Khodu affectionately referred to Merwan as his langoti dost (diaper buddy) — meaning a childhood pal or chum. Khodu always acted in an informal manner whenever he was with Merwan, and, naturally Merwan did the same.
Once Merwan went to visit Khodu, but he was not at home. Khodu's wife Naja asked Merwan to wait, and he requested some food. Naja served Merwan a meal, which he ate ravenously. After eating, he was about to leave when Khodu arrived, and seeing his friend, grabbed him in a welcoming bear hug.
Merwan warned him, "Khodu, don't hold me like this. I am no longer that Merwan!"
Thinking he was joking, Khodu retorted, "If you are not that Merwan, then who the hell are you? I will see who this Merwan is!" Being much taller and stronger than Merwan (who was very slender), Khodu thought he would easily overpower his friend and hurl him to the floor. But the result was not what he expected and proved to be one of the greatest lessons of his life.
Khodu lunged for Merwan's arm, but Merwan stretched out his hand to prevent him, and with a slight shove, sent Khodu reeling back, knocking him to the floor. Khodu was both shocked and amazed by Merwan's strength. Merwan was not angry and good-naturedly helped Khodu to his feet. Both sat down and started talking. Khodu immediately realized that Merwan was no longer an ordinary man, and he began to look upon him with renewed and greater respect.
"When I looked into Merwan's eyes," Khodu said later, "I knew I had lost a friend — but I had found a saint!"
After this incident, Khodu and Merwan started seeing each other more regularly. Merwan told Khodu about Babajan, and Khodu was deeply impressed, accompanying Merwan whenever he went to see her. Hour upon hour, they would sit by Babajan's side late into the night, returning to Khodu's house as late as four o'clock in the morning. Often they would discuss the significance of the qawaali singing they had heard that night at Babajan's.
After a few months, Babajan began repeating to Merwan, "My son, the treasure which you seek and the key to that treasure are not with me. I cannot give it to you. The treasure is yours — it is for you alone — there is no doubt about that! But you must have the key!"