Sumayyah bint Khabat
Three brothers set out from Yemen to go to Makkah. They heard about this city and wanted to experience its culture and to partake of its various social activities. One was named Yasir
and the other two were named Harith and Malik. The latter two left to return home to Yemen after some time, but Yasir liked live there so much that he decided to stay on permanantly. According to the custom of the time he got the sponsorship and support of Abu Huthaifah bin ‘Abdullah Makhzoomi, and became his companion and partner. As they got to know each other better, they took a liking to each other. Abu Huthaifah had a very intelligent and sensible slave girl in his house, Sumayyah. In due course of time she got married to Yasir.
It was a happy marriage and soon they had a son whom they named ‘Ammar. Abu Huthaifah was a very kind, loving and generous man, and he liberated the family from his bondage; but he continued to keep good terms with them and very often helped them with cash as well. Yasir had two more sons, whom he named ‘Abdullah and Hareeth. The latter was murdered before the advent of Islam, and with this tragedy it seemed ill fortune started to haunt the family.
Sumayyah bint Khabat was one of the first seven people to be enlightened by Islam and swear allegiance to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). She is among the foremost of the greatest women Companions. Islam is unique in the sense that a person’s value does not depend on color, race, language, sex or nationality. The norms are purity of heart and goodwill towards all. As Allah says, “Verily, the most honorable of you with Allah is that (believer) who is most pious.” (49:13)
So, a person who wishes for his fellow human beings what he wishes for himself, who is kind to his fellow human beings for the sake of Allah, is the one who fulfills the conditions of the test set by Him.
The seven people who first accepted Islam during the Prophethood of Muhammad (peace be upon him) were the following:
1. Abu Bakr Siddique
2. ‘Ali bin Abi Talib
3. Khadijah
4. Zaid bin Harithah
5. Sumayyah bint Khabat
6. ‘Ammar bin Yasir
7. Bilal bin Abi Rabah
The Quraish of Makkah couldn’t harm the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) because of the power and position of his uncle Abu Talib. Abu Bakr Siddique was also a very powerful man because of the wealth of his tribe and his own personal influence. But the common Muslim, whether man or woman was not spared any imaginable torture or torment.
Sumayyah bint Khabat, her husband and her son ‘Ammar were very often the targets for the cruelty of the Quraish. On one occasion as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was passing by the marketplace he saw all three members of the family being put through the worst form of torture possible. But he was so helpless, that there was no way he could rescue them. He could only console them and said,
‘Be patient O family of Yasir!, for your final destination is Paradise.’
‘Uthman also narrated that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to say these words to comfort the family. Once ‘Ammar managed to escape and reach the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He then asked him when this persecution of the innocent Muslims would end, and when they would be able to breathe peacefully. He said that things were going way beyond all limits. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) then comforted him with a prayer to Allah to protect and save the family of Yasir from the fire of Hell.
Abu Jahl gave Sumayyah bint Khabat the worst kind of punishment, but she did not waver even for a second and remained as steady as a rock. He tried to pressure her, cajole with her and threaten her to recant, but she bluntly refused. He could not accept the fact that she could resist him so stubbornly, and in out of rage he thrust his spear into her. This proved to be a fatal blow, and she died. Thus, Sumayyah bint Khabat had the distinction of being the first woman martyr of Islam. This incident took place seven years before the Hijrah. Then her husband also fell victim to the torture of the Quraish, and he also died. After the martyrdom of both the parents, ‘Ammar took a special place in the affections of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). He used to address him lovingly as Ibn Sumayyah. He often spoke of the family of Yasir in the highest terms of praise.
‘Abdullah bin Mas’ood says the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said that when dissensions and disputes appeared among the people Ibn Sumayyah would always stand by the right and just.
This family sacrificed their lives, all in order to nourish the truth, and also to earn rewards for the Hereafter. It is about people like these that Allah says,
“Verily, Allah has purchased of the believers their lives and’ their properties for (the price) that theirs shall be the Paradise. They fight in Allah’s cause, so they kill (others) and are killed. It is promise in truth which is binding on Him in the Taurat and the Injeel and the Qur’an. And who is truer to His covenant than Allah? Then rejoice in the bargain that you have concluded. That is the supreme success.” (9:111)
Fatimah bint Prophet Muhammad
Fatimah bint Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was the youngest daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his favorite. She married his cousin ‘Ali bin Abi Talib and was the mother of the great martyrs of Islam, Hasan and Husain. She was born in Makkah a few years before her father was granted Prophethood. Though both Muhammad Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Khadijah already had three daughters before her they expressed great happiness at her birth. Going against the accepted custom, her mother did not send her beloved youngest daughter away to be breast fed in any of the surrounding villages, but kept her with her and nursed her herself. She loved her too much to entrust her to anyone else’s care. Some years later her father was declared by Allah to be His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and last Messenger.
Fatima and her mother and her three elder sisters – Zainab, Ruqayyah,
and Umm Kulthoom accepted Islam and believed in their father as Allah’s Messenger from the very beginning. She spent her early years under the loving and tender care of her parents. Zeal for the defense of what is sacred and love of the righteous was ingrained in her. She would protect her father and the cause of Allah against all odds and at all times, with courage and conviction. At the very tender age of ten she had gone through the siege of Shi’b Abi Talib. And it was by no means a short siege; it lasted for three long years.It was a total social and economic boycott, where children sobbed with the pains of hunger, and mothers and sisters were tormented by the sight of loved ones suffering. During this period she showed exemplary courage, but this terrible time left an effect on her health which lasted till the end of her life. Just the everyday chores like grinding wheat for bread, fetching water and cooking left her exhausted. When she asked her father for a slave girl from the prisoners of war to help her, he said he would give her something better. And then he taught her some special prayers exalting and glorifying Allah that would help to dispel her weariness.
‘Aishah said that she never saw anyone more devoted to the truth than Fatimah. She stood shoulder to shoulder with the other Muhajir and Ansar women of Makkah and Al-Madinah tending to the injured and the dying in the Battle of Uhud. When she saw her injured and bleeding father, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in the battlefield at Uhud she just could not take it. She helped to stop the bleeding and bandaged his wounds.
