Maymunah As-Sawdah

As Salamu Alaikum wa Rahmatullahi wa barakatuhu,

Insha Allah, today we will read an incident of a Tabi'yyah - Maymunah As-Sawdah

al-Fudayl bin ‘Iyad narrated:

‘Abdul-Wahid bin Zayd said: “I asked Allah – the Mighty and Majestic – for three nights in a row to show me my future companion in Paradise in a dream, so in my dream, I heard a caller saying: “O ‘Abdul-Wahid! Your companion in Paradise is Maymunah as-Sawda’.” So, I asked: “And where is she now?” The voice replied: “She is among such-and-such a tribe in Kufah.”

So, I went out to Kufah and asked about her, so I was told: “She is among us, and she takes care of the livestock.” So, I said: “I wish to see her.” I was taken to the place where she was, and found her standing in prayer with a walking stick to support her. She was wearing a wool cloak, with a sign written on it that said: “Not to be bought or sold.” ِAlso, the sheep that she was supposed to be caring for were surrounded by wolves. However, the wolves were not trying to attack the sheep, and the sheep were not afraid of the wolves.

When she saw me, she ended her prayer and said to me: “Go back, Ibn Zayd. Our meeting place is not here. Rather, it is later on (in the Hereafter).”

I said to her: “May Allah have Mercy upon you! Who told you that I am Ibn Zayd?”

She said: “I know that the souls are like a unified army, so the souls that go together are one, and the souls that differ from each other are divided.”

I said to her: “Advise me.”

She said: “Strange! An admonisher who wishes to be admonished? O Ibn Zayd, it has been related to me that a servant is not given anything of this worldly life and wished for more of it, except that Allah ceases to allow that servant to love Him and desire Him, and He exchanges the closeness that he had with Him for distance…” {SUBHANALLAH !! ALLAHUAKBAR}

Then she recited:

O admonisher! The accounting has begun * To drive the people away from sin

You forbid others while you are the one who is truly ill * This is indeed a strange evil

If you had rectified yourself beforehand * Your mistakes and repented recently

Then – my dear – what you you said * Would have had a position of truth in the heart

You warn against temptation and excess * While you yourself are in a state of doubt”

I then said to her: “I see these wolves with the sheep, but the sheep do not run away from the wolves, and the wolves do not try to eat the sheep! What is this?”

She said: “This is a sign to you from me: since I made peace between my Master and I, He made peace between the wolves and the sheep.”

Hafsah bint Umar RA - Part : 2

We learn from the book of Imaam Al-Bukhaari may Allaah have mercy upon him that Hafsah may Allaah be pleased with her was a bit short-tempered and sometimes would even answer the Prophet , back. One day, her father, ‘Umar bin al-Khattaab may Allaah be pleased with him who had come to know this, went to her and asked: "I have heard that you talk to the Noble Prophet , as if you were on an equal footing with him. Is it true?" Hafsah may Allaah be pleased with her replied: "Of course! I do".

’Umar may Allaah be pleased with him said: "My daughter, I warn you of Allaah's punishment. Do not compete with ‘Aa'ishah, who is proud of her beauty due to the Prophet’s , love for her."

Hafsah may Allaah be pleased with her would never hesitate in asking the Noble Prophet , questions on any topic or problem. Once the Prophet , said: “The companions of Badr and Hudaibiyyah will not enter Hell.”

Hafsah may Allaah be pleased with her quickly said: "O Prophet ! Allaah Says that everyone of you will pass over Hell."

The Prophet , answered her: “Yes! But Allaah also says in Soorah Maryam (what means): "Then We will save those who feared Allaah and leave the wrongdoers within it, on their knees.” [Quran 19:72]

The Prophet , divorced Hafsah may Allaah be pleased with her once when she sided against him and disclosed his secret (mentioned before, in the story regarding ‘Aa’ishah may Allaah be pleased with her and the Prophet ’s oath not to drink honey). But Jibreel came to him, and told him to take her back and said: “Take Hafsah back because she is keeping fasts and is observing prayer in the last parts of the night, and she is going to be your wife in Paradise.”

Allaah Says (what means): “And (remember) when the Prophet confided to one of his wives a statement; and when she informed (another) of it and Allaah showed it to him, he made known part of it and ignored a part. And when he informed her about it, she said: ‘Who told you this?’ He said: ‘I was informed by the All-Knowing, the Acquainted.’ If you two (wives) repent to Allaah, (it is best), for your hearts have deviated. But if you cooperate against him – then indeed Allaah is his Protector, and Gabriel and the righteous of the believers and the angels, moreover, are (his) assistants.” [Quran 66: 3-4]

Ibn 'Abbaas may Allaah be pleased with him narrated: “For the whole year I had the desire to ask ‘Umar bin al-Khattaab may Allaah be pleased with him regarding the explanation of a verse (in Soorah At-Tahreem), but I could not ask him because I respected him very much. When he went to perform Hajj, I too went along with him. On our return while we were still on the way home ‘Umar may Allaah be pleased with him went aside to answer the call of nature by the Arak trees. I waited until he had finished then I proceeded with him and asked him: ‘O Chief of the Believers, who were the two wives of the Prophet , who aided one another against him?’ He said: ‘They were Hafsah and ‘Aa'ishah.' Then I said to him: 'By Allaah. I wanted to ask you about this a year ago, but I could not do so owing to my respect for you.' 'Umar may Allaah be pleased with him said: 'Do not refrain from asking me. If you think that I have knowledge (about a certain matter), ask me; and if I know (something about it), I will tell you.'

Hafsah may Allaah be pleased with her realized the gravity of what she had done to her noble husband when she disclosed his secret. However, after the Prophet , forgave her, she lived in tranquility and repose again.

Hafsah may Allaah be pleased with her seemed to be very attached and close to her father, who used to consult her in matters relating to women. Once he noticed a woman reciting poetry about her husband who was away on Jihaad. 'Umar may Allaah be pleased with him was disturbed, and asked Hafsah may Allaah be pleased with her how long a woman may remain without her husband. She said six months, upon which 'Umar may Allaah be pleased with him issued a decree to all of his commanders to relieve every warrior after every six months.

When the Prophet , died and Abu Bakr may Allaah be pleased with him succeeded him, it was Hafsah may Allaah be pleased with her who was chosen to keep the first copy of the Noble Quran.

She continued worshipping Allaah devoutly, fasting, praying, and keeping the copy of the Muslims’ constitution, the immortal miracle and the source of legislation and belief: the Quran.

