THE GREAT MUSLIM WOMEN
ARIFAT
Let me hide in You
From everything
that distracts me from You,
From everything that comes in my way
When I want to run to You.
The real work is in
the Heart:
Wake up your Heart!
May God steal from you
All that steals you from Him.
:::
'Aishah bint Ja'far Sadiq
"Aishah bint Ja'far Sadiq would take pride in being a Muslim. She
had full faith in Allah and often said endearingly that if she was driven
into Hell, she would openly say, "When I believed in Oneness of Allah
then why this punishment is being inflicted on me." She died in 145H
and was buried at Bab Al-Qarana* Egypt, where her mausoleum lies now.
MORAL:
O' women! very rare are those who are entitled to have such a place and
those who have, they got it by total submission, so you must take the
same path. Total obedience and submission to Allah means: never to do
the following for any one save Allah: to worship, to ask for help, to
fear, to make effort to please and to care for displeasure. Besides, your
praise should not please you and to censure your doings may not sadden
you. If someone annoys you, forgive him and maintain it to be Allah's
will and proclaim, 'I am His slave, I should always be at the will and
mercy of Allah.' If a person believes in Oneness of Allah, he needs not
to have fear of Hell. As the lady 'Aishah believed in Allah in totality,
she knew that the foremost blessing of Faith is that the Fire is not for
the Believers.
* * *
Fatimah
bint Abdul Malik
Fatimah bint Abdul Malik was a highly placed woman of first century Hijrah.
She was wife of the great Banu Umayyad Caliph 'Umar ibn Abdul Aziz and
daughter of Abdul Malik ibn Marwan. She was raised in palatial atmosphere
like princesses and she was familiar with the royal culture. 'Umar ibn
Abdul Aziz, himself a man of great beauty was regarded one of the few
who greatly were mindful of their get-up. His diet and dress were equally
worthy of royalty. But after he had to take over the charge of the Caliphate,
he gave up all princely practices. He turned his mouth away from the superb
and delicious cuisine. The pulses were started to be cooked daily and
all the people of his household were sick with the pulses.
One
day a servant complained his matron that he was fed up with the pulses.
She silenced him to tell that his master, the Commander of the Faithful,
too ate the same and they themselves, as well. Once the Caliph praised
the taste of Lebanon-honey before her. She sent word to ruler of Lebanon,
Ibn Ma'di Karb. He immediately sent the honey. When it was served before
the Caliph, he questioned from his wife if she had ordered for that. She
answered in affirmative and the Caliph sold out the honey and deposited
the price in Baytal Mai (state exchequer). Once a woman came from Iraq
to get approved the allowance for her orphan daughters. She saw the first
lady baking bread herself and sat near her. She was looking at the house
and then said regretfully that she had come to find some favours from
that house but it, itself is in the worst. The Caliph's wife said, "your
homes are cared, at the cost of ours." Then she inquired about her
problems and put her case before the Caliph who approved the allowance
forthwith. When 'Umar ibn Abdul Aziz fell ill with mortal disease, his
brother in law Muslima ibn Abdul Malik came to inquire about his health.
He saw the Commander of the Faithful wearing a worn Kameez (long shirt).
He took aside his sister and asked her to change the Kameez of the Commander
of the Faithful. She told her astonished brother that the ruler of the
greatest empire of the time had that only shirt. Fatimah was a woman who
was born with a silver spoon in her mouth and was bred with royal manners.
But she withdrew from that sort of life to the will and wish of her husband
and lived her life poorly. She lived long after her husband but she persisted
to live simply. The noted Turk writer Dhehni Afindi writes, "Fatimah
bint Abdul Malik ibn Marwan was known Dhatid Khimar (the woman of shawl).
She was a lady of great piety and reverence. Her tomb is in Busra (Syria)
where her devotees pay visits frequently.
(Serah 'Umar ibn Abdul Aziz, Taha'in Tarikh Islam).
* * *
Umm-e-Rabaya
She was the mother of Imam Abu 'Uthman Rabaya Ar-Rai (RA) (obiit: 136H).
