THE
GREAT MUSLIM WOMEN MYSTICS
ALIMAT-ARIFAT (p3)
:::
Umm-e-Abbas
Umm Abbas was wife of the seventh Abbaside Caliph Mamun ar-Rashid (198H
- 813A.D. to 218H - 833A.D.). She was a woman of outstanding qualities,
remarkably intelligent, studious and generous. She was a gifted poetess.
Though she was reared in deserts but her manners and conduct were indicative
of decency. She was brought up very superbly. She had great interest in
genealogy that is why she became a master genealogist before she attained
puberty and the same quality of hers was the reason behind her marriage
to the king.
This story has been detailed in the Arabic literature very interestingly.
It has been reported that one day Mamum ar-Rashid went out for hunting
and recreation in the company of his close associates and the guards.
He galloped his horse to chase a prey and went too ahead of his company
to be found anywhere. Mamum reached a spring where he had never been before,
and his companions had been left far behind.
He suddenly caught sight of a catching girl, filling her water skin from
the spring. The amazing loveliness and beauty of the maiden froze Mamun
there and then. The fair features of the graceful young lady were indicating
that she was the daughter of some noble family. The water skin on her
shoulder seemed pretty heavy and she was feeling difficulty to lift it
while ascending a mount. She, at last, was forced to call her father for
help. The words she spoke were:
(Father, run up please and hold the mouth of the water skin. I can hold
it no more. It is going out of my grip.)
Her father was nowhere to hear but Mamum was there who already had surrendered
his heart to the fairy queen. The beauty of words and so prettily she
spoke left him captivated. He went near to the girl. The exchange of dialogue
between them was as following:
Mamum: "How nicely you spoke the Arabic, O' unknown young woman.!'
Girl: "Why, am I not an Arab?" Mamum: "Which tribe you
belong to?" Girl: "I belong to Bani Kalb." Mamum: "Why
were you born to that tribe?"
Girl: "Why, what's wrong with my tribe? It is very honourable. It
is free of any accusation. It is hospitable and it is warrior. But, which
tribe you belong to?"
Mamum: "Do you know about genealogy?" Girl: "Yes, I know
a great deal." Mamum: "I am from Bani Mudir." Girl: "But
which one?"
Mamum: "Which is most respectable and noble in lineage."
Girl: "I see, you are from Banu Kinanah, but from which branch of
Banu Kinanah?"
Mamum: "Whose sons are the noblest and patient."
Girl: (laughing) "Well, you are from Quraysh, but from which clan
of Quraysh?"
Mamum: "Which is mentioned with great reverence and whose pride is
unparalleled."
Girl: "Wallah, (By God) you are from Banu Hashim, but from which
family of Banu Hashim."
Mamum: "Whose household is high, whose people are the most venerated,
and from whom their enemies are frightened."
Hearing this the girl bowed her head respectfully and said, "Assalamo
Alakum, O' Gommander of the Faithful."
Then she recited the following verses of poetry, imprompt
O' Mamun, the man of great beneficence, the person of high and perfect
position, the commander of powerful and magnificent hosts, please listen
a decent poem which is more subtle than the acumen of Abu Hianifah (RA.
By the Faith of which you are the follower, never a feeble old woman in
our tribe has to face any trouble. In your peaceful rule, thief and the
merchant, lie under the same blanket, while the wolf and the goat live
under a single roof) Mamun was astonished to see her vast knowledge, acumen,
and wisdom. He decided to make her, his queen. He proposed to her parents
to take her in marriage and they agreed forthwith. Thus the wise damsel
entered the imperial wedlock. Mamun's son Abbas was born to the same lady
and she is called Umm Abbas after him. Mamun ar-Rashid had a decent literary
taste so he liked Umm Abbas greatly and discussed literary and scholarly
issues with her.
(Aqd ul-Farid)
Salimah Sultan, The
Queen
Salimah Sultan was the wife of Sultan Nasir-ud-Din Mahmud, the eighth
ruler of the slave dynasti of India (643H, 1246 A.D. to 664H, 1265A.D.).
The Sultan was very pious who lived the life of a dervish. He earned his
livelihood by the calligraphy of the Holy Quran and drew nothing from
the state exchequer for himself. The income from the calligraphy was not
enough so his domestic life was poorly managed. There was no maid or kitchen
attendent in their house and his wife did herself all the house work.
