(Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem [rahimahallah] – Part Nine)
When it came to her character, Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) possessed such refinement that those who lived closely with her would remark that perhaps no one had ever heard her speak ill of another. She was extremely cautious with her tongue, avoiding all unnecessary speech and speaking only when there was benefit.
A truly remarkable trait in her was the manner in which she corrected and advised others. She would never reprimand anyone in the presence of others – not even young children, let alone elders – though she could have rightfully done so. Her approach was always gentle and dignified. She counselled with love and affection, and her words were delivered in a soft, endearing tone that touched hearts. Yet, despite this gentleness, she never neglected the injunction of amr bil ma’roof and nahi ‘anil munkar (commanding to do good and forbidding evil).
It was this noble character that left a lasting impression on all who interacted with her and made her beloved to everyone. The young students who attended her lessons would feel as though they were sitting in the laps of their own mothers.
Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) excelled in serving her parents, fulfilling this duty with exceptional devotion and care. She began serving her father from a young age until his passing, when she was just fourteen years old. Allah Ta‘ala blessed her with the opportunity to serve her beloved mother for a remarkable span of twenty years.
Her obedience and devotion were such that she would never act contrary to her mother’s wishes, and the manner in which she served her is rare to find – a level of devotion seldom seen in others.
Commenting on her exceptional service to her mother, Moulana Abul Hasan ‘Ali Nadwi (rahimahullah) said, “The greatest occupation and endeavour of her life was her service to our mother and her care for her during her illness. She was honoured with the longest and most continuous period of service to her. Among all of us siblings, it was she who attained this distinction.”
On another occasion, Moulana Abul Hasan ‘Ali Nadwi (rahimahullah) mentioned that after returning from hajj, serving their mother became her primary focus, as their mother’s health had begun to steadily decline. In addition to becoming physically weaker, her eyesight had severely deteriorated towards the end of her life. This made caring for her a delicate and demanding responsibility, requiring constant attention and concern.
This period of extreme weakness did not last merely one or two years, but extended over ten long years. Throughout this entire period, Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) attended to her mother with unwavering care and diligence.
He further explained that she remained steadfast in this service until their mother’s final moments – never once showing even the slightest trace of impatience or disrespect. Through this unwavering devotion, she earned her mother’s heartfelt du‘aas.
(Adapted from ‘Aaishah Bi)
Lessons:
1. When a wrong is witnessed, a person must not remain silent, but rather make an effort to correct it. However, correction must be carried out with wisdom and gentleness, as harshness often causes the person to become defensive and distances him from the one advising. This balance was beautifully embodied in the life of Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah), who, despite being extremely soft-natured, never neglected amr bil ma‘roof and nahi ‘anil munkar. Yet she would correct with such dignity and affection that she never reprimanded anyone in front of others, not even young children, and her words were delivered in a tone that softened hearts rather than breaking them. Effective correction lies not in the harshness of the voice, but in the sincerity of the heart and the wisdom of the tongue.
2. Serving one’s parents is among the greatest pathways to the pleasure of Allah Ta‘ala and a means of immense barakah (blessings) in one’s life. The Quraan Majeed places kindness to parents immediately after the command of worshipping Allah Ta‘ala, highlighting its importance. Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) embodied this value in an extraordinary way, devoting many years of her life to caring for her mother, especially during a decade of illness and weakness. Moreover, she fulfilled this duty without ever showing the slightest trace of impatience or disrespect. Her unwavering patience, respect, and love stand as a powerful reminder that true khidmah to parents requires consistency, humility and a heart that finds joy in serving, not merely a sense of obligation.