Once, an Ahmadi friend, who resided in the suburbs of London, invited Chaudhry Sahib (ra) to his place for dinner. Chaudhry Sahib usually did not like late night dinners as it affected his routine of sleeping and getting up.
However, on his sincere insistence, Chaudhry Sahib agreed. In those days, Jama’at was campaigning for inviting one or two tabligh contacts to such dinners to fulfil the obligation of tabligh.
Accordingly, the host had invited a young English friend. He was seated next to Chaudhry Sahib and throughout that time, the two were engaged in conversation centered around Islam Ahmadiyyat.
When it was time to go after dinner and dua, the host requested to have a group photograph with Chaudhry Sahib (ra). Chaudhry Sahib (ra) was not fond of being photographed.
Whenever someone wished to have a photograph with him, he usually suggested: “Photograph me if you will as I may be, sitting or standing; I am not for formalities.”
That night, it was getting quite late and we had to get back to London. Therefore, he wanted to leave as soon as possible. He agreed to the photograph on insistence of the host but was in a hurry.
All gathered around Chaudhry Sahib. Everyone except the English guest was wearing a cap. After the photograph, the young English gentleman realized that he was the only one without the cap, he wanted to have another photograph taken, wearing a cap.
Chaudhry Sahib could not refuse in view of respect for the guest. Then the search for a suitable cap for him started. He tried one, looked in the mirror, asked the host if it was good.
You can well imagine how the time would have appeared to drag on for Chaudhry Sahib!
Finally, when the young man got his cap sorted out and stood by Chaudhry Sahib, the latter advised him fully in one comprehensive sentence. Very affectionately he said: “Look young man! Don’t worry about your cap. What is under the cap that matters!” Everyone was amused by that spontaneous advice and the guest also took it well.