When the second compilation of the Quran was made during the caliphate of 'Uthmaan may Allaah be pleased with him she was asked to bring that copy, which she did, after putting the condition that when the work was completed, her copy would be returned to her.

After the standard copy was made, 'Uthmaan may Allaah be pleased with him had decided that all the different versions of the Quran should be destroyed, but he was unable to do it with Hafsah's copy because of the condition she had attached. It was only after her death that the copy was discovered and destroyed.

Hafsah may Allaah be pleased with her occupies a high position as far as scholarship and piety are concerned. She reported 60 Ahaadeeth from the Prophet . Out of these, four are agreed upon, six are in the book of Imaam Muslim may Allaah have mercy upon him and the remaining are in the other books of traditions.

When her father, the Caliph of the Muslims, felt he was about to die after being stabbed by Abu Lu'lu'ah the Zoroastrian in the month of Thul-Hijjah 23 AH, Hafsah may Allaah be pleased with her was the guardian of what he left of inheritance.

Hafsah may Allaah be pleased with her took custody of all his important documents including his copy of the Glorious Quran, which was compiled during the time of Abu Bakr's Caliphate.

Before her death, she made a will to ‘Abdullaah bin 'Umar may Allaah be pleased with him that her property at Gahba should be donated in charity. Hafsah may Allaah be pleased with her had no children from the Prophet .

Hafsah, may Allaah be pleased her, lived with the Prophet , in Al-Madeenah for eight years, and lived on for another thirty-four years after his death; witnessing with joy the victories and expansion of Islam under her father's guidance, and with sorrow the troubles that beset the Muslim community after the murder of 'Uthmaan may Allaah be pleased with him. She passed away during the reign of Mu'aawiyyah bin Abu Sufyaan may Allaah be pleased with him in 47 AH at the age of sixty-three.

Hafsa bint Umar RA

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

Her first marriage was to Khunays Ibn Huthaafah Ibn Qays as-Sahami may Allaah 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 sholtry thereafter in Al-Madeenah. Hafsah may Allaah be pleased with her was 18 years old at that time.

‘Umar may Allaah 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 Allaah be pleased with him approached Abu Bakr may Allaah be pleased with him the dearest person to the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, and offered her hand in marriage to him.

‘Umar may Allaah be pleased with him thought that Abu Bakr may Allaah be pleased with him would not refuse to marry a young, pious woman who was the daughter of the man by whom Allaah supported Islam. Having sympathetically listened to him, Abu Bakr may Allaah 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 Allaah be pleased with him whose wife, Ruqayyah may Allaah be pleased with her the daughter of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, had recently died.
‘Umar may Allaah be pleased with him offered him his daughter in marriage, but 'Uthmaan may Allaah 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, complaining about Abu Bakr and ‘Uthmaan may Allaah be pleased with them.

Thereupon the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, smiled and said: "Hafsah will get a husband who is better than 'Uthmaan and 'Uthmaan will get a wife better than Hafsah." [Al-Bukhaari]

After that, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, himself married Hafsah may Allaah be pleased with her and 'Uthmaan may Allaah be pleased with him in turn married Umm Kulthoom, the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam's other daughter may Allaah be pleased with her.


Accordingly, ‘Umar may Allaah 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 Allaah be pleased with him met him, he realized the source of his joy. ‘Umar may Allaah 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 Allaah be pleased with him congratulated him and apologized by saying: "Do not be angry with me, ‘Umar, the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, mentioned Hafsah before, and I could not disclose the secret of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam. Had he left her, I would have married her."

Since the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, had mentioned Hafsah to him, he did not want to disclose the Prophet’s, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam's secret.


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

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


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

‘Umar may Allaah be pleased with him knew very well that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, loved 'Aa’ishah may Allaah 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, deserted his wives because they became too demanding, ‘Umar may Allaah be pleased with him once again advised Hafsah may Allaah 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, for her (referring to 'Aa’ishah)."

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


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

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

'Aa’ishah may Allaah be pleased with her narrated: “Allaah's Messenger, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, 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-Bukhaari]

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, has always disliked strong smells especially on his breath. He then forbade honey unto himself for which Allaah revealed (what means):


"O Prophet, why do you prohibit (yourself from) what Allaah has made lawful for you, seeking the approval of your wives? And Allaah is Forgiving and Merciful. Allaah has already ordained for you (Muslims) the dissolution of your oaths. And Allaah is your Protector, and He is The Knowing, The Wise." [Quran 66: 1-2]

Ayesha RA - Part-2

Aisha was a beautiful wife, with a light body. She had a reddish face so the Prophet used to praise her saying: Take one half of your religion from this reddish young lady. This was because Aisha was the most knowledgeable Muslim woman of her time. She used to teach many things related to women to the senior companions of the Prophet. She also transmitted quite a large number of the Prophet's traditions.

If Hazrat Khadija played a great role in the formative part of the Prophet's life, Aisha took care of him the rest of his life, especially in his old age despite the presence of other wives along with her. This does not mean that the Prophet did not treat them with equal justice, but rather that Aisha Siddiqa was his most beloved wife during this period. As a result of this she was an extremely jealous wife in the sense that she wanted him all for herself. It is narrated that one day the Prophet had some honey in the house of Mary, the Copt. Aisha got jealous and plotted with Hafsa, another wife of the Prophet to tell him as soon as he approaches any one of the two, that he smelt of Maghafeer, a bad smelling drink in Arabia.

The Prophet, peace be upon him, did approach these two wives each of whom told him the same thing, so he swore not to have honey any more. But God Almighty revealed the following lesson which was directed to the two plotting wives as well as to the Prophet himself. For how could he make something prohibtted which has been made permissible by God. A separate chapter in the Holy Quran deals with this important theme. It starts as follows:

O Prophet! Why hold you to be forbidden that which God has made lawful for you? You seek to please your wives; but God is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. God had ordained for you (O Muslims) the dissolution of your oaths (in some cases); and God is your Protector, and He is full of Knowledge, and Wisdom. When the Prophet disclosed a matter in confidence to one of his wives, and she then divulged it to another, and God made it known to him, he confirmed part of it and dropped a part. Then when he told her thereof she said: Who told you this? He said: He told me who Knows and is well-acquainted with all things.

