(Ammaa Jee [rahimahallah] – Part Two)

When her husband eventually returned to his Creator, Amma Jee (rahimahallah) found herself carrying a burden that would have overwhelmed many others. Left alone with three young daughters and her only son, Abdul Qayyum, she now bore the responsibility of providing for them, protecting them and giving them the upbringing they deserved. There was no brother to ease her burden, nor did many of her relatives or in-laws offer the support one might have expected. In addition to the hardships of daily life, she also had to navigate an unsympathetic and difficult environment.

Yet Amma Jee never became despondent. Instead of lamenting her circumstances, she accepted them as a test from Allah Ta‘ala and resolved to fulfil her responsibilities with dignity. Her confidence remained in Allah Ta‘ala alone, and this conviction became the foundation upon which she rebuilt her family’s future.

Her self-respect was remarkable. Although the family often lived in severe poverty, she refused to stretch out her hand before people. She preferred earning a small amount through honest labour over receiving assistance from others. Whatever Allah Ta‘ala placed in her hands through lawful means was enough for her.

One of Amma Jee’s foremost concerns was to settle the debts her late husband had left behind. Due to the expenses of running his shop, he had passed away with debts that he was unable to repay. Among the few things he had left behind were two or three cows. The milk they produced was sold to meet the family’s daily needs and provide them with their meagre sustenance.

It was during this difficult time that the wealthy merchants from whom her husband had purchased stock for his shop began sending messengers to demand repayment of the money owed to them. Each time their messengers arrived, the children would become frightened. Seeing their concern, Amma Jee would reassure them, “There is no need to be afraid. They are only asking for what belongs to them, and they have every right to demand what is rightfully theirs. The question is not why they are asking for their money; the question is how we can repay what they are owed and secure your father’s release from this burden in the Hereafter.”

When she learnt that the creditors would return after a week, Amma Jee sold the cows within that very week. When the creditors arrived, she gave the entire amount they were owed in cash.

The children were distressed by what she had done and said, “Amma Jee, you could have put these people off for a few days. We could have enjoyed the cows and their milk, and (perhaps) seeing that we were poor and needy, they would have waived the debt.”

Amma Jee replied, “My children, what belongs to others remains the property of others. We still have to secure your father’s release (from this burden). What wisdom is there in enjoying the wealth of others? A broken bed in one’s own home is better than the (finest) carpets belonging to others.”

(Adapted from Ammaa Jee and So Bari Khawaateen)

Lessons:

1. A Muslim should never take debts lightly, as the rights of people remain a serious responsibility. In many ahaadeeth, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has emphasised the importance of paying one’s debts. Amma Jee understood this well. Despite living in poverty and having very little to her name, she made it a priority to settle the debts her late husband had left behind. She did not look at the family’s difficult circumstances as an excuse to delay the creditors’ rights. Instead, she sacrificed what little they had in order to fulfil what was owed. The debts and rights of others should be treated with seriousness and we should make every effort to fulfil them without unnecessary delay.

2. Difficult circumstances should not cause a person to become despondent or spend their days lamenting their situation to others. Rather, one should place his trust in Allah Ta‘ala and then do whatever lies within his ability. After losing her husband, Amma Jee was left to raise her children with little support from those around her. Yet she did not allow her circumstances to break her spirit or become an excuse to depend on others. She turned to Allah Ta‘ala, accepted her circumstances and worked within her means to fulfil her responsibilities. When a person does what he can and leaves the outcome to Allah Ta‘ala, even the most difficult circumstances can be faced with dignity and strength.