Salaam. It is a well documented fact that alahazrat ('alayhirraHmah) had immense respect for the sadaat kiraam. His fatawa and poetry and biographical anecdotes by his contemporaries and students provide ample testimony in this regard. However, there are certain issues that I would like to discuss. But before I list out the points I request the reader to go through the relevant section in the book 'Who is Alahazrat?'. Thereafter the following points may be discussed: 1. It has been recorded in al-malfuz shareef that in reply to the question: 'who is entitled to more honor, a scholar whi is not a sayyid or a non-scholar sayyid?' alahazrat had replied that a scholar is entitled to more respect than a sayyid who is not a scholar. If I remember it correctly, something to this effect may also be found in Fatawa al-Ridawiyyah shareef. 2. Kindly note that this is in regards to the actual ruling and not what someone might do in practice out of his own voliation and love for the sadaat such as Imam ash-Shafi'i standing up in respect for young sayyids who happened to be playing in the vicinity of where he was teaching. 3. Now the actual question. This is about the event that is oft narrated wherein alahazrat had sensed the presence of a sayyid among the people who were carrying his palinquin and he immediately got down and apologized to the sayyid and requested him to occupy the palinquin and he himself carried it for the rest of the journey. What is the source of this narration. Apparently, Allamah Arshadul Qadiri ('alayhirraHmah) was the first to record it - is it found in any other book prior to his? Is the authenticity of this narration established? For one, sidi abu Hasan has not quoted it in the above mentioned book (or have I overlooked it?), was it for brevity or out of concern for its authenticity? 4. Motives and agendas: so why am I asking this question! Because of a few issues here. First and foremost it is narrated without fail and with much embellishment and fanare in almost every bayan on the life of alahazrat. One scholar told me that he has observed a trend in several a'araas where the only noteworthy point regarding alahazrat the speaker undertakes to mention is his love for the sayyids and almost invariably this particular narration is brought up and beyond this nothing else. To quote the scholar: 'It is as if alahazart did naught else mentionable in his life except respect sayyids. His intellectual services to the deen and his lofty stature as the author of hundereds of fatawa is all but celebrated when these events should have been cashed in on to instill the love for 'ilm-e-deen in people's hearts.' Secondly people, especially sadaat families themselves, tend to conclude that they are beyond any correction and any scholar who tries to correct them is regarded as an enemy of the sadaat and put down as an inferior creature unworthy of attention or respect. 5. It would be foolish to suggest that this sole narration is the root of all problems but when repeated, among other things, 'urs after 'urs it does create an impression not altogether desirable. Add to this the fact that entire branches of many notable sayyid families in India have either embraced tafdil or turned outright shi'as and you will appreciate the depth of the problem. Tafdil is a such delicate and passion arousing issue and so apt to produce misunderstandings that it's little wonder that scholars are vary of broaching the topic in public speeches to refute the proponents of tafdil. Frequent reiteration of such narrations is not very helpful then. Please discuss without second-guessing my motivations or intentions. Allah knows best. JazakAllah. Wassalaam
