Hazrat Amma Jan: Syeda Nusrat Jahan Begum

Aleena Waheed, Student Aisha Academy

Hazrat Syeda Nusrat Jahan Begum^ra is also known as Hazrat Amma Jan in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. With the title of “Amma Jan” (lit. “dear mother”), she was considered a spiritual mother and a source of tarbiyyat and nurturing for thousands of women in the Community. Her birth name, “Nusrat Jahan,” which translates to “Helper of the World,” is truly reflected in her impact throughout the course of Jamaat’s history.

She held esteemed positions within the Jamaat, being the wife of a Prophet of God, the mother of a Khalifa, grandmother of two Khulafa, and the great-grandmother of Hazrat Khalifatul Masih V^aa.

Family Background

Hazrat Syeda Nusrat Jahan Begum^ra was born in 1865. She came from a highly esteemed family residing in Delhi, which traced their lineage back to the Holy Prophet^sa. Her father’s name was Hazrat Mir Nasir Nawab^ra, and her mother’s name was Hazrat Syeda Begum^ra. Her father also belonged to a distinguished and noble Syed family of Delhi and was the grandson of the famous Sufi, Hazrat Khawaja Mir Dard. (Life of Ahmad, p. 132)

Marriage with Hazrat Ahmad^as

Along with belonging to an extremely noble and pious family of Syeds and being a descendant of the Holy Prophet Muhammad^sa, Hazrat Syeda Nusrat Jahan Begum^ra had the special honour of being the wife of the Promised Messiah^as.

Both her father and mother regarded Hazrat Ahmad^as as a man of noble character. When seeking a suitable match for their daughter, Hazrat Ahmad’s^as exceptional virtues far surpassed any other proposal being considered. (Life of Ahmad, pp. 132-133)

Thus, on 17 November 1884, the nikah was announced. It was Monday, 27 Muharram 1302 AH. The nikah was announced by the famous cleric of the city, Maulvi Syed Nazeer Hussain. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 1, pp. 242-244)

With regard to this marriage, Allah the Almighty revealed to the Promised Messiah^as in 1881:

أُشْكُرْ‌ نِعْمَتِيْ رَأَيْتَ خَدِيْجَتِيْ

“Be grateful to Me that you have found My Khadijah.” (Tadhkirah [English], p. 47)

Explaining this revelation, the Promised Messiah^as stated:

“This was the good news, several years in advance, of my marriage into a noble family of Syeds of Delhi … [In the revelation] my wife was named Khadijah as she is the mother to a blessed progeny, and a blessed progeny has also been promised to me. It was also an indication that she would be of a Syed family.” (Ibid.; Nuzul-ul-Masih,Ruhani Khazain, Vol. 18, pp. 524-525)

As mentioned above, her father belonged to a distinguished family. Thus, with the materialisation of this marriage, a pious and blessed progeny was decreed, destined to continue to illuminate and be the torchbearers of Islam.

This blessed marriage between the Promised Messiah^as and Hazrat Amma Jan^ra was also foretold by the Holy Prophet^sa in the following hadith:

عَبْدُ اللہِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو قَالَ قَالَ رَسُوْلَ اللہِ صَلَّي اللہ عَلَيْہِ وَسَلَّمَ يَنْزِلُ عِيْسَي ابْنُ مَرْيَمَ اِلَي الأَرْضِ فَيَتَزَوَّجُ وَيُوْلَدُلَہٗ

Hazrat Abudullah bin Amr^ra narrates that the Holy Prophet^sa said, “Jesus, son of Mary, will descend on earth and shall marry and have children.” (Mishkat al-Masabih, Kitab al-fitan, Hadith 5508)

Here, we not only learn of this blessed marriage taking place, but we also become aware that it is through this blessed marriage that the Promised Messiah^as shall bear offspring.

Ideal married life

The marriage between the Promised Messiah^as and Hazrat Amma Jan^ra was based on mutual love and respect. This relationship stood as a testament to their shared dedication to the path of taqwa.