Before Muhammad (peace be upon him) proclaimed himself the Last Prophet of Allah Almighty, he was the most popular, loved and respected man among the Quraish. The most important decisions that had to be made were referred to his wise judgment. If people needed some valuable goods to be left in the care and trust of a reliable person, he was the man they turned to. He was such an eminent and successful trader even in his youth, that experienced businessmen were amazed at his shrewdness and insight. And when he married Khadijah, the wealthiest businesswoman, exporter and importer of her time, people were amazed. And he became even more sought after and popular. But once he announced himself to be the Allah’s Prophet and Messenger, his whole life seemed to turn around. The entire city seemed to be shaken by an earthquake, as it were. He became the most unpopular and reviled man in Makkah and was the center of a storm of objections and accusations. Those who wanted him to recant and give up his claims started using all kind of tactics – persuasion and torture. The streets he previously frequented were strewn with thorns and filth and garbage was thrown on him from balconies and rooftops. Elaborate plans were made to murder him. Naturally, all these trials and tribulations could not but leave a mark on his home life. Fatimah was passing the impressionable years of her childhood in the shadow of these events. Yet, her maturity was such that she faced all this with remarkable patience and determination.
She fought like a courageous little tigress to defend her father and protect him. She would stand in front of him to shield him from the attacks of devilish men like Abu Jahl, ‘Utbah and Shaibah.
On one occasion, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) went into the sanctuary of Makkah with some of his Companions and started to pray, the disbelievers had just then sacrificed a camel. The filth and bowels of the camel were lying there, when a horrible idea came to Abu Jahl. He asked who among his friends would like to lift all that filth and pile it on the back of Muhammad (peace be upon him). ‘Oqbah bin Abi Mu’eet, the lowest of the low among his friends, got up shrugged his shoulders with satanic glee, and said he would perform the task.
And he lifted up the bloody filthy mess and piled it on the Prophet’s back while he was in the act of prostrating before Allah. All of them then broke into peals of uncontrollable devilish laughter. When news of this dastardly act reached Fatimah in her house, she rushed to the sanctuary. Removing with her pure little hands all the filth she threw it into the distance. She then cleaned her father’s back. And furious at the brutal treatment given to her beloved father, she scolded the disbelievers. When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) finished his prayers, he lifted his hands in supplication and appealed to Allah to hold these men – Abu Jahl bin Hisham, Shaibah bin Rabee’ah, ‘Oqbah bin Abi Mu’eet and Omayyah bin Khalaf, in His relentless grip. These devils became very nervous because they knew that any supplication made at the sanctuary in Makkah is never rejected by Allah Almighty. And the Prophet’s prayers were answered. All these men were killed in the Battle of Badr, except ‘Oqbah bin Abi Mu’eet. He was taken prisoner and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) ordered him to be put to death. Trembling with fear, he asked what would be the lot of his children. Muhammad (peace be upon him) said they would go to Hell. He asked if he would be put to death in spite of the fact that he was a member of the tribe of Quraish. The Prophet (peace be upon him) answered in the affirmative. Then he looked up at his Companions and asked them if they knew what his crime was. Then he told them all this man’s doings. Once when the Prophet was prostrating before Allahg, this vile man placed his foot on his neck and pressed it so hard that his eyes almost popped out of their sockets. The next time again when he was in the same position of prostration he put offal and filthy blood soaked intestines of a camel sacrificed in the name of one of the idols on his back. Then he narrated how his beloved Fatimah removed it and cleaned his back and his clothes.
Once Abu Jahl was sitting with the disbelievers in front of the Ka’bah planning how to eliminate this man for the ‘crime’ of rejecting the idols installed there as helpless stones which lacked movement. They hated him for propagating the Oneness of Allah and for proclaiming himself as His Last Prophet and Messenger. Fatimah happened to pass by and heard him. She was so terrified of what these cruel barbarians could do to her beloved father that she went running to tell him of their dastardly plot. As she wept she told him they had sworn in the names of their most famous idols – Lat, Manat, ‘Uzza and Na’ilah – to kill him. All of them would get together and attack him the moment he stepped out of his house. She asked him innocently what would happen, as nothing could stop these men now. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told her to have faith in Allah, as He was her father’s Protector. He then got up calmly, made the ablution for his prayers and went to the House of Allah. When he passed Abu Jahl and his friends who were seated there, he looked up towards the Heavens, then turned his eyes downward. (Saying that Allah Almighty would cover their faces with dust), he picked up a handful of mud threw it in their direction. These people were so taken aback and overcome that none of them could stir from their places or speak. It was as if the fear of the Almighty had struck them dumb.
Once Fatimah passed by Abu Jahl bin Hisham on the street and he, for no reason, gave her a tight slap across the face. She went to Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Quraish, and complained to him about Abu Jahl’s cruel and uncivilized behavior. Abu Sufyan took her with him to the place where the uncouth barbarian was still sitting and told her to slap him in exactly the same way as he had done. When she went home and narrated this incident to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) he was very pleased at Abu Sufyan’s sense of justice and fairplay. He then prayed that his heart should be enlightened, and that he should accept Islam as the true religion. His supplications for Abu Sufyan were accepted and he finally swore allegiance to Allah and His Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
Seven years had passed since Muhammad (peace be upon him) declared himself to be Allah’s chosen Prophet. The whole might of the Quraish had not been able to silence him and his Message; the people who answered the call of Allah. were persecuted and tortured in every way possible.They were made to lie on layers of burning coals, and dragged naked across the burning desert sands, but they continued to recite the word of Oneness of Allah – ‘None has the right to be worshiped but Allah, and Muhammad is His Servant and His Messenger.’ The numbers of the believers kept multiplying, regardless of the consequences they might face in this world.
When Hamzah bin ‘Abdul Muttalib and ‘Umar bin Khattab accepted Islam, the whole of Makkah was shaken by an earthquake,as it were. The people started pushing the leaders to take some action as otherwise they would lose their hold and all their power and their pomp wouldfall into the dust and become a story of the past. Int he light of these new developments, Abu Jahl called a meeting of the richest and most influential people among the disbelievers. He asked them to suggest the best course of action to be taken against this new movement which was gathering strength against the religion of their forefathers. How could they stem this tide?
