بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيْمِ
اَلْحَمْدُ للّٰهِ رَبِّ العَالَمِيْنَ وَالصَّلاَةُ وَالسَّلَامُ عَلىَ اَشْرَفِ اْللأَنْبِيَاءِ وَالْمُرْسَلِيْنَ سَيِّدِناَ وَمَوْلٰنَا مُحَمَّدٍ وَعَلَى اٰلِهِ وَصَحْبِهِ اَجْمَعِيْنَ، اَمَّا بَعْدُ.
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Biography: Clan, Tribe, and Family
Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) was a member of the Banu Hilal clan, a branch of the Banu Amir tribe that was prominent in Makkah. (This tribe was distinct from the Quraysh.)
Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) father was Al-Harith ibn Hazan ibn Zubayr ibn Al-Hazm ibn Rubiya ibn Abdullah ibn Hilal ibn Amer ibn Saasaa Al-Hilali, and her mother was Hind bint Awf ibn Zuhayr ibn Al-Harith. Lubaba had two brothers and a sister from this marriage, and her father also had three daughters by another wife, while her mother had one son by a former husband. Al-Harith died while Lubaba was still a child, and Hind then married Khuzayma ibn al-Harith al-Hilali. This marriage produced one daughter but was short-lived, and Hind next married Umays ibn Ma'ad al-Khathmi, by whom she had three further children.
Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) married Abbas ibn Abdul Muttalib al-Hashimi, who was an uncle of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. The union produced seven children: Al-Fadl, Abdullah, Ubayd Allah ibn Abbas, Qutham, Ma'bad, AbdurRahman and Umm Habib. Abbas also had five children by his other wives.
Lineage: Her father was Al-Harith ibn Hazan and her mother was Hind bint Awf (often called the "noblest mother-in-law on earth" due to her daughters' marriages into the Prophet's immediate family).
Marital & Family Ties: She married Al-Abbas ibn Abdul-Muttalib, the paternal uncle of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
The "Faithful Sisters": Her full sister was Maymunah bint al-Harith (a wife of the Prophet), her half-sister was Zaynab bint Khuzayma (also a wife of the Prophet), and her other sisters included Asma bint Umays and Salma bint Umays. The Prophet ﷺ famously referred to them as Al-Akhawat al-Mu'minat (The Faithful Sisters).
Children: She gave birth to seven children: Al-Fadl (from whom she got her kunya, Umm al-Fadl), Abdullah, Ubaydullah, Qutham, Ma'bad, Abdur-Rahman, and a daughter named Umm Habib.
Embracing Islam:
Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) embraced Islam in the very early days of the Makkan period, right after the Prophet's first wife, Khadijah (ra). While she openly practiced her faith and raised her children upon it, her husband Al-Abbas initially kept his conversion secret due to political positioning in Makkah. Because of this, she and her young children were counted among the Mustad'afin (the oppressed/weak believers who remained in Makkah prior to their migration).
Character and Personal Traits;
Fearless and Bold: Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) possessed an independent spirit and was exceptionally brave, standing up against brutal Makkan leaders even when the Muslims were in a vulnerable minority.
Wise Matriarch: Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) was recognized for her deep maternal wisdom, successfully raising a household of highly educated jurists, leaders, and scholars.
Devout and Ascetic: After the passing of the Prophet ﷺ, Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) was known for her intense devotion, night prayers (Tahajjud), frequent fasting, and a life of detachment from worldly luxuries (Zuhd).
Significant Deeds & Contributions to Islam;
Intelligence Gathering in Makkah: Before migrating to Madinah, Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) and her family served as a vital asset for the Muslim community in Makkah. Operating from within the heart of the Quraysh leadership, they monitored the movements and secrets of the idolaters and relayed them to the Prophet ﷺ.
