[Photo Illustration Only]
Complete Biography & Family Lineage
• Name & Kunya: Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا original name was Salama bint Qais, but she became widely known by her kunya, Umm Munthir, after the birth of her son.
• Family: Her father's name was Qais, and she was married to Qais bin Sa'sa' bin Wahab (meaning her father and husband shared the same name). She was the sister of Saleet bin Qais, an esteemed companion who fought in the Battle of Badr. Her sisters, Umm Sulaim and 'Umairah bint Qais, also accepted Islam.
• Conversion: Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا embraced Islam early in Madinah by accepting the invitation of Mus'ab bin 'Umair, the first ambassador of Islam sent to Madinah.
Uniqueness of Being an Early Muslim & Good Deeds
Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا experienced multiple historical milestones that marked the early development of Islam:
• The Twin-Qiblah Congregation: She was present in the congregation when the divine revelation came down to change the Qiblah (direction of prayer) from Jerusalem to Makkah. Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا literally prayed facing both directions within a single prayer session.
• Pledge of Rizwan: Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا participated in the historic Pledge of Rizwan (Bay'at al-Rizwan). Regarding this group, the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد ) famously noted that those who took part are the "holders of Paradise," guaranteeing her a place in Heaven.
• The Ansari Women's Allegiance: She was among the first groups of Ansari women who gathered to personally swear allegiance to the Prophet, committing strictly to the core tenants of Islamic ethics and social rules.
Contribution to Islam & Significant Achievements
• Intercession and Sanctuary (The Banu Quraidhah Siege): Her most famous political and humanitarian action occurred after the Battle of the Trench during the siege of Banu Quraidhah. A man named Rafa'ah bin Samwal Qurdhi sought her protection. Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا approached the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد ) to intercede on his behalf. The Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد ) granted her request, stating he would protect whoever she protected. Rafa'ah subsequently embraced Islam.
• Hospitality to the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد ): Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا was a frequent host to the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد ) and his companions, regularly preparing Friday meals for them. Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا also hosted the high-profile wedding of Rehanah bint Zaid.
• Academic Legacy: Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا is remembered by classical Islamic historians as an intellectual women scholar who preserved and narrated foundational practices of early Muslim women.
Core Traits & Character
• Compassionate & Diplomatic: Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا ability to step up and successfully negotiate refuge for a captive highlights her courage, high social standing, and strong sense of justice.
• Hospitable and Devout: Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا utilized her household and resources to feed, comfort, and host the early Muslim community, making her home a central hub of spiritual gathering in Madinah.
The Female Companions of Prophet Muhammad's Era
The Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد ) | Said:
"Those who participated in the pledge of Rizwan are the holders of Paradise."
Umm Al-Munthar Salama participated in the Pledge of Rizwan, so she is the
holder of Paradise”.
Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا was a notable daughter of the tribe of Banu Najjar. And she was the sister of a very eminent Companions, Saleet bin Qais. He participated in the battles of Badr. Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا had the privilege of being a member of the congregation, when the Ayah regarding the change of Qiblah or direction of prayer, was revealed during the middle of prayer. Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا was also a distant aunt of the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد ) who had great regard for her tribe. Whenever a member of the tribe fell ill he would visit them.
One of the men of the Banu Najjar tribe was sick. He went to see him and addressing him as maternal uncle, asked him to recite the words,
'No one has the right to be worshiped except Allah.'
The man said that he was not his maternal uncle, but his paternal uncle.
The Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد )smiled and said all he had to do was to recite the Kalimah once.
He asked if it would be better and more beneficial for him. He said that it would be not just better but very much better. His life would be better both in this world and in the Hereafter.
Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا was the great lady who had accepted the invitation of Mus'ab bin 'Umair to accept Islam. Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا came to be known by her son's name as Umm Munthir. Her original name was Salami bint Qais. Her two sisters, Umm Sulaim bint Qais and 'Umairah bint Qais also accepted Islam and swore allegiance to it in the presence of the Prophet (pbuh).
