Explaining the importance that Hadhrat Moulana Khaleel Ahmad Saharanpuri (rahmatullahi alaih) showed to the performance of Salaah with jamaat especially in the Haram Shareef, Mufti Aashiq Ilaahi Meeruthi (rahmatullahi alaih)writes:
I remember very clearly that we once experienced torrential rain after Maghrib Salaah. On seeing the heavy downpour, some of the companions began saying that the concession of ‘alaa sallu fi rihaalikum’ (Perform your Salaah at home i.e. due to the severe rain.) could now be practised. However, no sooner did the sound of the azaanfall on Hadhrat’s ears, he turned to me and said: ‘Come, let us go for namaaz.’
Despite my spirits being low at that time, I plucked up the courage to accompany Hadhrat. I took a lantern whilst Hadhrat took a container of water. This confounded me, for Hadhrat had already made wudhu. However, Hadhrat then said: ‘It is possible that our feet will get soiled with mud. Hence, we shall wash our feet at the entrance of themusjid so as not to soil the Haram Shareef.’
That wonderful spectacle is till before my eyes; walking barefoot with our trousers folded to our knees, holding each other’s hands like a pair of scissors and with the umbrellas hanging on our arms. Hadhrat then recited: ‘bismillahi majrehaa’ and placed his foot into the fast flowing stream. Since the water was flowing downstream and the path was steep it carried along all sizes of stones and pebbles. They were coming with such force as if one was being struck with bullets. As we walked further, the water reached my knees and I was on the verge of falling. However, Hadhrat held my arms firmly which saved me from falling. With firm reliance on Allah Ta`ala we finally reached Bab-us-Safa. As we got on to the steps Hadhrat rinsed his feet, placed his shoes in the rack and then entered the musjid reciting the masnoon du`aa.” (Tazkirat-ul- Khaleel, p. 370/371)