Salimah Sultan was the daughter of a chieftain Alagh Khan, who later,
would become the ruler of India as Ghyas ud-Din Balban. His reign lasted
24 years (664H, 1265 A.D to 688H, 1289A.D). Alagh Khan lived with great
festivity and kingly manners even before he ascended the throne, and her
daughter Salimah was reared very endearly. But after she was married she
moulded herself to the piety and contentment of her husband. Sometimes,
however, she was reminded of her luxurious past. One day she said to her
husband, "I had never baked bread at my parents home but here, I
have to do myself. My hands are burnt and thus cause blisters on them.
Please hire me a maid." The king wept to hear the queen and said,
"This world is mortal, and getting along with troubles and hardships
in this world shall bring you good reward in the Hereafter. My income
is meager and I cannot afford to engage a helper woman for you. As far
the state exchequer, that is the right of people, I am not its owner."
Salimah observed patience to hear her husband and would do the house course
as usual for the rest of her life without ever complaining about it.
(Tabaqat Nasri)
Bibi Fatimah Saimah
Bibi Fatimah was one of the voteress of Khawja Qutbuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki
and sister in Faith of Shaykh Fariduddin Mas'ud Ganj Shakar, devotee and
deputy of Khawja Bakhtiar Kaki. She was a great mystic and a person of
continence. She kept fast frequently and was known as Saimah (one who
keeps fasts). Baba Farid used to say about her that if the succession
could be awarded to the woman he would have left Fatimah Saimah as his
successor. She earned her livelihood by spinning cotton. She died on 18
Sha'ban 696H. Her tomb is in old part of Delhi (India).
Bibi Fatimah Sam
She and Baba Farid uddin Ganj Shakar co-existed. She had sworn Baba Farid's
younger brother Shaykh Najib uddin Mutwakkil, her brother. She was pious,
continent and generous. Whenever she came to know that Shaykh Najib was
hard up and the situation had been reduced to the level of starvation,
she would get prepared one maund of Kulcha (deep fried crisp loaf) and
sent the same to him. He accepted the gift with much reluctance. Baba
Farid would say, though Fatimah was a woman but she equalled two male
Wall. Khawja Nizamuddin Awlyah says that he found Bibi Fatimah extremely
pious and aged lady. She used to recite the verses of poetry as and when
needed. I quote here one:
(You boast of love
and keep your life very dear to you as well. But you cannot get both at
the same time.)
Shaykh Abdul Haq Muhaddith Dehlvi wrote in Akhbar-ul-Akhyar, "Fatimah
was one of Salihat, Qanitat and Arifat (obedient, guarding in secret that
which Allah hast guarded and mystics.) of her age."
Bibi Fatimah died in 643H. Her tomb lies in Delhi. Shaykh Najibuddin Mutwakkil
died in 671H and was buried near the grave of his sister in sworn.
(Akhbar-ul-Akhyar, Khazinatul Asfia,) (Tadhkara Awlya-i-Hind)
Bibi 'Aishah bint
Shihabuddin
Bibi 'Aishah was daughter of the chief Justice Shihabuddin ibn Ja'far
Ahmad Al-'Ajami and was known as Bintul 'Ajami. She was born in 810 H
and excelled her contemporaries in the current branches of learning. It
is reported that the scholars of great repute would come to seek guidance
from her.
(Mashahir Niswan)
Bint Al-Kunayri
She was one of the celebrated scholars of sixth century Hijrah. She lived
in the east of Baghdad. She had attained mastery in almost all the current
branches of knowledge but she had erudition in the syntax and rhoterics.
She wrote books on these two subjects which brought her great fame.
Bibi Zaynab bint Abdur
Rehman
Bibi Zaynab's surname was Umm-ul-Moayyed. She uas also called Harra. Her
father was Abul Qasim Abdur-Rehman ibn Hasan ibn Ahmad ibn Sahl ibn Ahmad
Marjani. She was born in 524H and engaged herself in the achievement of
knowledge as she attained maturity. She won appreciation and certificate
of excellence from the scholars and jurists of great authority. As far
as her profundity of learning is concerned she could be compared to the
top most scholars of the time. She, in particular, had the distinction
in Islamic jurisprudence. Ibn Khallikan writes that she was delegated
authority by the Abbaside rule to establish schools in Baghdad and anywhere
else in the kingdom and teach the Islamic jurisprudence to the seekers
of knowledge. She would also issue permits to open new schools. She died
in 615H.
