A Recent-Day Role Model (Pious Women) ~ Part One

 

(Mother of Mufti Ebrahim Salejee [daamat barakaatuhum] – Introduction)

On Sunday 2nd Jumaadas Saani 1441, 29th December 2019, during the early hours of the morning, the respected mother of Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (daamat barakaatuhum) (principal of Madrasah Ta’leemuddeen, Isipingo Beach) passed away in her sleep at the age of 86.

She was born in Makkah Mukarramah while her parents were on the journey of hajj. Due to being born in the holy city of Makkah Mukarramah, her parents gave her the name Makkiyyah (which means ‘woman of Makkah’). As an infant, when her parents wished to perform tawaaf of the Ka‘bah, they would take her and place her in the Hateem. In this manner, Allah Ta‘ala blessed her, in her infancy, to acquire the blessings of the Haramain and the Ka’bah Shareef.

Makkiyyah Aapa (rahimahallah) (as she was commonly known) was indeed a woman of taqwa and piety and was an inspiration to one and all. She left many children and grandchildren who are Huffaaz and ‘Ulama. Two of her sons, Mufti Ebrahim and Moulana Husain (daamat barakaatuhuma), are senior ustaazs in Madrasah Ta’leemuddeen. 

May Allah Ta‘ala fill her grave with noor and grant her the highest stages in Jannatul Firdaus, aameen.

Insha-Allah, in the parts to come, we will discuss various aspects from the life of this saintly personality so that we may all benefit from the example she set, Aameen

The Best of Women (Pious Women) ~ Sayyidah Maryam [‘alaihas salaam] – Part Three

(Sayyidah Maryam ‘alaihas salaam – Part Three)

After Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) was weaned, her mother, Hannah, wrapped her in blankets and proceeded with her to the musjid. As she had dedicated this child to the worship of Allah Ta‘ala, she made her over to the devout worshippers who resided in the musjid so that she could dedicate herself to worshipping Allah Ta‘ala as well. When Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) was brought to the musjid, all the worshippers wished to have the honour of raising her.

Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) was the prophet of the time, and he also wished to have the honour of raising Maryam (‘alaihas salaam), especially as she was his niece (his wife was the sister of Hannah). Hence, to decide who would have the honour of raising her, they decided to draw lots.

To draw lots, they all put their pens together. Thereafter, the pens were left in a certain place, after which a young boy was instructed to draw one pen from the lot. When this was done, it was the pen of Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) that was drawn.

The worshippers asked Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) to draw lots for a second time, and he agreed. On this occasion, they all cast their pens into the river, agreeing that the decision would be in favour of the pen which miraculously flowed against the current. When this was done, it was the pen of Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) which flowed against the current, while all the other pens flowed with the current.

Finally, the worshippers asked Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) to draw lots for a third time, and he agreed. On this instance, they cast their pens into the river, agreeing that the decision would be in favour of the pen which flowed with the current, while the other pens flow against the current. When this was done, it was the pen of Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) which flowed with the current, while the other pens flowed against the current. In this manner, due to Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) being the most worthy of raising her, on account of being the Nabi and also because his wife was the aunt of Maryam (‘alaihas salaam), Allah Ta‘ala allowed him to raise Maryam (‘alaihas salaam).

Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) then arranged a special area which was exclusive for Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam). She would remain in this area and engage in worshipping Allah Ta‘ala throughout the day and night. She exerted herself in worship to such an extent that her worship was regarded as proverbial among the Banu Israaeel.

(Surah Aal ‘Imraan v44 and Al-Bidaayah wan Nihaayah vol. 2 pg. 65)

Lessons:

1. When Allah Ta‘ala decrees that a person will receive something, he will most definitely receive it. Be it a child, sustenance or anything else, everything is in the control of Allah Ta‘ala. If we secure His help, we will be able to overcome any challenge.

2. In raising Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam), Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam) ensured that she was in seclusion, as solitude is conducive to worshipping Allah Ta‘ala. Since the objective of solitude is to allow a person to achieve peace of mind and remain focused, we should try to achieve the same result through ‘cutting off’ from anything and everything that is not necessary in our lives and will distract us. At present, perhaps the most destructive distractions are social media, novels, etc., all of which are made available through the internet. Hence, our seclusion and the seclusion of our children lies in disconnecting from unnecessary usage of the internet so that we may connect with Allah Ta‘ala.

The Best of Women (Pious Women) ~ Sayyidah Maryam [‘alaihas salaam] – Part Two

The mother and father of Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) were ‘Imraan and Hannah. Before the birth of Maryam (‘alaihas salaam), Hannah was unable to bear a child.

