(Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem [rahimahallah] – Part Four)

Allah Ta‘ala blessed Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) with a deep love for acquiring and imparting the knowledge of Deen. She excelled in Deeni sciences to such a degree that the great luminaries of her era acknowledged her excellence and lauded her efforts and services to Deen.

Among her many services, one which received immense praise from the ‘Ulama was her translation of the renowned kitaab of Imaam Nawawi (rahimahullah), Riyaadhus Saaliheen, which was titled Zaad-e-Safr.

Riyaadhus Saaliheen is a widely acclaimed compilation of ahaadeeth on various topics. Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) would regularly deliver lessons on this kitaab. At the encouragement of her brother, Moulana ‘Abdul ‘Ali (rahimahullah), she undertook its translation. She carried this task out with such diligence and zeal that the translation was completed within a short span and was first published in 1945.

This was no ordinary book, but one in the sensitive and specialised field of hadeeth. In this discipline, a person requires not only an excellent command of Arabic and deep expertise in the Islamic sciences, but also a high level of integrity and trustworthiness. Hence, after completing the translation with utmost caution and diligence, she first presented it to her learned brothers for review and approval. Thereafter, she sent it with her nephew, Moulana Muhammad Waadhih Rasheed (rahimahullah), to the Shaikhul Hadeeth of Nadwatul ‘Ulama, Moulana Shah Muhammad Haleem ‘Ataa (rahimahullah), who listened to each word being read. Finally, after securing the approval of these eminent scholars, she requested ‘Allaamah Sayyid Sulaimaan Nadwi (rahimahullah) to write a foreword for the book.

The sincerity and integrity with which she rendered this service caused it to receive widespread acclaim from the luminaries of her time. Commenting on the book, ‘Allaamah Sayyid Sulaimaan Nadwi (rahimahullah) wrote that she had compiled the translation with clarity and fluency. He further supplicated, “May this book spread to every Muslim home and may it serve as a means of teaching and reforming Muslim men and women.”

Her brother, Moulana Abul Hasan ‘Ali Nadwi (rahimahullah), praised her saying, “She is the author of such an accepted kitaab, Zaad-e-Safr, which was even promoted multiple times by the radio station of Hijaaz. Perhaps no Indian woman rivals her in achieving this feat.”

Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) also authored a concise yet captivating seerah on the life of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Furthermore, she compiled a four-part work for children on the lives of the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam), which was widely accepted and included in the syllabus of many madrasahs.

For young boys, she authored a beneficial book on the life of the young Sahaabi, Sayyiduna Mus‘ab bin ‘Umair (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). For young girls, she wrote on the lives of the Sahaabiyyaat (radhiyallahu ‘anhunna) as well as the great ‘aabidah, Raabi‘ah Basriyyah (rahimahallah).

In addition, she composed works of poetry expressing deep love and praise for Allah Ta‘ala, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), and Madeenah Munawwarah, and also authored works in other Islamic sciences.

(Adapted from ‘Aaishah Bi)

Lessons:

1. True work of ‘ilm requires a firm foundation of knowledge, understanding, and integrity before one may teach or write. Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) exemplified this by ensuring her translation was meticulously reviewed and approved by senior ‘Ulama, recognising that conveying the knowledge of Deen is a weighty responsibility. Sadly, today many speak on matters of Deen without sufficient knowledge, resulting in confusion and misguidance. This reminds us that before seeking to speak on ‘ilm, one must first acquire the necessary knowledge and uphold the standards set by the ‘Ulama to safeguard the purity of the Deen.

2. Sincerity (ikhlaas) is the foundation upon which all lasting success in Deen is built. Without it, even the greatest efforts remain hollow. Perhaps it was due to the sincerity of Sayyidah Amatullah Tasneem (rahimahallah) that her work gained wide acceptance and became a means of guidance and reform for countless Muslims.