Fazl-e-Umar — Page 212
Fazle Umar 212 this point further he stated: “I am not only in favour of polygamy but I also practice it. In my opinion, to take more than one wife according to the dictates of Islam is (not only not adulterous but rather) a sign of forbearance, endurance, sacrifice, selflessness and righteousness of the highest order. A licentious person cannot take a second wife under these rules and regulations. ” 114 H A d H R AT Sy E d A R ASH I d A b E G UM ( U M M E nASI R ) UM M E n ASI R – “ M OT H E R OF n ASI R ” I. E. M OT H E R OF HA d H R AT M I R Z A n ASI R A H M A d, K HA L I FAT U L M ASI H I I I [ra] The first marriage of Hadhrat Musleh Mau’ood [ra] was to Hadhrat Syeda Umme Nasir in the lifetime of the Promised Messiah [as]. Although the choice of the daughter-in-law was his, he clarified in the letter he wrote initiating the union to Hadhrat Dr Khalifa Rashid Uddin that, “Mahmud seems happy with the engagement. ” This letter was written over a hundred years ago in 1902. By the common practice and standards of the time, it seems strange to take into consideration the feelings of the children. However, because the Promised Messiah [as] came to rectify the culture and traditions, he proved by his actions the importance of acknowledging the feel- ings of the children when choosing a spouse for them. Hadhrat Umme Nasir made an outstanding sacrifice during difficult times to help launch the Al-Fazl newspaper. Women’s love for jewellery is legendary. Her husband’s financial situation did not allow for the jewellery to be replaced. These two factors made her sacrifice even more digni- fied and beautiful. This is why Hadhrat Musleh Mau’ood [ra] always spoke highly about this sacrifice. Purely a strong desire to serve one’s faith was the only criterion Hadhrat Musleh Mau’ood [ra] considered when choosing a spouse which was quite different from that sought by most husbands.