Umm Salama Hind bint Abi Umayya رضي الله عنه (Arabic: أُمّ سَلَمَة هِنْدة بِنْت أَبِي أُمَيَّة, Umm Salamah Hindah ʾibnat ʾAbī ʾUmayyah, 580 or 596 – 680 or 683), also known as Hind al-Makhzumiyah (Arabic: هِنْد ٱلْمَخْزُومِيَّة) or Hindah bint Suhayl (Arabic: هِنْدة بِنْت سُهَيْل) was one of the wives of Rasulullahﷺ.
"Umm Salama Hind bint Abi Umayya رضي الله عنه" was her kunya meaning,
"mother of Salamah". She
was one of the most influential female companions of Rasulullahﷺ, recognized
largely for recalling numerous Hadiths,
or stories about Rasulullahﷺ.
Before marriage with
Umm Salama Hind bint Abi Umayya رضي الله عنه's birth name was Hind, Her father was Abu Umayya ibn Al-Mughira ibn Abdullah ibn Umar ibn Makhzum ibn Yaqazah also known as Suhayl or Zad ar-Rakib. He was an elite member of his Quraysh tribe, known for his great generosity, especially to travelers. Her mother was 'Ātikah bint 'Āmir ibn Rabī'ah, of the Firas ibn Ghanam branch of the Banu Kinana.
Marriage to Abu Salamah
Before her marriage to Rasulullahﷺ, Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه was married to Abu Salamah Abd Allah ibn Abd al-Asad رضي الله عنه whose mother was Barrah bint Abdul Muttalib. Abu Salamah رضي الله عنه was Rasulullahﷺ's foster brother and one of his close companions.Umm Salamah bore for Abu Salamah رضي الله عنه four children: Salamah, Umar, Zaynab and Ruqayyah.
Conversion to Islam
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه and her husband Abu Salamahرضي الله عنه were among the first who converted to Islam. Only Sayyidina Ali Ibn Abu Talib رضي الله عنه and a few others were Muslims before them. Despite intense anger and persecution from the powerful Quraysh in response to their conversions to Islam, Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه and Abu Salamah رضي الله عنه continued their devotion to Islam.
As the persecution grew in severity, the new Muslims began
to look for life away from Makkah. Rasulullahﷺ instructed his newly converted followers,
including Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه and Abu Salamah رضي الله عنه, to make a migration to Abyssinia. Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه abandoned
her honorable life in her clan in Makkah to make the migration. While in Abyssinia,
these Muslims were told that there had been a decrease in persecution along
with an increase in the numbers of Muslims in Makkah. This information caused Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه, her husband, and the rest of the Muslim emigrants to travel back to
Makkah. Upon their return to Makkah, the Quraysh again began viciously persecuting
the Muslims. In response, Rasulullahﷺ gave his followers instructions to make
a migration to Madinah, also known as the hijra. Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه,
along with her husband and son planned to make the hijra together, however, this
was stopped when Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه's clan forced her to stay in Makkah, while Abu Salamah رضي الله عنه's clan took the child.
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه, recounted this story:
Before we were out of Makkah, however, some men from my clan
stopped us and said to my husband: 'Though you are free to do what you like
with yourself, you have no power over your wife. She is our daughter. Do you
expect us to allow you to take her away from us?' Then they pounced on him and
snatched me away from him. My husband's clan, Banu 'Abd al-Asad, saw them
taking me and became hot with rage. 'No! By Allah' they shouted, 'we shall not
abandon the boy. He is our son and we have the first claim over him.' They took
him by the hand and pulled him away from me.
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه,
Abu Salamah رضي الله عنه made the trip to Madinah alone,
leaving his wife and child in Makkah. After some time, Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه, was permitted
by the Quraysh to leave Makkah and was given her son back by her husband's
tribe. With her son, she completed the hijra and was reconnected with her
husband.
Death of Abu Salamah رضي الله عنه
During her marriage to Abu Salamah رضي الله عنه, Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه, (in a story
related by Ziyad ibn Abi Maryam) is said to have asked her husband to make an agreement that when either of them died, the other would not remarry. However,
in this tradition, Abu Salamah responded by instructing Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه, to remarry
after his death. He then prayed, "O God, provide Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه, after me with
a better man than me who will not grieve her or injure her!"
