Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) – The Blessed Wife of The Promised Messiah (as)

INTRODUCTION

Hazrat Amman Jaan’s (ra) name was Sayyedah Nusrat Jahan Begum. She belonged to a very noble family who were the descendants of the Holy Prophet (saw). Her father’s name was Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawwab Sahib (ra). He was a pious, humble and modest man. Her mother’s name was Sayyedah Begum. She too was a pious woman and raised her children with great kindness and dedication.

Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) was born in 1865. Her father named her Nusrat Jahan which means “helper of the world”. He once said to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih 1st (ra)

“… since this daughter of mine was born I have never missed a namaz (prayer) in which I have not prayed that; O Allah Almighty, whichever man is most agreeable and suitable in Your eyes, make my daughter’s marriage knot with him”.

It was in fulfilment of the heartfelt prayers of her father that Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) came to be married to Hazrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad (as), the Promised Messiah.

MARRIAGE TO THE PROMISED MESSIAH (as)

“To Hazrat Amma Jaan (ra) belongs the unique distinction and honour that her marriage with the Promised Messiah(as) came about as a result of an idea and a suggestion put in motion under direct Divine guidance” (Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra)).

The Holy Prophet (saw) had foretold 1400 years ago that the Messiah (as) would come and marry and have children. The Promised Messiah (as) has explained that the emphasis on the marriage and children of the Promised Messiah (as) in this prophecy suggests that they will play a significant role in his mission.

The Promised Messiah (as) received revelations about this marriage. In 1881, he received glad tidings from God of a beautiful son. Later he received the revelation:

“Ushkur Ni‘mati Ra’aita Khadijati”

i.e. “Be grateful for My Bounty, you have seen My Khadijah”

In this revelation Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) has been referred to as “my Khadija” by Allah Almighty. The Promised Messiah received a further revelation from God, with a promise of marriage into a noble family, who would be direct descendants of the Holy Prophet (saw).

Once, Mir Nasir Nawwab (ra) sahib wrote to the Promised Messiah (as) to seek his prayers on several matters including for the righteous marriage of his daughter. On receiving the letter, the Promised Messiah (as) proposed that he himself should marry Mir Nasir Nawab (ra) sahib’s daughter. After a period of reflection and prayer, the marriage proposal was accepted.

The Promised Messiah (as) and Hazrat Amman Jaan’s (ra) marriage was one built on divine guidance, love and mutual respect. The Promised Messiah’s love for Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) was no ordinary attachment because it was based on the recognition that she was a Divine blessing from Allah. Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) reciprocated this love and was a constant pillar of strength for the Promised Messiah (as).

Hazrat Amman Jaan’s (ra) brother Dr. Mir Muhammad Ismail Sahib (ra) who was very attached to his elder sister, paid tribute to their marriage:

“As far as my memory serves me from childhood, I have never seen or heard the Promised Messiah (as) angry with Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra).  I have always seen their circumstances like an ideally matched couple. Very few husbands take as much care of their wives’ emotions as the Promised Messiah (as) did.”

HAZRAT AMMAN JAAN’S (ra) WORSHIP AND DEVOTION TO GOD ALMIGHTY

Many people have commented on the quality and punctuality of Hazrat Amman Jaan’s (ra) prayers. As soon as she heard the Azaan, she would perform ablutions and offer salaat. She would also remind the girls in her household that it was time for prayer. Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad (ra) says about Hazrat Amman Jaan’s (ra) worship:

“The foremost thing in her character was the overriding importance she attached to the five Institutional Prayers, and to nawafil (the non-obligatory Prayers). She was most particular about the punctual observance of these prayers, in addition to which she rose regularly for Tahajjud (i.e., the midnight prayer), and she was also very regular in the Zuhar Prayer. She offered these Prayers with such joy and ecstasy that those around her also were considerably touched with that inner happiness”.

Hazrat Amman Jaan’s (ra) daughter Hazrat Nawwab Mubaraka Begum (ra) recalls that:

“Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) observed her prayers with great enthusiasm, conviction and passion.  Not only were her prayers filled with fervent supplications, but also the etiquettes of “Salat” were observed meticulously and with inspirational beauty”.

She never recalls seeing her mother rush her prayers. She relates that even in her old age, the fervour and intensity of her mother’s prayers never waned.

