Umm Hakim bint Abd al-Muttalib "Aunt of the Prophet"
Umm Hakim bint Abd al-Muttalib Lineage and Family
Umm Hakim bint Abd al-Muttalib bin Hashim bin Abd Manaf was one of the paternal aunts of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. She belonged to the Banu Hashim clan of the Quraysh tribe, a family entrusted with the sacred responsibility of providing water and hospitality to pilgrims in Mecca. Her father, Abd al-Muttalib bin Hashim, was the leader and chief of Quraysh, while her mother was Fatimah bint Amr al-Makhzumiyyah.
Her Siblings
Umm Hakim was one of the ten children of Abd al-Muttalib and had several famous brothers, including:
- Abu Talib bin Abd al-Muttalib – The greatest defender of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Al-Abbas bin Abd al-Muttalib – One of the major companions who accepted Islam later.
- Hamzah bin Abd al-Muttalib – "The Lion of Allah" and one of the greatest warriors of Islam.
- Abdullah bin Abd al-Muttalib – The father of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
- Abu Lahab bin Abd al-Muttalib – A staunch opponent of Islam.
Her Husbands
In the pre-Islamic era, Umm Hakim bint Abd al-Muttalib was married to Kuraiz bin Rabi'ah bin Habib bin Shams bin Abd Manaf bin Qusay. She bore him the following children:
- Amir
- Arwa
- Talhah
- Umm Talhah
Her daughter, Arwa bint Kuraiz, later married Affan bin Abi al-As bin Umayyah bin Abd Shams, and together they had Uthman bin Affan, who later became the third Caliph of Islam.
After Kuraiz's passing, Umm Hakim married Uqbah bin Abi Mu'ayt, and from this marriage, she had:
- Al-Walid
- Khalid
- Umm Kulthum
All three of them became companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Children of Umm Hakim
Umm Hakim had several notable children who played important roles in Islamic history.
From Her First Husband: Kuraiz bin Rabi'ah
- Amir bin Kuraiz – Accepted Islam on the day of the Conquest of Mecca.
- His son, Abdullah bin Amir, became a companion of the Prophet ﷺ and was appointed as the governor of Khorasan by Caliph Uthman bin Affan.
- Arwa bint Kuraiz – The mother of Uthman bin Affan, the third Caliph of Islam, who was known as Dhul-Nurayn ("The Possessor of Two Lights") because he married two daughters of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
From Her Second Husband: Uqbah bin Abi Mu'ayt
- Al-Walid – Became a companion of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Khalid – Also known as a companion of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Umm Kulthum – A female companion of the Prophet ﷺ.
Umm Hakim’s legacy extends through her children and descendants, many of whom played pivotal roles in early Islamic history.
Thus, Umm Hakim was one of the noblewomen of Banu Hashim who had the honor of being a close relative of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
Her Role in Supporting the Prophet ﷺ
Although historical sources do not provide extensive details on when Umm Hakim embraced Islam, it is believed that, like many of the women in Banu Hashim, she supported the Prophet ﷺ, whether openly or secretly.
Women of the Qurayshite aristocracy were known for their strong loyalty to their families. It is likely that Umm Hakim, even if not openly declaring her Islam, was at least sympathetic to the Prophet’s mission and played a role in supporting him within her social circles.
Her Status in Quraysh and Her Influence
As a daughter of Abd al-Muttalib, Umm Hakim held a distinguished status in Quraysh. The women of her time played vital roles in influencing political and social decisions.
Her Role as a Woman of Banu Hashim
- She was part of a family regarded as the nobility of Mecca.
- She influenced the women of Quraysh due to her close relationship with the Prophet ﷺ.
- She likely played a role in spreading knowledge about the new faith among the noblewomen of Banu Hashim.
Her Relationship with Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
As one of his paternal aunts, Umm Hakim was likely close to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ during his childhood. The Prophet was raised in the care of his uncles and aunts after the death of the father and mother of the prophet Muhammad. It is reasonable to assume that she was among the women who helped care for him and supported him as the son of her late brother, Abdullah bin Abd al-Muttalib.
The Women of Banu Hashim and Their Support for Islam
Umm Hakim was not the only woman from Banu Hashim who played a role in Islam. Many of the Prophet’s aunts actively supported his mission:
- Safiyyah bint Abd al-Muttalib – An early Muslim woman who played a key role in defending Islam.
- Arwa bint Abd al-Muttalib – Known for her courageous speeches in support of the Prophet ﷺ.
- Atikah bint Abd al-Muttalib – Famous for her dream vision that warned Quraysh before the Battle of Badr.
Thus, the women of Banu Hashim were significant figures in supporting the Prophet’s mission, whether publicly or in private.
Umm Hakim bint Abd al-Muttalib Death and Legacy
Very little is documented about the later life and death of Umm Hakim bint Abd al-Muttalib. Islamic historical sources do not provide specific details regarding her passing. However, her existence and presence played an integral role in shaping the early environment of Islam, as she was part of the noble Qurayshite family that directly witnessed the emergence of the new faith.
