(Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem [rahimahallah] – Part Ten)
Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) had started a small business from within her home in order to avoid being a burden on anyone and with the intention of earning a halaal livelihood.[1] Through this endeavour, she supplied daily essentials to meet the needs of her local community.
She engaged in business with the understanding that it was a blessed sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), conducting every transaction with complete honesty, trustworthiness and transparency. One of her motivating factors was to attain the virtue mentioned in the hadeeth, wherein a truthful and trustworthy trader will be raised on the Day of Qiyaamah with the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam), the Siddeeqeen (extremely truthful) and those martyred in the path of Allah Ta‘ala. (Sunan Tirmizi #1209).
In the final days of her life, Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) fell gravely ill and lapsed into unconsciousness. The atmosphere around her was heavy with concern and anxiety. As she was taken to the hospital, the hearts of those around her were filled with worry, and fleeting movements sometimes sparked hope, yet she remained unresponsive. After a few days in this condition, she departed from this temporary world on 28 January 1976 (Muharram 1396 A.H.) at the age of 67.
Excluding her early childhood, Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) devoted approximately sixty years of her life to the worship of Allah Ta‘ala, seeking and imparting knowledge, engaging in zikr, tableegh, writing, du‘aa, munaajaat, among other noble pursuits.
Her janaazah was brought to her home village, Daairah-e-Shah ‘Alamullah (Takiya Kalan) in Rai Bareli, where her brother, Moulana Abul Hasan ‘Ali Nadwi (rahimahullah), led the janaazah salaah. She was then laid to rest beside her beloved mother, Sayyidah Khairun Nisaa (rahimahallah).
Many great luminaries of her time paid tribute to her upon her passing. Mufti ‘Ateequr Rahmaan ‘Uthmaani (rahimahullah) writes:
“With great sorrow, we note that an ardent worshipper, a true ascetic, a woman of knowledge, and an embodiment of piety and taqwa has departed from this world. She was unparalleled in her noble qualities, and such remarkable virtues are indeed rare to find among women.”
Moulana Manzoor Nu’maani (rahimahullah) adds, “The deceased, like her esteemed mother, serves as an excellent role model for the women of this era.”
(Adapted from ‘Aaishah Bi)
Lessons:
1. Honesty and trustworthiness are fundamental in every Muslim’s dealings, particularly in trade, where character is constantly tested. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) himself engaged in business, setting the highest standards of ethical conduct. By managing her modest home-based enterprise with integrity and sincerity, Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) demonstrated that even simple trade can become a means of attaining Allah Ta‘ala’s pleasure when guided by the proper intention and noble values. Her dealings were transparent, clean and service-oriented, reminding us that barakah lies not in the amount earned but in the manner of earning it.
2. When a life is spent in the remembrance of Allah Ta‘ala and service to His Deen, its impact is felt long after death. The sincere words of praise offered by pious scholars after the passing of Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) reflects the deep respect and love she earned through devotion, humility and taqwa. Such honour at the time of death is not coincidental; it is the fruit of a life lived solely for Allah Ta‘ala. True success is not measured by worldly titles, but by the good that continues to resonate in the hearts and words of the righteous after one’s departure.
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[1] This was done from within her home for the women of the community, just as we find home-based industries today like women selling samoosas etc.
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