special prize from Maulana Ahmad Ali Saharanpuri. Following his graduation, he was appointed as an assistant Arabic teacher at Mazahir Uloom. However he soon left for Lahore to pursue further studies in adab (Arabic literature) with Maulana Faizul Hasan Saharanpuri, head of the Arabic department at the Oriental College in Lahore. In a few months Khalil Ahmad studied books of adab from him including Maqamat and Mutanabbi. Bay'at One day, Moulana Khalil's paternal uncle, Moulvi Ansar Ali said, "After your studies, you should acquire tasawwuf from Moulvi Saab (i.e. Gangohi)". At around this time, Moulana Khalil's marriage was conducted with a woman from Gangoh. Thus, he passed much of his time in Gangoh. While in Gangoh, Khalil remained in the blessed company of Gangohi. However, the thought of requesting Khalil for bay'at did not occur to him. However, after his graduation, the idea of bay'at did occur to him. Coincidentally, Moulana Muhammad Qasim Nanotvi arrived. At night, in privacy, Moulana Khalil said, "I have the thought of bay'at. In our surroundings, there are several buzurgs. I do not know what is best for me. If you feel that it is best for me to enter into the association of your khuddam, then do accept me. However, instruct me according to what you feel is best for me." In reply, Moulana explained that there was none better than Moulana Rashid Ahmad for this. Moulana Khalil then said, "He is extremely reluctant regarding bay'at. However, if you intercede on my behalf, then this matter will be finalised. He responded, "Good, when I come to Gangoh, be there." Thus, when he was informed that Moulana was travelling to Gangoh, Moulana Khalil immediately did the same. In the morning, after he had conversed with Gangohi, he called for Moulana Khalil. Moulana Khalil entered, greeted Gangohi, and sat down. Gangohi, with a slight smile, said, "Humble and lowly people become my murids. You are the son of a pir and selected one. Why do you wish for your bay'at to be accepted by me?" This statement incapacitated Khalil's senses and he stammered, "Hazrat, I am worse, more contemptible, and useless than them (the humble folk). Gangohi responded, "Enough! Enough! Make Istikhara. I am coming to the masjid". Moulana Khalil immediately proceeded to the masjid, performed wudhu, and performed Istikhara. When Gangohi arrived, he instructed Moulana Khalil to repent and initiated him into the System of