During the Battle
of Uhud (March 625), Abu Salamah رضي الله عنه was severely injured. While Abu Salamah رضي الله عنه was dying due to these wounds, he recalled a story to Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه involving a
message he had heard from Rasulullahﷺ: "I heard Rasulullahﷺ of God saying,
'Whenever a calamity afflicts anyone he should say, "Surely from God we
are and to Him we shall certainly return."' And he would pray, 'O Lord,
give me in return something better from it which only You, Exalted and Mighty
can give'". This
traditional story has been transmitted with various differences, but the
fundamental principles of the hadith remain intact.
Her husband eventually died from the wounds he received in
the Battle of Uhud. Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه remembered the hadith recalled by her husband prior to his death and
began reciting the given prayer.
Following Abdullah ibn Abdulasad's death in the battle of Uhud, she became known as Ayyin al-Arab - "the one who had lost her husband". She had no family in Madinah except her small children, but she was given support by both the Muhajirun and Ansar. After finishing the iddah of four months and ten days, the sufficient amount of time that a woman must wait after the death of her husband before she can remarry, Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه got offers of marriage. Sayidina Abu Bakr As Sidique رضي الله عنه and then Sayidina Umar Al Khattab رضي الله عنه asked to marry her, but she declined. Rasulullahﷺ himself then proposed to Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه. She initially hesitated in her acceptance, stating, "O Rasulullahﷺ, I have three characteristics. I am a woman who is extremely jealous and I am afraid that you will see in me something that will anger you and cause Allah to punish me. I am a woman who is already advanced in age and I am a woman who has a young family."
However, Rasulullahﷺ appeased each of her concerns,
"Regarding the jealousy you mentioned, I pray to Allah the
Almighty to let it go away from you. Regarding the question of age you have
mentioned, I am afflicted with the same problem as you. Regarding the dependent
family you have mentioned, your family is my family."
Rasulullahﷺ's era
Umm Salama رضي الله عنه was married to Rasulullahﷺ at the age of 32. Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه was a widow with 3 children and a fourth born almost immediately after their marriage.
When Fatimah bint Asad رضي الله عنه (mother of the 4th Caliph Ali) died, Rasulullahﷺ is said to have chosen Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه as the guardian of Saydatuna Fatimah bint Muhammad. However, the latter Saydatuna Fatimah رضي الله عنه is thought to have married Sayidina Ali رضي الله عنه in 1 AH or 2 AH, Fatimah bint Asad died in 4 AH, and Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه married Rasulullahﷺ in year 5, so any guardianship must have been purely nominal.
The Verse of Purification (33:33) in
the Qur'an was
revealed to Rasulullahﷺ in her house.
Umm Salamah and the wives of Rasulullahﷺ.
In the fourth year following the migration to Madinah (4 AH), Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه accepted a marriage proposal from Rasulullahﷺ. After sharing her three reservations about the marriage, and hearing the response from Rasulullahﷺ, Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه was so pleased that she accepted the proposal. Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه became the eldest of all of Rasulullahﷺ's wives. She became the highest-ranking wife of Rasulullahﷺ, only behind Saydatuna Khadijah رضي الله عنه. Her elevated status among the rest of the wives was a result of her presence in many wars and her defense of the household of Rasulullahﷺ. Attributes that distinguish Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه from the rest of the wives of Rasulullahﷺ include the following: Her role in Fatimah's upbringing (most prominent daughter of Rasulullahﷺ, whom Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه proclaimed displayed more knowledge than ever herself in all affairs), her political activism, her accounts of Rasulullahﷺ's narrations (378 total narrations of Hadith), and her unwavering defense of Ali's personality and leadership following Rasulullahﷺ's death.
The greatest attribute of the wives of Rasulullahﷺ is demonstrated as being known as:
The "Mothers of the believers". They were also prohibited from marrying another man ever again:
O you who believe, do not enter the house of the Prophet (waiting for food to be cooked because you want to eat together), unless you are invited to a meal, not waiting for its meal; but when you are invited then enter (at the appointed time); then after you have eaten then let each of you disperse and do not sit and enjoy talking. Lo! That hurteth the Prophet, and he is ashamed of you, and Allah is not ashamed of the truth. And when you ask for something from the wives of the Prophet, ask them from behind the scenes. Such a way is more sacred to your hearts and their hearts. And you shall not harm the Messenger of Allah, nor shall you marry his wives after his death. Indeed, all that is a great sin in the sight of Allah.
(Al Ahzab 33:53)
The Qur'an indicates that the wives of Rasulullahﷺ had to be role models in society (33:30-32).
