(Mother of Moulana Muhammad ‘Umar Paalanpuri [rahimahumullah] – Part Five)

The mother of Moulana Muhammad ‘Umar Paalanpuri (rahimahullah) considered no sacrifice too small in the path of her son becoming an ‘Aalim of Deen.

At the time when he was leaving for Darul ‘Uloom Deoband for the final year of his studies, she was weak and suffering ill health. She was unable to see, could barely chew and could not walk. However, despite her ailing condition, she sacrificed her son’s companionship and service, giving preference to Deen and sending him to madrasah. At the time of his departure, she lovingly passed her hand over his head and said to him, “Go, my son!”

Thereafter, while Moulana (rahimahullah) was over a thousand kilometers away, completing his studies, his mother’s condition deteriorated. Understanding that her demise was imminent, her family members suggested to her, “Should we send a message and call Muhammad ‘Umar from Deoband?” She replied, “No! No! He has gone for the sake of Deen! I have no good deeds to my account – he is the only asset that I have for the Hereafter!” She then said, “If Allah Ta‘ala has to ask me, ‘What good have you brought?’ I will reply, ‘I have left my son in the path of Your Deen and come to You. I only sacrificed the companionship of my son for Your sake!’”

As her final moment drew near, she remarked, “I can perceive a beautiful fragrance!” This was despite the fact that her sense of smell and other senses had ceased to function some time previously. Thereafter, she made salaam, smiled and fell unconscious. On regaining consciousness, her family asked her, “To whom did you make salaam, and what caused you to smile?” She replied, “I saw my son, Muhammad ‘Umar, between two angels. He made salaam to me (and I replied to his salaam), and seeing my son caused me to smile.”

It was on that day, 14th December 1955, that this inspirational woman breathed her last and departed from this world.

After her demise, Moulana (rahimahullah) saw her in a dream and asked her, “Mother! Where are you?” She replied in Arabic (whereas she could not speak Arabic during her lifetime), “Ana fil Jannah (I am in Jannah).” She then said to Moulana (rahimahullah), “You did not get the opportunity to take me for hajj.” Hence, Moulana (rahimahullah) thereafter performed hajj and conveyed the reward of the hajj to his mother.

(Sawaanih Moulana Muhammad ‘Umar Paalanpuri (rahimahullah) pg. 67 and Mithaali Khawaateen pg. 273)

Lessons:

1. Generally, a person will believe in that which he can see. However, imaan is based on us believing in the unseen. The mother of Moulana (rahimahullah) had firm imaan and unshakeable conviction in the promises of Allah Ta‘ala and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Hence, she ensured that she made him an ‘Aalim, as she had hope that Allah Ta‘ala would reward her for dedicating her son to the service of Deen. This conviction was well rewarded, as Allah Ta‘ala accepted her son for Deen and made him the means of thousands of people reforming their lives.

2. The mother of Moulana (rahimahullah) may have been uneducated, but her heart was filled with enthusiasm and zeal for Deen. Hence, purely for the sake of Deen, she was prepared to sacrifice the companionship of her beloved son during the stage of her life when she required it the most. It was this quality, of always giving preference to the Deen of Allah Ta‘ala, that stood out in the life of this great woman.