(Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem [rahimahallah] – Part Two)
On 25th November 1926, at the age of eighteen, Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) married her maternal cousin, Moulana Sayyid Abul Khair Barq (rahimahullah). It was an ideal union, as both shared a deep affinity for the study of Deeni sciences. Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) benefitted immensely from her husband, who was renowned for his profound knowledge of Deen and his mastery of language and literature.
Moulana Abul Khair (rahimahullah) hailed from a noble and pious household and was closely connected to great luminaries of his time. His father was a living example of an Islamic way of life, and a blessed, beloved personality within his family and community.
Moulana Abul Khair (rahimahullah) was born in 1902 and hailed from the same village as Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah). From a young age, he displayed exceptional intelligence and capability, inheriting his family’s zeal for knowledge. He attained expertise in numerous fields, particularly in Arabic and Urdu literature. Such was his mastery that his cousin, Moulana Sayyid Abul Hasan ‘Ali Nadwi (rahimahullah) – himself a distinguished authority in literary matters – would consult him in this field.
Furthermore, he possessed a deep passion for the Arabic language, born from his love for Allah Ta‘ala and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), as well as for the Quraan Majeed and the ahaadeeth of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). He was well versed and could readily quote relevant verses of the Quraan Majeed and ahaadeeth on any given topic. His love for the Quraan Majeed and ahaadeeth was so profound that he would recite the Quraan Majeed most beautifully and narrate the ahaadeeth along with their chains of narration. When narrating ahaadeeth, a remarkable spiritual state would overtake him—a state that was also felt by those listening, leaving upon them a deep and unique spiritual impression.
In the early years of her marriage, Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) enjoyed a life of bliss and contentment. Her brother, Moulana Sayyid Abul Hasan ‘Ali Nadwi (rahimahullah), later remarked, “The best days of my respected sister’s life were those initial years (of marriage) which she spent under the care of her father-like affectionate maternal uncle and father-in-law, Moulana Haafiz Sayyid ‘Ubaidullah Saheb (rahimahullah).”
Allah Ta‘ala blessed this union with three children — two daughters and a son — all of whom passed away in infancy.
(Adapted from ‘Aaishah Bi)
(to be continued)
Lessons:
1. One of the key ingredients of a successful marriage is choosing a spouse with a strong Deeni inclination, for such a partner will help one grow in imaan and draw closer to Allah Ta‘ala. This was seen in the life of Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah), who greatly benefitted from the knowledge, piety and spiritual influence of her husband, Moulana Abul Khair (rahimahullah), whose love for the Quraan Majeed and ahaadeeth uplifted her and made their marriage a union of knowledge and piety.
2. When in-laws receive a daughter-in-law with warmth, respect, and sincere care – treating her as one of their own – they create a loving and comfortable environment that enables her to adjust, grow, and flourish within her new home. This was beautifully exemplified in the life of Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah), whose father-in-law treated her with compassion and fatherly kindness.
3. True love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) naturally manifests as deep reverence and heartfelt attachment to his noble words – the ahaadeeth. When the heart is filled with such love, the words of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) are not merely studied or quoted, but are honoured, cherished, and deeply felt. This sincere love for hadeeth was clearly evident in the life of Moulana Sayyid Abul Khair (rahimahullah).