header pic header text

Biography, Autobiography, Journal and Anecdotes

Part I - Biography

Khadija Bibi (1868-1902)

Khadija Bibi, the second of Maula Bakhsh's three daughters, had a retiring disposition. She had a keen interest in learning. She was trained in household-duties, but yet had more learning than the daughters of a family were usually allowed. She was acquainted with Arabic, Persian and Urdu. Her nature was devout and loving and gentle. She was liked by all. At the age of fifteen she was given in marriage to Rahmat Khan, who had previously married her elder sister, Fatima Bibi, who had died, leaving him with one daughter, Jena Bibi, who was married to a cousin Mehr Bakhsh.

She loved her four children, Inayat, Maheboob, Karamat and Musheraff so devotedly that it seemed extraordinary, even on the part of a mother. She was as kind to the servants in the house as to the children. No one ever heard a cross word from her. If anyone hurt or annoyed her, she would be silent, believing that for the sake of the welfare of those dear to her she must keep a harmonious atmosphere, even if she had to endure lack of consideration. Her special love was for Inayat.

Once, when told about her share in the division of the property of her father Maula Bakhsh, she said: "I do not care about my father's property, my wealth is in my children, and as God has granted me this wealth, I do not wish for other wealth or anything greater." "But", they said, "for your children." She replied: "May God bless my children; if they inherited the great quality of my father, rather than a share of his property, that is quite enough. How long will that earthly property last? That which is dependable in life is only one thing and that is the quality of their grandfather; that they can inherit." So she, who was born in a rich house, remained poor all her life, with her children, in whom she placed all her hopes.

Inayat's mother, before his birth had dreams, in which she saw Christ coming and healing her and sometimes Muhammad appeared and blessed her, sometimes she found herself in the midst of prophets and saints, as though they were taking care of her or receiving her, or were waiting for something coming or preparing for a time which they had foreknown.

She was by nature very devout, most modest, humble and unassuming. She told other dreams to no one except Bima, her grandmother, who also was very pious and at that time very aged. The grandmother said: "It is good tidings and yet a great burden and responsibility for you as the mother and also for who will be coming. Do not tell anyone about it but ask the protection of God and the help of those you see," Khadija Bibi was rather confused, frightened and yet resigned to the will of God. She was careful to ask the protection of God and help of every saint and prophet that she knew. She addressed them saying:

As-salam 'alaika ya 'Issa Ruh Allah
As-salam 'alaika ya Mussa Kalim Allah
As-salam 'alaika ya Ibrahim Khalil Allah
As-salam 'alaika ya Muhammad Rassul Allah.

Which means:

Hail to Thee, O Jesus, the Spirit of God,
Hail to Thee, O Moses, the Word of God,
Hail to Thee, O Abraham, the Friend of God,
Hail to Thee, O Muhammad, the Prophet of God.