Hakim al-Ummat Mawlana Ashraf 'Ali Thanwi’s (rahimahullah) Sincerity

Hakim al-Ummah Mawlana Ashraf 'Ali Thanwi (rahimahullah) relates:

During the time when I had written Tafsir Bayan al-Qur'an (his unique Urdu exegesis of the Noble Qur'an) an Englishman met me very eagerly. He asked, “How much money did you get for this work?” I informed him that I had obtained nothing. Expressing surprise, he said “Then what benefit did you get?” I replied, “Here in this world my Muslim brethren benefit from this work and in the hereafter is the pleasure of the true Lord.

Hadhrat Mawlana Ashraf 'Ali Thanwi was the most prolific author of his time but he did not use any of his books as a means of income. This is but one example of the sincerity of our elders. May Allah ta'ala bless us with such sincere intentions. Amin