One of the devil’s right hand men, a libertine and worthless fellow, Nadhar bin Harith, was present at this meeting. He was an extremely cunning and devious man. His idea was to completely boycott these Muslims – socially and economically. No business, no trade no intermarriages – nothing should be allowed, he said. The tribes of Banu Hashim and Banu ‘Abdul Muttalib and the families who supported them and helped them should be ostracized as well. No food or water should reach them. A very alert and vigilant force should keep an eye on them to see that absolutely nothing reached them; in this way these people would perish and with them their new- born religion. This unusual plan appealed to all those present and was adopted unanimously. There were cries of acclaim from all sides and the Muslims went into a state of siege in Shi’ab Abi Talib.
This siege lasted for three years. Nothing could melt the hearts of the disbelievers. The screaming of hungry children, the sobbing of mothers and sisters, the helpless condition of the aged and the evil infirm – all this could not move their stony hearts. But every student of history was amazed to note that in spite of the worst siege in history being forced on the staunch followers of this new religion, not one – man, woman or child recanted and moved out. The truth and righteousness of their cause, the charismatic and magnetic personality of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was their strength. This crucible of suffering burned out all the impure elements and their faith grew firmer and purer. The richest woman of Makkah, Khadijah, her young daughters – the youngest Fatimah, barely ten years of age – stood like rocks by her father. They could give their lives for him. And in a sense little Fatimah did, because this mental and physical ordeal affected her health and physique for the rest of her life.
What is Divine Destiny? Who can fathom Allah Almighty’s will? Why did His loved ones who propagated His Faith have to suffer as if they had no one to help or assist them? Man’s vision is very limited and he cannot account for the workings of the Divine plan.
Those who live for material benefits cannot understand the workings of the minds of those who do not care for the pleasures of this world. Their trials and tribulations give them a spiritual strength that gives immeasurable and incalculable satisfaction. Their tears seem to purify their souls, wash away the impurities and enlighten their hearts and minds. When the suffering soul of the God-fearing and righteous weeps while prostrating, he is closest to Allah; perhaps this is why those beloved of Allah Almighty are made to suffer to achieve nearness to Him. For this is sure; lovers of truth are more deserving reward in the Hereafter than the lovers of evil.
Soon after the siege of Shi’b Bani Hashim was lifted, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and Fatimahand her sisters went through the trauma of losing their beloved Khadijah. She had fallen ill during the siege. Ten years passed since Muhammad (peace be upon him) declared himself to be the Messenger of Allah. It was at the same time that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) lost his greatest supporter and defender, his uncle Abi Talib. The disbelievers became bolder as they thought he was helpless. Fatimah, from a tender age, was facing all these troubles and experiencing them first hand side by side with her father. It was also at this time that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) went to Ta’if with the Message of Islam. The people there were like the Makkans; they welcomed him with stones and he left Ta’if injured and bleeding. But he did not curse these inhospitable and cruel people; on the other hand he prayed to Allah to guide them to the right path. — Umm Kulthoom and Fatimah were very upset and started weeping when they saw his condition. He affectionately wiped away their tears and consoled them. He said it was inevitable that Allah would help to spread His religion and make it triumph against all odds.
Easier times were bound to follow the hard and difficult days.
And sure enough Mus’ab bin ‘Omair who was the Prophet’s ambassador to Al-Madinah gave the good news that the people there were being drawn into the fold of Islam. They invited Muhammad (peace be upon him) to settle in their city, and promised to help him in any way they could. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) accepted their invitation and with the consent of Allah Almighty decided to migrate to Al-Madinah. He commanded his followers to start the process of migration, and he followed later in the company of his most trusted Companion, Abu Bakr Siddique. He left his two daughters at home in Makkah, with Saudah bin Zam’ah, whom he had married after the death of Khadijah.
He sent for them later, and thus these three ladies also had the privilege of becoming migrants for the cause. But the disbelievers could not bear to see them all moving out either. Some mischievous elements caught hold of them on the outskirts of Makkah. One of them was the evil Quraishi youth, Hawairath bin Naqeeth. He started jabbing at the camel on which the Prophet’s daughters were riding and the camel reared up in the air, and the two girls fell down. When he saw this he ran away. This little caravan continued on the journey borne by their spiritual faith and strength.
When they reached their destination, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) received them. He was very happy to see them alive and well. Those whom Allah Almighty protects, no one can harm them.
In the year 2nd after Hijrah, the battle of Badr was fought and ‘Ali showed exemplary courage, valor skill at fighting. The Islamic forces triumphed and archenemies like Abu Jahl and some other prominent leaders of the Quraish were killed in battle. Many of the disbelievers were captured as prisoners of war and brought to Al-Madinah. This victory lifted up the spirits of the Muslims as never before.
Fatimah was now eighteen years old and prominent personalities started proposing for her, but the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said he was waiting for a sign from Allah. One day ‘Ali came to see the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) but he was very shy and diffident and seemed to be holding something back. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) realized what was on his mind and asked him if he came to propose marriage to Fatimah. ‘Ali answered that he had. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) asked Fatimah. what she thought of the proposal. She started to weep silently. He then told her that ‘Ali was a learned, kind-hearted and brave young man. Fatimah accepted her father’s decision. He then asked ‘Ali if he had some money for the dowry. ‘Ali replied that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had seen his life from the cradle and knew his financial position very well. Then the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) asked him where his shield was, and said that would be the dowry for Fatimah. ‘Ali sent it to the market with his slave to be sold and got four hundred Dirhams for it. This he gave to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who asked him to keep the money and buy some things for the house and perfume for the wedding. Then he asked Anas bin Malik to bring his Companions – Abu Bakr, ‘Uthman, ‘Umar, Talhah, Zubair and other Ansar and Mohajir friends to attend the ceremony. When all these esteemed people assembled, he asked ‘Ali to read his own marriage speech. Then ‘Ali stood up and recited the words of the ceremony.
“‘All Praise is for Allah. We are grateful to Him for His Bounties and His Blessings. I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah, vouching for Him so it will reach Him and gain His Favor. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has married his daughter, Fatimah, to me and the Mahr has been fixed at four hundred Dirhams. Now all those present please listen to what the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has to say and bear witness.’”