Then the Quran addresses Aisha and Hafsa in the following words: If you two turn in repentance to Allah, your hearts are indeed so inclined; but if you back each other against him, truly God is his Protector, and Gabriel, every righteous one among the believers, and furthermore, the angels will back him. ( 66-1-4 ) It was indeed a decisive lesson which was, in fact, nothing but a prelude to another more important one. One day the wives of the Prophet including Aisha, held a meeting and decided to ask the Prophet to entertain them in the pleasures of this world, no more could they bear the life of asceticism the Prophet used to lead in favoure of seeking the After-life and preferring others to himself. For indeed the Prophet led a poor life despite his being the head of the first Islamic state.

This was a greater plot against the Prophet. All his wives agreed to demand a more entertaining and a pleasurable life from the Prophet. He, however, could not at all change his course being the best example for others to follow. When the Prophet came to know this, he boycotted all his wives including Aisha. The boycott continued for one whole month until the following verses were revealed: O Prophet! Tell your wives: " If it be that you desire the life of this world and its glitter, then come! I will provide for you enjoyment and set you free in a handsome manner. But if you seek God and His Apostle and the Home of the Here-after, verily God has prepared for the well-doers among you a great reward ". ( 33-28-29 ) So the Prophet asked Aisha to consult her parents to make up her mind either to stay with him or leave him in a handsome way. This he did with the rest of his wives as well most of whom preferred to keep matrimony with the Prophet. When he asked Aisha to get her parent's opinion she said: Should I consult them concerning you? Never. I do choose God and His Apostle.

We cannot cover the extensive biography of Aisha Siddiqa in these few pages; but suffice it to say that she was the most devoted wife of the Prophet, the most learned and brilliant one and the most pious. Once she was fasting. During the same day she had a sheep. Her servant slaughtered it for her, but she asked her servant to distribute the greater part of it. At sunset Aisha asked the servant: What have you left behind of that sheep? The servant replied: Nothing is left but its arm. All the rest has gone but Aisha's comment here was this: " All is kept but its arm ". She meant to say that all that has been given to the poor and needy will be rewarded by God, while the remaining arm will go. See how pious this young wife of the Prophet was.

Ayesha RA - Part-1

Aisha Siddiqa bint Al Siddiq is the second most beloved wife of the Prophet Muhmmad peace be upon him after his first wife Khadija may Allah be pleased with her. As her nickname implies, she was the daughter of Abu Bakr Al Siddiq the closest friend of the Prophet and his first successor or caliph. She is given the title "Siddiqa" because of an incident after which God Almighty testified to her honesty, trustworthiness and purity. Books of Seerah tell us about it the following:

When the Prophet returned victorious from the battle of Bani Al Mustaliq, Aisha was accompanying him. On its way back to Madinah, not very far away from it the army stopped part of the night; then it was allowed to continue the journey which the army did until it entered Madinah. The camel of Aisha was led to her house with her small cabin on its back. To the astonishment of all onlookers Aisha was not there. So the news spread like fire; and the Prophet and his companions started to search everywhere; after a short while, however, Aisha was seen riding another camel led by a companion called Safwan Ibn Muattil Al Salami.

Naturally the pure wife of the Prophet was asked about the reason of her delay. She said: I went to answer the call of nature some time before departure. I had on a valuable necklace that fell from my neck without being aware of it. When I returned to my camel I discovered that it was missing. So I returned to the same place where I went before. At that time people were starting to leave. When I found my lost necklace and went back I found the caravan was no more there. They took my camel thinking that I was inside the cabin on its back.

As I returned to the camp, Hazral Aisha continues, no one was in sight so I wrapped up myself and lied down in the same place feeling that this is the best I can do. For sure, I thought, they will discover my absence and come back to me. As I was in that condition Safwan Ibn Muattil passed by me. Seeing me he recognized me and said sadly: How could it be that the Prophet's wife is here! What made you lag behind the caravan? I kept silent so he brought the camel near me, thus I rode on its back and he led the camel to Madinah.

The Prophet heard this account which Aisha thought to be simple truth; but people spread an evil rumour, especially the hypocrites who started to concoct stories against Aisha the pure. Thus what is called Hadith Al Ifk spread everywhere (a sinister talk against this dear wife of the Prophet). The Prophet kept silent and when Aisha was told about what was going on against her she got angry and tried to explain things to the Prophet who said nothing. So Aisha joined her parents who tried to verify the rumours from her.

It was indeed an extremely hard time not only for Aisha and her father Abu Bakr Al Siddiq but for the Prophet as well who approached Aisha and said: If you committed anything, then confess it and repent to God who will forgive you. These statements only increased the sufferings of Aisha so much so that she fell seriously ill. It was only the Divine revelation that accquited her and declared her innocence and purity. This took place after a whole month of adversity and hardship. That is why Aisha deserved the title of Siddiqa, the truthful, because God Almighty testified to her honesty.

Aisha was only eight years old before the emigration of the Prophet from Makkah to Madinah. The Prophet had proposed to her two years earlier because she was the daughter of his closest friend and companion. So the Prophet got married to her when she was only nine years old. But Aisha was already a grown-up woman despite her tender years. She was not just an ordinary wife but she could fill the gap caused by the death of Khadija, the first mother of the Faithful.

Umm Rooman RA

She was the wife of Abu Bakr Siddique(RA) and the mother of 'Ayesha(RA). Thus she was the Prophet's [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] mother-in-law. Her son, 'Abdur-Rahman bin Abu Bakr Siddique, was an excellent horseman, and master strategist in war. It was she who taught him the meaning of valor and courage. Her real name was Zainab, but she came to be known by her family name. She was a patient and tolerant lady who did not jump to hasty conclusions, but gave matters deep thought. This was evident in the way she handled the incident when people of loose tongues and small minds accused 'Ayeshah of adultery. When her husband explained to her the teachings of Islam she did not linger with doubts about giving up the religion of her forefathers. She immediately saw the greatness of Islam and accepted it.

She was brought up in an area of the Arabia known as Sarat. When she grew up she married a young man from her tribe named 'Abdullah bin Harith bin Sakhbarah Azdi. She had a son by him, who was named Tufail bin 'Abdullah. They then moved to Makkah, where he became the partner and companion of Abu Bakr Siddique. However, soon after this 'Abdullah bin Harith passed away, and his widow and son were left with no support. Seeing her precarious condition Abu Bakr Siddique married her. Umm Rooman was very happy in her marriage and soon, a son, 'AbdurRahman and a daughter, 'Ayeshah were born. Before he came into the fold of Islam, Abu Bakr Siddique was married to Qateelah bint Abdul-'Uzza by whom he already had a daughter Asma' and a son, 'Abdullah.

