Hafsah Bint ‘Umar: the Prophet’s wife in Paradise -I

Hafsah Bint ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with her, was born five years before the Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) (may Allah exalt his mention) became a Prophet. She was six years older than her brother 'Abdullaah, may Allah be pleased with him. She was a beautiful and pious woman. 

Her first marriage was to Khunays Ibn Huthaafah Ibn Qays as-Sahami, may Allah be pleased with him, who was from Quraysh. He took part in the two emigrations (to Abyssinia and Al-Madeenah). He fought in the battles of Badr and Uhud. In the latter battle he was fatally wounded and died shortly thereafter in Al-Madeenah. Hafsah, may Allah be pleased with her, was 18 years old at that time. 

'Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, was depressed because of his daughter's affliction, since she had become a widow at such a young age. Whenever he went home and saw his sad daughter, he grieved. After thinking for a long period, he decided to choose a husband for her, to provide her with what she had lost of repose for six months or more.  

‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, approached Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, the dearest person to the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) and offered her hand in marriage to him. 

‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, thought that Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, would not refuse to marry a young, pious woman who was the daughter of the man by whom Allah supported Islam. Having sympathetically listened to him, Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, did not respond. 

‘Umar went back with a broken heart and almost did not believe what had happened. He then went to 'Uthmaan Ibn 'Affaan, may Allah be pleased with him, whose wife, Ruqayyah, may Allah be pleased with her, the daughter of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) had recently died.

‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, offered him his daughter in marriage, but 'Uthmaan, may Allah be pleased with him, apologized by saying: "I think I would not like to marry at the present time." 

‘Umar's gloom increased by 'Uthmaan's refusal. He became upset and angry with his two companions, mentioning it to the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) complaining about Abu Bakr and ‘Uthmaan, may Allah be pleased with them. 

Thereupon the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) smiled and said: "Hafsah will get a husband who is better than 'Uthmaan and 'Uthmaan will get a wife better than Hafsah." [Al-Bukhari]

After that, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) himself married Hafsah, may Allah be pleased with her,  and 'Uthmaan, may Allah be pleased with him, in turn married Umm Kulthoom, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention )'s other daughter, may Allah be pleased with her. 

Accordingly, ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, was elated to receive such a great honor which he had never imagined possible, earlier. He went off to tell the good news to whomever he met. 

When Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, met him, he realized the source of his joy. ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, told him of his unhappiness at Abu Bakr's refusal to reply when he had offered Hafsah's hand to him.

Abu Bakr, may Allah be pleased with him, congratulated him and apologized by saying: "Do not be angry with me, ‘Umar, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) mentioned Hafsah before, and I could not disclose the secret of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ). Had he left her, I would have married her." 

Since the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) had mentioned Hafsah to him, he did not want to disclose the Prophet’s  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention )'s secret.

The people of Al-Madeenah were pleased with the Prophet’s  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) marriage to Hafsah Bint ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with her. It was contracted in the month of Sha'baan in the 3rd year of Hijrah. 

Thus, Hafsah, may Allah be pleased with her, joined the rank of the pure wives of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) the Mothers of the Believers, who were by then, Sawdah and 'Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with them; and became a member of the household of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ). 

Sawdah, may Allah be pleased with her was happy to see her but 'Aa’ishah, may Allah be please with her, was upset because Hafsah was within her age group and she feared that Hafsah, may Allah be pleased with her, would share the love of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ). 

‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him,  knew very well that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) loved 'Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, more than any of the other wives and at times tried to make his daughter aware of this fact. He once said to her: "You are not like 'Aa’ishah and your father is not like her father." 

When the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) deserted his wives because they became too demanding, ‘Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, once again advised Hafsah, may Allah be pleased with her, to be careful saying: "You should not be deceived by the one who has been motivated by her beauty and the love of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) for her (referring to 'Aa’ishah)."

When the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) married his other wives ‘Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, began to realize that her protestations were in vain and she made a friend of Hafsah, may Allah be pleased with her.

Among the other wives of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) 'Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, was the most intimate and the closest one to Hafsah, may Allah be pleased with her. It was Hafsah and 'Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with them, who supported each other against the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) in a domestic intrigue which is mentioned in the Quran. 

