(Respected Wife of ‘Aarif Billah, Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar [rahimahullah] – Part Three)

Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar (rahimahullah) had great love for his Shaikh (spiritual mentor), Moulana Shah ‘Abdul Ghani Phulpoori (rahimahullah), and was very devoted and attached to him. He remained in his company for lengthy periods, benefiting from his piety, teachings and guidance.

Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar (rahimahullah) mentioned that it was only due to his wife’s selflessness and generous spirit that he was able to remain with his Shaikh and benefit from him in this manner, as she had happily sacrificed her own rights by allowing him to remain away from her during this time. When she saw his deep devotion to his Shaikh, she said to him, “You may remain in the service of your Shaikh for as long as you wish. I will neither object nor impose anything on you.”

In the year 1960, Moulana Shah ‘Abdul Ghani Phulpoori (rahimahullah) travelled to Pakistan, as he was considering relocating there. Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar (rahimahullah) accompanied him on this journey. No women or children travelled with, as Moulana Shah ‘Abdul Ghani Phulpoori (rahimahullah) had not yet finalized his decision to migrate from India to Pakistan. When some time had passed, they were supposed to return to India for a few days. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Moulana Shah ‘Abdul Ghani Phulpoori (rahimahullah) was unable to go to India and was thus compelled to remain in Pakistan for an entire year. During this period, Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar (rahimahullah) chose to remain in his service instead of returning home to India. Furthermore, due to his limited means, he was unable to bring his wife and children from India to join him in Pakistan.

We can imagine the difficulty that his respected wife underwent that year, being totally cut-off from her husband. Despite the hardships she endured, she never once wrote him a letter complaining of her hardships and difficulties. Her adherence to hijaab and purdah was so strict that for this entire period she never once emerged from her home!

It was during this same period of separation that the respected son of Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar (rahimahullah), Moulana Muhammad Mazhar (daamat barakaatuhum), who was still a child at the time, fell ill. His sickness was so severe that it resulted in all the hair on his head falling off. Seeing her son in this serious state, she wrote a letter to her husband mentioning their son’s illness and requesting him to make du‘aa. Even under these trying circumstances, she refrained from complaining and did not ask him to return to India.

(Rashke Awliyaa, Hayaat-e-Akhtar pg. 42-43)

Lessons:

1. Almost every person wants to enjoy a comfortable life in this world. For this purpose, a wife will not only allow her husband to leave the home to earn a livelihood, but will also encourage him to earn as much money as he can. Sometimes, the husband works from 8 until late, six days a week, and when he returns home at night, he is too tired to give her and his children quality time and attention. However, all this is patiently endured in the interest of earning money and enjoying a comfortable lifestyle.

However, comfort in the Hereafter, through admittance to Jannah, is our true goal. Hence, every woman should encourage her husband to engage in Deeni activities and spend time in the company of the pious. If we truly understood the value of Jannah, we would all happily sacrifice by allowing our husbands to leave the home for the sake of Deen.

2. True patience is where a person does not complain to people, but instead turns his attention to Allah Ta‘ala and begs Him in du‘aa.