Moulana Shamsul Haq Afghani (Rahmatullahi Alayh) once mentioned while addressing the Ulama: “I had once travelled to Deoband where I stayed as a guest of Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani (Rahmatullahi Alayh). At the time of my arrival Hadhrat was not present; hence I went to bed before he returned. In the middle of the night, my eyes opened to find that Moulana Madani was lying beside my bed on a straw mat with a brick under his head. I was totally ashamed and asked, ‘Hadhrat! What is the matter? Why are you sleeping on the floor? Couldn’t you get me up?’ Moulana Madani replied, ‘This is a gesture of ikraam-ud-dhayf (honouring the guest). Haven’t you read the hadeeth:
“ Whoever believes in Allah and the hereafter should honour his guest.”
On this journey, I had also brought along a large quantity of grapes from Quetta. On receiving it, Hadhrat Madani distributed it to all those present. The attendant had then come from inside his home and asked him, ‘Moulana Afghani has brought along some grapes. Pass over some for the house.’ Hadhrat replied, ‘You have only come now. It has all been distributed.’
When it was time for meals, Hadhrat lifted the water jug to wash the hands of those present. I told him, ‘Hadhrat! What are you doing? I can wash my hands by myself.’ However, Hadhrat Madani insisted on pouring the water. ‘I then told him, ‘What is the benefit in this argument? My heart has now been burdened. Is this ikraam-ud-dhayf (honouring the guest)? Ikraam-ud-dhayf means that the guest should not undergo any type of difficulty.’ Hadhrat Madani replied, ‘You may experience some difficulty in fulfilling the injunction of Shari`ah but ikraam-ud-dhayf is also a command of Shari`ah which I will fulfill.’” (Khutubaat-e-Akaabir, vol. 2, p. 245)