(Ibn Khallikan)
Bibi Hafsah bint Shirin
Bibi Hafsah was sister of Khawja Muhammad Shirin, who died in 803H. She
was considered one of great mystics of her days.
She was an absorbed worshipper and abstinent. It is said that she lit
the lamp in early night and stood to observe the prayers and did not retire
to bed till late night. Meanwhile the lamp would go out but the house
would remain lighted till the day dawned. Besides the above, a number
of other anomalous events are narrated on her part.
(Mashahir Niswan)
Rabiya'h Khatun
Rabiya'h Khatun was daughter of Najmuddin Ayyub and sister of great Muslim
conqueror Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi. She was learned and generous. She
established a grand institution of religious teachings besides other current
branches of learning at Jabal Qasune near Damascus, which
was known as Madrassa Khatunya. Rabiya'h Khatun endowed a large property
to meet its expenses. She was buried in the schoolyard when she died.
Her grave remains even now.
Some writers have attributed a building of a monastery to her as well
which, was called Khanqah Khatunya.*
(Musalman Khawtin Ki Dim Aur Ilmi Khidmat) Bibi Fatimah bint Hussayn
Bibi Fatimah was daughter of Hussayn ibn Hasan. She was a person of great
piety and outstanding virtues. She was a gifted oratoress and spoke eloquently
in the female gatherings. Women would come from distant places to attend
her address. Her speeches left very profound effects on the female community
of the time and many of the misguided ones were put on the right way.
She died in 521H.
(Khazinatul Asfia)
Bibi Kurdiyah (i*J*
<dJi lU^,)
Bibi Kurdiyah was the native of Basra or Ahwaz and was a trusted student
of Bibi Sha'wanah. Worship and mystical exercises were subjects of her
special interest. She was respected greatly for her piety. Bibi Kurdiyah
says,"I was, once in the audience of Bibi Sha'wanah when suddenly
I felt drowsy and then fell asleep. Sha'wanah shook me to rouse and said,
"O, Kurdiyah, get up. This is not the place to sleep. The proper
place to sleep is the graveyard." Kurdiyah further says that with
the association of Sha'wanah she grew weary of the world and she would
look down upon those who cherish the world. She got unconcerned about
the livelihood, a deep love was developed in her heart for the Muslims
and she did not dispise any Muslim, howsoever humble he might be.
(Nafahatul Uns)
Bibi Fakhr-un-Nisa
Bibi Fakhr-un-Nisa was the darling wife of Nawab Shuja't Ali Khan. She
was a wise and courteous woman who took great interest in matters of Din
and helping the poor and the destitutes. She loved her husband greatly.
When he died, she had an unnarratable shock. She built a mosque in the
memory of her late spouse in 1141H and endowed property to it. The said
mosque is situated near Kashmiri Gate in Delhi and is known as Fakhrul
Masajid.
(Miftahuttawarikh)
Umm-e-Yahya An unknown knower of the Holy Quran who spoke only the Koranic
words.
'Abdullah ibn Mubarik reports that once he went on Hajj and came across
an old lady some where on the way who was wearing the woolen garments.
He went to her and they had following dialogue.
Abdullah:
Peace be upon you and Bounty of Allah and His favours.
Old lady:
The word from a Merciful Lord (for them) is peace.
(Surah Yasin - 58)
Abdullah:
May Allah be Merciful on you, what brought you here?
Lady:
Those whom Allah sendeth astray, there is no guide for them.
(Al-Airaf-The Heishts-186)
Abdullah:
(Assuming that she might have been left from her caravan or lost the way)
where do you intend to go?
Lady:
Glorified be He who carried His servant by night from Inviolable place
of worship to the far distant place of worship.
(Surah Bani Israel - Children of Israel) 'Abdullah:
(Thinking, that after she had performed Hajj she intends to go to the
Dome of Rock (Jeruslem)). Since how long you have been here?
Lady:
Three nights.
(Maryam - Mary:-10)
Abdullah:
I find no food with you. How did you live without it?
Lady:
He is, who feedeth me and watereth me.
