his funeral prayers. The companions said that Allah had blessed the dead person because of the Imam (AS).
351. The companions told Imam Mahdi (AS). "Two brothers have come into the daira. One remains in seclusion (khilwat), the other has no seclusion." The Imam (AS) told them to watch both of them and see whence they get their food. The companions investigated the matter. They told the Imam (AS), "The secluded man expects that he would eat something. The other does not expect anything. But he has set his eyes on the Unknown (ghaib)." The Imam (AS) said, "The person who does not expect is good. The nafs does not assume (ikhtiar) the food that comes from the Unknown. It assumes the expected food. To trust in Allah is the job of the Prophets."

352. A conformist by the name of Manjhuji was from Andodra village. He went to Bandagi Miyan Shah Nizam (RZ) and respectfully told him, "I am going with the army. I am afraid I may die. Let me not die (that way)." The Shah (RZ) said, "Allah Most High will let us know." Manjhuji went away. Some days later, the Shah (RZ) came to know from Allah, "Inform Manjhuji that his death is nearing." The Shah (RZ) sent two brothers to Manjhuji to ask him to repent (perform tauba). Manjhuji repented and started to go to the daira but died on the way. His corpse was brought before the Shah (RZ). The Shah (RZ) did not say his funeral prayers. The brothers did. He was buried near the tomb of the Shah (RZ). Manjhuji was blessed with salvation sometime later as charity (sadaqa) of the Shah (RZ).

353. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have assigned the job of heating water (for wazu in the mosque) to Malik Gauhar (RZ). The Malik (RZ) did not get firewood one day and burnt his wooden bedstead (charpoi) to heat the water. Imam Mahdi (AS) saw it and asked him why he had done it. The Malik (RZ) said, "I will burn my hands and feet if they can be burnt to heat the water." The Imam (AS) was very happy at his reply and ordered the increase of one share (of sawaiyat) for the Malik (RZ). The Malik (RZ) did not eat anything for three days and continued crying. He said, "Imam Mahdi (AS) is a great physician (tabib-e-haziq). He has found me a person without courage (kam-himmat) and increased my share of worldly things." Somebody reported the feelings of the Malik (RZ) to the Imam (AS), who called the Malik (RZ) and consoled him.

354. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have listened to music if somebody sang uninvited. The companions too would listen to music in the same way. They would not call anybody to sing. They would not make it a habit to listen to the music everyday. They would pay the singer if they had money.

355. It is narrated that the daira of Bandagi Miyan Shah Nemat (RZ) was at Jalore. There was a conformist (muafiq) who lived nearby. When he was in the throes of death, he sent word to the Shah (RZ) to come to his home so that he could achieve salvation. He also said that he would come into the daira. The Shah (RZ) went to his house. But the relatives did not allow the Shah (RZ) to come into the house. This information reached Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ). He came to Jalore but did not come to the daira of the Shah (RZ). The Shah (RZ) went to the place where Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) was staying. Bandagi Miyan (RZ) asked the Shah (RZ) why he had gone (to the house of the muafiq. The Shah (RZ) explained his position. Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) told the Shah (RZ), "You will not lose anything. But those who will come after you will be spoiled."

356. A brother is narrated to be staying in the daira of Bandagi Miyan Shah Nizam (RZ). He reduced his food, so much so that he stopped eating. The Shah (RZ) sent something to him but he did not eat it. The Shah (RZ) came to know of it, called him and said, "Give your zath to Allah. Eat whatever Allah gives you. Otherwise, be patient. There is good for you in this practice."

357. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to go anywhere as commanded by Allah. His companions would bake or not bake their bread. But they would follow the Imam (AS). Those who had gone to the market, would come running to the Imam (AS) when he started to go. Malik Fakhruddin (RZ) used to be with the Imam (AS) and was engaged in some gainful employment. But whenever the Imam (AS) started on his journey, the Malik (RZ) would break all his baggage and would follow the Imam (AS) with due deliberation. Then the Imam (AS) said, "Malik Fakhruddin (RZ) goes into the ecstasy (jazba)." If somebody said something ill of the Malik (RZ), the Imam (AS) would say, "You are abusing me."

