In the picturesque landscapes of Jalali Gund, a village in Sumbal Sonawari tehsil of district Bandipora, a poignant tale unfolded that symbolized both the struggle for ancestral land and the innate nobility of a woman whose life resonated with sacrifice and grace.
The narrative revolves around a patch of some 25 kanals of an apple orchard, a fragment of her father’s legacy, threatened by the encroachment of villagers. The attempts of the family, despite fervent efforts to reclaim it, proved futile.
Then, one fine morning, an unexpected visitor arrived. A man, dressed in humble rags and carrying a bag filled with Rajma, knocked at the door. Initially dismissed as a beggar, he revealed himself to be from Gadkhod village, seeking an audience with the lady of the house.
With earnestness in his eyes, he presented the bag, explaining that it held the fruits of the “barren” land—six kanals from her own orchard. He implored for forgiveness and Bakhshaish to embark on a pilgrimage to Karbala.
Syeda Hameeda, the lady in question, was moved by the villagers’ humility.
In a moment that reflected both compassion and an understanding of conscience, she granted him the land.
“This person, at the very least, showed some conscience to request my permission, and I, in turn, conceded my claim to the land,” she declared with a smile.
This anecdote reflects the essence of a woman who valued compassion over possession, setting the tone for a life marked by nobility and selflessness.
Tragically, Syeda Hameeda is no more. She breathed her last on Sunday, December 17, after a brief illness.
Her lineage was graced by the distinguished titles of Nawab-e-Kashmir and Rayees-e-Kashmir, bestowed upon her grandfather Agha Syed Hussain Shah Jalali and maternal grandfather Haji Jaffar Khan respectively.
Her father Syed Muhammad Shah Jalali had the distinction of being the first Muslim from Kashmir nominated to India’s first Rajya Sabha in 1952. Notably, one of Kashmir’s premier healthcare facilities, SKIMS Soura, continues to pay homage to her grandfather through a dedicated ward in the name of Agha Syed Hussain Jalali.
The elder Jalali, instrumental in establishing a major educational institution ‘Imamia High School’ in the early thirties in Zadibal area, also contributed significantly to the intellectual growth of the region.
Haji Jaffar was a prominent landlord with roots in Kabul, who also established trade links with Kashmir. He is believed to be among the pioneers who established the Pashmina trade in Kashmir.
Upon settling in Kashmir, he married and had many sons and a lone daughter, who inherited a substantial estate.
Despite these lofty lineages, Syeda Hameeda embraced a life of simplicity in her modest home after her marriage to Molvi Mustafa Hussain Ansari, an alumnus of Najaf Seminary and scion of Ansari family who was widely known for shunning the material life for scholarly pursuits, thus demonstrating a steadfast commitment to relationships over material wealth.
If she hadn’t nurtured the ideal environment at home, it would have been impossible for him to write more than forty highly acclaimed books, including a treatise on the Quran, within his relatively short life of 65 years.
As the sun set on the concluding chapter of her life, a luminous presence transcended beyond mortal confines, bequeathing a legacy delicately woven with the golden threads of self-sacrifice and unspoken nobility. What a coincidence, Syeda Hameeda passed away on the day her community was observing the anniversary of the demise of Lady Fatima (R), the beloved daughter of holy Prophet (Pbuh).
This noble lady, whose name adorned the pages of familial history, navigated the intricate mosaic of life with an elegance that bespoke her royal lineage.
Unbeknownst to her three cherished offspring—Sajjad Haider Ansari, Shahid Haider Ansari, and Hamid Haider Ansari—she concealed her opulent past, choosing instead to clothe her progeny in the humble attire of contentment.
Her abode, nestled in the heart of Narwara within the old city— Dar-ul-Ansar—became a sanctuary of warmth and simplicity, a testament to her choice to relinquish majestic inheritances in favour of a life steeped in modesty.
Within the premises of her husband’s modest home, she led a life of selflessness, transforming limited means into a flourishing haven for her beloved brood. She chose to forgo the rich inheritance that awaited her, opting instead for the lasting richness of familial bonds. She was determined never to let riches become a bone of contention in her relationships.
A quintessence of grace, she held court over the hearts of families and acquaintances alike. Adored with an affection that outdid mere kinship, she embodied the essence of a gracious host, extending her benevolent embrace to all who crossed the threshold of her house.
My own memories of her are a blend of warmth and maternal affection. Each visit to her house was a pilgrimage of sorts, where her radiant countenance enveloped me in a comforting embrace, and the aroma of shared meals lingered in the air as a proof to the hospitality that flowed effortlessly from her hands.
In her departure, several tales and virtues remain—a legacy etched in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to traverse the corridors of her benevolence. Her life, an ode to sacrifice and quiet grandeur, stands as a beacon, shining the path of those who follow in the footsteps of a lady who, in choosing the simplicity of love over the opulence of titles, became a regent of hearts.
Strong-willed and thoroughly selfless, she navigated life with a quiet strength that never wavered. Her demeanour remained firmly calm; she never raised her voice, never made demands, and even in times of illness, she quietly endured.
In her later years, when Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) confined her to a bed, she continued to exhibit resilience, uttering words of gratitude to the Almighty.
As we bid farewell to Syeda Hameeda, we remember her as a woman of resilience, a custodian of rich culture and a symbol of compassion. Her life exemplified the values of nobility, sacrifice, and grace, leaving an enduring legacy in the hearts of those who were fortunate enough to know her, including this author.
With her late husband, Maulana Mustafa Hussain Ansari by her side, she rests now at Baba Mazar, Zadibal, surrounded by the echoes of her ancestors’ graves, a testament to a life well-lived.
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