O you who believe, do not enter the house of the Prophet (waiting for food to be cooked because you want to eat together), unless you are invited to a meal, not waiting for its meal; but when you are invited then enter (at the appointed time); then after you have eaten then let each of you disperse and do not sit and enjoy talking. Lo! That hurteth the Prophet, and he is ashamed of you, and Allah is not ashamed of the truth. And when you ask for something from the wives of the Prophet, ask them from behind the scenes. Such a way is more sacred to your hearts and their hearts. And you shall not harm the Messenger of Allah, nor shall you marry his wives after his death. Indeed, all that is a great sin in the sight of Allah.
She was often looked up to by the rest of the wives of Rasulullahﷺ due
to her intelligence and political knowledge. Umm Salamah herself narrated 378
Hadith, among them being some of the most important. She was the last of the
wives of Rasulullahﷺ to pass away.
Impact on Rasulullahﷺ and society.
Because of her beauty, knowledge, and wisdom, Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه held a prominent role in the house of Rasulullahﷺ and society. She was an
exceptional wife of Rasulullahﷺ in her faith and morals. As a woman, she carried
out and completed all of her religious duties. During
her marriage to Rasulullahﷺ, she strived to keep him happy. She always held the
utmost respect for him. She
was known in society for her intelligence, political savvy, and activity in
fighting for women's rights. Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه was a woman most gifted in judgment. She
was active in the movement for women's rights in early Islamic society too. She
once asked Rasulullahﷺ a very political question, "Why are men mentioned in
the Koran, and why are we not?" In
a response from heaven to Rasulullahﷺ, Allah declares that the two sexes are of
total equality as members of the community and believers. It doesn't matter the
sex, as long as the person is faithful and has the desire to obey Allah, they
will earn his grace. This act by Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه sets the precedent and shows that
women could go directly to Rasulullahﷺ when unsatisfied with a gender role
associated with them in society. This action by Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه represented a
veritable protest movement by the women. Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه possessed very good judgment, rapid powers of reasoning, and
unparalleled ability to formulate correct opinions.
Treaty of Hudaybiyyah
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه acted as Rasulullahﷺ's advisor during negotiations
concerning the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah with the Makkans
in 628 CE (6 AH) One
of the main objects of this treaty was to determine the relations between Rasulullahﷺ and the Muslims of Madinah with the Quraysh in
Makkah. The treaty was aimed at achieving peace between the two groups and
allowing the Muslims to complete their annual pilgrimage to the Kaaba, known
as Hajj, which
they did the following year in 629 (7 AH).
This treaty was essential since it established a 10-year peace deal between the
two groups. The treaty was broken later in 629 (8 AH) which led to the conquest of Makkan.
After Muhammad
After Rasulullahﷺ's death, Umm Salamah رضي الله عنهcontinued to have an influence
on Islam.
Her numerous Hadith transmissions
have had a lasting impact on the future of religion. Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه, along with one of Rasulullahﷺ's other wives, Saydatuna Aishah, also took
roles as imams,
leading other women in worship.
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه also took a strong position in the Battle of the Camel, in which the factions of Saydatuna Aishah and Sayidina Ali ibn Abi Talib were in direct opposition. Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه openly disagreed with the
involvement of Saydatuna Aishah in the battle. She strongly supported the faction of Ali and is said to have recalled stories in which Rasulullahﷺ favors Ali and Fatimah
to back up her opinions on the battle.
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه even sent her son, Umar, to fight for Sayidina Ali's victory. Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه died around 64 AH. Although the date of her death is disputed, her son said that Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه died at the age of 84. She was buried in the Baqi Cemetery. She was the last surviving of Rasulullahﷺ's wives.
Hadith Narrated by Umm Salamah & Saydatuna Aishah
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه and Aisha provided more Hadiths than any of the
other wives of Rasulullahﷺ. For Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه, 378 narrations have been reported
through the Sunni Muslims. Among
the [Hadith] she narrated are:
Verse of Purification 33:33
And stay quietly in your houses, and make not a dazzling
display, like that of the former Times of Ignorance; and establish regular
Prayer, and give regular Charity, and obey Allah and His Messenger. And Allah
only wishes to remove all abomination from you, ye members of the Family, and
to make you pure and spotless.
The verse of Purification (Ayat al-Tathir) verse is given
its name due to the mention of purity in the last line. According to Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه, the verse of purification was revealed in her home when only Rasulullahﷺ,
Ali, Fatimah, Sayidina Hasan, and SayidinaHusayn were
present. Scholars such as Tarbasi and Tha'labi have described Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه narrating: "One day Lady Fatima having cooked some food brought it to my
house for Rasulullahﷺ. Rasulullahﷺ said, 'O the light of my eyes, call Ali and
your sons so that we may eat this food together.' When
all had gathered and they had eaten from that food, Angel Jibra'eel descended
and revealed the following verse: Indeed God desires to repel all
impurity from you, O People of the Household, and purify you with a thorough
purification.