358. The wife of Bandagi Miyan Shah Nemat (RZ) asked a brother of the daira to fetch twine to fasten the skirt. The Shah (RZ) noticed it and asked the brother where he was going. The brother said that he was going to fetch twine worth a paisa. The Shah (RZ) took the paisa and told his wife, "A paisa worth of jute is sufficient for you and the sisters. Give away the rest of the jute in the way of Allah." The bibi did as told.

359. Bandagi Miyan Shah Nemat (RZ) went into the daira of Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) and said, "Expenditure in your house is very much. In my house I give a piece of cloth and a paisa worth of colour (for dying it)." Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) said, "Imam Mahdi (AS) has called you qallash (poor man) and miqraz-e-bid'at (the scissors that cuts innovations). You are the respected elder (buzurg) brother. You give that much in your house. But this slave cannot give even this much."

360. Allah Most High had sent a sword to Imam Mahdi (AS). He stopped somewhere for saying his prayers (namaz). He forgot his sword. After some days, the companions asked him about it. The Imam (AS) said that he had forgotten it. The companions said the sword was very good. The Imam (AS) said, "How good was it? The expenditure of the whole world is just of one day. The whole world has been called a meager possession (poomji). What is the worth of the sword? Allah has called the whole world as very little (qalil)."

361. It is narrated that Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) had severe pain in his stomach and eye while he was staying in Khanbel. Later in the night, he dreamt Allah Most High as commanding, "O Syed Khundmir, We have blessed you and all those staying in your daira tonight with coats of honour (khil'aten) and magnanimities (buzurgiyan). Among the magnanimities is the one that We have also blessed your flesh, skin, bones and hair with (the loftiness) of perishing (fana) in Us." Next morning, when Bibi Khunza Buwa (RZ) was grooming his hair. Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ) told her, "Give the glad tidings to all the brothers and sisters of the daira that Allah Most High had blessed them with lofty bounties and ask them to say two cycles (rak'aten) of thanksgiving prayers." Then he called Bandagi Malik Ilahdad (RZ) and told him all the details of the great bounties that had been conferred on the inmates of the daira. Miyan Ghazi Khan and Bibi Shakar Khatoon also were staying in the daira. Bibi Shakar Khatoon came to Bandagi Miyan (RZ) and asked, "Allah has forgiven all that were staying in your daira tonight. Has he forgiven me too?" Bandagi Miyan (RZ) said, "You are not included among the people who are given these glad tidings. These glad tidings are for those who have come to us. For you the command of the Imam (AS) is already there. You are subject to that command." It may be recalled that Miyan Ghazi Khan and Bibi Shakar Khatoon had come to Khorasan after joining the company of Imam Mahdi (AS). Then they gave up the Company of the Imam (AS) and went away to Gujarat. The Imam (AS) had decreed them to be hypocrites. Miyan Ghazi Khan stayed for some time in Gujarat. When he heard about the Imam's command on his hypocrisy, he started crying and lamenting. Then he started to go to the Imam (AS). He traveled on foot for six months. He was yet to cover the distance of three days' walk to reach the Imam (AS), when he met Bandagi Miyan Syed Khundmir (RZ), who informed him about the demise of the Imam (AS). Miyan Ghazi Khan immediately paid fealty (baiyat) to Bandagi Miyan (RZ) and remained in his company. Bandagi Miyan (RZ) assigned him the job of leading (imamat) the daily prayers. He lived for fourteen years after that. Till his last breath he regretted and lamented the abandoning the company of the Imam (AS) that resulted in the Imam's command about his hypocrisy. His cheeks had developed marks of the flow of his tears. Miyan Ghazi Khan died later. Bandagi Miyan (RZ) led his funeral prayers and gave the handful of dust (musht-e-khhak). The brothers of the daira asked the Miyan (RZ), "What do you say in respect of Ghazi Khan?" The Miyan (RZ) said, "How dare I issue an order (contradicting) the order of Imam Mahdi (AS). But one should expect Allah's mercy on such a person."