Confrontation with Abu Lahab: Following the Battle of Badr, when news arrived of the humiliating defeat of the Quraysh, the Prophet's fierce enemy Abu Lahab began violently attacking a Muslim slave named Abu Rafi'. Displaying immense courage, Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) picked up a heavy tent pole and struck Abu Lahab over the head, splitting it open. He died of his festering wounds a few days later.
Foster Motherhood: Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) was the foster mother of the Prophet's beloved grandson, Al-Hasan ibn Ali (ra), whom she nursed alongside her own children.
Resolving the Day of Arafah Dispute: During the Prophet's Farewell Pilgrimage, companions debated whether the Prophet ﷺ was fasting on the Day of Arafah. Umm al-Fadl cleverly sent a bowl of milk to the Prophet while he was mounted on his camel. He drank it in front of everyone, decisively resolving the jurisprudential question that fasting is not prescribed for pilgrims on that specific day.
A Brief Story: The First to Announce the Prophet's Birth
One of Lubaba's most celebrated moments occurred even before her conversion to Islam. While Aminah bint Wahb (the Prophet's mother) was pregnant with Muhammad (peace be upon him), she had a vision in which a light emerged from her and illuminated the palaces of Syria. Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) shared this with Lubaba, who was known for her wisdom. Lubaba interpreted this as a sign of the coming of a great Prophet.
Years later, when the Prophet began his mission. Lubaba immediately recognized him as the same child whose birth was foretold by these signs. This early awareness prepared her heart to be among the very first to accept his message when it reached Madinah.
This story demonstrates Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) spiritual insight and how Allah prepares hearts for guidance even before direct revelation.
Relationship with the Prophet's Family;
Sister-in-law to the Prophet through her sister Maymunah's marriage. Mother-in-law to the Prophet through her son Al-Fadl's marriage to the Prophet's daughter (there are different historical accounts on this)
Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها )'s home was frequently visited by the Prophet and his family. Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) cared for the Prophet's children and grandchildren.
Legacy and Impact;
Narrated Hadiths;
Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) holds an esteemed place in the preservation of the Sunnah. Number of Hadiths: Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) narrated approximately 30 Hadiths directly from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Key Transmitters: Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) narrations were highly valued and passed down by prominent figures, including her own son Abdullah ibn Abbas, and the famous companion Anas ibn Malik. Her narrations are recorded in the foundational books of Hadith, including Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
Selected Hadith Narrated by Umm Al Fadl- Lubaba.
Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) holds an exalted position in Hadith transmission, having narrated approximately 30 Hadiths directly from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) narrations are heavily relied upon in the compilation of Islamic jurisprudence, with several included in Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim, Sunan an-Nasa'i, and the Musnad Ahmad.
Because her household was central to the Prophet's life (her sister Maymunah was the Prophet's wife and her husband Al-Abbas was his uncle), her narrations provide vital legal rulings on everyday acts of worship, family law, and the final days of the Prophet ﷺ.
Here are the most notable and historically significant Hadiths explicitly attributed to her:
1. The Prophet's Last Recitation in Maghrib Prayer
This is one of her most famous and heavily authenticated narrations.
• The Narration: Umm al-Fadl heard her son, Abdullah ibn Abbas, reciting Surah al-Mursalat (Chapter 77). Upon hearing it, she wept and told him, "O my son, by Allah, your recitation has reminded me that this Surah was the very last thing I heard the Messenger of Allah ﷺ recite when he led us in the Maghrib prayer before he passed away."
• Significance: This Hadith establishes historical evidence regarding the final illnesses, actions, and liturgical choices of the Prophet ﷺ in his final days.
• References: Sahih al-Bukhari (4429), Sahih Muslim, Sunan an-Nasa'i.
2. Resolving the Dispute of Fasting on the Day of Arafah
• The Narration: During the Prophet's Farewell Pilgrimage (Hajjat al-Wada'), the companions began to dispute among themselves whether the Prophet ﷺ was fasting on the Day of Arafah while standing on the mount. Some argued that he was fasting, while others argued that he was not. Umm al-Fadl said, "I will find out for you." She sent a bowl of milk to the Prophet ﷺ while he was riding his camel, and he drank it openly in front of the people.