After that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) praised Allah Almighty and recited the marriage ceremony, after asking Fatimah for her consent. He announced the Mahr and told all those present that Allah. had commanded him to have Fatimah married to ‘Ali. After that he prayed for a happy and blessed future for the bride and groom. Then dates were offered to the guests. All those present expressed their happiness and prayed that Allah should bless the newly married couple. The next day Hamzah bin ‘Abdul Muttalib slaughtered a camel to host a banquet to celebrate the wedding of his brother’s son, ‘Ali.
Some basic things were purchased for the house to which ‘Ali and Fatimah moved. A bed, a pillow filled with the leaves of dried date palm, a plate, a glass, a leather water bag and a grinding stone for grinding flour – these were the few things with which the daughter of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) set up her new home. The house that was available was quite a distance from the Prophet’s Mosque. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) wished his daughter could live closer to him, so that he could see her daily. When one of the Companion Harithah bin Nu’man Ansari, came to know of this he approached the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) very respectfully, saying he had a number of houses close to the Prophet’s Mosque and he was welcome to choose any one of them. This would make that particular house dearer to him. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was very moved by this offer and chose one for Fatimah, and prayed for increase and prosperity for his devoted follower. So, ‘Ali and Fatimah moved in and started the routine of daily life. It was usual for her to grind the wheat, fetch water from the well and cook their meals.
Since she was not very robust and healthy, the siege having left its mark on her, Fatimah used to get very tired with all this hard work. On one occasion after a battle, a lot of money, precious jewelery and prisoners of war, both men and women, were taken by the Muslim army. ‘Ali suggested that she should go to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and ask him for a maid to help, since she used to get very tired with all the housework. Fatimah went to see her father and request him for some help. He was not at home and she left a message with ‘Aishah. At night, before going to sleep, her father came to visit her. He told her that he would give her something much better than a slave girl. And he taught her some phrases in praise of Almighty Allah. These, he said, were better than any maid. And he taught her to recite thirty-three times Subhanallah (Glory be to Allah), thirty-three times Alhamdulillah (All praise is for Allah), thirty-three times Allah-u-Akbar (Allah is the greatest).
Fatimah spent her entire life as a God-fearing and pious servant of Allah. Always patient and grateful to her Maker, there was not a word of complaint from her, however difficult the circumstances. The world and its attractions held no charm for her. Her motto in life was always service for Islam and its Mujahideen. In the battles she was at the front nursing the wounded and the sick. When her father was injured in the battle of Uhud, it was she who burnt apart of a straw mat and used its ashes to stem the flow of blood. There is a narration in Sahih Al- Bukhari that when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was asked on one occasion whom he loved best in the world he named his youngest daughter, Fatimah.
‘Aishah, talking of Fatima, says she bore a remarkable resemblance to her father. She not only looked like him, but her way of speaking, sitting, standing and walking – in other words all her mannerisms and gestures were exactly like his. Whenever her father visited her she would receive him and kiss his forehead with reverence and respect. They were exceptionally close to each other and whenever she visited her father, he would stand up and receive her. It was as if she left the sweet aura of her personality wherever she went. If he saw her troubled or sad he would also be grieved, and if he saw her happy he would also be pleased.
One day the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) heard that there was some misunderstanding between’Ali and Fatimah so he went to meet them. On the way to their house he looked very troubled and sad, and when he left their house he seemed very much at peace. Some of his Companions noted that he was a different man while going to his daughter’s house and a different man on the way back. He replied that he just settled some differences between his two children who were very dear to him. And his happiness made his face glow. On one occasion ‘Ali made up his mind to marry Abu Jahl’s daughter. Somehow Fatimah came to hear about it and told her father that ‘Ali was planning to marry into Abu Jahl’s family; the Prophet was very disturbed when heheard this. He went to the mosque and gave a sermon, saying that Fatimah was a part of his heart and anything that made her unhappy displeased him. He said that the daughter of Allah’s Messenger and the daughter of His enemy could not be married to the same man. ‘Ali changed his mind and apologized to Fatimah, for any pain he might have caused her. And things went back to normal.
One day ‘Ali asked the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who was dearer to him, himself or Fatimah. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) answered that he loved Fatimah more, but ‘Ali was dearer to him than her. It was a masterly piece of diplomacy and yet it also was the truth, because he really did love both of them deeply.
Their first son was born to ‘Ali and Fatimah in Ramadhan of the year 3rd after Hijrah. When the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) heard the good news he was very happy and immediately went to see the child. He named him Hasan and recited the Athan for him. Then on the seventh day his head was shaved clean, and an amount of silver equivalent to the weight of the hair was distributed among the poor.
In Sha’ban of the year 4th after Hijrah, a second son was born. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) named him Husain, and in his ears too he recited the Athan himself. It is said a third son Mohsin was born but died in his infancy. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) loved these two grandchildren dearly. He used to say that they were like blossoms and would be the leaders of the youths of Paradise. Osamah bin Zaid says that one day he saw the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) carrying something wrapped in a sheet. He asked him what he was carrying. He opened the sheet and what should Osamah see, but these two little boys all wrapped up in their grandfather’s arms. He said that these were his daughter’s sons and he would love all those who loved them.
In the year 5th after Hijrah a daughter was born to ‘Ali and Fatimah, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) named her Zainab; in the year 7th after Hijrah another daughter was born and he named her Umm Kulthoom. When Zainab bint ‘Ali grew up she married ‘Abdullah bin Ja’far bin Abi Talib And Umm Kulthom married ‘Umar bin Khattab. They had two children Zaid and Ruqayyah. After his wedding ‘Umar bin Khattab asked the Muhajirs (immigrants) and the Ansar to congratulate him. They asked him for the reason. He said since he had married Umm Kulthoom, the daughter of ‘Ali bin Abi Talib, I had established links with the family of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and this was a very great honor for me. And every one wished him happiness and blessed him on this great occasion.
Ibn ‘Abdullah writes that whenever the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) came back from any journey or after taking part in a battle, he would first go to the his Mosque in Al-Madinah and pray two Rak’at (units), then he would visit Fatimah and then visit the wives in his household.