362. In his earlier days, Imam Mahdi (AS) was in divine ecstasy (jazba) for twelve years. He knew nothing of this world. He would come into his senses at the time of the daily prayers. After saying his prayers he would again become unconscious. His wife, Bibi Ilahdati (RZ) used to serve him well. She would make him wear his clothes. She would feed him. She would bring water for his ablutions (wazu) if the Imam (AS) wanted water. Thus she served him for twelve years. The Imam (AS) told her, "O Bibi, Allah Most High has liked you well. Allah has blessed with salvation any person, who drank water in your house, and all the members of your house, your elders and your descendants."

363. "Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have told Bibi Ilahdati (RZ) when she was in the throes of death, "O Bibi, the sisters of the daira are waiting. Say something to them." The Bibi (RZ) said, "I have seen Allah with my physical eyes (sar ki aankh se) and then went into sajda (prostration) as a sadaqa (grace) of Imam Mahdi (AS)."

364. Imam Mahdi (AS) told Bibi Malkan (RZ), "You will be in divine ecstasy (Haq ka jazba) till the time of death."
365. Imam Mahdi (AS) used to get a glass of water and place his hand on it at the time of the initiation (or tarbiat) ceremony for women. Then the woman concerned would place her hand on the glass. The Imam (AS) would give his statement (bayan) of talqeen. At the time of bayan and talqeen, there would be parda (screen) between the Imam (AS) and the woman disciple. The woman would continue to be in parda (seclusion).

366. Bandagi Miyan Shah Dilawar (RZ) married a girl from the family of Shah Alam (RA). The Bibi (RZ) often used to mention the name of Shah Alam (RA). Shah Dilawar (RZ) once told her, "There are many shah Alams in our daira. Why do you take pride in repeating the name of Shah Alam?"

367. The companions are narrated to have asked Imam Mahdi (AS) as the time of his death was nearing, "Where should we stay after you." The Imam (AS) said, "Be in the remembrance (zikr) of Allah wherever you are. We will be very close to you. We are with you when you think of us."

368. It is narrated that there was a mat on the floor at the time of the death of Imam Mahdi (AS). There was no bedstead (palang).

369. Imam Mahdi (AS) was sitting. Malik Burhanuddin (RZ) came. The Imam (AS) explained the Quranic Verse, By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely) of that which ye love; and whatever ye give, of a truth Allah knoweth it well. ((S.3: 92 AYA) The translation given in the Hashia Insaf Nama is like this: You will never reach Allah unless you spend (or give) in the way of Allah the thing you love most.) The Malik (RZ) presented his sword and horse to the Imam (AS). The Imam (AS) said, "O Malik Burhanuddin, Allah demands your zath (self); not your sword and horse." Immediately the Malik (RZ) repented and renounced the world (performed tauba and tark-e-dunya).

370. Imam Mahdi (AS) is narrated to have said about nafs (self, lust), "This ru-siah (disgraced criminal) is strange. Whichever way it goes, it does its job with perfection. It reaches you to your destination. If it moves towards Allah, it gets you your desired objective. If it turns towards the world, it takes you to the extreme. Such is this ru-siah."

371. The companions asked Imam Mahdi (AS), "How is it to curse Yazid?" (Yazid was the Caliph who waged a war against Imam Husain (RZ), grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SLM)). The Imam (AS) said, "Curse your nafs as it disgraces you. It is difficult for everyone."

372. The companions asked Imam Mahdi (AS), "How did Firaun (Firaun or Pharaoh was the king of Egypt) stake his claim to be god?" The Imam (AS) said, "He had all the wherewithal and staked the claim." He further said, "Every person has a Firaun (pride and arrogance) in him but does not have the paraphernalia. When one gets the wherewithal, one's pride and arrogance becomes manifest."

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