(Ash - Shu'ara - The Poets - 79)
Abdullah:
How do you make ablution?
Lady:
And Ye find not water, then go to clean, high ground and rub your faces
and your hands with some of it.
(Surah Al-Maidah - The Table Spread-6)
Abdullah:
I have food, would you like to eat?
Lady:
Then strictly observe the fast till nightfall.
(Al-Bokarah - The Cow-18~>
(She told in Koranic words that she was fasting.)
Abdullah:
But, this is not the month of Ramadan!
Lady:
And he, who doeth good of his own accord (for him) Lo! Allah is Responsible,
Aware.
(Surah Al-Bakarah - The cow-158) (She meant that she was observing optional
fast.)
'Abdullah:
When you are on journey, you are permitted to put off
the obligatory fasts to other days, as well.
Lady:
And that Ye fast is better for you if you did but know.
(Surah Al-Bakarah - The cow-184)
'Abdullah:
Why you do not speak to me as I am speaking to you?
Lady:
He uttereth no word but there is with him an observer, ready.
(Surah Oaf-18)
She described that a man would be answerable for whatever he might have
spoken. 'Abdullah:
Which clan do you belong to?
Lady:
(O man), Follow not that where of thou hast no knowledge. Lo! The hearing
and the sight and the heart of each of these it will be asked.
(Surah Bani Israel - The children of Israel - 36)
She meant that we should not pollute our hearing and the mind with the
words, we may beheld answerable for.
Abdullah:
I beg your pardon for all this.
Lady:
Have no fear this day. May Allah forgive you.
(Surah Yusuf- Joseph-92)
'Abdullah:
If you will, I can carry you on the camel to where ever you wish.
Lady:
And what so ever good Ye do, Allah knoweth it.
(Surah Al-Bakarah - The cow-197)
Abdullah says that he brought the shecamel near her and made her sit down
and asked the lady to mount. She said before she mounted:
Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and be modest.
(Al-Noor - The lisht-30)
She wanted me to close my eyes or turn about, so that she might mount
the camel, unseen. So, I lowered my gaze and asked her to mount. But unluckily
the camel suddenly rose before she could be seated properly and her shawl
was caught with in the saddle to be torn. I expressed my sorrow over the
loss. But she said:
Lady:
Whatever of misfortune striketh you, it is what your right hands have
earned. And heforgiveth much.
(Surah Ash-Shurah - Counsel-30)
That is, she took all the burden of the loss herself and freed me of any
sense of regret.
Abdullah:
Please stay just a moment; I may fasten the legs of the camel to let you
mount calmly.
Lady:
And we made Solomon to understand (the case).
(Al-Anbiya - The Prophets-79)
Thus she gave her
consent. So I fastened Camel's legs and asked the old lady to mount. She
mounted and said:
Lady:
Glorified be He who hath subdued these unto us and we were not capable
(of subduing them). And Lol Unto our Lord we surely are returning.
(Surah Az-Zukhraf - ornaments of sold-13,14)
I held the nose-string of the camel and strode ahead, driving her with
voice, occasionally. Meanwhile my pace quickened and the voice raised
unintentionally. She noted it and said:
Be modest in thy bearing and subdue thy voice.
(Surah Luqman - 19)
I slowed my pace and began to sing a folk song. The lady interrupted and
said:
Lady:
Recite, then, of the Quran.
(Al-Muzzammil - The Enshrounded one-20)
'Abdullah:
Allah has blessed you with virtues and merits, how all the people could
be like you. Lady:
But only men of understanding really heed.
(Al-Imran - The family oflmran) She meant that only the wise persons accept
the advice. 'Abdullah:
Are you married and have the spouse?
Lady:
O' Ye, who believe! Ask not of things, which, if they were made known
unto you, would trouble you.
(Al-Maidah - The Table spread-101)
Meanwhile we caught up the caravan and I asked the lady if there were
any of her relatives?
Lady:
Wealth and children are an ornament of the life of the world.
(Al-Kahf- The Cave-46)
I took in her words that her sons were there in the Caravan. So I asked
if there was any indication to find them out.
Lady:
And land marks (too) and by the stars they find the way.
(Al-Nahl - The Bee-16)
I came to know that her sons were the leaders of the caravan. So I went
around the caravan to let her find her sons.
Lady:
Allah (Himself) chose Abraham for friend.
