The boy am writing about is the younger brother to a very special, beloved, blessed and illuminated boy.
So I write about the former to make you wonder how captivating the latter is.
The Habib Muhammad bin Abdullah al Aydarus conducts his classes in his personal office. He typically teaches books under the category of purification of the heart. A good amount of those who sit in his classes are audit students and outsiders, meaning those not registered officially for that class. Yes, it’s that amazing. And there’s quite a few more like him.
One morning while waiting for him, everyone was minding their own business or in conversation, few in revision.
Sayyid Ali al-Haddar (left) said to everyone let’s form a loose circle while waiting and we go one person after another. Each share something they’ve learned either from this book we’re reading now (with Habib Muhammad) or whatever book. I’ll start first.
And he goes. Gradually the circle forms. This is an example of one form of light. Just like how we’re familiar with the sunshine, and the bulb, LED screens from phones.
He’s no nerd. He’s no student leader. He’s quite a good dancer in fact. But more importantly, he’s also light.
Once Habib Muhammad had to travel for a period and he appointed a replacement teacher. As with every semester, attendance drops when this happens. It’s difficult to not feel the drop of..whatever that was felt in those sessions with Habib Muhammad.
When he came back, we knew that evening of half the supposed attendance of students (and half of this were there due to attendance checklist), that it would be the last night of class for this replacement teacher.
Ali brought out from his bag chocolates which he had bought in bulk. Gave the teacher and each student.
The teacher said, this is normally done when the book is completed.
He replied, yes and we complete our time with you tonight and seek your blessing.
Abdul Qader Jailani al-Haddar and his brother Ali left Tareem recently for home after about five years studying here. It felt like all of the school came out to say goodbye to Abdul Qader specifically, despite almost a hundred others who were also leaving.
What kind of light Abdul Qader is, that’s still beyond me.