• Significance: This created a fundamental rule in Islamic jurisprudence (Fiqh): it is preferable for a pilgrim performing Hajj not to fast on the Day of Arafah so they can preserve their physical energy for supplication and worship.
• References: Sahih al-Bukhari (Book 31, Hadith 209), Sahih Muslim, Musnad Ahmad.
3. Rulings on Breastfeeding and Foster Relations (Rada'ah)
• The Narration: Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ explicitly stated: "One suckling or two, or one suck or two, does not make marriage unlawful."
• Significance: In Islamic law, foster relationships via breastfeeding create matrimonial prohibitions identical to blood lines (e.g., a man cannot marry his foster-mother or foster-sister). Ummu al-Fadl's narration defines the specific threshold of breastfeeding required to establish this legal bond, clarifying that minor incidental feeding does not count.
• References: Sahih Muslim, Sunan Abu Dawud.
4. The Famous Dream Foreshadowing the Birth of Al-Hasan
• The Narration: Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها)visited the Prophet ﷺ and said, "O Messenger of Allah, I saw a terrible dream last night." He asked, "What was it?" She said, "It was severe. I saw as if a piece of your body was cut off and placed in my lap." The Prophet ﷺ smiled and replied, "You have seen something good. Fatimah will give birth to a boy, and he will be placed in your lap." Not long after, Fatimah (ra) gave birth to Al-Hasan ibn Ali, and he was given to Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) to nurse and care for.
• Significance: This is categorized under the miracles and prophecies of the Prophet ﷺ (Dala'il al-Nubuwwah). It also cements Umm al-Fadl's role as the foster-mother to the leaders of the youth of Paradise.
• References: Musnad Ahmad, Mustadrak al-Hakim.
5. Supplication for Intercession
• The Narration: Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) narrated that she once asked the Prophet ﷺ to make a specific supplication or grant a promise of intercession (Shafa'ah) for her husband, Al-Abbas, and her children on the Day of Resurrection, to which the Prophet ﷺ gave glad tidings of his deep love and prayers for the family of Al-Abbas.
• References: Found in standard biographical encyclopedias of the companions like Tahdhib al-Kamal and Al-Isti'ab.
Key Transmitters of Her Hadiths
Because Umm al-Fadl Lubaba bint al-Harith (رضي الله عنها) was a highly revered maternal figure, her legacy of knowledge was fiercely protected and transmitted by major historical authorities:
1. Abdullah ibn Abbas (Her son): The "Interpreter of the Quran," who learned a substantial amount of his foundational Sunnah knowledge directly under his mother's roof.
2. Anas ibn Malik: The dedicated servant of the Prophet ﷺ who frequently visited her household.
3. Kuryb (Client of Ibn Abbas): Who systematically preserved the legal judgments passed down by the family.
alfakir albakr allatifi
references:
https://biographiesofthesalaf.com/lubaba-bint-al-harith-may-allah-be-pleased-with-her/
Tabari, Tarikh al-Rusul wa'l-Muluk. Translated by Landau-Tasseron, E. (1998). Volume 39, Biographies of the Prophet's Companions and their Successors, p. 201. New York: State University of New York.
Muhammad ibn Saad, Tabaqat vol. 8. Translated by Bewley, A. (1995). The Women of Madina, p. 82. London: Ta-Ha Publishers
Tabari/Landau-Tasseron vol. 39 p. 201.
Ibn Saad/Bewley p. 82.
Tabari/Landau-Tasseron vol. 39 p. 201.
Tabari/Landau-Tasseron vol. 39 p. 201.
Bukhari 7:62:38
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https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Radiyallahu_anha_Islamic_honorific_ligature.svg
