Sahabiyat: Hazrat Umm- e- Habibah

Hazrat Umm-e-Habibah (Radi’Allahu Anha)

Her name and lineage
Her first name was Ramlah and her surname was Umm-e-Habibah (Radi’Allahu Anha).  She was the daughter of Abu Sufyan and her mother’s name was Safiyya Bint Auld Aas who was a real paternal aunt of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

Marriage to the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)
Her first marriage was to Obaidallah Bin Jahash, they both accepted Islam together and migrated to Ethiopia.  On reaching there, Obaidallah became a Christian and also asked Ramlah to become a Christian.  She however, refused to leave Islam. 

After her Iddat, the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) sent Amr Bin Umayya Zamir to the Negus (Ruler of Ethiopia) to arrange the marriage of Ramlah (Radi’Allahu Anha) and the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).  In the evening, Negus gathered all the Muslims and read out the formal sermon of marriage.  At the time Umm-e-Habibah was 36 or 37 years old.

Features and Character
Umm-e-Habibah (Radi’Allahu Anha) was extraordinarily beautiful.  Her father, Abu Sufyan himself said, ‘In my estimate the most handsome of Arab women and the most beautiful amongst them is Umm-e-Habibah (Radi’Allahu Anha)’.  In the Traditions book, as many as 65 Ahadith are attributed to her.
Before the fall of Makkah, her father Abu Sufyan went to visit Umm-e-Habibah.  He wanted to sit down on the bedding of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam), but Umm-e-Habibah did not allow her father to sit on this as he was yet an unbeliever.  Abu Sufyan was infuriated.  She said, ‘You are a polytheist and hence unclean.  This is a pure, clean bedding of the Holy Prophet’.  Abu Sufyan retorted, ‘You have been spoilt a lot in my absence’.

She was also meticulous in acting upon the Traditions of the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).  She had heard from the Prophet Muhammad (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam), that whoever among the believers offered twelve Rak’ats of supererogatory prayers (Nawafil), that person shall have a palace in Paradise.  She said, ‘I persisted in offering these twelve Rak’ats daily’.

Her Death
Umm-e-Habibah (Radi’Allahu Anha) died at the age of 73 years in the year 44AH, during the Caliphate of her brother Amir Mo’awiya.  She was buried in a house of Hazrat Ali (Radi’Allahu Anhu) in Medina.  At the time of her death, she called Aisha (Radi’Allahu Anha) and Umm-e-Salmah (Radi’Allahu Anha) and said, ‘Whatever unpleasantness happens to take place among co-wives, it also took place among us.  I request you to forgive me any such unpleasantness’.  Aisha (Radi’Allahu Anha) said she forgave her and prayed for her salvation.  On this day, she said, ‘You have pleased me (by ready forgiveness).  May Allah please you!’

Adapted from 'Biographies of the Woman Companions' by Nadwatul Ulama

Profile: Umm- ul-Mu'mineen- Hafsa Bint Umar

Hafsah bint ‘Umar

CONT'D FROM LAST WEEK

For her father it was very painful to see his daughter in this state. Her silent courage under these circumstances, her patient prayers and her study of the Quran irradiated her countenance with a spiritual beauty and innocence, but there was also a sadness because of the harsh loneliness that had become part of her life. After deep thought ‘Umar Faruq decided to approach ‘Uthman bin Affan, whose wife Ruqayyah the Prophet’s daughter, had passed away. He thought that sharing a common bond would help to alleviate their sorrow in losing worthy spouses. So, having taken this decision he went direct to ‘Uthman. After the formal greeting and expression of condolences on his wife’s death he broached the topic closest to his heart. ‘Uthman lowered his eyes and then after a few moments pause, he said he needed time to think it over.

‘Umar Faruq met him again after a few days and asked him if he had thought over the proposal. ‘Uthman answered that he was not presently planning on marriage. From there he went to Abu Bakr Siddiq and offered him his daughter in marriage. He too lowered his gaze and did not answer him. Imam Bukhari in his book of Hadith, As-Sahih Al-Bukhari, has given a whole chapter to the topic of an honorable man offering his sister or daughter in marriage.

‘Umar Faruq was very upset because both the men he approached had either avoided or refused marriage to his daughter. He was confident of a willing and joyful acceptance but things turned out otherwise. He was very upset and worried at the turn of events; in a sense it was an affront to him and his position as a sincere defender of the faith. People, he thought, would consider it an honor to have an alliance by marriage with him. With this grievance he went to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and explained to him the position he found himself in. The Prophet (peace be upon him) smilingly answered that he should neither grieve nor worry, and Allah willing he would find a man better than ‘Uthman for Hafsah and ‘Uthman in turn, would find for himself a better woman than Hafsah.

‘Umar Faruq was pleased on hearing this from the Prophet (peace be upon him) himself, but also a little perplexed over who such a man could be? A few days later the Prophet (peace be upon him) married his daughter, Umm Kulthum to ‘Uthman. ‘Umar Faruq realized that one part of the prediction had come true, but he continued to puzzle over the second half of the statement. Who could possibly be a better man than ‘Uthman? Then the Prophet (peace be upon him) proposed marriage to Hafsah. ‘Umar Faruq could not believe his ears; his daughter would have the honor of joining the select band of women who were known as the Mothers of the believers! ‘A’ishah and Sawdah were already part of the Prophet’s household. It seemed too good to be true. Thus Hafsah was joined in marriage to the Prophet (peace be upon him) in the 3rd year after Hijrah, before the Battle of Uhud. She was about twenty-two years old at the time. On seeing off his daughter to her husband’s house, ‘Umar Faruq told her that she should never try to compete with ‘A’ishah, who was the Prophet’s favorite and better than her in many respects. He said she should respect her sincerely and live happily as a member of the first and foremost family.