(An-Nisa - The women-125) And Allah spoke directly unto Moses.
(An-Nisa - The women-164) O' John (Yahya)! Hold fast the Scripture.
(Maryam-12)
She so indicated that I should call the names of Ibrahim, Musa and Yahya.
I called out loudly all three names and soon after three handsome young
fellows came out of their tents and dismounted their mother from the camel
very respectfully. When we had settled at ease, she spoke to her sons;
Now send one of you with this your silver coin unto the city, and let
him see what food is purest there and bring you a supply there of.
(Al-Kahf- The cave-19)
As she spoke, one of them rose and made a quick pace towards the town
and returned with plenty of food. When the food was served, the lady said:
Eat and drink at ease for that which Ye sent on before you in past days.
(Al-Haqqah - The Reality-24)
I couldn't help speaking thereupon and warned her sons that I would not
touch the food until they detailed the all to me about their mother.
They told that their mother had not uttered a single word save the Holy
Quran for last forty years. A self imposed binding, only because she feared
lest any such word should be spoken for which she might be held answerable
on the Judgement Day.
'Abdullah:
That is the Bounty of Allah; which He gave the unto whom He will. Allah
is of infinite Bounty.
(Al-Jum'ah - The conzrezation-4)
The true identity of the lady of enviable virtues could not be ascertained.
Some call her Umm Yahya. Some say, she was Rabe'a Basri. But these are
suppositions. Allah knows her reality.
Bibi Nazhon
Bibi Nazhon was native of Granada (Ghurnata of Muslim Spain). Her father
was Abu Bakr Ghassani. She was one of the most known women scholars in
the fifth century Hijrah. Her talents were acknowledged all over the Islamic
world. She had attained mastery in the literature, history and proverbs
besides being a highly placed poetess. All her achievements owed to the
celebrated blind scholar Abu Bakr Makhzumi.
(Nafahut-Tayyab)
Bibi Umm-ul-Khayr
Hijazyah
Bibi Umm-ul-khayr was native of the holy land of Hijaz, but later she
had settled in Egypt. She was a very learned woman of her age. She, in
the rule of Fatmides (415H) established her own Darsgah in the Cairo mosque
from where thousands of the seekers of knowledge found their objective.
She was an eloquent oratoress. Her discourses and speeches were so persuasive
that the listeners were swayed along.
(Binatul Islam kee Dini wa Ilmi Khidmat)
Bibi Ukhtul Mazni
She was sister of Shaykh Abu Ibrahim Al-mazni, the noted student of Imam
Shafe'i. She was a highly placed scholar in the Islamic jurisprudence.
It is said that she had a difference of opinion with Imam Shafe'i at Zakat
on minerals.
(Mashahir Niswan)
Bibi Mulaykah bint
Munkadar
It has been reported by Imam Malik ibn Dinar that once he, while making
Tawaf, saw a woman weeping near the Black Stone who was saying, "My
Lord! Have mercy on me, I have come from very distant place to Thy House.
My Lord! I have come, hopeful of Thine favours and beneficence. Make me
not dependent on anyone else in this world." Malik ibn Dinar says
further that he and his companions were greatly impressed by her wailing
and called at her later in the day to listen some words of wisdom. Her
speech was persuasive which left very sound impression on us. After a
while she said, "Now please let me be alone. Your arrival drew me
into talking and thus restrained me from worship." The narrator says
that the venerable lady was Mulaykah ibn Munkadar.
Bibi Khunsa bint Hadham
Hafs ibn 'Umar Al-Ja'fi says that Khunsa bint Hadham was the native of
Yamen. She was pious, adorer and kind hearted lady. She would not remain
for a single moment unmindful of remembrance of Allah. Consecutive fasting
for not less than long forty years had dried up her skin and reduced her
to a skeleton. Her constant weeping due to fear of Allah had taken her
vision. Two dignitaries of her age Imam Ta-oos ibn Kaysan and Imam Wahb
ibn Kaysan admire her greatly. As the night would fall and the calmness
prevailed all around, her sad voice would be raised, "O, Creator
of the earth and the heavens, let me know until how long I shall be constrained
in this world. My Lord, lift me free from the shackles of the world so
that I may see Thy promise to be honoured. Then again weeping over took
her and continued for long. Her cries were even heard by her neighbours.
