(Respected Wife of ‘Aarif Billah, Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar [rahimahullah] – Part Five)
Towards the end of her life, the respected wife of Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar (rahimahullah) became ill, and shortly before passing away, she suffered a stroke.
Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar (rahimahullah) mentioned: “When I would arrive home, I would almost always find my respected wife engaged in reciting the Quraan Majeed. Towards the end of her life, she became extremely ill and weak. Even in this weakened state, her nafl salaah, zikr and recitation of the Quraan Majeed did not decrease. I would sometimes (take pity on her due to her illness and) say to her, ‘Decrease your nafl ‘ibaadah a little.’ However, she would merely smile and remain silent.”
He also said: “We were married for approximately fifty years, and for this entire period, she remained punctual on her Tahajjud Salaah.”
Approximately sixteen days before she passed away, Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar (rahimahullah) was in Makkah Mukarramah to perform ‘umrah. The day after he arrived in Makkah Mukarramah and performed his ‘umrah, his son, Moulana Shah Hakeem Mazhar (daamat barakaatuhum) contacted him with the following message:
“My respected mother’s illness has worsened. However, she has asked me to tell you that you may remain in Makkah Mukarramah and that you do not need to return.”
Hearing this, Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar (rahimahullah) thought to himself, “What she has allowed me to do is one thing, but what I should be doing is something else.” Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar (rahimahullah) thus returned to Pakistan.
During her final illness, when women would visit her, they would all be amazed and remark over a fragrance that they could perceive around her. It was such that none of them had ever smelt something as delightful before.
Eventually, on Wednesday 19th Sha’baan 1419 (9th December 1998), she departed from this temporary world (may Allah Ta‘ala honour her with the highest stages of Jannah, aameen).
After her demise, many people saw dreams which conveyed glad tidings that she was in a good condition in the Hereafter. Among these dreams was the dream of Mufti Husain Bhayat (rahimahullah) of South Africa. Mufti Husain (rahimahullah) was blessed to have a very close relationship with Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar (rahimahullah). In his dream, he saw himself attempting to enter Jannah. However, the angels prevented him from doing so and said, “Not yet.” The angels then asked him, “Who is this person coming behind you?” He replied, “My respected mother (referring to the respected wife of Moulana Shah Hakeem Muhammad Akhtar [rahimahullah] whom he had respected and revered as his own mother).” As soon as she arrived, the angels granted her entry into Jannah.
(Rashk-e-Awliyaa, Hayaate Akhtar pgs. 42 – 48)
Lessons:
1. There are many women who have free time and find different activities to occupy themselves with during this time. How fortunate and blessed is that woman who uses this time wisely and productively to worship Allah Ta‘ala, thus accumulating her capital for Jannah!
2. ‘As you live, so you shall die’. When someone passes their entire life in righteousness and piety, then Allah Ta‘ala generally favours them to meet their end in the state of righteousness and piety. May Allah Ta‘ala bless us all to follow in her footsteps, aameen.