‘Aynū Bibi: The Amazing Incident of a Brave Afghan Woman
Ḥakīm-ul-Islām Qārī Muḥammad Ṭayyib Qāsimī rahimahullah
Former Rector of Dar-ul-‘Ulum Deoband
There was an Afghan soldier that had been away from his family and loved
ones for a very long time. Once, he had reached a place close to his home, and
he could not bear to wait any longer, nor could he tolerate the instruction to
delay his return for a short while. He thought in his heart: ‘as a Mujāhid, I
had gone with Aḥmad Shāh Abdālī to Hindustan. After his successful Jihād
against the Marathas, I have now come close to home, why should I not spend a
few days here?’ Whilst thinking over this, he left the army and came to his home.
He thought that after spending two days at home, he will re-join the army
before it enters Kandahar.
The soldier reached his house; his children were there, but his wife had
gone to a nearby stream to get water. This soldier hugged his children and
displayed affection towards them. In that time, his wife had returned. She was
astonished to see her husband sitting at home. She had no knowledge whatsoever
about the battle at Panipat or its outcome. She had no idea that the army had
reached close to Kandahar. She only knew that her husband was gone with the
king in the path of Allāh to fight; he will either fight against the
disbelievers sacrificing his life, or, he will return home with the royal army
after victory. However, she had never imagined that he will return home like
this, alone. Instead of showing happiness and joy, she angrily asked her
husband, “Where is Aḥmad Shāh Bābā and the royal army? What happened regarding
the objective for which you had gone to Hindustan?”
The husband replied, “The enemy was defeated. The royal army has raised
the flag of victory and has returned to their country. The army is camped 2
furlongs from Kandahar. I was moved and forced by love for the family and came
here.”
Nevertheless, the wife who was brimming with self-honour said, “How can I
be convinced that what you are saying is correct? People will see you and they
will definitely say that you have fled in order to save your life from Jihād fī
Sabīlillāh and you have returned.” The husband replied, “This is not the
occasion for such doubts. After two days, the royal army will reach Kandahar.”
The wife replied, “If this is true, then return at once. I will not tolerate
looking at your face until the army of Aḥmad Shāh Bābā does not reach Kandahar.
I cannot bear to hear the taunts of the other women that my husband fled from
the field of Jihād.” The husband tried in every way to convince his wife of his
story. He said, “I shall stay a day and then go.” However, the courageous wife
said very clearly, “I cannot allow you to remain at home for even a moment.” The
husband was forced to get up and return to join the royal army.
He reached the army and was caught for leaving the army without
permission. He was then brought in front of the king. Aḥmad Shāh Abdālī asked
him as to why he had left the army. The soldier mentioned the entire incident,
from beginning to end, in all honesty and truthfulness. Aḥmad Shāh Abdālī was very
happy upon hearing about the condition of a daughter of his people. He let the
soldier go because he spoke the truth.
When Aḥmad Shāh Abdālī reached Kandahar, he gifted a valuable piece of
land that had springs running in them to the wife of the soldier. Her name was ‘Aynū.
This type of land had great value in the eyes of the Afghan people. This land
is known by the name of this brave lady until today. This land is approximately
10 miles east of Kandahar.
Our womenfolk must become brave and courageous just like ‘Aynū Bibi. If
this will happen, then what is India? Even America, a place that makes divine claims,
just like Fir’awn did, will fall to pieces. If only these women will think and
understand that sacrifice is the thing that will put a people on the path of
progress. If we Muslims cannot sacrifice for our Muslim brethren, then who will
do it?
Our Nabī sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam said that the Muslims are like a body. If one part experiences
difficulty, then the entire body will be restless because of pain and fever.
However, we have abandoned the teaching of our Nabī sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam today. For this
reason, the difficulty of the weak Muslims has no effect on us and we carry on
living in enjoyment.
If only we woke up from this dream of negligence and leave no stone
unturned in giving every type of sacrifice in order to please our Rabb.
We must think, the kings of the world get happy with small things and give
great bounties and rewards for it. Allāh Ta'ala, the real king of the earth and skies will send rains of his bounties
upon us through His grace if we do small actions with sincerity.
The women that stop their sons and husbands from the obligation of Jihād
out of fear for death and put barriers in their path must think that there is
no one more unfortunate than themselves. They will not harm anyone but
themselves. They will become a means of deprivation of blessings in this world
and the hereafter.
Finally, I plead to all the Muslim sisters, they must not stop their
husbands and sons from fulfilling the obligation of Jihād. In fact, they must
prepare them and send them to the battlefield. May Allāh Ta'ala grant all the
Muslims the ability to practice on this, and grant us the proper understanding
of this dead world. Āmīn
[Adapted and Translated from: Tārīkh
e Islām kī Bahādur Khwātīn, Mawlānā Thanā ullāh Sa’d Shujā’ Ābādī pp.197-199]
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