Her widowhood and marriage to the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention )
In the third year of Hijrah (Migration of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) from Makkah to Madeenah), Abu Salamah may Allah be pleased with him fought in the Battle of Uhud. In that historic and crucial battle, his arm was wounded by a poisoned arrow shot by the enemy. He may Allah be pleased with him later recovered after treatment, but could survive only for a few months. His wound relapsed and ultimately he may Allah be pleased with him died.
Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her was immensely grief-stricken at the demise of her loving husband. When the Prophet, sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam, heard about this, he sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam went to offer condolences to her may Allah be pleased with her and asked her to have patience and bear the calamity with fortitude.
According to one narration, when the Prophet sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam paid a condolence visit to Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her after the death of her husband, he sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam asked her to pray Allah to grant Abu Salamah the lofty rank of the righteous and grant her a better husband than him.
At this, Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her wondered who could be a better husband for her than Abu Salamah may Allah be pleased with him. Seeing the forlorn state of Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her after she was widowed, Abu Bakr may Allah be pleased with him sent her a proposal for marriage, which Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her declined.
The Prophet, sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam, was greatly impressed with the courage, which Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her displayed in facing the misfortunes and adversities of life. He sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam was also highly moved for her tragic situation and sent the proposal for marriage to her through 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab may Allah be pleased with him. Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her consented, and in Shawwal, the 4th year of Hijrah, her marriage to the Noble Prophet, sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam, took place.
A Historical example of her wisdom
In the 6th Hijrah year, the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) accompanied by his 1,400 companions may Allah be pleased with them, decided to perform 'Umrah (minor Pilgrimage). When Quraysh learned about this, they decided to stop the Muslims from performing the pilgrimage; but when the Muslims decided to fight them they feared and signed a treaty with the Muslims, which consisted of several terms and conditions which appeared to be unfair for the Muslims as it prevented them from performing 'Umrah that year.
The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) accepted these conditions in adherence to the Divine Command instructing him sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) to do so. Then the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) ordered the Muslims to slaughter animals in sacrifice (indicating the end of the 'Umrah rites). But the Muslims hesitated in offering the sacrifice, which grieved the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ).
Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her, who was with the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) on this journey, heard this and suggested to the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) to offer the sacrifice, shave his head and take off the Ihraam. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) did so acting on her advice. When the companions may Allah be pleased with them saw that the Prophet’s command was irrevocable, they at once sacrificed their animals and shaved their heads.
Her character:
Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her led a very simple and austere life. She may Allah be pleased with her was a devout worshiper. Every month, she may Allah be pleased with her fasted for three days (other than the fasting of Ramadan). Once, she may Allah be pleased with her wore a necklace, which had a little amount of gold in it. The Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ) did not like her wearing even this little amount of gold. So Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her immediately took it out.
Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her was very generous. She may Allah be pleased with her implored others also to give away in the cause of Allah. Whatever she may Allah be pleased with her had, she may Allah be pleased with her would readily give away to a beggar or a needy person.
Once, a few destitute people came to her begging for charity importunately. Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her ordered her maid not to send them back empty-handed, and if there was nothing in the houses, she should give them just a few dates.
Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her has narrated 378 Hadeeths of the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allah exalt his mention ). In moral excellence and nobility of conduct, she ranks, among the Prophet’s wives, next only to 'Aa'ishah may Allah be pleased with her. She may Allah be pleased with her was an excellent reciter of the Quran, and her style was much similar to the Prophet’s. She may Allah be pleased with her was endowed with exceptionally beautiful countenance, deep knowledge, intelligence and sound judgment.
Her death:
After a life filled with faith and righteous deeds, the Mother of the Believers, Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her died in the year 61 A.H., aged 84 and the venerable Companion, Abu Hurayrah may Allah be pleased with him led the people in her funeral prayer, after which she may Allah be pleased with her was buried in Al-Baqee' Cemetery in Madeenah.
Excerpted with slight modification from: The Honorable Wives of the Prophet- by: Darussalam
Excerpted with slight modification from: The Honorable Wives of the Prophet- by: Darussalam