Umm Rooman had accepted Islam in its earliest days. It is written in Tabaqat Ibn Sad that Umm Rooman accepted Islam in the very early days in Makkah. She swore allegiance at the hand of the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] himself and then migrated with the blessed group of immigrants.

When she to witness the terrible atrocities committed by the Quraish against the Muslims she would suffer and weep for the innocent victims; but she gained courage when she saw the moral strength and exemplary sacrifice of her husband for the cause of Islam. She drew inspiration from him and found peace in his presence.

The Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] also used to exhort his faithful followers not to waver, but to be patient and hold steadfast to their faith, for they would surely in the Hereafter be rewarded with Paradise.

During this long period Umm Rooman, remained an image of patience, forbearance, courage and bravery. Most of her time was spent in earnest supplications and prayers to Allah. When she saw her husband's devoted efforts for the propagation of Islam she expressed her admiration and gave him moral support. She devoted her time to the nurturing of her children in the traditions of Islam. The Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] often used to visit the house of his illustrious follower, Abu Bakr Siddique. He would advise Umm Rooman to keep encouraging and instilling the love of goodness in 'Ayeshah. Khadijah passed away three years before the migration of the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] to Madinah. The Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] spent a year as an unmarried person He then married Ayesha at the command of Allah as delivered by the Angel Jibril, that on three consecutive nights he saw her in his dreams. The Angel jibril brought a picture of hers wrapped in a silken cloth, and told him that this was an image of his bride. When he removed the cover he saw that it was her image. 'Ayeshah was elated to hear that she was chosen to be the Prophet's [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] wife by Allah himself . Khawlah bint Hakim told him there were two proposals for him, that of 'Ayeshah bint Abu Bakr Siddique and Saudah bint Zam'ah. He accepted both, and thus Umm Rooman' had the honour of becoming his mother-in-law.

When the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] was ordered by Allah to migrate to Madinah he went to the house of his closest friend and Companion, Abu Bakr Siddique. Without any questions or hesitation he prepared to accompany the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] . He packed a few things and took all the cash there was in the house. He left his father, wife and children in the trust and care of Allah and set off for an unknown and unseen destination.

It was a very tough time for Umm Rooman she was separated from her husband; and there was a lack of money for household expenses, since he had taken all the available cash with him. But what predominated all other thoughts in her mind were supplications to Allah and for the safe arrival of the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] and her husband in Madinah. On reaching their destination safely, she and her family were told to follow to Madinah.

When they reached Al-Madinah they stayed at the house of Abu Bakr Siddique arranged for his family. And it was from this house that 'Ayeshah left as a bride to the Prophet's [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] house. Thus this house became the focal point for the revelations of Allah. Umm Rooman expressed great happiness at the thought that her daughter would be one of those who joined the ranks of the blessed Mothers of the Believers.

When the hypocrites, wrongfully accused 'Ayeshah, Madinah seemed to have been gripped by confusion. How could they reconcile themselves to their Prophet's [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] wife having committed a cardinal sin?

The whole of Madinah was flooded by this slanderous gossip that 'Ayeshah was a woman of loose character. When she came to know of it from the mouth of Umm Mastah herself that her son was the originator of this scandal, she was heartbroken and appalled at the sheer spite of the man. She took the permission of the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] and went to her parents. They also corroborated the story she had heard and she could not stop the flood of tears. Her sympathetic and loving mother was also an image of grief. Then the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] , who was himself very upset, came to see her. When he saw her weeping he told her that if she sinned she should ask Allah for His forgiveness, because he is Merciful; if she had not sinned she should not grieve, for Allah would surely absolve her and forgive her. 'Ayeshah asked her mother to respond to him, but her mother remained quiet. She then appealed to her father, Abu Bakr Siddique, to give a convincing reply to the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] but he too remained silent. Finally she said that if she denied that she was guilty - and Allah knew she was innocent - Muhammad would not believe her; if she admitted the guilt, may be he would be satisfied, but then her admission of guilt would be contrary to facts. The best answer would be the answer of the father of Yusuf , when he was helpless before his sons: 'So patience is most fitting. And it is Allah Whose help can be sought against that (lie) which you describe." (12:18)
Even as this conversation was being carried on the Ayat of clarification were revealed to the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] . When the revelation was over he was covered in beads of perspiration; he then turned to 'Ayeshah with a happy smile and recited the Ayat.

Her parents were proud and relieved; and they asked their daughter to thank her husband, but 'Ayeshah replied that she was grateful to Allah for He exonerated her. This relief, with the specially revealed Ayat of Allah, increased her worth in the heart of her husband.

Umm Rooman was a lady who spent her nights and days in prayer, meditation and supplications to Allah. Her earnest desire was to win the goodwill of Allah and His Messenger. She was a dutiful wife who stood by her husband at all times. She noted what her husband had to say about prayers. Once when he entered house he found her praying and told her that the body should--express an attitude of tranquility. A calm and still posture helped to perfect concentration in prayer, he said.

'Ali bin Bulban Muqaddasi in his book Tohfah As-Siddique fi Fadha'il Abi Bakr Siddique and Imam Thahbi in his book Siyar Al-A'lam AnNubla' says that one day both Abu Bakr Siddique and his wife, Umm Rooman, went to visit the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] . He asked them the purpose of the visit. They both simultaneously requested him to offer supplications to Allah for 'Aishah.

Then he prayed to Allah to forgive 'Ayeshah bint Abu Bakr both inside and outside such a forgiveness that would leave no sin. Both her parents looked very happy with this perfect supplication.

Then he told them that this was his prayer for all those who accepted Islam after his being named Messenger of Allah, and remained steadfast in their belief.

The Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] respected Umm Rooman very much, and she in turn gave first priority to doing things that pleased him. So life was very pleasant, and everyone was happy fulfilling their obligations to man and his Creator.

One day the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] praised Khadijah great length extoling her many virtues. 'Aishah felt jealous; involuntarily she said that he was talking of Khadijah, as if there was no other woman on earth but she. The Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] did not like it at all, and his face reddened with a terrible anger. When Umm Roomdn heard of this she went to the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] and tried to apologize for 'Aishah telling him that she was still very young that he should not take her seriously. Very curtly, addressing 'Aishah, he asked her if she had not said that there was no other woman on the face of the earth besides Khadijah ? He swore by Allah that this great lady had believed him when the tribe of 'Aishah had denied that he was the Messenger and Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] of Allah. She gave him the great gift of children, which was not the case with 'Aishah.

