Business runs in her ancestry. From the first day she understood the word “career,” business was the only meaning she could associate with it. Her father Mr. Mostafa Kamal, the Chairman of Meghna Group of Industry, is her key source of motivation. She was born and brought up in Dhaka. She completed her schooling at Greenherald International School and graduated from the University of Westminster.
Tahmina is a strong believer in hard work. She never fears work, which is something she inherited from her father. She has enough faith in Allah about her living but she follows the hadith- “I always believe in tying the camel first and then trust in Allah.”
After marriage in 2009, her hectic scheduled life was getting busier with the passage of time. Then in 2013, a life-changing event came in front of her. She experienced a horrible accident- a helicopter crash! The accident was her turning point in life. It brought about a surreal change in her. Her back was severely injured. She had been suggested complete bed rest by the doctors. The impact of the accident was enormous on her sister, and surprisingly in a good way! A spiritual change and self-realization rose inside her, something that couldn’t be expressed in worldly words. After this realization, she started wearing the hijab.
Tahmina wanted a baby dearly after having delayed due to several different reasons, including work issues. Despite all the tenacious circumstances she was strong enough to carry the baby in her womb. These two were the life-changing phases for her. She read Surat-Al-Yusuf and Surat-Al-Maryam each and every day while her baby was growing inside her. “As I had to ask something in front of Allah the Exalted, I asked for the best. I asked for a baby like Yusuf (alaihis salam) and every breath of it like Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). And Alhamdulillah my son is the resemblance of something celestial just as Shahpar aunty advised.”
After 6 years of marriage, she gave birth to a baby boy. Miraculously, regardless of all the trouble, Mrs. Tahmina gave birth to her child by normal delivery without facing any critical problem! Subahan’Allah. It was truly a miracle from Allah (subhanahu wa ta aala). Besides being successful in worldly life she desires her son to be a Quran-E-Hafidh. “I want that sparkling crown on the day of Resurrection that Allah promised for the parents of a Hafidh.”
Tahmina Mustafa is a far more organized person now after having a baby. She no longer has the option of procrastinating, she has to be precisely punctual. She has not been regretful in any way after becoming a mother even though her passion is business.
Her first priority is always her son. Having the privilege of working in her own office, she never gets the chance to fall back on work. Her mother and sister played a very important role in supporting her, especially at work.
“My father is the worst boss ever. He always told me and my sister not to prove us as girls. Never to be late in the meeting showing the excuse of dressing up.. Many working women do not want to take the responsibility of a child thinking about their work getting adversely affected. They become paranoid to reach certain goals in life. Her suggestion is that “Do not delay being a mother. Because a baby comes from Allah with its rizq. Being a mother is not in your hand. It is Allah’s blessing. I know many affluent women having the most expensive jewelry, the most expensive bags but they can give up everything just for a baby.”
Hijab hinders career is unquestionably a myth for her. She doesn’t believe that hijab is an issue for not being successful. She does not ever consider covering as a negative factor for one’s career. “I think women with hijab are smarter. As they are following their Lord’s command, they are covering, and at the same time they are working.” According to her, those women who think hijab is a barrier to their life are merely suffering from inferior complexity since they are obsessed with what other people are saying about their hijab.
Tahmina Mostafa is outspoken about her thoughts. In her work life, she tries to deal with non-mahrams maintaining limits. She tries to check herself every time she interacts with men. In Islam surely covering is far deeper than just covering one’s head. Hijab encompasses one’s attitude, gesture, posture, glance, word, and so on. “When I put my hijab on I can’t do things which other people can do as I have limitations. If you give a scope, people obviously will put the question on you.” People instinctively try to let other people down anyway.” Tahmina Mustafa’s perspective is to constantly check her own intentions rather than other people’s comment. She thinks when the intentions are positive, it will obviously reflect. “But that still doesn’t change the fact that we women love fashion and looking good. Women covering their heads as a start should never be seen as something small. It’s a huge step. Now we just need to make a genuine effort to be better at it every day.”
When it comes to gesture Mrs. Tahmina said, “Get dressed the way you can face your Rabb. Putting bright lipstick and loud makeup on, you can’t complain that people are talking about your hijab. We should make a genuine effort to better ourselves be it in a girl’s lipstick, eye makeup, behavior, or the tone we talk to non-mahrams everything. I have a theory I try to follow although many times I slip, is you come out of the house for example you meet your Rabb or even Rasul Allah (Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam), if you are good to go then Alhamdulillah, but if not then inshaAllah we’ll do better.”
To be judgmental is not her cup of tea, but she also tries not to give anyone a chance to judge her. She doesn’t believe in judging other people because she has never been in their shoes. “You never know when Allah will give hidayah to them. So I always avoid judging someone’s personal issues, struggles, the way they lead their lives.”
After 10 years Tahmina Mostafa wants to be a successful mother. She really wants to be an amazing and exemplary mother. She thinks motherhood is a career, and those who take it up must try and excel at it. It is the duty of every mother to look into better techniques and strategies of parenting. With her hard work, she can be a business diva. But fruitful motherhood is something that can only be accomplished by putting your heart and soul into it. “Once we miss one milestone, it won’t be back.” For example, if I miss out on my child’s first step, there will be no first step ever again.”
Motherhood blended with strong ethics can help raise a child to be a great human being. This story of a mother is a lesson and a reminder from Allah. “Supermother” sounds more like a title for Tahmina Mustafa.