There is a miraculous incident related in Al-Bidayah wa An-Nihayah, once a lady sent Fatimah couple of pieces of bread and some roasted meat. She put this in a large plate and covered it with cloth. Then she sent a message to her father to come and have his meal at her house. When he arrived she removed the cloth and to her astonishment she found the plate full of bread and plenty of meat. She understood that this abundance and plenty had come from Allah. She praised Almighty Allah and asked Allah to mention and bless His Prophet and started to serve the meal to him, beginning with Allah Almighty’s Name. When he saw such a huge amount he smiled and asked who had sent it all. She promptly said Allah gave it to her and He provides sustenance to whom He pleased without limits. He smiled and thanked Allah Almighty that He had daughter to speak like Mary, Mother of Jesus. Then the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) ate of the meal with his daughter, son-in-law and the two grandchildren. Yet there was so much food still left over that it was sent to the Mothers of the Believers. They also ate their fill and then it was distributed among the neighbors.
‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbas .& says that when Surat An-Nasr was revealed the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) sent for Fatimah and told her that Allah had intimated to him that his life on earth was now drawing to a close. Islam was spreading and hordes of people were now turning to it. When Fatimah heard this she started to weep at the thought of separation from her beloved father. Then he told her that from among his family members she would be the first to meet up with him. At this she started smiling. When he fell ill and his condition started to deteriorate, she could not bear to see his suffering. He then told her that after that day he would never have to suffer again, as he felt he was about to leave for a better Hereafter.
In his book Asad Al-Ghabah, Ibn Atheer writes that after the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) passed away no one ever saw Fatimah smile. And her grief remained visible on her face till she passed away, six months later.
“To Allah we belong and to Him we return.” (2:56)
‘Aliand her four children – Hasan, Hussian, Zainab, and Umm kulthoom were left to mourn her death at a very young age.
She was given her final bath and shrouded by ‘Ali, Asma’ bint ‘Omais and Salamah Umm Raf and buried at night in al-Baqi’.
‘Ali, ‘Abbas, and Fadhal bin ‘Abbas placed her into her final resting place. Thus the leader of the virtuous women of Paradise set out on her journey to Paradise.
Juveriah bint Harith
Islam had begun to spread rapidly and a major portion of the Arabian Peninsula was under the influence of Islam by the year 5th after Hijrah. Al-Madinah had by now become the center of a stable
and rapidly expanding Islamic state. The Islamic forces were on a triumphal march, inspired by spiritual strength.
The tribe of Banu Khuza’ah was sympathetic to the cause of Islam and the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) except one of their branches, Banu Mustalaq, who planned to attack Madinah. The chieftain of this tribe was Harith bin Abi Dharar, who was an arrogant man drunk with his power and wealth. He had a beautiful daughter, Juveriah, who had been born just before the advent of Islam. She was brought up in the lap of luxury, and had all the refinements and graces of a princess. Intelligent and wise, she mastered language and literary style. This was an accomplishment much prized by contemporary Arabs. She was happily married to one of the rising youths of the tribe of Banu Khuza’ah, Musafa’ bin Safwan.
It was at this time that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) received news that Harith bin Abi Dharar was making elaborate preparations to attack the Muslim forces at Al-Madinah. So he sent one of his most trusted Companion, Buraidah bin Haseeb, to survey the situation and get facts and information about the enemy in order to work out an appropriate strategy. Buraidah met with Harith and many other important people who were close to him. He noted that there was a lot of activity and that the young men were busy making preparations for war. There were many weapons to be seen, and from his discussions with people it was quite obvious that they were planning to go to war. Buraidah came back and informed the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) of all that he had seen and heard. The Muslim forces were now alerted by their leader and they too started preparing for a battle. In no time at all an army of seven hundred was ready to leave, under their General, the Prophet Muhammad himself (peace be upon him). ‘Aishah accompanied him on this march.
The Marisa’ was an important strategic point for the tribe of Banu Mustalaq as it was the source which provided water for drinking as well as for other purposes. The Muslim forces reached this important position and sent a message to the Banu Mustalaq to accept Islam. If they did so they could continue to live in their lands in peace and security as before. But, instead of accepting Islam they came out on to the plains and declared war. One of the soldiers of Banu Mustalaq, shot an arrow which lodged in the body of a Mujahid. Wild fighting then broke out. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) ordered his troops to keep to their ranks and launch a united attack on the enemy, who were cornered and found no way of escape. Ten people were killed and about seven hundred captured. The husband of Juveriah, Musafa’ bin Safwan was among those who were killed. Among the captives there were women as well. The Mujahideen also got two thousand camels and five thousand goats.
On reaching Madinah, the spoils of war were distributed among the Mujahideen. According to the custom of those days, men and women were distributed as slaves. Juveriah bint Harith, was given to the famous companion of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), Thabit bin Qais Ansari. All who saw Juveriah were stunned by her exceptional beauty. Brought up as she had been in one of the foremost families of the time, she was not only beautiful but graceful, elegant and eloquent. At the first opportunity she went into the presence of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and pleaded her case with him. She told him that she was the daughter of a chieftain and used to command. Because of unfortunate circumstances she found herself in this helpless position. From a throne made of gold she had fallen into dust. She had been given to Thabit bin Qais Ansari for a ransom of gold; but from where could she get the gold to give in exchange for her freedom? How could she possibly live the life of a slave? She pleaded with the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to take notice of the pitiful and desperate condition in which she found herself.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was moved by her sorrowful plea and asked her if she would like to live as a free woman and be part of his household if he paid her ransom. She had never in her dreams expected this offer. Moved deeply by this unexpected elevation in her status, she exclaimed she would be more than happy to accept. She was freed, and swearing allegiance to Islam, she married Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
When the Mujahideen heard of her conversion and marriage to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) they too freed all the slaves of the tribe of Banu Mustalaq. So in this way not only did she become free, but she also became a Mother of the believers. This action of hers had the far-reaching result of liberating all her tribe from slavery. And thus Juveriah became a source of blessings for her tribe.
When ‘Aishah first saw Juveriah she exclaimed that she was as beautiful as a fairy. On another occasion she said she had yet to see a lady who proved to be such a source of blessings for her people. Through her, Allah blessed a hundred families of her tribe with freedom.