One day, Hannah observed a bird feeding its chick. Seeing this spectacle of love and compassion, her heart was overcome by the desire to have a child. She thus turned to Allah Ta‘ala in du‘aa, begging him to bless her with a child, until her du‘aa was answered. Soon thereafter, when she conceived, she vowed to Allah Ta‘ala that she would dedicate her child to worshipping Him and serving Musjidul Aqsa. (Surah Aal ‘Imraan v35, Tafseer Ibnu Katheer vol. 2 pg. 337)

When the child was born, Hannah noticed that it was a girl! However, normally only a male child would be dedicated for serving in the musjid and worshipping Allah Ta‘ala. Nevertheless, Hannah understood that Allah Ta‘ala knew best, and it was in His infinite wisdom that He had blessed her with a daughter, instead of a son. (Surah Aal ‘Imraan v36, Tafseer Qurtubi vol. 5 pg. 101 and Tafseerul Madaarik vol. 1 pg. 172)

Hannah then named her daughter ‘Maryam’ which meant ‘worshipper’ in the language of the time. In doing so, her intention was that although her daughter cannot serve in the musjid, on account of being a female, she will still dedicate her to worshipping Allah Ta‘ala. (Surah Aal ‘Imraan v36, Tafseerul Madaarik vol. 1 pg. 173 and Bayaanul Quraan vol. 1 pg. 222)

Hannah then made a special du‘aa saying, “I seek Your protection (O Allah) for her and her progeny from Shaitaan the rejected.”

Whenever a child is born, Shaitaan interferes with the child and pokes it, causing it to cry out aloud. However, through the blessing of this du‘aa of Hannah, Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) and her son, Nabi ‘Isa (‘alaihis salaam), were both safeguarded from Shaitaan and thus did not cry when they were born. (Surah Aal ‘Imraan v36 and Saheeh Bukhaari #3286 and #4548)

Lessons:

1. Every person has unfulfilled wishes, desires and aspirations. Sometimes, a person desires to be blessed with a child. Regardless of what the desire may be, the only One who can fulfill our ambition is Allah Ta‘ala. Hence, even though we adopt the means, we believe, from our hearts, that only Allah Ta‘ala can make the means effective. After all, there are so many people who undergo fertility treatment, yet still fail to conceive.

2. The ambition of Hannah was not to merely have a child, but rather to dedicate her child to the worship of Allah Ta‘ala and serving the musjid. There are many parents who even before the birth of their children, plan their career path, whether in medicine, law, engineering, etc. However, how many parents plan for their children to be the worshippers of Allah Ta‘ala and their sons to be devotees of the musjid? How many parents take steps to ensure that their children attend the best madrasahs and acquire the best Deeni upbringing and education? These are the ultimate ‘careers’ as these ‘professions’ bear profits in the Hereafter.

3. We all plan and hope for our lives to work out in a certain way. However, Allah Ta‘ala knows what is best for us and blesses us accordingly. On our part, we should always be happy and content with the decree of Allah Ta‘ala and should be appreciative of His favour upon us, as we do not even deserve any of His bounties.

4. When her child was born, the concern of Hannah was for her children to be protected from Shaitaan. Hence, every parent, from before their child is even born, should worry for the safety of their child’s imaan and take the appropriate steps to safeguard their Deen. Together with putting the necessary measures into place, we have to make constant du‘aa to Allah Ta‘ala to safeguard them from all evil and sin.

(to be continued insha-Allah)

The Best of Women (Pious Women) ~ Sayyidah Maryam [‘alaihas salaam] – Part One

Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) was a woman who was honoured by Allah Ta‘ala in a unique manner – an entire surah of the Quraan Majeed is named after her, and she is the only woman whose name is mentioned, not once, but repeatedly in the Quraan Majeed.

In Surah Aal ‘Imraan (v42), Allah Ta‘ala mentions how He instructed the angles to announce to Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam), “O Maryam (‘alaihas salaam)! Indeed Allah Ta‘ala has selected you, purified you and chosen you above all women.”

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) similarly attested to the great virtue of Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam). Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) mentioned, “Khadeejah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) is superior in virtue to all the women of my Ummah, just as Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) was superior in virtue to all the women of the other eras.” (Tabraani and Bazzaar - Majma‘uz Zawaaid #15260)​

The life of Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam) was entirely unique and has many important and beneficial lessons to teach us. By studying her life, we will identify the qualities and attributes which Allah Ta‘ala had blessed her with, for which He and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) praised her in these glowing words. After identifying these qualities, we will strive to inculcate them so that we too may gain the acceptance of Allah Ta‘ala ~ Aameen

In the parts to follow, we will insha Allah discuss the life of Sayyidah Maryam (‘alaihas salaam).

Pious women

As Salaamu Alaikum Dear Read,

I came across these articles and found valuable lessons therein.

http://uswatulmuslimah.co.za/articles/pious-women.html

Take time to read and gain some valuable insight into the ideal life of a Muslimah.

May Allah allow us to emulate these pious ladies, Aameen