She was married to a pious young man Abu Abdur-Rehman Farokh, a native
of Madinah. Who was the slave of Bani Tamim. Imam Rabaya was left unborn
when his father Abu Abdur Rehman Farokh had to leave for the campaign
of Khurasan. He gave thirty thousand gold coins to his wife before he
left and told her that the money was all. he had. He asked her to keep
the money with care. "I have the intention to enter upon business
if 1 return safe from the battle field. You can spend, however, out of
this money in my absence if ever it needs as much as you want. When you
shall be blessed with son or daughter after me, let the child be bred
nicely." Saying this, he bade farewell to his wife and joined the
Muslim troops in Damascus. A chain of conquests had opened loose for Muslims.
One campaign after the other until twenty-seven years passed since he
had left his home to participate in Jihad. During all those years, neither
he could return home nor could establish any contact. A son was born to
his wife back home who was named Rabaya. She was a sagacious and farsighted
lady. Though the distance between her and her husband had discoloured
her life but she brought up her son very excellently. She managed high
standard education for her promising son until all the money, her husband
had left was spent.
Rabaya turned to be very intelligent and hard working. He memorized the
Holy Quran in very early age and within a few years, mastered the learning
of Quran, Hadith, Islamic jurisprudence and literature. The fame of his
erudition spread across Arabia. He was a recognized Imam (authority).
People called him Imam Rabaya Ar-Rai. Imam Rabaya delivered his discourse
daily in Mosque of the Prophet (SAW) and the seekers of knowledge would
come from distant places to attend his lectures. Some of those learners
later became great Imam (leader of Islam) themselves. The prominent among
them were Imam Malik, Imam Sufyan Thori and Imam Awzai.
After long twenty-seven years, Farokh could take leave of Jihad and set
out for homeland. After a long journey he entered Madinah with elegance,
riding on a thoroughbred horse, the sword fastened along his side and
a long spear in his
hand. He knocked at the door with the point of spear. Imam Rabaya came
out. Both father and the son did not know each other. Farokh's hasty and
unhesitant entry into the house was checked by his son Imam Rabaya, who
said. "Who are you to enter my home without permission."
"I fear, you are not in your senses. I am entering my house not yours.
Who are you, poking your nose." The exchange of heated words raised
their voices. The neighbours gathered to have heard the uproar. Each of
the both was threatening the other to take him to the higher authority.
Some one informed Imam Malik. He immediately reached. He addressed Farokh
tenderly and asked why he was entering the house of a noble man and why
he does not go somewhere else. At that, the stranger introduced himself
and said. "I am Abdur Rehman Farokh. This is my own house. I had
gone to Jihad and now returned after 27 years but no one knows me."
Hearing the voice of Farokh. his wife peeped through the chink of the
door and recognized her husband at once. She called in both Rabaya and
Farokh to tell Imam Rabaya that the elegant stranger was his father. She
told Abdur-Rehman that the son was born a few months after his departure.
Both the father and son embraced while eyes of both were wet with tears
of joy. After he had dined and taken rest, he asked his wife about thirty
thousands, he had left. The wife assured him that all the amount was safe.
Meanwhile time came of prayer and the lecture. Imam Rabaya went to Mosque
of the Prophet (SAW) as he heard the Azan (call for prayer). The wife
asked Abu Abdur-Rehman to say prayer in the Nabvi Mosque. He went and
saw there a graceful young man surrounded by respectful listeners. The
speaker was his own son, the great Imam Rabaya but because he was putting
on tarboosh on his head, he could not recognize him from distance. He
asked some one who the noble man was. "Do you not know him?"
the person said with surprise "He is Imam Rabaya Ar-Rai ibn Abdur-Rehman."
An unnarratable happiness overwhelmed him to hear this and the tears welled
up from his eyes with gratitude to Allah. He spontaneously said, "Great
thanks to Allah who raised the name of my son."
He came home, delighted and told his wife that the reverence and veneration
which was extended to his son, he ne\er observed before for any one else.
"Do you prefer the dignity and respect of your son or thirty thousand
gold coins?" the wife put the meaningful question. "I swear
by Allah, the thirty thousands is equal to nothing as compared to the
honour and obedience accorded to him." "Then listen, I have
spent all that money to educate him and adorn him with these qualities"
the wife said. "No other could be better use of the money than this
one. You, by spending the money have made my son, king of the empire which
has no fear of decline and fall."
