Umm Sulaym Bint Malhan (R.A)

Asallam Mualaykum,

I hope everyone is having a beautiful day today , you’re going to read about an outstanding woman whose life was filled with courage and many amazing qualities ..

Umm Sulaym (R.A.) was the mother of the famous companion of Rasulallah (S.A.W), Anas ibn Malik.

She was an intelligent, strong minded woman who was first married to Malik ibn an-Nadr. It was during this time that Rasulallah (S.A.W.) migrated to Madina and word reached her about this new religion called Islam. She noticed how Islam gave women their rights and dignity and became very interested in it. She decided to shun idol worship and to follow the Oneness of Allah (S.W.T.)

Umm Sulaym loved her husband Malik dearly, but when he refused to accept Islam after much persuasion from her, she had no choice but to leave him. He later passed on.

Then one day, came along a wealthy and most honourable man by the name of Abu Talha who belonged to the same clan as Umm Sulaym. He was an excellent horseman and skillfull archer who  possessed a striking house. He was almost certain that if he proposed to her, she would definitely accept.

On the way to her house, he remembered that she had become muslim. “So what?” he thought to himself, was her deceased husband not of the old faith?” When he explained to her why he had come, she said “A man like you is not easily turned down Abu Talha, but I shall never marry you while you are a non-believer!”

He did not believe her really, and asked her if the gold and silver he possessed put her off. She then said “I swear to you Abu Talha, that if you accept Islam, I would be pleased to accept you as a husband, without any gold or silver. I shall consider your acceptance of Islam as my mahr.”

I loved this part! Because, which woman would ever say this?? Accept Islam and you don’t have to give me any of the gold or silver you possess! We could definitely learn from her J

She went on to say” Don’t you know Abu Talha that the God you worship besides Allah, grew from the earth? “That’s true…” he replied.

“And don’t you feel stupid while worshipping part of a tree while you use the rest of it for fuel to bake bread or warm yourself???”

He left, and thought deeply about what she said, and returned to her, radiating happiness he said” I have taken your advice to heart. I declare that there is no God but Allah and I declare that Muhammed (S.A.W.) is the Messenger of Allah (S.W.T.).

Umm Sulaym and Abu Talha were married, and everyone was pleased as she was the only woman who had the most valuable gift as her Mahr, the gift of Islam. That is so beautiful..

Her Love for Rasulallah (S.A.W.)

Rasulallah (S.A.W.) would often visit them and sometimes take a nap while he was there, during which he would perspire and she would wipe his forehead and on awakening he would say “Umm Sulaym, what are you doing? “I am taking these drops of perspiration as a blessing which comes from you. The Prophet (S.A.W.) in return, had a special place for her in his heart as well. When asked about this, He replied “Her brother was killed beside me.”

The Type of woman she was - Extraordinary

I was very pleased to read about how, even before Islam, she was well known for having an excellent character and very powerful intellect.  She was an independent decision maker, which is great and shows us women, how important it is to educate yourself. When troubles hit her, she always had a sense of calmness and content displayed.

As a mother, an incident occurred which was sad, but displayed her true strength. Her young son Umayr fell ill and it was at this time that Abu Talha had to go on a mission in the cause of Islam, and he was therefore hesitant and didn’t want to leave little Umayr. While away, little Umayr passed on causing Umm Sulaym to feel very heartbroken. She gave him a bath and wrapped him in shrouds and thereafter begged the other’s in the house to control their emotions infront of their father as she would be the one to break the news to him. She was so considerate that the reason for this, was that she felt he needed rest after his long journey. So when he arrived, she assured him things are okay and hid her tears. After he had rested she said “Suppose that we borrowed something. Can we keep it?” He answered, “Certainly not. For a loan has to be returned.” She then said:”Know then that our child who was loaned to us from Allah has returned to his real owner.” He looked at her in shock and just as he was about to blame her, he saw the hurt she was feeling and how all this time she was silently suffering... this made him understand her words and also how caring and considerate she was, not bothered about her own hurt for a moment.

She was also a heroin who played an unforgettable role in war. She was a nurse serving the wounded soldiers and when defeat was close, she stood firm as a rock, while men fled from the enemy in all directions. During  the Battle of Uhud, she carried a dagger in the folds of her dress, thus displaying her  great courage and braveness. During the Battle of Khandaq, the Prophet (S.A.W.) saw this and asked her what she was doing? She replied that it was for those who desert”, meaning, she was not scared to take the place of a man on the Battlefield. “May Allah grant you satisfaction in that “was Rasulallah’s (S.A.W.) reply. During the Battle of Hunain, she was pregnant, but did not worry about that, and stood firmly with her husband next to Muhammed (S.A.W.) making sure no harm touched him.  This truly touched me, I actually had to stop writing for a bit to come to terms with this because I felt a few  tears  flow , at the amount of selflessness a woman could hold in her heart..

She is a perfect example of the values a true woman should display..

After writing this one, I felt like I understood the true meaning of how a woman ought to be.. intelligent, brave , courageous but most importantly independent minded enabling you to make decisions which are right and not to be influenced by anyone, to be caring, kind and to have a heart of gold..

Love,

Ayesha