Author: Obaidullah Nimruzi
Allama Sayyed Abul Hasan Nadwi ‘May Allah Have Mercy on Him’ (Part 34)
The Spiritual Moments of Allama Nadwi’s Life (MAPH)
Mawlana’s Wife’s Asceticism (Istighna)
Since Mawlana’s house was filled with spirituality, with ongoing dhikr, tasbih, recitation, and religious discussions, his wife was greatly influenced by this spiritual atmosphere. Bilal Abdul Hai Hassani writes, “Another characteristic of her—Mawlana’s wife—was her asceticism and austerity. Many gifts and presents were given to Mawlana, and he would send them to his wife, who immediately devoted them to charity. Anyone who came to the house did not return empty-handed, and she never collected more than two or three loads of clothes for herself. Whenever she wore new clothes, if a poor woman admired them, she would immediately change and give her the new outfit. By the end of her life, she had grown very wary of the world, and the desire to meet Allah overwhelmed her.”
Indeed, those who intentionally embark on the journey of the heart and the world of meaning will never be ensnared by the bondage of ego and desire; for them, the eternal world holds far greater value than the transient one.
A Symbol and Figure of Humility
Humility has always been one of the most desirable and commendable traits among great scholars. Anyone blessed with knowledge, piety, and spirituality takes a firmer stance toward modesty and humility because they have come to understand through insight that:
“If you long for the blessings of Allah, learn humility, for one cannot drink water from a high ground.”
“The wise and chosen one embraces humility, For the fruitful branch lies low to the ground.”
It is Allah’s law that whoever demonstrates more humility for His sake will be exalted in realms of knowledge and refinement. As stated, “Whoever is humble towards Allah, Allah will elevate him.”
Hazrat Imam Nadwi (May Allah Have Mercy on Him) was one of the great personalities who served as a role model for many due to his profound humility. This valuable trait, along with his other virtues, was evident in his character and contributed to his elevation. Mawlana Nadwi showed humility toward all people; he did not stretch his legs even in front of younger individuals and children. When he did, it was due to hardship or compulsion, and he would always apologize to everyone. This reflects his complete humility.
Bilal Abdul Hai Hassani recounts, “I observed that after the death of a contemporary sheikh, when the sheikh’s son came to meet Mawlana, Mawlana stood up from his seat, offered it to him, and sat on his knees in front of him.”
What a beautiful couplet Saadi wrote:
“I reached a worshipper in the land of Bilqan;
I said to him, ‘Cleanse me from ignorance with your teaching.’
He replied, ‘O jurist, endure like the dirt,
Or bury what you have learned in the dirt.'”
Continues…
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