Imam Rabaya is counted among the Aiemmah Taba'in (the leader Successors
to the Companions of the Prophet (SAW). He was a man of great knowledge.
His erudition commanded veneration from most respected scholars, Islamic
jurists and even from the kings and queens. He achieved that pride and
glory because of the far-sightedness and knowledgeableness of his mother
who did not endear the wealth for the education of her child. This indicates
that the first step of educating the child begins with the lap of the
mother and the mother is the architect of the fate of children. If the
mothers pays full attention to the breeding of their children, there is
no basis to believe, they would not grow in to proud sons of motherland
and the nation.
(Taba'in-Ghulaman Islam).
* * *
Sayyadah Nufaysah bint Hasan
Nufaysah bint Hasan was one of the most venerable erudites and mystics
of second century Hijrah. She was daughter of Hasan ibn Zayd ibn Hasan
ibn Ali ibn Abi Talib and wife of Ishaque ibn Ja'far Sadiq ibn Muhammad
Baqir ibn Ali Zayn-ul-Abidin ibn Hussayn ibn Ali. She was born in 145H
(or in 134H). She is narrated to fast very frequently and would keep long
vigils. The words of penitence were always on her tongue and she persistently
begged pardon of Allah, shaken and restless with fear of her so called
sins. She would maintain the Tahajjud prayer. She performed Hajj thirty
times in her life. She would weep bitterly while making Tawaf. She held
the hanging border of the cover of the Ka'bah and made the following supplication
to Allah with great humility, "Allah, Almighty, Thou art my Master.
1, a humble slave of Thine, beg Thy approval. I pray to make me contented
on Thy pleasure." Imam Shafe'i was a contemporary of Sayyadah Nufaysah.
He would frequently sought her audience and discussed scholarly issues.
He is also reported to have learnt a great deal of the knowledge of Hadith
from her. Both were respectful and appreciative of each other. Imam Shafe'i,
who died in 204H had made the will that his funeral procession might be
taken along the front of Sayyadah's house. When the procession passed
by, she prayed her funeral prayer at home. A number of Karamat (unusual
happenings - miracles) are also counted on her part. The Egyptians were
devoted greatly to her for her erudition, continence and piety. Even today,
her mausoleum, built in 208H at Cairo is the resort of all. Her mausoleum
is known as Mashhad-i-Nufaysah and is frequented by her devotees. The
account of the event of her death is very inspiring. It is narrated that
Sayyadah was reciting from the Holy Quran in the month of Ramadan, when
suddenly acute weakness overwhelmed her and her pulse ceased beating.
All of the relatives pressed to break the fast but she said that it was
her long lasting wish to die while fasting. "Now, why I should lose
the chance if my supplication is likely to be answered" she told
firmly and breathed her last when Koranic words were on her lips.
(Mashahir Niswan)
* * *
Fatimah
Nishapuri
Dhun-Nun Misri had been a great mystic. He says that he received great
benefits from Fatimah. She would say that one who does not adhere constantly
to Allah, he is an easy target of all sorts of sins and he speaks with
out thinking over. But one who is devoted to Allah, he is like a dumb
as he never speaks nonsense. He feels shame from Allah. Abu Yezid says
that Fatimah was a woman of outstanding wisdom. When she was informed
of any event of anywhere, she would be
knowing that already. She died on the way to Makkah for Vmrah in 223H.
MORAL:
O' women! Just look the benefits of devotion. The constancy will guard
you against sins. We have also come to know that she was divinely intimated.
Though the ability is not an absolute indication of being highly placed,
but, with a good person.
(Behishti Zewar).
* * *
Umm-e-Sufyan
Thori
Umm Sufyan was the wife of the great Successor Sa'id ibn Masruq and mother
of Imam Sufyan Thori, a noted member of the venerable community of the
Followers of the Successors. Her husband Sa'id ibn Masruq was a highly
placed reformer and an authentic narrator of Hadith. She herself was a
pious, good mannered and learned lady. Imam Thori says that once, at night,
he looked at the sky and felt his body empty of heart. He mentioned it
to his mother. She said, "It seems, you didn't look at the sky to
learn some lesson but you wanted just fun." The parents of Imam Thori
lived poorly and unable to pay for the education of their son. But strong
desire and determination of Umm Sufyan removed all hurdles. She told her
son to go ahead on the way to attain knowledge and she would meet the
expenses by spinning cotton. Umm Sufyan not only persuaded her son to
gain knowledge but also advised that his education should have been a
means to build his conduct and character, not to spoil them. Once, said
to him, "My son! When you are able to write ten words, please note,
whether your grace and respect was increased in the eyes of people or
not, if not then rest assured that your education did not give benefit
to you."