It is also mentioned in a tradition reported in the book of Imaam Al-Bukhari  may  Allah  have  mercy  upon  him: 

'Aa’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated: “Allah's Messenger  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) used to drink honey in the house of Zaynab Bint Jahsh and would stay there with her. So Hafsah and I agreed secretly that if he comes to either of us she would say to him: 'It seems you have eaten Maghaafir (a kind of flower whose nectar is sucked by the honey bee, and has slightly bad smell) for I smell in you the smell of Maghaafir,' (we did so) and he replied: 'No, but I was drinking honey in the house of Zaynab, the daughter of Jahsh, and I shall never take it again. I have taken an oath as to that, and you should not tell anybody about it.’” [Al-Bukhari]

The idea was to suggest to him that this bad smell came from his mouth because of his taking that particular honey.

The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) has always disliked strong smells especially on his breath. He then forbade honey unto himself for which Allah revealed (what means): "O Prophet, why do you prohibit (yourself from) what Allah has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful. Allah has already ordained for you (Muslims) the dissolution of your oaths. And Allah is your Protector, and He is The Knowing, The Wise." [Quran 66: 1-2]

Juwayriyyah Bint Al-Haarith

The fifth year of Hijrah (the Migration of Prophet Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) from Makkah to Al-Madeenah) was a year rich in major events. During its second half, the Muslims were busy fighting the Parties (coalition of the tribes that rallied against them in an attempt to impede the spread of Islam).

Muslims dug a trench around Al-Madeenah to defend it against the enemies outside. But a greater danger was facing them from inside, that of the Jewish tribes who breached the peace treaty. After defeating the Parties, the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) rallied the Muslims against the Jewish tribe of Banu An-Nadheer first. They blockaded their fortress for twenty-five days until they all surrendered. Then the Muslims set off towards the tribe of Banu Al-Mustaliq who were gathering forces to fight them.

The two armies met at a watering well called Al-Muraysee'. A fierce battle took place which ended by a heavy defeat of Banu Al-Mustaliq. Most of their fighters were killed and their women were taken captives. Their leader, Al-Haarith Ibn Dhiraar, escaped, but his daughter, Barrah, fell to the hands of the Muslims.

The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) distributed the captives among the Muslims. The daughter of Al-Haarith fell to the lot of Thaabit Ibn Qays may Allah be pleased with him. 'Aa'ishah may Allah be pleased with her, who accompanied the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) on this expedition, related: "When the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) distributed the captives of Banu Al-Mustaliq, she (Barrah) fell to the lot of Thaabit Ibn Qays (may Allah be pleased with him). She was married to her cousin, who was killed during the battle. She gave Thaabit a deed (document), agreeing to pay him for her freedom. She was a very beautiful woman. She captivated every man who saw her. She came to the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) to ask for his help in the matter. As soon as I saw her at the door of my room, I took a dislike to her, for I knew that he would see her as I saw her. She went in and told him  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) who she was, the daughter of Al-Haarith Ibn Dhiraar, the chief of his people. She said: 'You can see the state to which I have been brought. I have fallen to the lot of Thaabit, and have given him a deed for my ransom, and I have come to ask your help in the matter.' He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: 'Would you like something better than that? I will discharge your debt, and marry you.' She said: 'Yes, O Messenger of Allah!' 'Then it is done.'  He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) replied." [Ahmad]

This was the event that turned Barrah's (later named Juwayriyyah by the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention )) life around. For not only did she accept Islam, thus saving herself from Hellfire, but by accepting the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) for her husband and thus became Umm Al-Mu'mineen (Mother of the Believers).

The news that the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) had married Juwayriyyah may Allah be pleased with her spread out, and now that Banu Al-Mustaliq were the Prophet's relatives by marriage, the Muslims found it hard to keep them as their captives. "The relatives of the Messenger of Allah!" They exclaimed. They set them free. A hundred families were released from captivity because of this blessed marriage. "I do not know a woman who was a greater blessing to her people than she." Said 'Aa'ishah may Allah be pleased with her.

Juwayriyyah may Allah be pleased with her was a woman of exceptional beauty, and because she belonged to the highest class of her society, she may Allah be pleased with her acquired the best upbringing and education that was available during her time. She may Allah be pleased with her was twenty years old when the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) married her. No doubt, she may Allah be pleased with her was the source of jealousy for his other wives may Allah be pleased with them, but this did not prevent them from appreciating her good character and companionship.

