Story 1
‘Allāma
Tabātabā’ī was very affectionate with his children, as well as
his grandchildren. Sometimes he would spend an hour of his valuable time
listening to our chatting, or teaching us how to draw, or giving us exercises
for our homework.
‘Allāma’s daughter
Story 2
‘Allāma valued his children,
especially his daughters, a great deal. He considered daughters to be a
blessing from God, and valuable precious gifts. He always encouraged his
children to acquire the traits of honesty and tranquility, and liked that the
sound and melody of the Qur’an should reach their ears. For this reason he used
to read the Qur’an out loud. He gave importance to his children being
well-mannered, and believed that the behavior of parents affects their
children.
He was particularly respectful
and loving towards his daughters, such that he would call them by adding the
word ‘sadāt’ to their name, and he used to say that the respect of a
daughter, especially a descendant of the Prophet (s) (Sayyid), must be
preserved. He believed that daughters are a trust from God. However much a
person pays them respect, God and the Prophet (s) are pleased [with him].
‘Allāma’s daughter
Story 3
Our upbringing was not limited to
our childhood. Even after I was married I used to always benefit from the
guidance of my father. For example, in the early days of our marriage when I
would visit my father’s home, he would advise me by saying “don’t let it be the
case that your actions result in the displeasure of Khānum (that is my
mother-in-law), for God will not let that pass. You must make sure to assist
her".
‘Allāma’s daughter
Story 4
‘Allāma had a close
relationship with his children. In his final years when I was living in Tehran,
I would visit him two or three times each week, but it wasn’t determined
exactly when I would go. Yet every time I would visit, his wife (his second
wife) would say that it’s been three or four hours that he has been pacing
waiting for you. When I would ask how he knew I was coming, he wouldn’t give me
a clear response, and in the end I never understood how he was aware what time
I would be arriving.
‘Allāma’s daughter
Story 5
After the death of my son
‘Hasan’, he [‘Allāma] came to Tehran. However, I didn’t know how to behave
with him so that he wouldn’t become upset, and incidentally, he too, was
thinking the same. When he arrived he asked, “Najma, what can I say to you?”
I said, “Nothing. All thanks belong to God”. He replied “All thanks
belong to God, who, when he gave you a child, he gave you a good child”.
‘Allāma’s daughter