Before her marriage to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) her name was Barah, but Muhammad (peace be upon him) changed it to Juveriah. Zainab bint Jahash, Zainab bint Umm Salamah and Maimoonah bint Harith were also named Barah, but the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) changed their names as well.
In his book, Dala’l An-Nabuwwah, Imam Baihaqi has quoted Juveriah, as saying that, three days before the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) arrived she saw the moon coming towards her from the direction of Al-Madinah and falling into her lap. She did not like to talk about it to anyone, but when they were conquered and she was made a prisoner she hoped that her dream would be realized. Then the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) freed her and subsequently married her.
In his book ‘Siyar A’lam Nubala’ Imam Thahabi quoted her as saying that when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) married her she was a girl of twenty. Imam Thahabi adds that she was an extremely beautiful lady.
Some time later, her father and all the men who had been freed on the occasion of her marriage presented themselves before the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and accepted Islam as their religion. Thus, Juveriah was blessed with a twofold honor – first of freeing her countrymen from slavery, and then of bringing them into the fold of Islam.
Most of the time she would be found engrossed in prayer. On one occasion when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) left home he found her lost in meditation. On returning in the afternoon he still found her in the very same position of prayer and supplication. He asked her if she had been praying continuously since he had left. When she answered in the affirmative, he asked her if she would like to learn four small sentences that could earn her more reward from Allah than the whole morning’s prayers. Then he taught her the following sentence,
‘How perfect Allah is and I praise Him by the number of His creation and His pleasure, and by the weight of His Throne, and the extent of His Words.’
Both Muslim and Abu Dawood quote Juveriah narrating an incident similar to the previous paragraph. She said the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) told her that after leaving her in the morning he recited the above four sentences, three times each, and these earned him more reward from Allah than her whole morning’s prayers.
Ibn Sa’d recorded that from the lands taken after the Battle of Khaibar the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) fixed for Juveriah Wasaq of dates and 20 Wasaq of barley.
After the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) passed away the first Caliph, Abu Bakr Siddique fixed an equal amount to be given to the Mother of the believers for their household expenses. ‘Umar bin Khattab, however, fixed the sum of twelve thousand Dirhams for the rest, but for Juveriah and and
Safiyyah he fixed only six thousand Dirhams each. They naturally refused to accept this amount. He explained that the others got double the amount because of their migration. But they argued that he had given preference to the others. Then ‘Aishah pointed out to him that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) used to make no distinction and divide everything equally between his wives. So ‘Umar bin Khattab decided to revoke his decision and gave them all an equal stipend of twelve thousand Dirhams.
Juveriah died at the age of sixty-five in Rabi’ul-Awwal in the year 50th after Hijrah during the caliphate of Mu’Swiyah bin Abi Sufyan. The governor of Al-Madinah, Marwan bin Hakam led the funeral prayer and she was buried in al-Baqi’.
“O the one in (complete) rest and satisfaction! Come back to your Lord – well pleased and well pleasing. Enter you then among My (honored) servants, and enter you My Paradise.”
Zainab bint Jahash
Zainab bint Jahash was the daughter of Umaimah bint ‘Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim, who was the Messenger of Allah’s paternal aunt. Her brother was the distinguished general, ‘Abdullah bin Jahash. Another brother was a noted author of religious poetry, Abu Ahmad bin Jahash. Her sister was another famous women Companion, Hamnah bint Jahash. Her mother was Umaimah bint ‘Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim. Her paternal uncles were the ‘Leader of the Martyrs’ Hamzah bin ‘Abdul Muttalib, and ‘Abbas bin ‘Abdul Muttalib, who was renowned for his works of charity. Her paternal aunt was Safiyyah bint ‘Abdul Muttalib bin Hashim.
Known for her generosity and sympathy for the needy, sobriety and abstinence and devotion in prayer, she was first married to Zaid bin Harithah, the adopted son of the Prophet Muhammad. After her divorce she was married to the Prophet at the express command of Allah, in order to destroy the barbaric custom of giving the same status to adopted children as to their own flesh and blood. At the banquet given at her wedding the Ayah of Hijab was revealed.
She was an innately good woman who used to devote a great deal of her time to prayer and fasting. On her death she left a house which was bought by Waleed bin ‘Abdul Malik for fifty thousand Dirhams and included by him in the precincts of the Prophet’s Mosque at Al- Madinah. The Prophet told ‘Umar bin Khattab that she was a God fearing woman, hospitable, modest. She was so generous and soft-hearted that the poor and distressed of the city broke into tears when they heard they lost their benefactress and patron. She was also one of the fortunate who the Prophet Muhammad said would go to Paradise.
She was born about thirty years before the Hijrah of the Prophet Muhammad. She was influenced by the teachings of her brother, ‘Abdullah & bin Jahash, to convert to Islam. Beautiful, intelligent, wise and of noble birth she was the envy of many.
The increasing popularity and influence of Islam roused a towering rage among the Quraish; the new converts faced indescribable tortures. Some were made to lie on beds of coal, while others some were dragged naked across the burning desert sands. Still others were wrapped up in straw mats and strung over smoke, to suffocate them and stop them from breathing. Everyday saw new methods of the art of torturing these people who had sworn allegiance to the Allah. The sole purpose was that they should give up the belief and practices of Islam. Makkah became too small to hold both them and the Quraish. The Prophet Muhammad exhorted his followers and friends to be patient and brave, but finally he gave them orders to migrate; first to Abyssinian and then to Al-Madinah. Under the leadership of ‘Abdullah bin Jahash, the Jahash family set out. The caravan included the blind poet Ahmad bin Jahash, who was admired for his linguistic mastery. He wrote an epic poem depicting in detail the tortures inflicted by the Quraish, the reasons for migration and the heroic deeds of the Muslims. This poem is considered to be a masterpiece of Arabic literature.
Muhammad bin ‘Abdullah bin Jahash, Zainab bint Jahash, Hamnah bint Jahash who was the wife of Mus’ab bin ‘Omair and Umm Habibah bint Jahash, wife of ‘Abdur-Rahman bin ‘Auf, were all companions on this journey. Since all the members of the family left, their house was lying vacant. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Quraish occupied it. The very house in which people used to pray to Allah and read the Noble Qur’an, was now in the possession of idolaters.