(Taba-'a Taba'in).
* * *
Bibi
Umm-e-lhsan
Umm Ihsan had been a mystic of great note in the second century Hijrah.
She was native of Kufa and her piety and continence was proverbial. Her
cousins and other people of her family were rich and wealthy but she lived
the life a pauper. Imam Sufyan Thori, who was her contemporary, would
visit her home to attend her scholarly gatherings. Imam Thori says that
he saw nothing in her home except a worn rug. According to another report
her sons were well off, but she took nothing from them or any one else
and spent her life in athached cottage. Once Imam Thori said to her, "O'
Umm Ihsan, if your cousins or sons get word of your plight, they, certainly
shall make all provisions." Signs of displeasure were quite evident
on her face to hear his words. She said, "O' Sufyan! Your words have
lessened your place in my eyes. Do you not see, I never prayed for anything
of this world from Lord of the lords, why, then, it should be expected
that I would want from them who, themselves are wanters. Wallah! I could
not live a moment devoid of remembrance of Allah and direct my hopes on
anyone else." Imam Thori began to cry on this warning and said, "O'
Umm Ihsan you are indeed a slave of Allah." Year of her death is
not mentioned in any book.
(Nafahatul Uns).
* * *
Childhood
of Rabe'a Basrya
Rabe'a Basrya has been the leading mystic of all the ages. Some one asked
her how it happened that she took the path of devotion to Allah. She told.
"I was of seven years when famine broke out in Basra. My parents
died and my three sisters were separated from me. I am called Rabe'a because
I was fourth after my three sisters (Rabe'a means fourth in Arabic). I
fell in the hands of an unkind man who sold me out for six dirhams only.
The person who paid my price was also a stone-hearted man He would put
me to hard work. One day I fell from the root and my arm was broken. I
put my face against the earth and prayed, "My Lord! I, a poor and
orphan, in the custody of a pitiless person beg Thine mercy may be bestowed
on me. I am anxious to resign myself to Thy pleasure. If it is all with
Thy will, then I need not to worry." A voice said. "O' girl!
Do not be sad. You are going to gain a place where you shall command respect
from all and you will win appreciation from those who are considered to
be near to Allah." When I returned home I began to keep fasts and
would be at my devotions at night. Once, at a night I was praying, "My
Lord, Thou know that my desires are in consonance with Thy orders, and
the vision of my eye is just the reward of being at Thy service. My Lord!
Thou know my intent, if I were not obliged to serve one of Thy servants,
I would never have lived inattentive of my devotions even for a single
moment."
Meanwhile my master happened to come in to the room and he saw a source
of light suspended above my head, without having been hung from the ceiling.
All the house was lighted up because of it. The master called me the very
next day, paid me great respect and set me free. I took leave of him and
set out for the desolated suburbs to reside. I chose a remote, uninhabited
area and settled there. It was my every day practice to pray one thousand
Rakat (bows) of supererogatory prayers.
(Usvah-us-Salihin)
Contentment of Rabe'a
It is narrated that o.nce, some guests came to visit her. Unluckily she
had nothing to offer save two dried loaves of bread. Meanwhile a beggar
came who asked for something to eat. She gave both the breads to him.
The guests might have thought that she gave away all she had and now what
they would be offered. A little after some one called out her name. She
asked who he was. He told that the person so and so had sent her meals.
She accepted and began to count the breads, which turned eighteen. To
utter surprise of the guests who were eagerly waiting for the feast to
be served, she said, returning the feast to the carrier, "It is not
for me." The carrier insisted that she was the person for whom the
meals had been sent. "Why, then, it is short of the calculation.
Allah has promised to return ten fold for what is given in His name. I
gave two breads and the breads you brought should have been twenty, while
these are eighteen. Where are the remaining two breads, as Allah does
not break His promise. So this meal is not for me. "You are true"
the carrier said, "The breads were rightly twenty. I stole two of
them, please return not the meals. I restore the two breads.” Having
seen satisfied, she accepted the meals.