Upon hearing the verse, Rasulullahﷺ laid out a cloak over
them and said: "O God, these are the people of my household. They are my
confidants and my supporters. O God, remove impurity from them and keep them
thoroughly pure." Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه relates, "As I heard this prayer from Rasulullahﷺt, I said: 'O Rasulullahﷺ! Am I also with you?' To which he
replied: 'You do not have the level of my Ahlul Bayt, but you are a lady of
noble traits.'
The verse's significance stems from Rasulullahﷺ's usage of the phrase "Ahl al-Bayt" meaning "people of the house" in the second part of the verse. The interpretation of "Ahl al-Bayt" establishes a critical difference between Sunnis and Shi'ites. Shi'ites believe the term refers strictly to Rasulullahﷺ, Fatimah, Ali, Hasan, and Husayn implying they are only members of "Ahl al-Bayt". Under this dogma, only Rasulullahﷺ's direct lineage holds a spiritual leadership and governorship over the Muslim community. In contrast, the Sunnis believe Rasulullahﷺ was not referring solely to the five people in the room. Instead, Sunnis hold any Muslim of good faith can attain spiritual leadership and governorship. The discrepancy between the two interpretations stems from Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه's narration of the verse of purification and Hadith of Cloak.
For Muslim men and women, for believing men and women,
for devout men and women, for true men and women, for men and women who are
patient and constant, for men and women who humble themselves, for men and
women who give in Charity, for men and women who fast (and deny themselves),
for men and women who guard their chastity, and for men and women who engage
much in Allah's praise, for them has Allahﷻ prepared forgiveness and great
reward.
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه sought out equality and autonomy for Muslim women
and never hesitated to posit political questions to Rasulullahﷺ. This verse
initiated when Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه asked Rasulullahﷺ, "why are men mentioned in the
Koran, and why are we not?" She
is quoted narrating, "I had asked Rasulullahﷺ why the Koran did not speak
of us as it did of men. And what was my surprise one afternoon, when I was
combing my hair, to hear his voice from the mimbar? I hastily did up my hair
and ran to one of the apartments from where I could hear better" It
is there that Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه heard the verse.
Umm Salami's contribution to Sunan Ibn Majah
Abū ʻAbdillāh Muḥammad ibn Yazīd Ibn Mājah al-Rabʻī
al-Qazwīnī, often referred to as Ibn Majah,
was a 9th-century scholar of hadith. He is most famous for assembling Sunni
Islam's sixth canonical hadith collection, Sunan
Ibn Majah. Listed below are the Hadiths narrated by Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه from Sunan
Ibn Majah:
Hadith 603: "I said, O Rasulullahﷺ! I am
a woman with tight braids. Should I undo them when I take a bath to cleanse
myself from the state of sexual impurity?" He said: "Rather it is
sufficient for you to pour three handfuls of water over them, then pour water
over yourself, and you will be purified," or he said: "In that case, you would have become purified."
Hadith 623: "A woman asked Rasulullahﷺ: 'I
bleed continuously and do not become pure. Should I give up the prayer?' He
said: 'No, but leave off praying for the number of days and nights that you
used to menstruate.'" (One of the narrators) Abu Bakr (Ibn Abu Shaibah)
said in his Hadith: "Estimate the number of days in the month, then take a
bath and cover your private part with a cloth and perform prayer."
Hadith 637: "I was with Rasulullahﷺ under his blanket, then I felt that I was menstruating as women do, so I
slipped out from under the cover. Rasulullahﷺ said: 'Are you
menstruating?' I said: 'I feel that I am menstruating as women do.' He said:
'That is what Allah has decreed for the daughters of Adam.' So I slipped out
and sorted myself out, then I came back, and Rasulullahﷺ said
to me: 'Come under the cover with me,' so I went in with him.'"
Hadith 648: "At the time of Rasulullahﷺ, women in postnatal bleeding (after childbirth) used to wait for
forty days, and we used to put Wars on our faces because of freckles."
Hadith 491: "Some meat from the shoulder of a
sheep was brought to Rasulullahﷺ and he ate some of it, then
he performed prayer without touching the water (for ablution)."
Also included are Hadiths 499,
531, 925, and 932.