‘Abdullah bin Jahash, was upset to hear this and on the occasion of the conquest of Makkah, he spoke to the Prophet Muhammad. When he saw this ardent follower in such distress, he asked him if he would not prefer to have a far better house in Paradise. Of course, ‘Abdullah replied, he would much rather have a house in Paradise. Upon which the Prophet Muhammad consoled him saying he did, indeed, have a better home there.
Time passed peacefully in Al-Madinah, and the ties between the immigrants and the Ansar, the original inhabitants created an atmosphere of brotherly love and affection. It seemed they were members of one united family. The best individual in the society was neither master nor slave, neither man nor woman, neither rich nor poor, but a God-fearing person of good character and morals.
In the context of such an ideal society the Prophet Muhammad suggested to his cousin Zainab that he had decided to get her engaged to Zaid bin Harithah, his adopted son and a freed slave. When Zainab heard this she was stunned; she told him that she was from a noble family and she was neither keen nor willing to marry a freed slave. She was doubtful if they could get along with each other. He answered that he had chosen Zaid for her and she should accept him. Before Zainab could answer him, an Ayah was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. This was Ayah of Surat Al-Ahzab,
“It is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision. And whoever disbelieves Allah and His Messenger, he has indeed strayed into a plane error.” (33:36)
Thus Zainab and Zaid were married, but separated as they were by totally different social backgrounds they were never happy, and their marital life was far from peaceful.
Zainab was biased and from the very beginning the relations were always strained. Zaid felt that the respect and importance that a husband should get from his wife was never given to him. Disappointed in his marriage, he went to the Prophet Muhammad and told him that he was very upset as he and Zainab seemed totally incompatible. The advice that he received from his mentor, Allah has incorporated in the Noble Qur’an,
“Keep your wife to yourself, and fear Allah.” (33:37)
But in spite of all the best efforts the marriage did not work out, and finally he divorced Zainab.
Arabs thought it was wrong for a man to marry the widow or divorcee of his adopted son. Allah wanted to abolish this uncivilized custom, so He sent the Angel Gabriel to tell the Prophet Muhammad in secret that Zainab would one day be his wife. He was very distressed as it was against the accepted norm of behavior. He feared social censure and was very ashamed and embarrassed at the implications. But the decision had been made in the heavens by Allah, and soon he received the revelation
“And (remember) when you said to him (Zaid bin Harithah) on whom Allah has bestowed grace (by guiding him to Islam) and you have done favor (by manumitting him): “Keep your wife to yourself, and fear Allah.” But you hid in yourself that which Allah will make manifest, you did fear the people (i.e., their saying that Muhammad married the divorced wife of his manumitted slave) whereas Allah had a better right that you should fear Him. So when Zaid had accomplished his desire from her (i.e. divorced her), We gave her to you in marriage, so that there may be no difficulty to the believers in respect of (the marriage of) the wives of their adopted sons when the latter have no desire to keep them. And Allah’s Command must be fulfilled.” (33:37)
When Zainab completed her period of waiting, the Prophet Muhammad sent her a proposal through Zaid bin Harithah. When he went to her, she was kneading dough; keeping his back turned to her, he gave her the Prophet’s message, that he wanted her to join the select group of the Mothers of the believers. She said she could not answer immediately, but would have to consult her Maker. She began praying to Allah for guidance. She was still in the middle of her prayer, when the Prophet received a revelation that the marriage had already been performed in the Heavens by Allah Himself. After this Heavenly order, the Prophet immediately went to Zainab, without observing any of the formalities that were observed with acquaintances and friends.
He did not inform her in advance nor did ask for permission. There are some exceptional points to be noted regarding this marriage.
• Only the order of the Quran was based as a guardian or a witness.
• It abolished a barbaric custom that equated a blood relationship with an adoptive one; in which the father could not marry an adopted son’s ex-wife or widow.
• Zainab used to say very proudly to the other Mother of the Believers that her marriage had been performed not by her family but by Allah above the Heavens with His beloved Prophet.
• When the hypocrites criticized the Prophet for this marriage, Allah replied,
“There is no blame on the Prophet in that which Allah has made legal for him. That has been Allah’s way with those who have passed away of (the Prophets of) old. And the Command of Allah is a decree determined. Those who convey the Message of Allah and fear Him, and fear none save Allah. And Sufficient is Allah as a Reckoner.” (33:38-39)
And to clarify the finer points still further he revealed Ayat which again are part of Surat Al-Ahzab,
“Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but he is the Messenger of Allah and the last of the Prophets. And Allah is Ever All-Aware of everything.” (33:40)
On this occasion Allah revealed the order clarifying the position of adopted sons as,
“Nor has he made your adopted sons your real sons. That is but your saying with your mouths. But Allah says the truth, and He guides to the Right Way. Call them (the adopted sons) by (the names of) their fathers, that is more just with Allah.” (33:4-5)
On the occasion of this wedding Allah revealed revelation regarding Hijab and also made it clear that no man could marry any of the Mothers of the Believers after the Prophet Muhammad. These two commands were revealed in Ayat of the same Surah,
“O you who believe! Enter not the Prophet’s houses, unless permission is given to you for a meal, (and then) not (so early as) to wait for its preparation. But when you are invited, enter, and when you have taken your meal, disperse without sitting for a talk. Verily, such (behaviour) annoys the Prophet, and he is shy of (asking) you (to go); but Allah is not shy of (telling you) the truth. And when you ask (his wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts. And it is not (right) for you that you should annoy Allah’s Messenger, nor that you should ever marry his wives after him (his death). Verily, with Allah that shall be an enormity.” (33:53)
‘Aishah said that in terms of values and position, Zainab was her equal. She said she had never seen any other person who was so eager to get closer to Allah. To gain nearness to Him she was more charitable than most, and her generous behavior with relatives was impeccable. When ‘Aishah was wrongfully accused, the whole of Al-Madinah was polluted with taunts and filthy talk; in fact even the Prophet Muhammad was disturbed. The Prophet asked Zainab what her opinion was of ‘Aishah. The noble character of this lady is revealed in her answer; she promptly said she did not wish to be involved, and did not want to defile and taint her ears, her eyes and her tongue with such terrible accusations. Swearing by Allah she said, she found ‘Aishah life, to be a truly God-fearing lady of exemplary character. She found in her the most wonderful traits of integrity, sincerity and honesty. She said she had not seen in her anything but goodness and virtue. ‘Aishah narrated that Zainab could have very easily have taken advantage of the situation and passed derogatory remarks about her, for after all, in a sense they were rivals. ‘Aishah says she never forgot the fact that she stood by her at the worst time in her life when almost the whole world had turned against her.