Bibi 'Afirah Abidah
Bibi 'Afirah was the native of Basra. She attained knowledge from Ma'adhah
Adwayah, the noted pupil of the Mother of the Faithful 'Aishah Siddiqah
(RA). She commanded reverence from the leading contemporary scholars and
mystics. She would be absorbed in her devotions. She had lost her eyes
because of constant weeping in fear of Allah. Someone said to her that
being a blindwasa great misfortune. "But being ashamed before Allah
is even bigger a wretchedness and loss of vision of heart is a calamity."
She answered.
Rouh ibn Salimah says that once he said to Afirah that she seemed not
to sleep at all. She burst to tears to hear and said, "I do want
to repose for a while but, you know, how I could sleep when two angel
guards never part with me either it is day or night." Once some mystics
called at her and begged to pray for them. She said, "Brothers! If
Allah were to hold the tongue of the sinners, I would have been mute but,
as the praying is the Tradition of the Prophet (SAW), so I must do. Then
she prayed, "May Allah bless you with the hospitality of the Hoors
(the heavenly women), cast fear of death in your hearts and mine and let
our Faith be safe and strong till death."
(Nafahatul Urn)
Bibi Fatimah bint
Abbas
She was also called Umm Zaynab as was the Arab tradition of naming after
their parents or progeny. Her father was Abbas Baghdadi. She was born
in Baghdad and attained her maturity in the same historical city. Her
father raised her with great efforts and made unprecedented arrangements
for her education. So she obtained erudition in all fields of learning,
in particular she commanded an authority in Islamic jurisprudence. Then
the turn of events took her to Egypt, where she was welcomed and held
in great esteem by Tadhkar Khatun, daughter of the local ruler and built
a monastery for her pleasure. It came to be called Rabatul Baghdadyah.
Umm Zaynab made it her dwelling and Darsgah. She lived on a very meagre
income and would spend most of time in learning and educating. She died
in 714H.
(Maqrazi)
Fatimah Khanum, The
Princess
Seven centuries had passed since afore said Zubaydah canal was created
and now it was in its worst with the passage of time despite being looked
after by the subsequent rulers. Almost all the wells and springs had gone
dried and dead and Zubaydah canal was filled with shifting sand and stones
and its concrete wall was broken here and there and water was no more
once again. It was the year 965H (1557 A.D) when all those days had returned
which had urged Zubaydah to come to rescue. Fortunately another Zubaydah
had come in to the world in the shape of the Turk princess Fatimah Khanum,
daughter of the great 'Uthman ruler Sultan Salim. When the things came
in to her knowledge, she under took to solve the problem once for all.
She assigned the task to her trusted aide Ibrahim ibn Takrim to restore
the canal and extend it to Makkah to bring it in to the easy reach of
every Makkan and the pilgrims. The repair of the canal proved not very
difficult and it was done positively with the help of Egyptian, Syrian
and the Yemenite engineers and the masons. But. ahead, a huge rock whose
length was not less than two thousand feet and the width more than fifty
had stopped their advance. Ibrahim, the chief of the project lost his
heart, as it looked quite impossible to turn aside or to break through
the gigantic rock. Fatimah Kanum was informed of the failure. But the
resolute princess stood to her previous order. She reprimanded her assignee
and told him in clear words that nothing could hamper the human courage
and determination. The inspiring order of the princess invigorated the
entire arena. In those days neither the dynamite was invented yet, nor
were the titanic machines of today, which blow out the sky rising mountains.
The only method to cut the stone was to heat them up to a very high degree
and then cut them with sharp tools.
It took hundreds of workers long ten years to make a break through, after
having been burnt millions tons of fuel and spending thousands of arduous
days and nights. It came at last that auspicious day when in 979H (1571
A.D) the proud rock was conquered which, years before looked duly insurmountable.
The water began to flow up to Makkah. No one could imagine the delight
of the Makkans that day. The event was celebrated fervently with the participation
of the government and the masses.
All, the bigs and smalls of the project were rewarded beyond their expectations.
The Princess came to be called empress Zubaydah Thani (the second).
(Monthly Al-Hasanat, Rampur - India)
Bibi Umm-e-Ali
Umm Ali had been a great mystic of third century Hijrah, wife of the noted
reformer and Wali Shaykh Ahmad Khizravia. Her parents were rich and wealthy
and they had left in inheritance for her, wealth, beyond calculation.