Sa’id bin Al-Musayyab, a learned scholar, states that the Prophet’s prediction that he was a better husband for Hafsah than ‘Uthman was proved right, as was his statement that Umm Kulthum was a better wife for ‘Uthman than Hafsah. After the marriage Abu Bakr Siddiq met with ‘Umar Faruq and told him the truth, which was that the Prophet (peace be upon him) had mentioned to him that he planned to marry Hafsah. That was the reason he had remained silent, as it would not have been proper to betray his confidence. If matters were different he would have been only too happy to accept her hand in marriage. ‘Umar Faruq expressed his happiness by quoting the following Ayah,

“This is by the Grace of my Lord – to test me whether I am grateful or ungrateful! And whoever is grateful, truly, his gratitude is for himself; and whoever is ungrateful, (it is for the loss of only himself). Certainly my Lord is Rich, Bountiful.” [Noble Quran 27:40]

After attaining the position of the Mother of the Believers, Hafsah became even more absorbed in studying the finer points of religion. She would store in her mind conversations of Muhammad (peace be upon him) which would lead to a better understanding of Islam. Often she would discuss any points that arose in her mind about the Shari’ah.

Jabir bin ‘Abdullah Ansari narrates an incident which was related to him by Umm Mubasher. She and Hafsah and the Prophet (peace be upon him) were sitting and chatting together. He said that all the people who had given the pledged of allegiance at Hudaybiyah under the tree would go to Paradise, and not to Hell. She asked how that was possible. The Prophet (peace be upon him) got annoyed, but Hafsah did not give up and quoted an Ayah from Surah Maryam.

“There is not one of you but will pass over it (Hell).” [Noble Quran 19:71]

In reply he quoted the very next Ayah, also from Surah Maryam.

“Then We shall save those who use to fear Allah and were dutiful to Him. And We shall leave the wrongdoers therein to there knees (in Hell).” [Noble Quran 19:72]

This news of Hafsah disputing with the Prophet (peace be upon him) spread in Al-Madinah. On that day the Prophet (peace be upon him) was very disturbed; and when ‘Umar Faruq heard about it he chided his daughter. She replied that ‘A’ishah too spoke in the same manner to him. Her father again cautioned her not to compete with ‘A’ishah and maintain a certain decorum, or else she would bring trouble on her

self. 

  Source: “Great Women of Islam” – by Dar-us-Salam Publications

To be continued ...

Profile: Umm - ul- Mu' mineen: Maymuna bint Al- Harith

  Maymona Bint Al- Harith
 
The last of the Prophet's wives (May Allah be pleased with her) 
 
Her name and descend 
She is Maymona bint Al-harith ibn Hazan ibn Jubair Ibn Al-hazm ibn Robyyah ibn Abdullah ibn Helal ibn Amer ibn Sa'sa' Al-helalya. Her mother was called Hind bint Awf ibn Zohair ibn Al-harth. Her sisters were Omm Al-fadle (the old Lobaba) who was Al-Abas' wife (May Allah be pleased with them both), the younger Lobaba who was the wife of Al-Walid ibn Al-Moghira Al-Makhzomy and the mother of Khaled Ibn Al-Walid, Assma' Bani Al-harith who was Obyy ibn Al-khalaf's wife and Ghorra bint Al-harith who was Zyad ibn Abdullah ibn Malek Al-helaly's wife. The previous ones were her full sisters. There were half sisters from her mother only: Asma' bint Omays Ja'far's wife (May Allah be pleased with her). After Ja'far had died, she married Abu Bakr As Siddeek (May Allah be pleased with him) and married Ali (May Allah honor him) after the death of Abu Bakr, Her sister Salma bint Omays; the wife of Hamza ibn Abdullmuttalilb (May Allah be pleased with him), then he died and she married to Shadad ibn Osama ibn Al-had. The last one was Sallama bint Omays the wife of Ka'b ibn Enaba Al-khath’amy. 
As a result, her mother Hind bint Awf was known as the most honorable old woman on the earth. As her sons-in-law were the noblest of humanity, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), his companion Al-siddeek, the Prophet's uncles Hamza and Al-Abbas the sons of Abdullmuttalib, the Prophet's cousins Gha'far and Ali the sons of Abu talib and Shadad ibn AL-had (May Allah be pleased with them all). And these are good merits. As there is no noble or high position like that.

Her husbands before the Prophet (pbuh) She was first married to Mas’oud ibn Amr Al-thakafy before Islam. He left her and she was married to Abu rahm ibn Abd Al-Uzza. And he also died when she was in her bloom youth. After that, the faith filled her heart and lightened her soul, she embraced Islam. Allah the Almighty certified her faith in him as she was one of the first people to embrace Islam. So she had the honor to marry the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) after he had finished making Omrah (Al Kadha’ Omrah) in year 7 of the hegira (7 a.h.).


Her wish and dream