On one occasion Zainab called Safiyyah a Jewess and this deeply distressed the Prophet Muhammad. In fact he was so upset that he stopped talking to her. Zainab felt guilty and realized that she committed a grave mistake and offended the Prophet. Finally she requested ‘Aishah to advocate her case with him and tell him that she was sincerely repentant; she was the only one who could talk to him in such a direct manner. When the Prophet visited ‘Aishah she looked for an opportune moment and brought up the subject, pleading the case for Zainab. The Prophet forgave and family life returned to normal in the household.
When Zainab assed away ‘Aishah recalled an occasion when the Prophet Muhammad said that among the Mothers of the Believers, she would meet him first who had the longest arms. Zainab was short compared to the others and naturally her arms were also shorter. All the ladies took this statement literally and started measuring their arms. It was only upon the death of Zainab that they realized what this meant. It really meant that the person with the longest arms was the most generous or liberal person, who only thought of how she could benefit others. There was an implicit prophesy in this statement, which became clear when Zainab passed away. It meant she would meet him in Paradise before the others. And she passed away before any of the other wives of the Prophet. ‘Aishah says Zainab worked with her own hands, and what she thus earned she spent on works of charity. She says she was a God-fearing, straight-forward lady who practiced abstinence. All her actions were aimed at pleasing Allah. Sometimes she could lose her temper, but then she was quick to repent and ask for forgiveness. She was very pure at heart and never carried resentments and grudges.
The Prophet Muhammad had a very organized routine. After the ‘Asr prayers he would visit the different apartments to inquire about the well being of the ladies of his household. He was always very just in the attention he paid to them and the amount of time he spent with each one of them. Once Zainab received some special honey from a relative, and it so happened that this was the Prophet’s favorite. Whenever she offered it to him he would spend some time longer in her apartment, as it took time to really flavor and enjoy it. The other wives felt impatient and restless waiting for their turn with him. So ‘Aishah, Saudah, and Hafsah worked out a plan. Each of them would tell him that there was a peculiar smell in his mouth. And if all of them said the same thing he would certainly believe them and realize that the only thing which could have given him bad breath would have been the honey he just had. Since he was very concerned about personal hygiene, he would definitely stop eating the honey. Of course the three Mothers of the Believers did what they did, not out of spite, but because they loved him and wanted him to come to them sooner. In fact Allah has Himself spoken of them in the highest terms of respect in the Qur’an.
“O wives of the Prophet you are not like any other women.” (33:32
And it happened as they planned; the Prophet Muhammad developed a distaste for honey and decided he would never eat it again. In the case of an ordinary human being this may not have been a problem. But the Prophet Muhammad was swearing not to have something that actually was not forbidden by Allah this could lead to any follower of his also forswearing something not forbidden by Allah.
So Allah rebuked him,
“O Prophet! Why do you for bid (for yourself) that which Allah has allowed to you, seeking to please your wives? And Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful.” (66:1)
As a result the Prophet Muhammad broke the oath he had taken and performed the penance for this in accordance with the injunctions of Allah.
Zainab made a little mosque in a corner of her house and used to spend a lot of time there in prayer and meditation. The Prophet Muhammad would also pray there sometimes. She believed strongly in asking Allah for counsel through prayer and supplication, before taking any action. All her life’s major decisions were made in this way. In fact even when the Prophet proposed she turned to prayer for guidance.
This righteous lady died during the caliphate of ‘Umar Farooq at the age of fifty-three. When she realized she was about to meet her Maker, she told the people around her that she already prepared a shroud for herself. If ‘Umar Farooq sent one for her, one should be used and the other given away in charity. She was such a modest lady that a curtain was drawn in front of her dead body, even though it was wrapped in a shroud.
‘Umar Farooq led the funeral prayers and all her close relatives – Osamah bin Zaid, Muhammad bin ‘Abdullah bin Jahash, ‘Abdullah bin Abi Ahmad bin Jahash and Muhammad bin Talhah bin ‘Abdullah – got down into the grave to lower her gently into her final resting place in al-Baqi’.
“O the one in (complete) rest and satisfaction! Come back to your Lord – well pleased and well pleasing. Enter you then among My (honored) servants, and enter you My Paradise.”
Female Modesty in Nature
I was walking by the lake yesterday. I love seeing pairs of Mallard ducks. Green head; Brown head. Always together. Green head; Brown head. Male and Female.
Then it got me thinking Looking at the male, with his emerald green head, white ring around his neck, Gorgeous color. The Female,, mainly all brown.
When we look throughout nature, the males of many species are the most attractive. Male Peacocks with their beautiful feathers. Male Mallards with their shiny green heads while their females are brown. Male Cardinals with their bright red coloring while their females are brown. Lions with their proud manes, their females are short haired. It’s up to the male to impress the female. He may flaunt his feathers proudly to impress her. He may do a dance to impress her. He may be a male penguin that searches that entire beach for the perfect pebble to give to the female he wants to be his mate.
Many of these mates stay together for life. These ‘animals’ know the importance of their women.
Yet, when we look at humans, many of the women color themselves up, flaunting their bodies, many times desperately, for attention. Even letting men try them out for a while before they decide. Giving themselves less respect than animals. Many of the men don’t care to try to impress the women, since women in many societies have been made to feel inferior, worthless. Brainwashed into believing her body is her only asset.
Wake up, sisters. God didn’t create us to sell beer and cars. He didn’t create us to be eye candy or a fun-time for men. Don’t be desperate. Allow the man to impress you. Be proud of who you are and realize your worth. Don’t sell yourself short. There’s no need to flaunt our bodies or give him a sample taste.
We deserve at least the level of respect and recognition from men as what that modest little female duck on the lake gets from her mate.