"Hind" - the daughter of Abu Umayyah
ibn al-Mughirah al-Makhzumi and Atikah Bint Aamir, known as Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه (Umme
Salamah, Umme Salmah, Umm-e-Salamah) was the wife of Rasulullahﷺ after Saydatuna Khadija (SA), who had distinguished and worthy qualities. Her family had
such special greatness and nobility that her father, Abu Umayyah ibn
al-Mughirah al-Makhzumi, was called "Zad-ar-Rakeb" which means the
"owner of gifts and generosity towards his companions and fellow travelers".
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه (Umme Salama, Umme Salma, Umm-e-Salama) was one of the first believers who accepted Islam and migrated to Abyssinia (Ethiopia) and also to Madinah for protecting the divine ideals of Islam.
(Quran 33:33)
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه's first husband was her cousin, Abu Salamah ibn Abdul-Asad, who was obliged to migrate to Abyssinia because of the extreme oppression of the polytheists. And it was there that their daughter, Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه was born and after her, their son, Omar was born. Omar was wise and reflective. Since he was brought up under his mother's supervision, even in his youth he participated in all the battles along with Sayidina Ali ibn Abi Talib.رضي الله عنه, and before that, he had been the Governor of Bahrain.
Abu Salamah ibn Abdul-Asad .رضي الله عنه participated in the Battle of Uhud and was badly injured and finally passed away. This learned Muslim had a clear-sighted vision that led to the uprooting of wrong traditions and tribal customs. Once when Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه wanted her and her husband to make a pact that upon the death of either of them the other would not remarry.
Her husband said never shall we make such a pact. He then stretched his hands towards the heavens and said: "O Allah! Please grant Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه a better husband after my death!"
After Abu Salamah ibn Abdul-Asad رضي الله عنه's death, Rasulullahﷺ went to their house for offering his condolences to her and to soothe
her pain and sorrow. He said: "O Allah! Please soothe her grief,
compensate her suffering, and grant her a better substitute than her late
husband. Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه was so distinguished in qualities of beauty, and the
perfection of morals and because of that so many well-known personalities who
were socially famous and wealthy asked to marry her. One can refer to Sayidina Abu Bakrرضي الله عنه,
the first caliph, and Omar, the second caliph among them. But she accepted to
marry Rasulullahﷺ with a little dowry since she was a person of
insight, reflection and also learned. She was able to find an eminent place in Rasulullahﷺ heart after Saydatuna Khadija رضي الله عنه, the first wife of
Umm Salamahرضي الله عنه was a pious and learned woman who possessed eloquence and rhetoric. She owned the elixir of devotion and affection of Rasulullahﷺ's house in a way that she was ready to do anything to makeRasulullahﷺ heart happy and remove his sorrows and grieves. She always sympathized with her dear husband. Therefore, she accompanied him in the Battle of Trench, the Conquest of Makkah, the Siege of Taif, the Battle of Hawazen, Saghif, and then the Farewell Hajj Pilgrimage. She was literate during Al-Jahiliya (The age of Ignorance) of Arabia when women were looked down upon..
In the Treaty of Hudaibiyah, when Rasulullahﷺ commanded the Muslims to shave their heads, to make sacrifices, and to return from Makkah to Madinah according to the settlement, most of them did not obey. When Umm Salamahرضي الله عنه saw Rasulullahﷺ grief, she offered a wise suggestion and said:
"O Rasulullahﷺ! It is too hard for them to
accept the settlement since they desired victory. You should stand up and go
out without uttering a word, then sacrifice and shave your own head, and then
they will obey!"
Afterward, all the Muslims stood up and obeyed Rasulullahﷺ command.
Once she revealed her hidden thoughts to Rasulullahﷺ and said: "O Rasulullahﷺ! Men struggle and
participate in the battles, but women don't, and they
cannot be martyred. It is a great blessing that we are losing.
Rasulullahﷺ explained to her the other
substitute for women and
said: "The woman's struggle is in her relations to her husband."
And afterward Angel Gabriel (Gibreel (as)) sent down
the following words of Allah in the Noble Qur'an:
(Noble Qur'an, chapter An-Nisa, 4:32)
And then the following verse was sent down.
"Surely the men who submit and the women who submit, and the believing men and the believing women, and the obeying men and the obeying women, and the truthful men and the truthful women, and the patient men and the patient women, and the humble men and the humble women, and the almsgiving men and the fasting women, and the men who guard their private parts and the women who guard, and the men who remember Allah much and the women who remember Allah - has prepared for them forgiveness and a mighty reward."
