(Mother of Shaikh Nizaamuddeen Awliyaa [rahimahullah] – Part Two)
Though the respected mother of Shaikh Nizaamuddeen Awliyaa (rahimahullah), Zulaikhaa (rahimahallah), hailed from an affluent family and was raised in wealth and comfort, her father married her to Sayyid ‘Ali Bukhaari (rahimahullah) who was not so wealthy in comparison (but possessed the invaluable qualities of piety etc.). Thereafter, (despite the change in lifestyle and decrease in wealth,) Zulaikhaa (rahimahallah) enjoyed a happy marriage (and was leading a life of peace and contentment).
There was only one aspect in her marriage that brought her sadness – the lack of a child. She had been married for fifteen years, yet until now, they had not been blessed with offspring. Nevertheless, despite this challenge and the sadness that it brought, her husband would continue to comfort her and would encourage her to continue to have hope in the mercy of Allah Ta‘ala.
Together with this, they would both continue to recite the following du‘aa of Nabi Zakariyya (‘alaihis salaam), mentioned in the Quraan Majeed:
رَبِّ لَا تَذَرْنِيْ فَرْدًا وَأَنْتَ خَيْرُ الْوَارِثِيْن
Rabbi la tazarnee fardan wa anta khairul waaritheen
“O my Rabb! Do not leave me alone (without a child), and You are the best of inheritors (the One who will remain after all have perished).” (Surah Ambiyaa v89)
Eventually, after much du‘aa and patience, in the year 636 A.H., Allah Ta‘ala blessed them with a son, and one year later, Allah Ta‘ala blessed them with a daughter. They named their son Muhammad, and it was this boy who would later become the saint known to the world as Nizaamuddeen Awliyaa (rahimahullah).
Unfortunately, when the young Muhammad was only five years old, his father passed away, leaving him as an orphan in the care of his mother.
(Misaalee Maaoo ki Misaalee Awlaade pg. 81 and Tareekh-e-Da’wat wa ‘Azeemat vol. 3, pgs. 52&53)
Lessons:
1. Wealth is not a requirement for happiness. In fact, wealth sometimes brings misery, anxiety and stress – as seen with those who become targets of crime due to their abundant wealth. The key to happiness is piety and contentment. If a person’s spouse is pious, then insha-Allah, they will conduct themselves correctly, with good character, and peace and happiness will prevail in the home.
2. A Muslim should never become despondent. No matter what challenge or difficulty one is facing, one should remain hopeful and continue turning to Allah Ta‘ala in du‘aa. Du‘aa is never ever wasted. Sometimes, we are blessed with what we ask for, though it may take years for the du‘aa to materialize. At times, we may not get what we asked for, but Allah Ta‘ala, in His infinite wisdom, will grant us something even better.