Umm Salama
Life & Lineage of Umm Salama
She was Hind bint Abi Umayya ibn al-Mughira ibn al-Makhzumi, the wife of Abdullah ibn Abi Salama ibn Abd al-Asad al-Makhzumi, who was the cousin of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). She bore him children named Umar, Salama, Zainab, and Durrah. Umm Salama and her husband were among the early Muslims who migrated to Abyssinia and later to Medina. Abu Salama died due to injuries sustained after the Battle of Uhud. Subsequently, the Prophet (peace be upon him) married her, making her one of the Mothers of the Believers.
This marriage was ordained by divine command, and she became one of the best wives for the best husband. Umm Salama was among the early converts to Islam and had a significant role in the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him). She was known for her wisdom, sound judgment, and her role in the revelation of a verse in the Quran (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:35), which recognizes the status of Muslim men and women, believing men and women, devout men and women, truthful men and women.
Characteristics of Umm Salama
Umm Salama, the Mother of the Believers, was one of the women whom Allah honored with beauty and noble lineage, along with the wisdom of her mind and her love for jurisprudence. When her husband, Abu Salama (may Allah be pleased with him), passed away, and her waiting period ended, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent a proposal to marry her. She expressed her concerns about her strong sense of jealousy and her fear of causing harm to the Prophet, as she was a widow with children, and there were no male guardians for her. The Prophet reassured her that her jealousy would fade away, Allah would take care of her children, and there would be no one among her relatives who would oppose her marriage. She was satisfied and accepted the proposal, saying, "Allah has replaced me with someone better than Abu Salama, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)".
The wisdom behind the Prophet's marriage to her was to encourage Muslims to marry widows who had lost their husbands and to show compassion to them, and take responsibility for their children. The Prophet generously took care of her four children.
One of her notable moments in Islamic history is the revelation of a verse in Surah At-Tahrim (66:5) as narrated in Sahih al-Bukhari. Umm Salama played a role in this event when the Prophet's wives had gathered, and she responded to Umar ibn al-Khattab's comments about the possibility of the Prophet divorcing his wives. She quoted the verse, and this event is a testament to her wisdom and her role as one of the Mothers of the Believers.
Umm Salama's position and contributions to the early Islamic community were highly significant, and she remains a respected figure in Islamic history.
The Marriage of Umm Salama to Prophet Muhammad
Umm Salama (may Allah be pleased with her) married Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the fourth year of the Hijrah at the age of approximately thirty-five. She was born in Makkah seventeen years before the Prophet's mission began. She was the daughter of Amir ibn Abdullah ibn al-Harith, who was known as "Zad al-Rakib" because he would generously provide for anyone traveling with him. Umm Salama came from a noble and honorable lineage in her tribe, as she was the cousin of Khalid ibn al-Walid and the cousin of Abu Jahl ibn Hisham. Her father was known for his generosity.
Umm Salama was a woman of high lineage and honor among her people. She was a noble woman from the Arab nobility, and she was a woman who committed herself to Islam and emigrated for the sake of her faith.
One of the incidents that demonstrate her wisdom and sound judgment was during the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) advised her on how to handle the situation when some of his companions hesitated to shave their heads and end their state of consecration (Ihram) due to concerns about the terms of the treaty, which they perceived as unjust. They did not realize that it would ultimately bring great benefits. Umm Salama suggested that the Prophet (peace be upon him) be the first to shave his head and show his commitment to the treaty. He immediately accepted her advice and proceeded to shave his head, setting an example for his companions. They followed his lead, and this incident reflects the importance of honoring women's opinions and involving them in decision-making, whether as wives or mothers.
This incident also demonstrates that Islam emphasizes the honor and participation of women in various aspects of life, including matters of consultation and decision-making.
The Story of Umm Salama's Migration to Abyssinia
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed his companions to migrate to Abyssinia (modern-day Ethiopia) because the persecution by the Quraysh had intensified against the Muslims. Umm Salama and her husband were among the first to migrate. Umm Salama narrated a hadith in which she described their situation, saying, "When we arrived in the land of Abyssinia, we were welcomed by a kind neighbor, the Negus (King) of Abyssinia. We felt safe for our religion, and we worshiped Allah without any harm".
When the Quraysh learned of the Muslims' migration to Abyssinia, they sent Amr ibn al-As and Abdullah ibn Abi Rabia to retrieve the emigrants and bring them back to Mecca. However, Jafar ibn Abi Talib represented the Muslims and defended their case. He described their condition during the time of ignorance (pre-Islam) and compared it to their condition after accepting Islam. Then he recited verses from Surah Maryam (Chapter 19 of the Quran) to the Negus.