In no time the women of Al-Madinah were accepting Islam and pledging allegiance personally to the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد ) When the women requested that they wanted to do so in the Prophet's presence, he agreed, though he did not touch their palms, when swearing them in. But he made some conditions before swearing them in. He told the women that they should abstain completely from the following six things.
They should not accept anyone else but Allah as worthy of worship.
They should not steal.
They should not commit adultery.
They should not kill their children.
They should not slander or accuse a person falsely.
They should not be disobedient to the commands recommended by Allah.
Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا prelates that when the Ansari women gathered to take the pledge, she was among them. They repeated all the six points with the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد ) when they swore allegiance to Islam.
The Prophet (pbuh) also told them they should not deceive their husbands.
Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا was married to Qais bin Sa'sa' bin Wahab; so her father's name was Qais and so was her husband's. But she came to be known by her son's name as Umm Munthir.
After the Battle of Ahzab the war of Banu Quraidhah took place. In this battle the Mujahideen besieged Banu Quraidhah for twenty-five[1]
[1] By some accounts the siege lasted fifteen days.
Since they were allies of the Aws, the Jews of Banu Quraidhah appealed to their leader, Sa'd bin Mu'adh, for his judgment on the egoistic and arrogant Banu Quraidhah and how they should be punished. Sa'd bin Mu'adh declared that the warmongers among them should be beheaded, their children should be taken prisoner and their property should be confiscated. The sentence meted out by him was carried out. At the time he gave his judgment he was lying injured in the tent which had been put up in the courtyard of the Prophet's Mosque.
Realizing that the situation was critical, Rafa'ah bin Samwal Qurdhi appealed to Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا to give him refuge, and appealed to the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد ) for his safety. He said that he would not forget this favor for the rest of his life. Feeling sorry for him, Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا gave him shelter and requested the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد ) to accept him since she had given him refuge. He agreed and fixed a bail for Rafa'ah.
Thus he was saved from certain death. One day Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا told the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد ) that her refuge prayed regularly and also ate camel meat. He smiled and answered that if he said his prayers it would benefit him; but if he remained loyal to his own faith and did not accept Islam it would be of no use. Some time later Rafa'ah converted to Islam swearing the oath of allegiance.
This great act of goodness would certainly be recorded among her other good deeds. If she had not given him refuge and if she had not appealed for his life to the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد )he might have died as a disbeliever and gone to the eternal Fire of Hell in the Hereafter.
Among Banu Quraidhah there was a lady, Rehanah bint Zaid bin 'Amr, whom the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد ) took as a slave for his household. According to some accounts he married her and she became one of the Mothers of the Believers. The wedding ceremony took place in the house of Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا. When the Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد ). came back from his Farewell Pilgrimage, she passed away and had been buried in Jannatul Baqi'.
The Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد )sometimes used to visit Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا. He would have his lunch and rest for a while there. Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا used to cook very well and the Prophet (pbuh) enjoyed eating at her place. Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا would make special dishes on Fridays because she would drop in with some of the Companions for a meal.
Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا was one of those fortunate fourteen hundred Companions of the Tree at the Bait' Ridhwan for whom Allah. promised Paradise. As the Hadith in Sahih Muslim says,
''No one among them, who swore allegiance under the tree will go to Jahannum.''
Umm Munthir Salama bint Qais رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْ هَا left this world when both Allah and His Prophet Muhammad ( صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَى مُحَمَّد ) were well pleased with her.
Allah will be pleased with them and they with Him.
alfakir albakr allatifi
https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/discover-the-great-intellectual-muslim-women-scholars/270255350.
https://wajibad.wordpress.com/page/25/?cat=-1
https://wajibad.wordpress.com/2013/05/11/umm-munthir-salama-bint-qais/
https://wajibad.wordpress.com/author/wajibad/page/25/
