(Mother of Nawaab Qaisar Saheb [rahimahullah] – Part One)
Nawaab ‘Ishrat ‘Ali Khan Qaisar Saheb (rahimahullah) was a renowned saint of Pakistan and the spiritual mentor of thousands of people, including Haaji ‘Abdul Mu‘eed Saheb, famously known as Bhaijaan (daamat barakaatuhum), who recently visited South Africa. He was born in the year 1338 A.H (1920) and left this temporary abode in Safar 1433 A.H (2011) at the age of 96. He was an embodiment of simplicity, generosity and forbearance, and he would treat the seniors of Deen with a lot of honour and respect. His punctuality on salaah was such that he had not missed his takbeer oola (first takbeer) for 50 years! (Bayyinaat – Rabee‘ul Awwal 1433)
Like many other luminaries, Nawaab Saheb (rahimahullah) was blessed with the upbringing of a very pious and righteous mother, who laid the foundation for the piety and noble qualities that he personified. His mother herself remained under the guidance of the illustrious mentor and revivalist, Moulana Ashraf ‘Ali Thaanwi (rahimahullah) for a lengthy period of fifteen years, and would continuously read his transcribed lectures.
Looking at her qualities of punctuality on ‘ibaadah, adherence to the sunnah, recitation of the Quraan Majeed, continuous engagement in zikr, generosity, etc., one may not be wrong in saying that she was the ‘Raabi‘ah Basriyyah of her time’.
While she was living in India, before relocating to Pakistan, she would teach young girls the recitation of the Quraan Majeed and Behishti Zewar. Her attachment to the Quraan Majeed was such, that she would complete one khatam of the Quraan Majeed in three days during the blessed month of Ramadaan and in six to seven days during the remainder of the year. This was her habit even when she was extremely ill and weak, and it continued until a few weeks before her demise. At times, she would spend the entire night reciting the Quraan Majeed. Although her eyesight had become very weak due to her cataract, she would still recite the Quraan Majeed without using glasses (spectacles).
Due to this attachment of hers to the Quraan Majeed, she would perceive the divine light and the blessings of the Quraan Majeed around her. When she would lay in bed, she would actually see the verses of the Quraan Majeed taking up an extremely beautiful visible form on all four sides of her. The walls and the ceiling of her room would be decorated with these verses to such an extent that out of respect, she would even fold up her legs.
Together with this, she carried out all the other ‘ibaadaat with great diligence and passion. Hence, she would anxiously await the arrival of the month of Ramadhaan and would ensure that she observed all her fasts, despite her ailments and advanced old-age (as she passed away at the ripe old age of ninety-three). She only missed five or six fasts of the last Ramadhaan of her life. She was also very particular about calculating and keeping a record of her zakaat and qurbaani, and was blessed with the opportunity of performing hajj on three occasions. She was extremely generous and would spend very freely in sadaqah. Despite coming from a wealthy background, she was second to none in her level of humility.
(Mithaali Khawaateen pgs. 299-302)
Lessons:
1. The first ‘lap-top’ of a child is the lap of the mother, as it is here that the foundations of piety are laid and noble qualities, traits and values are instilled. Hence, if the mother herself is pious and Allah-Fearing, and she makes an effort to instill the same in her children, it is very likely that the child will grow up as an obedient servant of Allah Ta‘ala and an upright individual.
2. A lover gets enjoyment and pleasure in repeatedly reading the words of his beloved. Similarly, the lovers of Allah Ta‘ala get such an ecstasy when reciting His words that they desire to go on reciting. If we are unable to recite the Quraan Majeed in such abundance, the least is that we consistently recite some portion on a daily basis, together with making an effort to gradually increase it.
3. Various narrations explain the great goodness and abundant blessings, both physical and spiritual, that a person enjoys due to the recitation of the Quraan Majeed. Some of these can be read here and here. If we also attach ourselves to the Quraan Majeed, we too will enjoy these benefits and save ourselves from various harms and problems.