Hadrat Maulana Asghar Hussein Saheb Rahimahullah was a senior lecturer and teacher at Darul Uloom Deoband and served Deen throughout his life. He lived in a little village in Saharanpur. Hadrat Mufti Muhammad Shafi Saheb Rahimahullah visited him once at his home. It was meal time, so the (Dastarkhaan) table cloth was laid out and they partook of meals.
After meals, Hadrat Mufti Saheb began folding the table cloth so that he may dust the leftover particles that may have remained on the Dastarkhaan. Hadrat Maulana Asghar Hussein Saheb asked, “What are you doing?” Hadrat Mufti Saheb said, “I am folding the Dastarkhaan, so that I may dust off the remains in an appropriate area.” Hadrat Maulana Asghar Hussein Saheb then asked, “Do you know how to wrap the Dastarkhaan and get rid of the remains?” Hadrat Mufti Saheb said, “Is there a particular way of folding the Dastarkhaan which one is required to learn?”
Hadrat Maulana Asghar Hussein Saheb said, “Yes, this is also a science, and it is for the very reason that I asked you, whether you know how to fold the Dastarkhaan or not?” Hadrat Mufti Saheb Rahimahullah said, “In that case, please teach this science to me,”. So Hadrat Maulana Asghar Hussein Saheb told him, “Come, I will teach it to you.”
Hadrat Maulana Asghar Hussein Saheb separated the food particles and placed them in one area; the bones were placed in another area. He then separated the small pieces of bread, and finally the crumbs, and placed them in their respective areas.
He then said, “I have allocated different areas for these remains of food.The food particles are left in an area which is visited by a cat daily and this serves as nourishment for the cat. The bones are placed in an area frequented by dogs, whilst the pieces of bread are placed in an area frequented by birds, and the crumbs are placed near an ant hold.” He then said, “These items are all sustenance from the side of Allah Ta’ala, and a single particle should not be destroyed as far as possible.”
This is the true temperament of Islam which is in accordance to the Quraan and Sunnah. Allah Ta’ala has blessed us with unlimited sustenance and as a result (of enjoying so much), not only do we show ingratitude for these bounties (at times), rather we disrespect these bounties of Allah Ta’ala on occasions of weddings, Nikahs, Jalsas, etc. May Allah Ta’ala save us! If ever there is a shortage of food, then only do we realise the value of even one morsel.
To be continued Insha’Allah
Published by: Darul Ifta Ibn Masood Publication Department Address:- 15 Carbis Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201, South Africa, Mobile:- 084 584 2198, mailto:- iftapmb@gmail.com, Website:- fataawa.co.za