(Taslimo Rada, Khutbat Hakimul Ummat, Volume 15).
* * *
Alyah,
the Princess
Princess
Alyah was the daughter of third Abbaside Caliph Mahdi (158H – 169H)
and half sister of 5th Caliph Harunar-Rashid. Her mother was Maknunah.
Her father made superb arrangements for her education. So she achieved
erudition in the learning the Qur’an and the Hadith besides other
current fields. She was a pious lady and extremely punctual in her prayers.
She used to recite of the Holy Qur’an after Fajr prayer in her sweet
voice and thereupon busied herself in stuffy of books.
* * *
Abbasah,
The Princess
Princess Abbasah was daughter of the Caliph Mahdi Abbasi and sister of
the Caliphs Hadi and Harunar Rashid. She was born in Kufa in 154H (771
A.D). She was educated at roval standards and most celebrated scholars
and teachers of various arts were hired to educate her. Her accomplishments
in different fields of studies earned her a great respect from the leading
scholars of all schools of thought. She was fond of literature and the
literati. It is reported that the eloquent exegesis of the Holy Quran
made by her would bewilder the scholars of great note. She used to recite
of the Koranic verses with passion in her melodious voice. Poetry and
literature were her engaging subjects. She was a woman of outstanding
beauty, intelligence, good manners and wisdom.
* * *
Zubaydah,
the Empress
Umm Ja'far, Zubaydah was the darling queen of fifth Abbaside Caliph Harunar
Rashid (170H, 786 A.D to 193H, 809 A.D). Her name was Amatul Aziz but
she came to be known as Zubaydah. Her grandfather Abu Ja'far Mansur who
had endearly named her Zubaydah, made very special arrangements for her
education. Very competent and highly qualified teachers and scholars were
hired. Zubaydah, herself was very intelligent and right-minded. She obtained
education with great interest and developed an attachment with the Quran
and Hadith, which persisted for the entire of her life. She excelled in
Arabic literature as well as other fields of learning. Her erudition could
be compared with those of the celebrated scholars of her days. Zubaydah
was a very graceful lady. She was kind hearted, generous and literary
minded. Though her living was regal and her magnificence and splendour
was unparalleled in the precincts of the royalties. On the one hand thousands
of dinars were spent on her single dress, her footwears were studded with
diamonds and pearls and her palaces were lighted with candles of amber.
Her kitchen expenditures were more than ten thousand dirhams daily. Hundreds
of people would live on her kitchen. On the other hand her life was a
decent example of a devout Muslim woman. She had engaged one hundred slave
girls who would recite the Holy Quran constantly. Her palaces perpetually
echoed with the voices of the recitation. She was very respectful to the
literati. Some of them were granted regular stipends. She was very punctual
in prayers and the fastings. She went on Hajj a number of times. Once
she made the journey to the holy land on foot. She took great interest
in the projects of public welfare and would spend on them generously.
She built inns and lodges on the way from Iraq to Makkah and dug the wells
for pilgrims and travellers. The road was lost from time to time as the
storms and strong winds would often carry along the sand and dust and
spread all around, leaving all the area a vast desert and the travellers
wandered about, unable to find the road. The queen, Zubaydah cost hundreds
of thousands of dinars to erect the stonewall along both sides of the
road to block the winds carrying sand. She built a number of grand mosques,
as well. She also dug a big canal from the mount of Lebanon to Beirut
to provide water for the people of the area. But her monumental work which
would become a legend in the days to come was the construction of the
Zubaydah Canal a landmark in the history of hydro engineering. It is stated
that years before the Caliphate of Harunar Rashid was established, there
was acute shortage of water in Makkah. Local inhabitants and the pilgrims
were equally in great distress. Sometimes a small waterskin would cost
up to ten dirhams and big one for a gold coin. A time came when the scarcity
of water endangered the lives of people and the livestock and it was taken
very seriously, if the proper arrangements were not made, hundreds of
thousands lives would be lost. The officials reported the gravity of the
situation to the empress. She resolved to solve the problem by ensuring
persistent supply of water to Makkans and the pilgrims. She summoned the
hydro engineers and the master architects and ordered them to find out
some springs in the mountainous suburbs of Makkah. After months of maneuvering
and surveying they succeeded, at last, to find two springs, one on the
way to Taif at the distance of 25 kilometers from Makkah and the other
in the hills of Kara in the valley of Noman. But to bring water to Makkah
was an uphill task. Ranges of mountains were a real hurdle. But the ambitious
empress ordered the project to be implemented and assured the men that
she was ready to pay a gold coin for every stroke of the pick. The work
started and with tireless efforts of three years, thousands of workers
and warders made possible, which once seemed impossible. They maneuvered
the canal through the hilly valleys by cutting open the hearts of the
imposing mountains. The bill of the gigantic project rose to seventy Lacs
gold dinars. When the documents of accounts were produced to the empress,
she was seated in her palace, at the bank of the river Tigris. She did
not even cast an eye at the documents and directed the papers to be thrown
in to the Tigris and said, "I have left these accounts to be settled
on the Accountability Day, as, all I have done, is to seek favours from
Allah. If any amount is owing on my account, I am ready to pay and if
anyone else owes to me, I write it off."