When the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) went back to Al-Madeenah after that raid (on Banu Al-Mustaliq), with Juwayriyyah may Allah be pleased with her, and was at a place called 'Thaatul-Jaysh', he  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) entrusted her to one of the Ansaar (supporters of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) from Al-Madeenah). Her father, Al-Haarith, discovered that she may Allah be pleased with her had been captive and went back to Al-Madeenah, bringing his daughter's ransom. When he reached Al-'Aqeeq (a place near Al-Madeenah), he looked at the camels he had brought as her ransom and admired two of them greatly, so he hid them in one of the passes of Al-'Aqeeq. Then he came to the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) dragging the camels behind him, and told him: "My daughter is too noble to be taken as a captive. Set her free by this ransom." The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) replied: "Isn't it better that we let her choose for herself?" "That is fair enough," said Al-Haarith. He came to his daughter and said: "This man is letting you choose so do not dishonor us!" "I choose the Messenger of Allah," she may Allah be pleased with her replied calmly. "What a disgrace!" he exclaimed.

The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) then said: "Where are the two camels which you have hidden in Al-'Aqeeq in such-and such a pass?" Al-Haarith exclaimed: "I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah, and that you Muhammad are the Messenger of Allah! For none could have known of this but Allah." He may Allah be pleased with him and his two sons who were with him and some of his men accepted Islam. The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) asked him again for his daughter's hand and he may Allah be pleased with him accepted. The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) gave his new bride four hundred Dirhams as her dowry.

Juwayriyyah may Allah be pleased with her accepted Islam wholeheartedly and followed the excellent example of her husband  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) in the worship of her Lord, trying to even compete with him  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) at times. He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) left her room once for Fajr (dawn prayer) and came back after Dhuha (forenoon): "I spent all the time you were absent supplicating," she told him  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ). He  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) said: "Shall I tell you a few words, if you say them they will be heavier in the scale (on the Day of Judgment) than what you have done? You say; 'Subhaana Allahi 'adada khalqih, subhaana Allahi ridha nafsihi, subhana Allahi zinata 'arshihi, subhaana Allahi midaada kalimaatih." (Exalted (and Praised) is Allah as many times as the number of His creatures, and as much as pleases Him, and as much as the weight of His Throne, and as much as the ink for His Words). [At-Tirmithi]

Juwayriyyah may Allah be pleased with her spent her life in seclusion after the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) passed away. The Caliphs may Allah be pleased with them would provide for her sustenance, but she would spend it all for the sake of Allah. She may Allah be pleased with her performed Hajj many times, and was known for her passionate worship.

She may Allah be pleased with her kept away from all the trials that raged later during her life. She may Allah be pleased with her died during the caliphate of Mu'aawiyah may Allah be pleased with him, at the age of sixty five.

Source: Aljumuah, vol. 13

Umm Salamah- II

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

Umm Salamah- 1

Her real name was Hind; while her title was Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her. She may Allah be pleased with her came from the family of Makhzoom, which belongs to the Quraysh tribe. Her father’s name was Abu Mugheerah Ibn 'Abdullaah Ibn 'Umar Ibn Makhzoom and her mother was 'Aatikah Bint 'Aamir who belonged to the family of Faraas. 

Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her was first married to her cousin Abu Salamah Ibn 'Abdul-Asad. He was a young man with exceptionally good nature and unblemished conduct. It was improbable for this young man of exceptionally lofty morals to remain unmoved by the noble and life-giving message of the Noble Prophet, Muhammad sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam. 

Defying his tribesmen, Abu Salamah may Allah be pleased with him embraced the new faith and entered the fold of Islam. Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her followed suit. 

Thus, the couple joined the rank of those noble souls, who had won the unique distinction of embracing the new faith in its early phase. 

These noble souls suffered all kinds of hardships and harassment in the cause of Islam, but they did not budge even an inch from the right path. As the number of the people who had embraced the new life-giving faith increased, the persecution and torture meted out to them also increased in intensity. 

