(Saintly Women around Siddeeq [Part Five] – Wife of Qari Siddeeq [rahimahullah] #2)
Qari Siddeeq (rahimahullah) mentioned regarding his wife:
“She was more punctual on her ma’moolaat (daily ‘ibaadaat) than I was and would never miss them. She was extremely punctual on the Ishraaq and Dhuha Salaahs, would perform lengthy rakaats of Awwaabeen Salaah and was quite regular on her Tahajjud Salaah as well. After Fajr Salaah she would recite the Quraan Majeed and would only rise from the musalla after performing Ishraaq Salaah. She never missed her daily portion of Munaajaat-e-Maqbool (a du‘aa kitaab) and always kept a tasbeeh in her hand to make zikr. Unless there were visitors present to whom she had to speak, she would engage in zikr.”
In the Month of Ramadhaan, many people would partake of meals with Qari Siddeeq (rahimahullah). She would personally make all the food arrangements and would spend whatever money she had for this purpose. Apart from this, the rest of her time would be spent in reciting the Quraan Majeed. She would also sit in i’tikaaf as well as give a lot of charity in the form of food, drink and cash. Even out of the Month of Ramadhaan, most of her money would be spent in charity and assisting others.
She would regularly present Qari Siddeeq (rahimahullah) with a record of her expenditure. Qari Siddeeq (rahimahullah) would even ask her, “When did I ask you for an account?” She would reply, “You did not ask me, but I should be giving you an account.” Qari Siddeeq (rahimahullah) remarked, “When I would look at the record she would provide, I would see that most of the money had been spent on the needs of others. Sometimes she would give money to a poor person whose daughter was getting married or was being sent off to her husband’s home, and sometimes to a person who needed medication or treatment. Very little was spent on herself.”
(Hayaat-e-Siddeeq pg. 234 – 236 and Tazkiratus Siddeeq vol. 1, pg. 607)
Lessons:
1. For a person to engage in ‘ibaadah on the odd occasion, such as a big night, is easy. For a person to remain punctual on ‘ibaadah throughout the year, especially during the holidays, is very difficult. This punctuality on daily ‘ibaadah, however, is a sign of true dedication and commitment and that is why it is valued by Allah Ta‘ala and becomes the means for a person to make tremendous progress.
2. Although Qari Siddeeq (rahimahullah) did not ask or even expect his wife to provide a detailed record of her expenditure, she still ensured that she presented him with the breakdown of her expenses. This degree of transparency to which she adhered is something which wins the confidence and faith of the husband.
3. A salient quality of the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) was that they preferred others to be comfortable, even if it entailed them sacrificing their own comfort. If we are too weak to sacrifice some of our own comforts, let us at least try to sacrifice some of our luxuries so that we can make our fellow brothers and sisters comfortable.
It is not behoving of a Muslim to drown himself in luxury after luxury while those around him are drowning in poverty and difficulty and lack even basic necessities.
As for the wealth that is wasted in merely trying to impress others, such as in weddings, etc., this must be totally cut out and the same should be given to the poor.