(Noble Qur'an, chapter Al-Ahzab, 33:35)
Umm Salamah: Her love and eagerness towards the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (SAW)
By accepting Islam, Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه soothed her long thirst by drinking from the pure and rich fountain of learning. She struggled towards attaining eminent morals with the passing of each day and added to her knowledge and faith in the presence of her husband. She saw emotions, knowledge, and faith as valuable keys for obtaining cognition and wisdom, and because of her experience and clear thought and she was able to obey Rasulullahﷺ and his heavenly lessons by possessing those qualities.
After her marriage with Rasulullahﷺ which made her superior to the rest of Rasulullahﷺs Wives (Mother of the Believers, Mother of the Faithfuls) was her continuous attempt to obtain his satisfaction. She would like whatever Rasulullahﷺ liked, and would avoid all the people and the objects, which he hated. Thus, she would always talk about the merits of Saydatuna Khadija رضي الله عنه, the first wife of Rasulullahﷺ, would respect Imam Ali (AS), would show special affection towards Saydituna Fatima رضي الله عنه, and would cook the favorite foods of the Rasulullahﷺ. And that was the reason that one could feel Rasulullahﷺ, had a special place for Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه in his heart.
This great lady Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه (Umme Salamah, Umme Salmah, Umm-e-Salamah) was so eager to Rasulullahﷺ words that she would leave all of her work and tasks half-done to use opportunities to listen to his great words. That was the kind of cognition and eagerness that put Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه among the reliable and truthful narrators. Some said that she narrated 378 Prophetic traditions and still some others believed that she had narrated 518, and all of them were heard from Rasulullahﷺ and from the members of the Prophet's House, Ahlul Bayt (AS).
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه 's competence - which can serve as an example - made all the five Holy Ones (AS) and the Imams trust in her. Thus, they would deposit their possessions with her and would even tell her their secrets. Once Rasulullahﷺ informed her about the events of Karbala and the martyrdom of his own dear grandson, Sayidina Hussain رضي الله عنه, in advance. He entrusted some soil of Karbala in a glass to her and said: "Whenever you see that the soil of the glass changes to blood knows that my grandson, Sayidina Hussain رضي الله عنه, has been martyred."
On the 10th day of Muharram, 61 AD, Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه was sleeping in Madinah in the afternoon. In her dreams, she saw Rasulullahﷺ while he was filled with sorrow and his clothes were dusty. He said: "I'm coming from Karbala and the burial of the martyrs." Suddenly she woke up and looked at the glass, and she found that the soil had changed to blood. It was then that she knew that Sayiduna Hussain رضي الله عنه was martyred. She started to moan and cry. Others knew not about the event and Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه revealed the event. This event is famous as the "Gharoureh Tradition" in the narrations.
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه: Love of Sayidina Ali رضي الله عنه and Saydatuna Fatimah رضي الله عنه
When Fatima bint Asad (mother of Sayidina Ali رضي الله عنه passed away, Rasulullahﷺ chose Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه as the guardian of Saydatuna Fatimah رضي الله عنه. Once this modest and concerned lady said: "I found Saydutuna Fatimah رضي الله عنه pouter than myself". And also she herself said: "Saydatuna Fatimah رضي الله عنه is the only person who is most like Rasulullahﷺ."
When Umm-e-Ayman (Umm Ayman) asked for fixing the date of
the marriage of Hazrat Fatimah (SA), Rasulullahﷺ asked: "Who
is here?"
Umm Salamah (Umme Salama, Umme Salma, Umm-e-Salama) replied:
"I'm here and this one is Zainab and those are such and such."
Rasulullahﷺ said: "Prepare a room for my
daughter (Saydatuna Fatimah (SA)) and my cousin (Sayidina Ali Ibn Abi Talib رضي الله عنه) in my own
house!"
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه asked: 'Which room do you command?"
Rasulullahﷺ answered: "In your own
chamber." Then he asked his companions to go and get ready. This kind lady
says: "I asked Saydatuna Fatimah رضي الله عنه if she had reserved some perfume for
herself." She answered: "Yes".
And she brought a glass and poured some of it in my hands.