When this persecution reached intolerable levels, the Noble Prophet sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam gave permission to his followers to migrate to Abyssinia, which was ruled at that time by a kind-hearted king, in order to protect their lives and preserve their religion. According to an authentic narration, Abu Salamah may Allah be pleased with him and Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her, who has already entered the fold of Islam, also migrated to Abyssinia. They may Allah be pleased with them came back to Makkah after spending some time in exile. From Makkah, they may Allah be pleased with them left for Madeenah on their second migration. Those days, Abu Salamah may Allah be pleased with him had only one camel with him. He they may Allah be pleased with him seated Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her and his young son, Salamah, at the saddle. Holding the reins of his camel, he may Allah be pleased with him started his long journey on foot.

When her family came to know about the couple’s planned destination, they intercepted the camel and told Abu Salamah may Allah be pleased with him that he could proceed, but they would not allow their daughter (Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her). They took away the reins of the camel from Abu Salamah may Allah be pleased with him and forced Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her to dismount. In the meantime, Banu 'Abdul-Asad, the members of Abu Salamah’s clan, appeared on the scene and snatched Umm Salamah’s child from his mother and threatened Banu Mugheerah that if they did not allow their daughter to accompany her husband, they would also not allow the child to accompany his mother. As for Abu Salamah may Allah be pleased with him, they said that he was free to go anywhere liked. 

By this time, the Noble Prophet, sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam, had given permission to his Companions may Allah be pleased with them to migrate to Madeenah, where they could live in peace and safety from the torture of Quraysh. Abu Salamah may Allah be pleased with him left for Madeenah, leaving his wife and child behind. Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her was staying with Banu Mugheerah while her child was in the custody of Banu 'Abdul-Asad. Thus, the three of them – the father, the mother and the child – were undergoing the pain of living separately. 

Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her was grief-stricken due the separation from her child and husband. Everyday she may Allah be pleased with her would go and sit forlorn on a hillock, crying and longing to join her husband and son. A whole one year passed like this.

One day, a kind-hearted and influential man from the clan of Banu Mugheerah saw her pathetic condition and was moved by her agony. He called out the people of his tribe and said: “This woman is our own flesh and blood, how long will we keep her away from her husband and child? By Allah! Our tribe is very brave and honorable; we can’t tolerate persecution of innocent people.” 

Hearing this, her tribesmen gave permission to Umm Salamah they may Allah be pleased with her to join her husband in Madeenah. When Banu 'Abdul-Asad heard of this, they also took pity and sent her child, Salamah, to her. She may Allah be pleased with her took the child and a camel to ride alone to Madeenah. At At-Tan'eem (in the outskirts of Makkah), she met 'Uthmaan Ibn Talhah Ibn Abu Talhah may Allah be pleased with him, a chivalrous and decent man of Makkah. When he saw Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her traveling alone with a small baby, he thought: “How unbecoming of me, if I did not escort this lonely woman traveler of Quraysh to Madeenah!” 

He may Allah be pleased with him took the reins of Umm Salamah’s camel and started for Madeenah. Whenever they stopped on the way, 'Uthmaan may Allah be pleased with him would withdraw to rest under the shade of a tree. When they reached Qubaa', where Abu Salamah may Allah be pleased with him was staying, 'Uthmaan may Allah be pleased with him returned to Makkah and Umm Salamah may Allah be pleased with her rejoined her husband, who thanked Allah for once again reuniting his family. 

Umm Salmah may Allah be pleased with her always remained grateful to 'Uthmaan may Allah be pleased with him for his thoughtful and kind gesture. She may Allah be pleased with her used to say: “I have never seen a more gallant and compassionate man than 'Uthmaan Ibn Talhah.”

Al-'Abbaas Ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib

Equality and brotherhood of man in Allah are two of the major principles of the Islamic faith. We read in the Qur'an what may be translated as: "O mankind! Indeed, We have created you from male and female and made you Peoples and tribes that you may know one another. Indeed, the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted." [Quran, 49: 13]. Whenever we read the glorious history of Islam we are reminded again and again of these principles, especially that of equality. An interesting illustration of this involved Al-'Abbaas Ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib, may Allah be pleased with him, who was not only a beloved uncle of Prophet Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) (may Allah exalt his mention) but also a playmate (since they were only a couple of years apart in age).