The Negus was deeply moved by Jafar's words, and he cried to the extent that his beard became wet with tears. He granted the Muslims asylum and assured them of his protection. Later, news reached the Muslims that some of the Quraysh leaders had converted to Islam, and they rejoiced, thinking they could return to Mecca. However, they soon realized that the news was false. Umm Salama, along with her husband, chose to remain patient and steadfast in Abyssinia during this challenging time.
The migration to Abyssinia was a significant event in early Islamic history as it provided a safe haven for Muslims to practice their faith freely. Umm Salama's resilience and patience during this period exemplify the dedication and commitment of early Muslims to their religion.
The Story of Umm Salama's Migration to Medina
Abu Salama and his wife, Umm Salama, were among the first companions of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to migrate to the Medina. When they were preparing to leave for Medina, the tribes of Banu Mughira and Banu Abd al-Asad intercepted them and separated them. The tribe of Banu Abd al-Asad took Umm Salama's son, Salama, after some disputes, and Umm Salama was held by the tribe of Banu Mughira. Abu Salama managed to make it to Medina, leaving his wife and son behind.
The family was separated, and Umm Salama would often go to the outskirts of Mecca, to a place called Bat-ha, where she would weep for her husband and son, enduring their separation for nearly a year. Her situation moved the people of Mecca, and they expressed their sympathy for her. They advised her to take her son and join her husband in Medina.
Umm Salama took her son Salama and set out on a journey to Medina. Along the way, they encountered Uthman ibn Talha, who belonged to a noble Meccan family. He offered to escort them to Medina safely. Umm Salama accepted his help, and he guided her and her son to the city of Medina, where her husband, Abu Salama, had settled.
Umm Salama used to say, "I do not know of any household that suffered in Islam as the family of Abu Salama did". Their separation and eventual reunion in Medina are a testament to the sacrifices and trials that early Muslims endured for the sake of their faith and their commitment to the Prophet's mission.
The Death of Abu Salama
Abu Salama, whose full name was Abdullah ibn Abd al-Asad ibn Makhzumi al-Qurashi al-Makhzumi, was the foster brother of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the son of Barrah bint Abd al-Muttalib, who was the paternal aunt of the Prophet. He was among the early converts to Islam and played an active role in the early Muslim community.
Abu Salama participated in the Battle of Badr and the Battle of Uhud, where he was wounded in the same battle that many other Muslims were injured. Approximately two months after the Battle of Uhud, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent him as the leader of a covert expedition with 150 men. Their mission was to confront the tribe of Banu Khuzaima, who were inciting other tribes to fight against the Muslims.
Abu Salama and his expedition swiftly responded to the Prophet's orders and set out on this mission. When the enemy tribes heard about their approach, they fled and abandoned a considerable amount of livestock, including camels and sheep, which became spoils of war for the Muslim expedition. They returned to Medina victorious with their acquired wealth.
However, shortly after their return to Medina, Abu Salama's health deteriorated due to the wounds he had suffered during the Battle of Uhud. Unfortunately, the injuries proved fatal, and Abu Salama passed away as a result of the complications from his wounds. His death was a loss for the Muslim community, and it marked the end of a dedicated and early Muslim companion who had participated in significant events in the early history of Islam.
The Death of Umm Salama
Umm Salama, may Allah be pleased with her. She held a significant and respected position in the eyes of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). After performing the Asr prayer, the Prophet visited his wives and would start by greeting them because she was the eldest among them.
Umm Salama narrated around three hundred and eighty hadiths, and she was one of the Mothers of the Believers who played a pivotal role in preserving and transmitting the teachings of Islam. Being part of the household of the Prophet, especially in matters related to women, she contributed to teaching and upholding the Islamic rulings and practices concerning women.
Umm Salama lived for a long period after the passing of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). She witnessed the caliphates of the Rightly Guided Caliphs and actively participated in various events and discussions.
During the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan (may Allah be pleased with him), when significant discord and fitnah (tribulations) arose, Umm Salama entered upon him as a respected mother of the believers. She advised him to follow the path of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and the two preceding Caliphs, Abu Bakr and Umar, in upholding justice and maintaining peace among the community. Uthman greatly respected her counsel, and she was known for her wisdom and guidance during this challenging period.
In the event of the Battle of the Camel (Jamal), she sent advice to Aisha, the daughter of Abu Bakr, advising her not to join the battle. Umm Salama encouraged her to remain in her home and not to participate in the conflict. Aisha heeded her advice, and this demonstrates Umm Salama's role as a wise and respected figure among the early Muslim community.
Umm Salama continued to be a source of guidance and wisdom for the Muslims throughout her life. She passed away during the caliphate of Yazid ibn Muawiya in the year 61 AH (After Hijrah), at the age of over eighty or even ninety years old, may Allah be pleased with her. Her life and contributions are a testament to the enduring legacy of the early Muslim women who played a vital role in preserving and spreading the teachings of Islam.