In addition to all emoluments and dues, empress Zubaydah gave away prizes
and bestowals generously to all the people of the project and ordered
the event to be celebrated.
As for the Zubaydah Canal, actually two separate canals were dug from
both the fountains, which were merged somewhere in the hills into a single
Canal, which runs up to Arafat and Mina. Along the banks of the canal,
tanks were made at proper places to store the water of rains, whichever
to supplement the canal water. The base of the canal was concreted to
prevent the sepage of water. A considerable part of the cartal was covered
to keep the water unpolluted from the sand-storms which was a frequented
event of the area. In the beginning the canal came to be named 'Aynal
Mashash but later it was attributed to Zubaydah. The 33 kilometers long
canal flowing by the Mount of Arafat, made its tail end at Chah Znbaydah.
a site, at few kilometers from Makkah. The empress intended to extend
it to Makkah, but some unconquerable hurdles blocked the way. But still
the water came in to the reach of the Makkans.
(Mashahir Niswan).
* * *
Bibi
Umm-e-Talaq
Umm Talaq had been a woman of great piety and adoration in second century
Hijrah. She prayed her prayers with utmost punctuality. Muhammad ibn Sannan
narrates with a reference to Shu'bah ibn Dukhan that Umm Talaq used to
pray four hundred Nawafil (optional prayer) daily and recited from the
Holy Quran to her utmost ability. The noted member of the community of
the Successors to the Holy Prophet's (SAW) Companions Sufyan ibn 'Ayniyah
(obiit: 198H) was the contemporary of Umm Talaq and would call at her
to hear words of wisdom from time to time.
She would say that human heart is a ruler if you opt to be ruled and a
slave if you opt to rule. Ibn Rumi says that the thatch of her cottage
was very low. He asked in surprise why was so. She explained that 'Umar
(RA) had ordered his governors not to build lofty buildings, saying, "the
time shall be the worst when the high rising building are started to be
erected."
(Tabqat ibn Sa'd).
* * *
Bibi
Atnatul Jalil
It has been reported in Tabqat She'rani that AmatuI Jalil was one of the
pious and virtous women of Arabia. Once, in her age it came to be discussed
in the mystical circles that what should be the credentials of a Wali
(friend of Allah). All passed their opinion but the difference did exist.
Then it was agreed to approach Bibi Amatul Jalil. When she was contacted,
she defined. "The Wali is that who spends every moment of his life
in the remembrance of Allah, turns absolutely other wards from this mortal
world and never could be persuaded to anything else. If ever you come
to know that, Wali so and so has taken a path other than the above, do
not trust in his Wilayat." Supposedly her age was third century Hijrah.
(Nafahaatul Uns).
* * *
Bibi
'Ubaydah
Bibi 'Ubaydah was a woman of great virtues and piety in the age of Abbaside
Caliph Mamunar-Rashid (198H-218H) and Mo'tasim Billah (218H-227H). Abu
Alfarj Asfahani has made mention of her talents and skills in his book
AI-Aghani.
* * *
Bibi
Sha'wanah
Bibi Sha'wanah was a woman of great piety and virtues in the second century
Hijrah. She was native of Persian (Iranian) city, Ablah. Devotion and
continence were her great merits. She had a sweet voice and when she recited
from the Holy Quran, it captivated the hearts and souls of the listeners.
