(Respected Wife of Dr. Hafeezullah Madani [rahimahullah] – Part One)
The respected wife of Shaikh Doctor Hafeezullah Sukkharwi Muhaajir Madani (rahimahullah) was born in March 1917, and passed away in July 1992 at the age of 75.
She had acquired the basic secular education under private tutelage. When it came to Deen, she had practically memorized the entire Behishti Zewar. Hence, many women would come and ask her their various masaa-il which she would answer from Behishti Zewar. Furthermore, she had read the Mawaa‘iz (discourses), Malfoozaat (selected sayings) and other works of Moulana Ashraf ‘Ali Thaanwi (rahimahullah) multiple times.
As a result of constantly reading his works, her mindset and outlook completely conformed to Deen and the sunnah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). She was thus filled with a perpetual motivation to carry out righteous works, and possessed a strong aversion for sin and bid‘ah (innovated practices). Practicing on Deen had literally become her second nature.
On account of her piety, many women would come to her for ta’leem on a weekly basis. They would sit for an hour and conduct kitaab reading from the various works of Moulana Thaanwi (rahimahullah), with half an hour dedicated exclusively to reading from Behishti Zewar. The result of these weekly ta’leem sessions was that the majority of these women became inclined to Deen and also developed the mindset, outlook and values of Deen.
(Mithaali Khawaateen pg. 331)
Lessons:
1. One glaring feature that stood out in the life of this woman, and was perhaps greatly instrumental in her becoming the saintly figure that she was, was her attachment to the works of Moulana Ashraf ‘Ali Thaanwi (rahimahullah). In this regard, the works of our ‘Ulama and pious predecessors, who were the saints of the age and were accepted and approved of by the other ‘Ulama, are invaluable in a person gaining guidance and developing the mindset and outlook of a true Muslim.
It is thus necessary for their kitaabs to be read in the home on a daily basis so that the household remains motivated and guided in Deen. Similarly, we should endeavor to attend the weekly ladies ta’leem, as this will be a means of us developing the mindset, outlook and values of Deen.
2. When reading any kitaab or listening to any lecture, it is essential to remind oneself that the purpose is to strengthen one’s imaan, gain direction in Deen and motivation towards righteous actions. The purpose is NOT entertainment and passing time in an ‘Islamic’ way. Hence, even if the bayaans or kitaabs of our senior ‘Ulama are not ‘dynamic’ or ‘humorous’, and seem old-fashioned and simple, we should value them and listen/read them with an open heart.