HAZRAT AMMAN JAANS (ra) LOVE FOR THE HOLY QUR’AN

Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) read the Holy Qur’an with great regularity.  During illness and when her eyesight had diminished, Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) would request someone to recite the Holy Qur’an to her.  Whenever Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) felt restless or burdened, she found solace in the Holy Qur’an.

The late Dr. Sahibzada Mirza Munawar Ahmad Sahib, who was Hazrat Amman Jaan’s (ra) grandson and physician-related that during her final illness she would ask one of her family members to recite the Holy Qur’an to her. He says that even in the morning of the day she passed away when he went to give her an injection, she asked him to bring the Holy Qur’an, upon which he requested if he could give the injection first. After the injection Syed Mir Mahmood Sahib, son of Hazrat Mir Muhammed Ishaq Sahib (ra) recited the Holy Qur’an to her.

Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) eagerly wished to instil the love of the Holy Qur’an in others. At weddings she would often give the bride a copy of the Holy Qur’an as a gift.

 

A GREAT HOSTESS – HAZRAT AMMAN JAAN’S (ra) HOSPITALITY TOWARDS THE GUESTS OF THE PROMISED MESSIAH (as)

“Enlarge your house; people will come to you from very distant lands”.

The Promised Messiah(as) received the above revelation from God. In fulfilment of this prophecy, visitors from distant parts of India used to come and stay with the Promised Messiah(as). Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) shared this responsibility of hospitality towards them. She made them feel welcome and gave precedence to their comfort over her own. In the earlier years, food for these guests was also prepared at Darul Masih. It was the wish of the Promised Messiah (as) to serve the guests with food that they were accustomed to, so special care was taken of that.

Once at the occasion of Jalsa Salana, Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawab (ra) sahib [father of Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra)] came to the Promised Messiah (as) and mentioned that there was no money to prepare dinner for the guests for that night. The Promised Messiah (as) asked him to ask Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) to give any of her jewellery and sell it and then to make arrangements.” Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) happily gave her jewellery to her father to make provisions for the guests of the Promised Messiah.

HAZRAT AMMAN JAAN’S (ra) LOVE FOR KHILAFAT

Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) had great love and respect for khilafat. She was the first woman to do bai’at of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra). When he started giving dars-ul-Qur’an at his house, she used to go with the other ladies of her house. There were times when they had to wait for up to two hours for the dars to start. Once she made a special request to do something for him, just to please Allah. She would always obtain Hazrat Khalifatul Masih I (ra) permission before leaving Qadian. When her own son became Khalifa, she treated him with the same respect.

KINDNESS TOWARDS ORPHANS

Another remarkable aspect of Hazrat Amman Jaan’s (ra) personality was her kindness and compassion towards orphans. She held a weekly dinner at her house for orphaned children. She helped prepare fresh “rotis” for them. Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) would put a large table cloth on the floor and would serve them food.

She took in many orphaned babies and children and showed lifelong commitment to their upbringing. She took care of their secular and spiritual education. When they grew up, she got them married.

Once when visiting a rural village, Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) came upon a young six-year-old orphaned girl. The girl was destitute and homeless and when Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) saw her she was eating scraps of melon leftover by others. The girl had no guardian and was unable to speak. Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) instructed one of her companions to bring the young girl back to Qadian.

On her arrival in Qadian, the pupils from the newly formed girls school located just below Hazrat Amman Jaan’s (ra) house were shocked at this young orphan’s appearance. Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) exhorted them that the young girl was an orphan and had no guardian and that it was now their responsibility to help the girl. After saying this Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) then went to her house and decided for the girl to be washed and provided her with new clothes. Over time and under Hazrat Amman Jaan’s (ra) watchful eye the girl (whose name was Raheema Bibi but was affectionately known as “Heemi”) came to be well liked and respected and even learnt to speak.

When she became an adult, Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra) arranged Heemi’s marriage and even provided her with a house, household goods and a buffalo to provide milk. The girl was blessed with four sons. The incident shows Hazrat Amman Jaan’s (ra) selfless spirit and commitment towards the cause of orphans.

References

  • Hazrat Syyeda Nusrat Jahan Begum Sahiba, Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra); Her worship of and devotion to God Almighty by Zanubia Ahmad, 2016, Maryam magazine, issue 17.
  • Hazrat Amman Jaan ra, A great hostess . Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra)’s  hospitality towards the guests of the Promised Messiahas and the beginning of Langar Khana from Hazrat Amman Jaan (ra)’s Kitchen, by Zanubia Ahmad, June 2017, Maryam magazine, issue 22.