Her address and discourse were very persuasive and scholars of note and
people of long vigils would attend her congregations. She was very light-hearted
and used to weep frequently in fear of Allah. Once, some of her well wishers
asked her not to weep so much, lest her eyes should be suffered. "Weeping
to be blind in this world is better than to get blind with Doom of Hell"
She answered. Then said further, "The eye which is unable to see
its loved one but has the longing to see, it is not worthy of it to remain
unwept. It has been reported that once Fadil ibn Ayyad, (who once would
commit robbery but later he made penitence and became a devout Follower.
He went to Baghdad to be taught by Imam Abu Hanifa. After having completed
his learning, he joined the company of Khawja Abdul Wahid ibn Zayd and
was designated to be his successor. He came to be known one of the venerated
scholars and friends of Allah.) called at her and begged to pray for him.
She asked him if he had any reason, by the help of which she could pray
Allah and it might be answered. Fadil ibn Ayyad began to tremble to hear
that and fell unconscious, thereupon. Three sayings of Sha'-wanah are
worth noting:
1. One who is devoted to Allah, cannot be satiated how so ever, he or
she makes remembrance of Him.
2. The eye unable to see whom it desires to see, is better to shed tears.
3. One who cannot weep himself, should have mercy on the weepers who lament
repentant, on their misfortune and sins.
She wept frequently and would say that she wanted to weep so intensely
that her tears might dry up and shed tears of blood to leave the body
empty of it. One of her maids once said that ever since she saw her mistress,
she was known to have lost every desire of the world and that she never
considered any Muslim inferior to herself.
MORAL:
Weeping out of love and fear of Allah is a great blessing. If you cannot
weep, cut a sorry figure at least, Allah may have mercy on you. Remember,
sitting with the learned elders earns wisdom and sagacity. Always find
a good company and avoid mixing with bad people.
(Bahishti Zewar).
Supplications
of Sha'wanah to Almighty Allah
Sha'wanah was a perpetual suppliant. She would beg Allah, "My Lord,
I have heart filled with longing to meet Thee and expect a likewise response
from Thee. Thou are the Beneficent by Whom neither the hopefuls are disregarded
nor their longing is returned unheeded. My Lord, if the time of my death
approaches and none of my deeds caused me nearer to Thee, I implore Thy
Lordship, confessing my sins, to be forgiven, as I know, none is better
pardoner than Thee. If Thou inflict punishment, who could be to do better
justice. My Lord, Thou bestowed blessings on me in my life, so please
lift not hand of mercy off me after my death and keep up the continuity
of beneficence.
My Lord, in the entire span of my life favours have been bestowed on me,
then why I should lose hope of the same in the Hereafter. O, My Creator,
though excess of my sins has made me fearful but my love for Thee is consoling
me. I plead, my Lord, please decide my case in a way that is worthy of
Thine merciful Lordship. I am hopeful, my Lord, that if Thou had willed
me abased, I would not have been granted guidance. If Thou had willed
me disgraced, why I would have been shielded from wrongdoings.
So my Lord! the reason that brought about my guidance and protection by
Thy Lordship, please let it continue. My Lord, I do not even think, Thou
shall disapprove the purpose, I spent entire of my life to achieve. My
Lord, had I not committed any sin, why I would have been fearful of punishment
from Thee. Had 1 not known Thy graciousness, why I would have expected
of being rewarded?
(Bahishti Zewar)
Wailing
of Sha'wanah
Sha'wnah, as has been mentioned previously, was a grateful adorer of Allah
and His apostle (SAW). Yahya ibn Bistam says, "I would attend Sha'wanah's
gatherings and observe her, lamenting. Once, I and one of my mates called
at her, while she was alone. We prayed not to over strain herself and
refrain from frequent weeping. She began to weep even more and said, "I
want to weep until all the tears may be oozed out of my body and I shed
tears of blood until all the parts of my body may be left emptied of blood.
But where should I weep and when." She repeated the utterances and
then fell down, unconscious.
(Bahishti Zewar)
Sha'wanah's
advice to her sister
Muhammad ibn Ma'az narrates that a noble and pious woman told him her
dream. She reportedly said, "I had a dream that I had been granted
entry in to Paradise. I saw the people of Paradise standing at their doors.