It smelled very sweet and fragrant. I had never smelled it before. I asked
where it had come from. She answered that it was a fragrance from Angel
Gabriel's (Hazrat Gibreel (as)) wings.
e night of her nuptial ceremony, Rasulullahﷺ asked for all the bowls and the dishes. He filled all and sent them to his wives' (Umm al-Momineen) houses. Then he asked for another bowl and put some food in it, and then he said: "This food is for Fatimah and her husband." When the sunset, he asked Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه to bring Saydatuna Fatimah رضي الله عنه. She said: "I went to Saydatuna Fatimah رضي الله عنه while her dress was sweeping the ground as she walked and took her hands in mine." Sweat was running down her face because of modesty. When she reached Rasulullahﷺ, she slipped because of embarrassment. Rasulullahﷺ said: "May Allah save you from all the mundane and otherworldly slips!" When she was in front of Rasulullahﷺ, he put aside the veil from Saydatuna Fatimah's رضي الله عنه face so that Sayidina Ali رضي الله عنه could see his wife's face."
Days and weeks after the marriage, Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه was still like a kind and compassionate mother to Saydatuna Fatimah رضي الله عنه and it was an honor for her to be at the service of Saydatuna Fatimah رضي الله عنه children when Sayidina Hassan رضي الله عنه and Sayidina Hussain رضي الله عنه were born. The reliance of Rasulullahﷺ, Saydatuna Fatimah رضي الله عنه and Sayidina Ali رضي الله عنه on Umm Salamahرضي الله عنه which could be easily seen in their words as well as their behavior can also be seen in the morals and words of Sayidina Hassan رضي الله عنهand Sayiduna Hussain رضي الله عنه. This shows the success and prosperity of this great lady who was always trustworthy for all the five Ahlul Bayt.
Once Rasulullahﷺ called his wife Umm Salamah
(Umm al-Momineen) and entrusted her with the skin of a sheep on which was
written many knowledgeable things. Then Rasulullahﷺ said to her:
"Anyone who asks for this after me, he is Imam and the leader after
me."
Finally, Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه, this distinguished and great lady passed away in Madinah in 62 AD during Yazid's regime when she was 84 years old. She was buried in the Baqi cemetery (Jannatul Baqi). She was the last surviving woman among Rasulullahﷺ wives or the Mother of the Believers or Mother of the Faithfuls.
(Noble Qur'an, chapter Al-Ahzab, 33:6)
After marrying Rasulullahﷺ, Ummu Salamah recorded many of her words and actions. Even Umm Salamah belongs to a woman who has an extraordinary gait in the narration of hadith. Recorded, no less than 378 hadiths of the Prophet he has taught to his students, such as Said bin al-Musaiyyib, Mujahid, and al-Sya'bi.
Later, Ummu Salamah رضي الله عنه who was awarded a long life witnessed the murder of Sayidina Husain Ibn Ali رضي الله عنه, the grandson of Rasulullahﷺ. Sayidina Husain Ibn Ali رضي الله عنه, was the son of Ali ibn Abi Talib and Saydatuna Fatimah رضي الله عنه . Sayidina Husain Ibn Ali رضي الله عنه is even known to be a highly respected figure by Muslims.
As a wife, Ummu Salamah رضي الله عنه knew very well that Rasulullahﷺ loved his children and grandchildren very much. In fact, he said that Saydatuna Fatimah رضي الله عنه, Sayidina Ali رضي الله عنه , Sayidina Husain Ibn Ali رضي الله عنه and Sayidina Husain رضي الله عنه, are my Ahlul Bayt.
Allah SWT says in the QS. Al-Ahzab verse 33 which means:
"And stay in your homes and do not adorn and behave like the people of Jahiliyah before and establish prayer, pay zakat and obey Allah and His Messenger. Indeed, Allah intends to remove sins from you, O Ahlul Bait, and purify you as clean as possible. "
Then, Umm Salamah asked Rasulullahﷺ "O Messenger of Allah SAW, am I also one of your Ahlul Bayt?"
"Yes, inshallah," replied Rasulullahﷺ
That is a little story from the figure of the wife of Rasulullahﷺ, Ummu Salamah.
Personality of Umm Salama
We often are introduced to the people around Rasulullahﷺ through his life and perspective. While there is good reason for this, it can also be of great benefit to learn about the companions of Rasulullahﷺas individuals.
They were the people who Allah (SWT) calls in the Quran, “[…] the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind”.
(Quran 3:110)
It can be especially important to look to the lives of the honorable and honored wives of Rasulullahﷺ to understand that they too were human beings who lived, ate, laughed, and struggled to please Allah (SWT).
After Rasulullahﷺ, can there be a better example for us than the mothers of the believers who were all promised paradise?
Continuing in our journey to find out if our mothers were funny, sensitive, outgoing, introspective, self-doubting, or fearless, we take a look at Rasulullahﷺ wife, Umm Salamahرضي الله عنه.
