As salaamu alai kum wa rahmatullahi wa barakath,

The following anecdote is from the life and times of Maulana Abul Hasan Ali Miyan Nadwi (may Allah have mercy on him) when he was in Abu Dhabi, U. A. E in 1977-78. This was related to me from an elderly man present in his majlis (speech) in that time, so I’m paraphrasing his words. The audience were mainly Desi expats. Its a small part from the whole lecture of 20 minutes.  

“The Shariah does not permit us to criticize the Arabs, so don’t speak ill of them, don’t criticize them. If we (Desis) had the kind of money that they (Arabs) have, we’d be such that we’d never set foot on earth (i.e., we’d be that full of pride and haughtiness). Yet, look at their humility (in-spite of their wealth), 8-10 Arabs when they sit down to eat, still eat from the same dish. They have moved far away from the Deen, so you  live a life according to the Deen, and more importantly, practice upon the Sunnah’s of the Final Prophet (peace be upon him) so that they may see and recall their old glorious times.”

(May Allah forgive me for any errors)

Wa alai kumm as salaam wa rahmatullahi wa barakath.