Mawlana Dr. Muhammad I'jaaz Anjum Latifi, the Teacher of Jaamia' Razviya Manzar-e-Islam Bareilly Sharif, narrates:

It is the year 1981. I reached Bareilly Sharif, alone, after a long journey from my home. I had an uncle living here whose name was Mawlana Akhtar Noori and it was a favourable coincidence for me that he met me along the way in Bareilly Sharif. The following day, I presented myself at the Tomb of Sayyidi AlaHadrat radi Allahu anhu. Ever since from this day I always presented my greetings at the Tomb of Sayyidi AlaHadrat during the mornings and evenings. Sometimes I would meet Huzur Mufti-e-A'zam in Raza Musjid. I used to greet him and kiss his blessed hands. In those times I had no special inclination towards him. I considered him as a pious person like every other pious man.

One day my uncle questioned me if I was a mureed of someone. I informed him that I am not as yet a mureed of anyone but my parents have become mureeds of a Pir Sahab of Kichowcha Sharif. My intention is also to pledge allegiance (become a mureed) to a Sayyid Sahab. The reason I stated this is because I have always heard and read the excellence and greatness of the Prophet's صلى الله عليه و سلم  descendents. In short, my intention was not to become the disciple of Huzur Mufti-e-A'zam. My uncle tried to instill affection within me for Huzur Mufti-e-A'zam by informing me about his piety, selflessness and spirituality. He also motivated the fact that I shall not find a worthier and more God-Fearing Pir than him. Thereafter (when I did not heed his advices and requests) he discontinued encouraging me to become the Mureed of Huzur Mufti-e-A'zam.

Three weeks later there was no thought in my mind about becoming a mureed to anyone. The weather was surging with summer heat. The days were of Ramadaan. One day I woke up in the afternoon, performed Ghusl (bath) and prayed my Zuhr Prayer with the congregation. Then I started reciting the Holy Qur'an. The sun had declined and due to this the temperature dropped a little bringing along with it a cool waft of late afternoon breeze. My eyes drooped and while I was busy in the recitation of the Holy Qur'an, I slumbered onto the floor and slept.

When my eyes opened my condition was peculiar in a way that my heart felt a strange wave of tranquility. At that time I was the Imam of the Musjid of Ahmad Ali district of Bareilly Sharif. My inner being, as if a magnet, was drawing my attention towards Huzur Mufti-e-A'zam. My mindset was suddenly filled with a strange desperation and a resolved determination that I must become a mureed of Huzur Mufti-e-A'zam. I was astonished with my state of affairs and I kept questioning as to why, out of the blue, that I remember Huzur Mufti-e-A'zam? In this condition, I went to my uncle and requested him to request Huzur Mufti-e-A'zam to accept me as his mureed.

My uncle, undoubtedly surprised by my request, remarked: "I always motivated you to become his mureed but you did not pay any heed. And now, suddenly, without any premonition, why did you change your intention?"

I replied that I am myself stunned at my words and my heart is involuntarily being pulled towards Huzur Mufti-e-A'zam and my senses are encouraging me to go to him. Nevertheless, we immediately left the Musjid and travelled to the Saudagran district to Raza Musjid. It was Asr time. The congregation was about to set. After the Prayer, my uncle took my hand and approached Huzur Mufti-e-A'zam and requested him:

"Huzur, please accept him and place him in your supervision (make him your Mureed)"

At that time I realised something. Hazrat's spiritual perception is that he spiritually pulled me into his circle and through his supplication he bestowed upon me with the position of Senior Teacher of Jaamia Razvia Manzar-e-Islam. Whatever I am today, and whatever work I am accomplishing; all of it is due to that spiritual perception and supplication of the Master and Possessor of saintliness.

As for my doctorate and secular studies I have to place this also at the feet of my Master. It was the time when my father informed me that the board exam date has been set and I have to return to my hometown. I felt like going to Hazrat late at night but then thought better of it that how can I disturb him. In the morning, before travelling to my hometown, I wrote a letter to Huzur Mufti-e-A'zam requesting him to supplicate for my success. I was about to place the letter into the post box when the horrifying news reached me that Hazrat has passed away. My world was torn apart. My heart was squeezed with emotion and I had felt last night that I should be with Hazrat but I did not do it. And I could not send this letter anymore and I was about to tear it. Then I thought of something and placed the letter addressed to Hazrat into the post box.

The strange thing about the exam was, that it was set in my hometown. And the supervisors were very strict. A boy was found cheating and his exam was refuted. I had not studied (due to sadness) and I knew that I will not be able to pass this exam. But, may my life be sacrificed for Hazrat's spiritual prowess even after he left this world! I received merit in my exam and was awarded with the second position. All of this is due to the letter which I had posted and I was well aware that Hazrat received the letter...eventually.

"Chaman Khaamosh ghamgeen chaand taare Mufti-e-A'zam,
Nahi ab Noor o Nikhat ke nazaare Mufti-e-A'zam,
Rawaa aankho se hain ashkou ke dhaare Mufti-e-A'zam, 
Kahaa ho be-sahaaro ke Sahaare Mufti-e-A'zam!"

"The garden is silent, saddened are the moon and stars O Mufti-e-A'zam,
Nor are there any visions of light and luminosity O Mufti-e-A'zam!

Flowing are the rivers of tears from the eyes O Mufti-e-A'zam, 
Where are you, O the Support of the supportless, O Mufti-e-A'zam!

(Jahaan e Mufti e A'zam, pg 413)

Translated by Tehseen Raza Hamdani Nuri

http://thesunniway.com/articles/item/195-spiritual-perception-of-huzur-mufti-e-azam