In the Battle of Badr, the first major battle in Islamic history, some leaders of the Makkah community were forced to join the army of the pagan enemies of Islam mainly through moral pressure. These included Al-'Abbaas and another prominent leader of Quraysh, who was known for his sympathetic attitude and conduct towards the Companions of Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ). Realizing this fact, Prophet Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) gave orders to his followers not to kill such people, pointing out that they were not real enemies who deserved death. Later, when Al-'Abbaas Ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib, may Allah be pleased with him, was taken captive to Al-Madeenah, the Companions found the Prophet sleepless. So they asked him: "Why are you restless, O Messenger of Allah?" He Answered, "I heard the moaning of Al-'Abbaas, due to the tightness of the ropes with which he is being tied." A little while later the Prophet asked, "Why is Al-'Abbaas quiet now?" He was told that someone loosened the fetters for him. The Prophet ordered that the same be done with the other prisoners.

The second incident occurred when ransom was collected from the prisoners of war. When asked to pay ransom for himself and some followers of his, Al-'Abbaas said, "But I am a Muslim and I was forced to join the Makkah army." The Prophet's answer was, "Allah knows about your Islam. If it be true, then He will reward you and return to you whatever you pay. According to what appears to us, you have to pay the ransom." Al-'Abbaas Ibn 'Abdul Muttalib, may Allah be pleased with him, despite his relationship with the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) was treated on equal footing like any other prisoner of war, and was freed only upon payment of his ransom.

The supporting spirit of Al-'Abbaas to Islam and its Prophet explains his attendance of the secret meeting at Al-'Aqabah where seventy-three Medinites gave their oath of allegiance to Prophet Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) to protect him whenever he migrated to Al-Madeenah. It was Al-'Abbaas who checked the sincerity of the Medinites for the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ).

After the Prophet's  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) victorious re-entry to Makkah, the pagan tribes in the neighbourhood of Makkah joined forces to fight the Muslims. For the first time the Muslim army exceeded twelve thousand in number. So many of the fighters had a sense of self-assurance, an attitude that leads to defeat. Some Muslims said, "Never will we be defeated due to paucity." However, it was Allah's will that His soldiers be properly trained for the battles they were to enter at various places and times on this earth. The Muslim army in the battle of Hunayn was surrounded by the enemy (being ambushed and taken by surprise). The Messenger of Allah turned to the right and said: "O people! I am the Messenger of Allah. I am Muhammad, the son of Abdullah." Those who stoodfast by him were only a few emigrants and some of his kinsmen and Al 'Abbaas was one of them. The matchless bravery of the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention )  was then brought to light. He went on and on in his attempts to make his mule steadfast in the face of the disbelievers while saying loudly:

  "Truly saying, I am the Prophet

I am the (grand) son of Abdul Muttalib."

However, Abu Sufyan Ibn Al-Haarith, may Allah be pleased with him, who was then holding the rein of the Prophet’s mule, and Al-'Abbaas, who was holding its stirrup; were endeavoring to make it halt. The Messenger of Allah dismounted and asked his Lord to render him help.

  "O, Allah, send down Your Help!"

The Messenger of Allah  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) ordered his uncle Al-'Abbaas — who was a sonorous voiced man — to call out on the companions. As loudly as he could, Al-'Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him shouted: "Where are the lancers?" Al-'Abbaas said, "By Allah, upon hearing my voice calling them back, they turned round to the battlefield as if they had been oryxes (wild cows) tending towards their calves."

It was the Prophet's strong and firm faith in Allah and his courage as well as the heroic nature and behavior of people like Al-'Abbaas Ibn 'Abdul-Muttalib that saved the day in that battle, known as 'the Battle of Hunayn.' At those critical moments, it was Al-'Abbaas who stayed all the time with the Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) along with a handful of companions. The battle took a new turn, the enemy was defeated, and the Muslim army came out victorious.

Al-'Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, as pointed out earlier, was an uncle of Prophet Muhammad  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allah exalt his mention ) and a dear one for that. Besides this, he is remembered for being the father of the well-known authority 'Abdullah Ibn Al-'Abbaas on matters of the Quran and the teachings of the faith. He passed away in Al-Madeenah in 32 AH during the reign of 'Uthmaan Ibn Affaan, may Allah be pleased with him.

Source:

Heroes of Islam, by Mahmoud Esma'il Sieny

The Sealed Nectar, by Mubarakpuri