I asked why were the people standing. Some one told me that the people
were waiting for the woman for whom Paradise had been decorated. 1 asked
who was she. 1 was told that she was a black slave girl, Sha'wanah. I
told them that she was my sister. Meanwhile she arrived, mounted on a
camel, flying. I called her out and said, "My sister! You loved me
greatly. Pray your Allah to couple me along with you." She smiled
and said that my time had yet not come. She advised me to remember two
points. "The first is that we should ever live the life of a worrywort,
worrying for the Hereafter, and the second, we should keep love for Allah
above all worldly desires. You shall, if Allah wills, never suffer any
loss."
(Bahishti Zewar).
* * *
Bibi
Maymunah
Bibi Maymunah is regarded one of venerable erudites and mystics of fourth
century Hijrah. She had memorized the Holy Quran in very early age. She
was an eloquent speaker and her persuasive words would crack the hard
nuts as well. She had an erudition not only in the current fields of learning
but also worked a great deal in the mystical knowledge. One day while
talking, she said that the dress would wear well if it was purchased with
legitimate income and the wearer abstained from sins. Then said, "The
garments I am wearing now, were sewn by my mother and they are in my use
for 47 years. Many Karamat (wonders - acts beyond ordinary human experience.)
are attributed to her mystical powers, but the top of all her qualities
was her erudition and eloquent oration. Her persuasive discourses put
thousands of misguided ones on the path of righteousness. Bibi Maymunah
died in 395H.
(Khazinatul Asfia).
* * *
Bibi
Hakimah
Bibi Hakim'ah was one of the celebrated mystics of the second century
Hijrah. She was a descendant of Ali (RA). She was native of Damascus.
She worshipped greatly and held a high rank in erudites. She had a longing
to read and teach the Holy Quran. She would explain the meanings so eloquently
and scholarly that it left long lasting effects on the minds of listeners.
(Nafahatul Uns).
* * *
Bibi
Maryam Andalusyah
Bibi Maryam was one of most learned women of fourth century Hijrah. She
was a person of great virtues. She was daughter of Abu Yaqub Ansari and
native of Spanish town Shilb but later had resided in Seville (Ishbiliyah
of Muslim Spain). She had an erudition in all fields of learning. She
established a Darsgah in Ishbiliyah where seekers of knowledge would come
from near and distant places. The daughters of the elite class of Ishbiliyah
and other towns took it pride to be enrolled in her Darsgah. It was an
established tradition that the girls graduated from Maryam's Darsgah were
taken into wedlock by noble families.
Bibi Maryam had performed the Hajj so she was called Hajah. She was not
only a venerable scholar but also a devout Muslim and fulfilled strictly
the requirements of the Faith. She commanded reverence from all over the
country. She had a decent taste of poetry and literature. Allama Maqri
has quoted some of her couplets of poetry and called her a gifted poetess.
Bibi Maryam died in fifth century Hijrah after having lived long.
(Mashahir Niswan).
* * *
Bibi Amatul
Wahid
Bibi Amatul Wahid was one of the commanding erudites of the fourth century
Hijrah. Her name was Sanya. She was daughter of Hussayn ibn Ismael. She
had a leading status in the studies of the exegesis, Hadith, Islamic jurisprudence
and was known as Imamah (the leader). She died in the month of Ramadan
in 377H at the age of 90.
(Khazinatul Asfia).
* * *
DEVOTED WOMEN IN ISLAM
::: "The woman is the queen of her house" (Hadith)
::: Hadhrat
Sauda (RA)
::: Hadhrat Khansa (RA) Exhorts Her Sons to Bravery
::: Hadhrat Safiyyah (RA) Kills A Spy
::: Hadhrat Asma (Radhiyallaho anha's) interview with
the Prophet (Sallallaho alaihe
wasallam) regarding the Reward for Women.
::: The Story of Hadhrat Umme Ammarah (RA)
::: Story of Hadhrat Umme Hakim (RA).
::: Martyrdom of Hadhrat Sumayyah (RA)
::: The story of Hadhrat Asma bint Abu Bakr
(RA)
::: ARIFAT
::: MUHADDITHAT
::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: :::