Among Rasulullahﷺ wives, Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه was smart, valiant, and wise. She was smart
Umm Salamah was a scholar among scholars. She narrated over 300 hadiths and was so knowledgeable about the Qur’an and its interpretation that she was considered among those companions who had the most competent judgment on Islamic law.
Even ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas, one of the earliest scholars of the Quran, would seek advice from Umm Salama on Islamic law.
But Umm Salama’s رضي الله عنه area of expertise didn’t begin and end in Islamic knowledge. She was a master of language as well. According to Islam’s Women, “when she spoke her words and phrases were well chosen and exactly appropriate for the expression of ideas. Her written language was suited for the literary expression”.
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنه was an eloquent speaker and master of the written word. She wrote about her experience when leaving Makkah for Madinah explaining her anguish when her family was met with a heartbreaking fate:
“When Abu Salamah رضي الله عنه (my husband) decided to leave for Madinah, he prepared a camel for me, lifted me up onto it, and put my son Salamah on my lap. My husband then took the lead and went straight ahead without stopping or waiting for anything.
Before we were out of Makkah, however, some men from my tribe, the Banu Mahkhzum, stopped us and said to my husband: ‘Although you may be free to do what you like with yourself, you have no power over your wife. She is our daughter.
Do you expect us to allow you to take her away from us?’ They then grabbed hold of him and snatched me away from him.
Some men from my husband’s tribe, the Banu Abdul Asad, saw them taking both me and my child and became hot with rage: ‘No, by Allah!’ They shouted. ‘We shall not abandon the boy. He is our son and we have a rightful claim over him.’ So they took him by his arm and pulled him away from me.
Suddenly, in the space of a few minutes, I found myself all alone. My husband headed out towards Madinah by himself; his tribe had snatched away my son from me, and my own tribe had overpowered me and forced me to stay with them.
From the day that my husband and my son were parted from me, I went out at noon every day and sat at the spot where this tragedy had occurred. I would remember those terrifying moments and weep until nightfall. […]”
She was valiant
Umm Salama (RA) was among those companions who migrated to Abyssinia and to Madinah. She left her home and family twice to seek religious freedom.
Migrating to Abyssinia “for Umm Salamah, it meant abandoning her home and giving up the traditional ties of lineage and honor for something new, pursuing the pleasure and reward of Allah”.
Sixteen people set out on that historic first migration of the followers of Islam – twelve men and four women, Umm Salamah (RA) was one of those four brave women who faced the struggles of traveling and setting up life in a new and strange land.
After returning from Abyssinia to her home in Makkah, and seeing that things had not improved as the immigrants to Abyssinia had thought, she and her family set out to leave behind everything once again and emigrate to Madinah.
But, as she wrote, her husband and children were met with opposition from her family and were torn apart. After days of mourning the incident, her family took pity on her and returned her son to her care. Wanting to reunite her entire family, she was determined to travel to Madinah.
And she did just that. Traveling through the desert in her day and age took time and was extremely dangerous. But still, she bravely set out to travel alone with her child to Madinah trusting in Allah alone. And Allah provided her with safety in the form of ‘Uthman bin Talhah ‘Abdari, who honorably accompanied her the rest of the way.
Not only did she show bravery in her travels and search for religious freedom, she was also a warrior and took part in many battles.
She fought next to Rasulullahﷺ during the Battles Bani Mustalaq, Ta’if, Khaybar, Hunayn, and the conquest of Makkah. And she was present at the signing of the treaty of Hudaybiyah.
She was wise
After the treaty of Hudaybiyah, many Companions of Rasulullahﷺ) were extremely frustrated because they thought the treaty implied that the Quraysh were superior. They were also greatly disappointed because they saw the treaty as giving the Quraysh the upper hand.
This was despite the fact that the treaty was full of wisdom and farsightedness. Allah calls it to victory in the Quran:
{Verily, We have given you (O! Rasulullahﷺ) a manifest victory.} (Quran 48:1)
The Companions could not see how this was the case, though. And in their frustration and disappointment, they failed to comply with Rasulullahﷺ’s instructions after the treaty was finalized. Rasulullahﷺ went to Umm Salamah (RA). Seeing how distressed he was, she offered him some advice. She said he should go and have his head shaved in public.
She likely knew that if the companions would see him taking this action, they would follow him as they always had. Rasulullahﷺ took her advice, and the companions followed suit, setting everything to rights.
Umm Salamah’s (RA) use of her natural inclination toward valiance, intelligence, and wisdom stands out for us today as an example of how to live a life that is pleasing to Allah.
