Khadijatul Kubra Dansumaila: The quintessential wife, my heart bleeds

I still recall learning of the cold harmattan morning she was born — December 24th, 1971 — though, of course, I wasn’t yet part of her life then. But Allah already knew. She would then attend WTC Kano, go on to Bayero University Kano, then University of Abuja, where she earned her BA in English/Education […]

I still recall learning of the cold harmattan morning she was born — December 24th, 1971 — though, of course, I wasn’t yet part of her life then. But Allah already knew. She would then attend WTC Kano, go on to Bayero University Kano, then University of Abuja, where she earned her BA in English/Education with honours. Little did I know back then that this woman, Khadijatul Kubra, would become my everything.

Our marriage is a story for the ages — and though I could write volumes, let me give you the heart of it. She chose love over riches, over luxury, over all the offers that came her way. She chose me. Against all odds, we married in 1991.

After a short stint lecturing at a secondary school in Abuja, I encouraged her to venture into business. With her usual determination, she launched Timals Kiddies Wears — a small retail shop for children’s clothes — which flourished into a household name. I watched her transform that little dream into a thriving enterprise, and I stood by in awe.

When I reflect on history — the stories of empires, the medieval age, the renaissance, colonial times — they’re filled with tales of conquest, heroism, innovation, tragedy, and, yes, love. Our love story deserves its place among them.

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Kubra was my heart, my mind, my very soul. She cared for my health, my feeding, our children, our household, our businesses, and our day-to-day livelihood. She didn’t just support me — she built me. More than half of the success I am credited with came through her influence.

Her passing has created a void in my life that no woman, no matter how beautiful or kind, could ever fill — even if I were granted another hundred years on this earth.

Together, Kubra and I journeyed to Saudi Arabia over a hundred times — Hajj and Umrah — side by side. As a Director in the Federal Civil Service, and even after retirement, we travelled together across Europe, Asia, America — official trips, family holidays — she was my constant. My steady companion.

Her commitments and contributions:

Kubra was deeply engaged with so many circles:

Member of Jadafia, Fou’ad Lababidi.

 

Women in Da’awah.

Ummah Da’awah and charity.

A student of Sawtul Quran, Al-Huda, Al-Dany Academy for El-Qira’at and El-Tajweed, Uloom Academy, Luggatul Arabiyya wal Islamiyya Cairo, Esteem Islamiyya class, IIC Centre and many more.

She didn’t just live Islam; she breathed it, embodied it, and inspired it.

 

The real ansumaila:

Though I inherited the title of Village Head (Sarki) of Sumaila, the headquarters of Sumaila LGA, Kano State, and everyone calls me ansumaila, my childhood friend Kabiru Sadiq always joked that she was the real ansumaila. And he was right. She carried the weight of our home, our lives, our reputation with such grace, wisdom and strength. She was the true heart of our family.

 

Our children:

And through Fatima, our eldest daughter, we were blessed with beautiful grandchildren: Halima, Muhammad Bello and Muhammad Amin.

They are all part of the legacy she shaped, nurtured, and guided.

A heart shattered, a faith strong:

The star that illuminated my life — my success, happiness, peace, prosperity — has gone home. But still, Alhamdulillah. I thank Allah for His countless gifts, above all for blessing me with this pious, God-fearing woman called Khadija. She has gone ahead of me now, but in shaa Allah, I will join her when my time comes, as destined by our Lord.

We worshipped Allah together, hand in hand. We will, by His mercy, be together again in Aljannatul Firdaus.

Alhamdu Lillah. Inna al-dina ‘indallahi al-Islam.

Kubra, my love, my partner, my soul — I miss you. I carry you in every breath, every prayer. Until we meet again.