Umm Rooman listened in complete silence because she knew that all that he spoke was by the command and revelation of Allah. He did not speak of his own accord, his words were always based on revelations of Allah.

Umm Rooman passed away in the year 6th after Hijrah. During her burial, the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] asked Allah to forgive her. Doubtless this was a great honor for her. It was on this occasion that he said that if any person wanted to see a beautiful celestial virgin of Paradise, he could see Umm Rooman. Thus these words are an indication that she will, Allah willing, be in Paradise in the Hereafter.

May Allah fill her grave with radiance? Another tradition regarding the death of Umm Rooman is however more reliable. It says that she died after the passing away of the Prophet [sallallahu alayhi wa sallam] .

Verily the words of Allah are true,

"Verily, those who believe and do righteous deeds, and humble themselves before their Lord, they will be dwellers of Paradise to dwell therein forever." (11:23)

Sawda bint Zama'a

Sawda bint Zam'a

[ based on a book by Ahmad Thompson ]



Sawda bint Zam'a ibn Qays (radiAllahu anha) had been the first woman to immigrate to Abyssinia in the way of Allah. Her husband had died and she was now living with her aged father. She was middle-aged, rather plump, with a jolly, kindly disposition, and just the right person to take care of the Prophet's household and family. So Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) gave permission to Khawla to speak to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and to Sawda on the subject.

Khawla went straight to Sawda and said, "Would you like Allah to give you great blessing, Sawda?"
Sawda asked, "And what is that, Khawla?"
She said, "The Messenger of Allah has sent me to you with a proposal of marriage!"
Sawda tried to contain herself in spite of her utter astonishment and then replied in a trembling voice, "I would like that! Go to my father and tell him that."

Khawla went to Zam'a, ad gruff old man, and greeted him and then said, "Muhammad son of Abdullah son of Abdul Muttalib, has sent me to ask for Sawda in marriage."
The old man shouted, "A noble match. What does she say?" K
hawla replied, "she would like that." He told her to call her. When she came, he said, "Sawda, this woman claims that Muhammad son of Abdullah son of Abdul Muttalib has sent me to ask for you in marriage. It is a noble match. Do you want me to marry you to him?" She accepted, feeling it was a great honor. Sawda went to live in Muhammad's house and immediately took over the care of his daughters and household, while Aisha bint Abu Bakr became betrothed to him and remained in her father's house playing with her dolls.

There was great surprise in Makkah that the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) would choose to marry a widow who was neither young nor beautiful. The Prophet, however, remembered the trials she had undergone when she had immigrated to Abyssinia, leaving her house and property, and crossed the desert and then the sea for an unknown land out of the desire to preserve her deen.

During the next two years, the Quraish increased their spiteful efforts to destroy the Prophet and his followers, in spite of the clear signs that confirmed beyond any doubt that Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) was indeed the Messenger of Allah. Perhaps the greatest of these signs during this period was the Prophet's Mi'raj, his journey by night on a winged horse called the Buraq, through the skies to the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem where he led all the earlier Prophets who had lived before him in the prayer, followed by his ascent on the Buraq, accompanied by Jibril, through the seven heavens, and then beyond the world of forms, to the Presence of Allah where he was given the five prayers that all his true followers have done ever since.


When he described this miraculous journey to the people of Makkah, they just laughed at him, even though he accurately described the Al-Aqsa Mosque to them (and they knew that he had never been there before), and even though he described the place where he had stopped for a drink on the way to Jerusalem, and even though he told them how on the way he had told a man where his lost camel was, and even though he told them that he was seen a caravan, which no one knew about, approaching Makkah and that it should arrive later on that day. Even though the Quraish knew that the Prophet's description of the Al-Aqsa Mosque was completely accurate, and even when they eventually saw the caravan arrive, and met the man whom he had helped, and saw the place where he had stopped for a drink, the still refused to believe him.

Only Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu), his closest companion and future father in law, accepted the Prophet's account of his miraculous journey immediately: "If he had said this," he said, when some scornful Makkans first gave him the news, "then it is true!"

As the enmity of the Quraish increased, (and while A'isha was still a small girl), Allah prepared the way for the future growth of the Muslim community in a place called Yathrib. During the time of pilgrimage in Makkah one year, twelve men from Yathrib, a small city of two hundred miles to the north of Mecca, secretly pledged allegiance to the Prophet, swearing to worship no gods other than Allah, nor to steal, nor to tell lies, nor to commit adultery, nor to kill their children, nor to disobey the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam). They returned to Yathrib, accompanied by a Muslim called Mus'ab ibn Umayr, who taught them all that he had learned from the Prophet.

As a result, the numbers of Muslims in Madinah began to increase, and when the time of the pilgrimage came again, this time seventy five people from Yathrib- three of whom were women: Umm Sulaym, Nsayba bint Ka'b and Asma bint Amr - pledged allegiance in Makkah to the Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) this time also swearing that the would defend and protect him, even to the death if need be. After this, the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) gave his followers permission to emigrate to Yathrib, and slowly but surely, in twos and threes, the Muslims began to leave Makkah. The leaders of the Quraish realized what was happening, and decided to kill the Prophet before he had a chance to join them. However, Allah protected the Prophet, and on the very night before the morning on which they had planned to kill him, the Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) and Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu) slipped out of Makkah and hid in a cave called Thawr, which was to the south of Makkah.


Everybody knows what happened when the people who were hunting for them came to the cave: They found a wild dove nesting in the tree that covered the mouth of a cave, across which a spider had spun its web. Anyone entering the cave would have frightened away the dove and broken the spid's web, they thought, so they did and not bother to look inside it. Their pursuers were so close that if one of them had glanced down at his feet, he would have discovered them. By the decree of Allah, the Prophet and Abu Bakr were safe!

Once the Quraish had given up the search, the Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) and Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu) circled round the Makkah and rode northwards.
Only one man, a warrior called Suraqa ibn Jusham, suspected their whereabouts and set off in hot pursuit, thirsting of the reward that the Quraish had offered to anyone who captured the two men for them. As soon as he as within shouting distance of the travelers, however, his horse suddenly began to sink into the sand, and, realizing that if he did not turn back, then the desert would simply swallow up both him and his steed, he gave up his pursuit, asked them to forgive him and returned home.