Hazrat Dr Mir Muhammad Ismail Sahib^ra offers a compelling testimony of their harmonious relationship. In his words, “Never in my life have I ever seen or heard that the Promised Messiah^as expressed displeasure towards Ummul Momineen^ra [Hazrat Amma Jan]. Rather, I always saw them in a state that is the epitome of an ideal couple.” (Sirat Hazrat Syeda Nusrat Jahan Begum Sahiba^ra, p. 231)

A role model of piety

Hazrat Amma Jan^ra possessed a high standard of worship and connection with Allah. She offered her salat on time, with great humility and dedication, including other voluntary prayers such as Tahajjud. Hazrat Amma Jan^ra possessed numerous qualities, including being extremely charitable and hospitable. Her financial contributions exceeded all expectations, and she regularly cooked meals for a few people as a form of charity. Her daily routine revolved around tasks dedicated to serving humanity and upholding a role model for women in Islam Ahmadiyyat. (Mazamin-e-Bashir, Vol. 3, p. 604)

Ahmadi mothers can learn a variety of things from Hazrat Amma Jan^ra regarding the basic principles of child-rearing and how to raise them in the best and most effective manner possible. The fact that Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra entrusted the upbringing of his son, Hazrat Sahibzada Mirza Nasir Ahmad^rh to Hazrat Amma Jan^ra sheds ample light on her noble character and ability to raise children. In fact, her love for her grandson, Hazrat Hafiz Mirza Nasir Ahmad^rh is also evident from the fact that in 1933, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra laid the foundation stone of a residence named Al-Nusrat in Qadian. This house was a gift from Hazrat Amma Jan^raa to her grandson. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 6, p. 101)

When raising her children, she taught them to abstain from lying and trusted them to the extent that they would take it upon themselves never to disappoint her. She spoke with gentle words and was never harsh with her children or grandchildren. She believed that instilling high moral standards in the eldest child was the most effective way to teach the younger ones. This ensures that the younger children always have a role model to look up to, someone they can relate to as an older sibling. (Sheikh Mahmood Ahmad Irfani, Seerat Hazrat Sayeda Nasrat Jahan Begum Sahiba^ra, Part 1, p. 397)

Noble examples of service and financial sacrifice

When we read about the sacrifices made by Ahmadis for the construction of Minarat-ul-Masih, Hazrat Amma Jan’s^ra name will always be remembered. 

It is mentioned in the history of the Jamaat that Hazrat Ahmad^as had decided to divide the estimated cost of 10,000 rupees into 100 rupees per person (Al Fazl, 26 January 1920). It was said that those who donated 100 rupees would have their names engraved on the minaret. Thus, after this announcement was made, four people immediately paid the prescribed amount. The names of those four are Hazrat Munshi Abdul Aziz Aujlawi^ra, Hazrat Mian Shadi Khan^ra, Maulvi Muhammad Ali Sahib MA, and Sheikh Niyaz Ahmad Sahib. Further, we find that Hazrat Amma Jan^ra, pledged 1000 rupees, which she fulfilled by selling one of her own properties she had in Delhi. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 2, p. 117)

Then, in 1923, Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud, Khalifatul Masih^ra, launched an appeal for the construction of a mosque in Berlin, specifically calling upon the female members of the Jamaat for their contributions. The women displayed remarkable zeal and enthusiasm in response to this appeal, resulting in the collection of 100,000 rupees. On this notable occasion, Hazrat Amma Jan^ra generously donated 500 rupees. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol. 3, p. 398)

On 1 August 1923, i.e., the same year, Hazrat Amma Jan^ra laid the foundation stone for the female ward in Noor Hospital, Qadian.(Seerat Hazrat Amma Jan, p. 8)

Passing on the rings of the Promised Messiah^as

Although Hazrat Amma Jan^ra endured great trials, such as the loss of children, she remained resilient and most steadfast in her faith in Allah.

Hazrat Amma Jan^ra was granted the blessing of having 10 children. Unfortunately, five of them passed away at a young age, while the remaining five continued to live by the grace of Allah.

After the passing of Hazrat Ahmad^as, the Promised Messiah, his three rings were distributed among his sons. Hazrat Amma Jan^ra distributed the rings among her thre sons through a draw. Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra wrote the inscriptions on three pieces of paper, and Hazrat Amma Jan^ra picked the papers. The ring with “AlaisAllahu Bikafin ‘Abdahu” went to Hazrat Khalifatul Masih II^ra, the one with “Udhkur Ne‘mati…” came to Hazrat Mirza Bashir Ahmad^ra, and the one with “Maula Bus” went to Hazrat Mirza Sharif Ahmad^ra. (“Rings of the Promised Messiah^as”, Al Hakam, 6 April 2018, Issue 3, p. 7)

Demise of Hazrat Amma Jan^ra

Hazrat Amma Jan^ra sadly passed away in Rabwah on the night of 20 April 1952 at the age of 86. Two days later, on 22 April, the funeral prayer was led by Hazrat Musleh-e-Maud^ra. She was honoured by being dressed in a sacred garment of the Promised Messiah^as. (Tarikh-e-Ahmadiyyat, Vol.14, p. 96)

May Allah grant her the highest abode in Paradise and bless us all with the ability to emulate her exemplary life. Amin.