But the generous daughter gave away all of it in the way of Allah and
spent her days contentedly with her husband. Umm Ali was contemporary
of Bayazid Bistami and Shaykh Abu Hafs. Both the gentlemen learned from
her. Bayazid used to say that one who wanted to enter upon mysticism he
should inculcate in himself the courage and qualities like those of Umm
Ali.
Shaykh Abu Hafs says that he treated the women contemptuously and considered
talking with them the disdainful act until he heard Umm Ali: "When
I heard her I came to know that Allah bestows His bounty upon whom He
wills and there is no distinction of male or female."
Two of her sayings are here:
1. It is better the request is not granted rather than disgracing the
suppliant.
2. Allah bestowed His bounties upon His slaves but they did not turn to
Him. Then He inflicted on them the troubles and hardships, they bowed
to Him. Allah did all that because He loves His slaves.
(Nafahatul Uns)
Bibi Umm-e-Muhammad
Bibi Umm Muhammad, mother of the great reformer of Islam Abu 'Abudllah
Muhammad ibn Hafif (ob: 331H). Abdur Rehman Jami considers her one of
the Awolyah Allah (friends of God). Her native town was Shiraz. She also
travelled to Makkah and Madinah with her son Abu 'Abdullah. The writers
make a mention of the religious exercises, she had made part of her life.
It is narrated that her son Abu 'Abdullah would keep vigils in the last
ten nights of the month of Ramadan to view the Laylatul Qadr (the Night
of Power -
With a reference of Sura Al-Qadr - It refers to the night when the angel
Gibriel brought Allah's first message to Muhammad (SAW) and the first
Koranic words were revealed to him in the cave of mount Hira. It is said
that celestial plans of action for the next year are brought down from
the Empyrean on the lower heaven and assigned to the concerned angelical
departments for implementation. Besides above, a moment comes at that
night when all this universe is illuminated with a mysterious milky light.
All the devout Muslims have longing to have that moment and keep vigils
to find it.) one night he was at his devotions in his room, upstairs,
when her mother, who was at her praying in another room, called out his
name and said, "O' Muhammad, my son! It is here you are so anxious
for."
He dashed downwards to hear her mothevwhere he saw her apartment, dazzling
with a cold sweet light of unknown origin. He says that he prostrated
at her feet as it was that very moment that he discovered her place in
the Divine order. Umm Muhammad died in 312H.
A Pious Slave Girl
A master asked his slave girl to lay his bed. She said, "My Lord,
do you have a Master."
"Yes, indeed" he said.
"Does He ever sleep or not" she further asked.
"No, He doesn't sleep" the master replied.
"My lord! Is it not unworthy that you sleep and your Master doesn't?"
He screamed to hear that and fell unconscious and set her free after he
got recovered.
Hafsah Al-markinah
Hafsah Al-Markinah, a Spanish reformer, was an embodiment of merits and
virtues. She was learned, pious, generous and courageous. She was a gifted
oratress. Her
eloquent speeches invigorated and emboldened the Spanish Muslims who had
lost heart and were being slaughtered by the extremist Christians mercilessly.
But now their hearts were filled with longing to wage Jihad and they were
pitted against the enemy everywhere. Their superiority in number and arms
however, was pressing against Muslims. The gravity of the situation caused
Hafsah to write to Sultan Yaqub Al-Mansur, the king of Morocco, in detail
the painful plight of the Muslims of Spain and the tyrannies of the dominant
Christians. She asked the Sultan to come very soon to save the Muslims.
Sultan Al-Mansur moved swiftly as he received the letter. He headed to
Spain with a strong and violent army in 586H (1190 A.D). He invaded mightily
and destroyed the Christian strong-holds and their ravager armies after
inflicting upon them the repeated defeats. He turned victorious in the
battle between the devotees of the Crescent and the Cross. He returned
Morocco after he had taken appropriate measures for the safety of the
Muslims.
Hafsah's services for the survival of the Muslims in the distressing years
of 580H (1184 A.D) to 586H (1190 A.D) had made her a living legend.
(Akhbarul Andalus, Khilafat Mo-Ahhidin, Sharfun Nisa).
* * *
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
::: ::: ::: ::: ::: ::: :::