After a long, hard journey Prophet Muhammad (salAllahu alayhi wasalam) and Abu Bakr (radiAllahu anhu) reached Yathrib amidst scenes of great rejoicing. Their time in Makkah had just come to an end, and their time in Madinah had just begun - for Madinah is the name that was now given to Yathrib, Madinah al Munawarra, which means 'the illuminated city', the city that was illuminated by the light of the Prophet Muhammad and his family and his Companions (radiAllahu anhum).

The journey of the Prophet Muhammad and Abu Bakr is usually called the hijrah, and it is at this point that the dating of the Muslims begins, for it was after the hijrah that the first community of Muslims rapidly grew and flowered and bore fruit.

When she was older, the prophet was worried that Sawda might be upset about having to compete with so many younger wives, and offered to divorce her. She said that she would give her night to A'isha, of whom she was very fond, because she only wanted to be his wife on the Day of Rising. She lived on until the end of the time of Umar ibn al Khattab. She and A'isha always remained very close.

RadiAllahu anhu.

Observations made of Khadijah RA's marriage to Prophet {Pbuh}

The first observation is related to the circumstances surrounding the onset of this marriage. The age of the Prophet was 25 years, which is probably the optimal age of marriage for a man. Khadijah was 40 years old at that time. It this point should mean anything, it is to show that the traditional expectation that the wife's age should be close to, or slightly less than the husband's is not necessarily true all the time. What counts actually is not the age, but the maturity and compatibility.

Another point of this observation is the fact that the Prophet was independent, gainfully employed, and very successful. His efficient work performance and excellent business ability were actually one the main reasons Khadijah was attracted to him.

Although Khadijah was wealthy and able to support the household, the Prophet (pbuh) continued to work and produce. This is another pointer for our husbands-to-be, that he is able to provide for the family.

A third point is the fact that Khadijah was the one who approached the Prophet regarding the marriage through her friend, Nafeesah. Many of the Muslims feel that it is not appropriate for a girl or her guardian to approach a man regarding marriage, and that the man is the one who should ask for the girl's hand.

The example of the Prophet's marriage to Khadijah shows that such a tradition is just a matter of false pride. It is quite appropriate for a female seeking marriage, or for her guardian, to approach a qualified candidate regarding marriage, as long as this is done in a decent, proper way. It should actually be the duty of the parents to look for the proper righteous husbands for their daughters, since these righteous husbands are usually difficult to find these days.

Another observation is related to the type of relation and attitude between Muhammad (pbuh) and Khadijah. This family relationship was characterized by love, respect, and appreciation; by hard work, support, and cooperation; and above all, by unprecedented loyalty that lasted till the end of the Prophet's life, even after the death of Khadijah

Khadijah bint Khuwaylid RA

Khadijah, may Allah be pleased with her, came from a noble family. Her father Khuwaylid had been one of the most honored leaders of their tribe until he was killed in battle. Her husband had also died, leaving her a very wealthy woman. When Muhammad (peace be upon him) was still a young man, she entrusted him with some of her wealth, asking him to trade with it in Syria on her behalf. He was already well known for his honesty, truthfulness and trustworthiness. He returned from Syria after having made a large profit for Khadijah.

After hearing his account of the journey from her slave Maysarah, upon consideration she decided that he would make the best of the husbands, even though many of the most important nobles of the Quraish had already proposed to her and had been refused, and in due course she sent a proposal to him through her servants. After the Prophet’s uncle, Abu Talib, had given the proposed marriage his blessing, Muhammad and Khadijah were married. At the time of the marriage, the Prophet was twenty-five years old, while Khadijah was forty years old.

For the next fifteen years they lived happily together, and Khadijah bore several children. Their first child, a son whom they named Qasim, died when he was only two years old. Two more sons, called Tayyib and Tahir, were also born, but they too died in their infancy. However, Muhammad and Khadijah also had four daughters who survived: Zaynab, Ruqayya, Umm Kulthum and Fatima.

No one except Allah of course, knows more about a man than his wife, both his good and his bad qualities, his strengths and his weaknesses. The more Khadijah came to know about her husband, the more she loved and respected him. Everyone in Makka called him ‘al-Amin’, which means ‘the trustworthy one’, and she, more than anyone else, knew how fitting this name was. It became Muhammad’s custom each year to spend the month of Ramadan in seclusion and reflection in a cave on the mountain of Hira, which is on the outskirts of Makka. Khadijah would always make sure that he was provided with food and drink during his retreat. Towards the end of one Ramadan, when he was forty and Khadijah fifty-five, Muhammad suddenly appeared at their house in the middle of the night, trembling with fear and saying, “Cover me up, cover me up!”

Khadijah was very alarmed to see him in such a state. Quickly she wrapped a blanket around his shoulders and, when he had calmed down, she asked him to describe exactly what had happened. He told her how a being whom he had never seen before – in fact it was the angel Jibril – had suddenly appeared to him while he was asleep and had said, “Read!”

“But I cannot read,” he had replied, for he was unlettered and could neither read or write. “Read!” the angel had repeated, clasping Muhammad close to his chest. “I cannot read,” he had repeated. “Read!” the angel had repeated, firmly embracing him yet again. “What shall I read?” he had asked in desperation, and the angel had replied:

Read, in the Name of your Lord who created, created man from a clot, Read, and your Lord is the Most Gracious, Who taught with the pen, taught man what he did not know. (Quran 96:1-5)



Although Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) did not fully realize it at the time, this was the beginning of the revelation of the Qur’an; but in that first encounter with the angel Jibril, Muhammad was very frightened, for he did not know who the angel Jibril was or what was happening. He woke up and ran out of the cave only to find Jibril still in front of him, and whenever he turned away from him, there Jibril was in front of him yet again, filling the horizon with his mighty yet beautiful form.

“Oh Muhammad,” said Jibril eventually, “you are the Messenger of Allah and I am Jibril,” and with these words he disappeared from Muhammad’s sight.

After the angel had disappeared Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had clambered down the mountain as fast as he could run, not knowing if he was going mad and imagining things, or if he had been possessed by one of the jinn.

As she listened to Muhammad’s words, Khadijah did not share any of these fears. She realized that something tremendous and awe-inspiring had happened to her husband, and she was certain, knowing him as she did, that he was neither mad nor possessed. “Do not worry,” she said, “for by Him who has dominion over Khadijah’s soul, I hope that you are the Prophet of this nation. Allah would never humiliate you, for you are good to your relatives, you are true to your word, you help those who are in need, you support the weak, you feed the guest and you answer the call of those who are in distress.”

When Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as a little more relaxed, Khadijah took him to see her cousin, Waraqa ibn Nawfal, for he was a man of knowledge, and she was sure that he would be able to explain the meaning of what had just happened to her beloved husband. Waraqa had studied the books of both the Jews and the Christians very closely and he had learned a great deal from many of their wisest people. He knew that the coming of another Prophet had been foretold by both Moses and Jesus, peace be on them, anhe knew many of the signs that would confirm the identity of this Prophet when he appeared.

After listening closely to his story, Waraqa, who was both old and blind, exclaimed, “This is the same being who brought the revelations of Allah to Moses. I wish I was young and could be alive whyour people will drive you out.”

“Will they drive me out?” asked Muhammad.

“Yes,” replied Waraqa. “No one has come with what you have been given without being treated with enmity; and if I were to live until the day when you are turned out, then I would support you with all my might. Let me just feel your back.” So, saying, Waraqa felt between the Prophet’s shoulder-blades and found what he was feeling for: a small round, slightly raised irregularity in the skin, about the size of a pigeon’s egg. This was yet another of the many signs that Waraqa already knew would indicate the identity of the next Prophet after Jesus, (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).

“This is the Seal of the Prophethood!” he exclaimed. “Now I am certain that you are indeed the Prophet whose coming was foretold in the Torah that was revealed to Moses and in the Injil that was revealed to Jesus, (pbut) You are indeed the Messenger of Allah, and the being who appeared to you on the mountain was indeed the angel Jibril!”

Khadijah as both overjoyed and awed to find that her understanding of what had happened on the mountain had been confirmed. Not long after this incident, Muhammad was commanded in a subsequent revelation from Allah, through the angel Jibril, to call people to worship Allah only, and it was at this point that Khadijah did not hesitate in expressing in public what she had now known for certain in secret for some time: ” I bear witness that there is no god except Allah,” she said, “and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah.”

In the years that followed, difficult years in which the leaders of the Quraish did everything in their power to stop the Prophet spreading his message, Khadijah (may Allah be pleased with her) was a constant source of help and comfort to Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the difficulties which he had to face. All her wealth was spent in the way of Allah, helping to spread the message of her husband, helping to free slaves who had embraced Islam, and helping to feed and shelter the community of Muslims that slowly but surely began to grow in numbers and strength.

The Quraish were infuriated by the Prophet’s success and did everything in their power to discourage both him and his followers, often inflicting awful tortures on them, but without success. The situation became so bad that the Prophet told some of his followers to go to Abyssinia, where their ruler, the Negus, who was a sincere Christian gave them shelter and protection. Eventually there came a time when, as Waraqa had foretold, Muhammad and his followers -along with all the members of his tribe, the Banu Hashim were driven out of the city of Mecca and forced to camp out in a small ravine in the mountains nearby. This happened long after Waraqa had died, and about seven years after that extraordinary night of power in which Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had received the first revelation of Quran through the angel Jibril. There, while their homes lay empty in Mecca, the Muslims were exposed to the bitterly cold nights of winter and the fiery hot days of summer, with very little food and shelter. No one would buy and sell with the Muslims, or allow their sons and daughters to marry any of them. Fortunately those who secretly sympathized with the Muslims would send what food they could to them whenever the chance arose, sometimes by loading provisions onto a camel or a horse and then sending it off at a gallop in the direction of the camp, hoping that the animal would not stop or get lost before it reached its intended destination.

For three years the small Muslim community lived a life of hardship and deprivation, but although they suffered from hunger and thirst, and from exposure to heat and cold, this was a time in which the hearts of the first Muslims were both purified and also filled with the light of knowledge and wisdom. The Muslims knew that they were following the truth, and so nothing else mattered. They did not care what the Quraish did to them or said about them. Allah and His Messenger were enough for them!

It was during this period that the Muslims who had sought shelter in Abyssinia returned, only to find the situation even worse than when they had left it. Not long after, many of them returned to Abyssinia, their numbers swelled by those whom the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had told to accompany them. Finally the boycott was lifted and the Muslims were allowed to re enter the city; but the three years of hardship had taken their toll. First of all the Prophet’s uncle, Abu Talib, who was by then more than eighty years old, died; and then a few months later, during the month of Ramadan, Khadijah also died, at the age of sixty-five, may Allah be pleased with her. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) mourned her deeply. They had shared twenty-five years of marriage together and she had given birth to five of his children. Only one of the Prophet’s future wives, Maria the Copt, would give him another child, Ibrahim, and he, like Qasim, was destined to die when he was still very young, at the age of eighteen months.

Khadijah had been the first to publicly accept Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) as the Messenger of Allah, and she had never stopped doing all she could to help him. Love and mercy had grown between them, increasing in quality and depth as the years passed by, and not even death could take this love away. The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) never stopped loving Khadijah, and although he married several more wives in later years and loved them all, it is clear that Khadijah always had a special place in his heart. Indeed whenever ‘Aisha, his third wife, heard the Prophet speak of Khadijah, or saw him sending food to Khadijah’s old friends and relatives, she could not help feeling jealous of her, because of the love that the Prophet still had for her.

Once Aisha asked him if Khadijah had been the only woman worthy of his love. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) replied: “She believed in me when no one else did; she accepted Islam when people rejected me; and she helped and comforted me when there was no one else to lend me a helping hand.” It had been related by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that on one occasion, when Khadijah was still alive, Jibril came to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said, “O Messenger of Allah, Khadijah is just coming with a bowl of soup (or food or drink) for you. When she comes to you, give her greetings of peace from her Lord and from me, and give her the good news of a palace of jewels in the Garden, where there will be neither any noise nor any tiredness.” After the Prophet’s uncle, Abu Talib, and his first wife, Khadijah, had both died in the same year, the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and his small community of believers endured a time of great hardship and persecution at the hands of the Quraish. Indeed the Prophet, who was now fifty years old, name this year ‘the Year of Sorrow.’

In private his dearest wife was no longer present to share his life; and in public the insults that he received from the Quraish multiplied, now that he had no longer had the protection of his dead uncle. Even when he journeyed to Ta’if, a small city up in the mountains outside Mecca, to call its people to worship Allah, he was rejected and stoned by them. It has been related by Aisha that on his way back to Mecca, Jibril appeared to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and said, “Allah, may He be exalted and glorified, has heard what the people have said to you and how they have responded to your invitation, and he has sent the angel in charge of the mountains so that you can tell him what you want him to with them.” Then the angel in charge of the mountains called out to him and greeted him and said, “O Muhammad, Allah has listened to what your people have said to you. I am the angel in charge of the mountains, and your Lord has sent me so that you can order me to do whatever you want. If you wish, I can bring the mountain of the outskirts of Mecca together so that they are crushed between them.” But the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said to him, “Rather I hope that Allah will make their descendants a people who will worship Allah alone, without ascribing any partners to him.”

It was a while after this that tfollowing Surah was revealed:

In the name of Allah, the Merciful, the Compassionate

By the morning hours, and by the night when it is stillest, Your Lord has not forsake you nor does He hate you, And truly what comes after will be better for you than what has come before, And truly your Lord will give to you so that you will be content. Did he not find you an orphan and protect you? Did he not find you wandering and guide you? Did he not find you destitute and enrich you? So do not oppress the orphan, And do not drive the beggar away, And speak about the blessings of Your Lord. (Quran 93:1-11)



And so it happened. After three years of constant struggle, a relative of his, called Khawla, went to him and pointed out that his house was sadly neglected and that his daughters needed a mother to look after them. “But who can take the place of Khadijah?” he asked. “Aisha, the daughter of Abu Bakr, the dearest of people to you,” she answered. Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) had been the first man to accept Islam and he was the Prophet’s closest companion. Like Khadijah, he had done all that he could do to help the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him), and had spent all his wealth in the way of Allah. However, while the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) was now fifty-three years old, Aisha as only a little girl of seven. She was hardly in a position to look after either the Prophet’s household or children. “She is very young.” Replied the Prophet. Khawla had a solution for everything. She suggested that he marry at the same time a lady called Sawda, the widow of Al-Sakran ibn ‘Amr.

Source: The Wives of The Prophet Muhammad by: Ibn Kathir

Role of women in call of Islam

The Role of Women in the Call of Islam
Dr. Mohammed H. Khlais Al-Harbi, Arab News


Women had a vital role in spreading the message of God. Throughout history women had participated in the intellectual and political struggle enduring all sorts of torture and intimidation. They spoke boldly and called for the true religion without fearing the loss of power or wealth. Lady Maryam (Mary), the mother of Jesus, is honored in the Qur’an and was revered by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). She is depicted in the Qur’an as an ideal model of virtue not only for women but for all mankind.

God addressed men and women alike. Historically, many women had played effective roles in the lives of prophets and their missions. They had their share in the Muslim society at all levels. This is illustrated in the story of Prophet Ibrahim who struggled against his people in Babylon, Iraq, fought Nimrod and was saved from fire by a miracle. He then migrated to Syria, then Egypt, with his faithful wife and companion Sarah. The Qur’an describes this trip and tells about the effective role of Hajara, Ibrahim’s second wife who came with him from Egypt to Hejaz. Hajara was the symbol of a woman with deep faith and endless patience, and she raised her son, Prophet Ismail in that valley to be the ancestor of the greatest Prophet Muhammad. The Qur’an says: “O our Lord! I have made some of my offspring to dwell in a valley without cultivation, by Thy Sacred House” (Ibrahim: 37).

The Qur’an mentions the mother of Prophet Musa and describes how she understood the divine message and protected Musa against the tyranny of Fir’aun. Then Maryam, the mother of Jesus and Asya, the wife of Fir’aun are both set forth by God as examples to be followed by all those who believe. The verses say:

“And Allah sets forth, as an example to those who believe, the wife of Fir’aun: When she said; “O my Lord! Build for me, in nearness to Thee, a mansion in the Garden, and save me from Fir’aun and his doings, and save me from those that do wrong”; And Maryam, the daughter of Imran, who guarded her chastity; and We breathed into (her body) of Our spirit; and she testified to the truth of the words of her Lord and of His Revelations, and was one of the devout (Servants).” (Prohibition: 11-12).

The fact that “Allah set forth” “an example to those who believe” proves a unique concept of faith related to woman: A role model for males and females. The wife of Fir’aun faced the power of that mighty ruler, and Maryam stood against the arrogance of the children of Israel and their plots against her. Similar to the important roles played in the lives of Ibrahim, Musa and Isa (Jesus) is Khadijah’s in the life of the Prophet Muhammad. Khadijah who was a noble and rich social figure in Makkah was the second person — after Ali — to embrace Islam, and she supported the Prophet all her life enduring all persecution and hardships. This is why the Prophet described the year in which she died as the Year of Grief. The Prophet described Khadijah’s role and his respect for her several times. He also mentions his other wife, Ayshah and his daughter Fatimah. These sayings reflect the Prophet’s and Islam’s acknowledgement of the importance of women to the human race. Islam respects woman for her vital role in protecting and supporting the prophets, notably Ibrahim, Musa, Ismail, Isa and Muhammad.

Allah in the Qur’an mentions women who received the Prophet Muhammad’s teachings, migrated to Madinah with him, and strived to support Islam. The verses that mention women in general are abundant, such as: “The Believers, men and women, are protectors, one of another: They enjoin what is just, and forbid what is evil!” (Repentance: 71).

“O my Lord! Forgive me, my parents, all who enter my house in Faith, and (all) believing men and believing women: And to the wrongdoers grant Thou no increase but in Perdition! (Noah: 28).

“One Day shalt thou sea the believing men and the believing women; how their Light runs forward before them.” (Iron:12). In these verses women are exalted to the noblest position a human being can have on earth and in the hereafter. Under the mission of Islam, males and females are considered peers that collaborate in faith to reform society, combat vice, and crime and promote virtue, peace and prosperity on earth.

The Qur’an describes the aura of glory around all believers, men and women, on the Day of Judgment facing the Lord and being rewarded for their deeds on earth.

A manifestation of the nobility of woman’s position in Islam is the fact that the first martyr in Islam was a female. Umm (mother of) Ammar ibn Yassir who was a companion of the Prophet. She was killed by Abu Jahl, a polytheist leader. All the oppressed and persecuted found in Islam salvation of their human rights and liberation from ignorance and fellowmen’s slavery. Many wronged women believed in the Prophet’s teachings at the onset of his mission. They endured hardships and persecution and had to flee to Ethiopia and to Madinah. They persisted in their belief in God and support of His Prophet.

The Muslim woman has not yet discovered her real position in Islam, nor has the Muslim man known the real entity of women in Islam. This explains the imbalance in relations and treatment that can be corrected only by going back to Qur’anic principles that define the rights and responsibilities of men and women. Women can be sure that, through Islam, their roles are valued and their rights are protected.