Part 103

The Prophet (pbuh) used to go where they were tortured, commending their fortitude and heroism by saying¢

"Keep patient, Yassir's family. Verily, your meeting place will be in Paradise".

Upon hearing the Prophet's (pbuh) saying, Sumayya proudly recited, "I testify that you are the Messenger of Allah and that your promise is truthful." She did not bother about death so long as it was in the cause of Allah. Verily she tasted the joys of belief and witnessed Allah's reward by the eyes of her heart that belittle all what she met. Although her husband, Yassir passed away before her eyes, the tyrant atheists failed to convert her. Eventually, Abu Jahl stabbed her with his spear to be the first female martyr in Islam. May Allah have mercy on Sumayya the symbol of sacrifice and fortitude.

Asma’ Bint Yazid Ibn As-Sakan

She was Asma! bint yazid ibn as-Sakan, who was from the Helpers (Ansar). Asma' was called the preacher of women because she was eloquent, rational and religious. She was an ideal Muslim woman. She was among the Muslim women who came to the Prophet to give the pledge of Islam. Such a pledge was mentioned in the glorious Quran. Allah the Almighty says,

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Having given the pledge she was curious to know every thing about Islam. She kept listening to the Prophet's sayings and asking

him about some rulings concerning the Muslim woman. She was the one who asked the Prophet (pbuh (about the rulings of menstruation.

She was, therefore, the representative of women when asking the Prophet (pbuh) about any women affairs. Once, she came to him and said, "O Messenger of Allah. I stand for a group of women who are of my opinion. To proceed, Allah the Almighty has sent you to both men and women. Then we believed and followed you. We women are confined to homes, target to men's lusts, and bearers to their children. Yet, men have the privilege to attend Friday prayers, funerals and to fight in the cause of Allah. On the other hand, in case of fighting, we keep their property and rear their children. Would we share them in Allah's reward? Then, the Prophet looked to his companions and asked, "Have you ever heard a good question from a woman about religion like that? They replied, "You are right, Messenger of Allah." He said, "Go back Asma’ and tell all women you stand for that treating one's husband kindly, seeking his consent and obeying him are equal to all what you have mentioned

Asma’ was looking forward to fighting in the cause of Allah. Not until the battle of Yarmuk did this aim take place. She was among women who were at the back of Muslim warriors. She would block the way against whomever escaping from the battlefield until she made him return. She also provided the warriors with food and water and treated the wounded as well.

After this heroic life of knowledge and fighting in the cause of Allah, Asma’ died in 30 AH (may Allah have mercy on her.

Umm Salim bint Malhan

She was called ar-Rumaisa’ Umm Salim bint Malhan ibn Khalid ibn Zayd ibn an-Najjar. She got married to her cousin, Malik ibn anNadr. She was amongst the earlier Muslims to embrace Islam. She adhered to Islam although her husband, Malik rejected and did his best

She started to instruct her son, Anas to say the testification of faith: "There is no god but Allah and Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. The son repeated what her mother said but the atheist father said to Umm Salim. "Do not spoil my kid." She replied, "I do not spoil him but I would rather educate him".

Malik grew furious and remained an atheist. Furthermore, he decided to leave his home forever unless she converted. No sooner did

he leave the house than he was killed at the hands of one of his enemy.

Umm Anas devoted her life for bringing up the child after the death of his father. Later on she went to the Prophet (pbuh) offering him her son, Anas to be his servant she was pleased when the Prophet

agreed accepted Anas as his servant.

Abu Talha made a proposal to marry Umm Salim. He offered a precious gift as a dowry but she refused since he was still an atheist. She kindly refused him saying, "No one can reject the like of you Abu Talha. But you are an atheist and I am a Muslim. I am not allowed to marry an atheist one" She added "I want nothing but Islam." He asked, "who can guide me to that? She answered. "The Prophet (pbuh)." Thereupon the Prophet said, "Abu Talah came with the mark of Islam between his eyes." Another version of transmission stated that Umm Talha said, "By Allah, no one can reject the like of you, Abu Talha. But you are an atheist and I am a Muslim. I am not allowed to marry you. My dowry is to embrace Islam nothing else."[Reported by Al-Nasa'i[

Abu Talha was impressed by her words and loved her more and more. As soon as he uttered the testification of faith, she got married

him. What a precious and an invaluable dowry Umm Salim got! She was the only woman to get such an honorable dowry.

Having embraced Islam and approached its spirit, Abu Talha changed his mind completely and his soul was touched. He admired all the Islamic tenets and behavior, He was apprenticed like all companions at the hands of the Prophet (pbuh)

Abu Talah was a wealthy man. He had a well, which he valued it greatly. When Allah the Almighty revealed a verse that stated.

(By no means shall ye attain righteousness unless ye give (freely of that which ye love)

What I love most is Bayraha (a well of his own). Therefore, I give it in charity for the sake of Allah. I want Allah's reward by spending it. Thus, you may place it wherever you want, Messenger of Allah.

The Prophet (pbuh) commented.

"Oh Noh! That is great that is a blessed property (He repeated it twice). I heard what you had said about it. I think it is better to consecrate it for your kin." Then, Abu Talha distributed it among his Muslim kin."

Allah blessed them by a son. They called him Abu Umair. The child brought them joy and happiness. It was Allah's willing to test them by taking the life of their child. The father did not know about the

death of his son. Umm Talha, peacefully, covered the child saying. "To Allah we are destined to return." She asked her family not to tell Abu

Talha what happened to the child.

When Abu Talha went home, he noticed that she was happy. He asked her about the child and she said. "He is very quite." Then she brought him dinner. After dinner she wore a fascinating dress adorned and perfumed herself. She was so charming that he made love with her.

When she realized that he became satisfied and quite she asked him. What do you say if someone lend another something. Could he refrain of repaying it? He replied, "No" she said, "Our son was just a deposit from Allah and He restored him." Abu Talha got his nerve and said angrily. "You did not tell me before I became indulged in such impurity! But she kept admonishing him until he said. "To Allah we are

In the moming he went to the Prophet (pbuh) complaining of his wife's conduct. The Prophet (pbuh) said. "May Allah bless your

In that night she got pregnant. When she gave birth, she sent the child to the Prophet (pbuh) who chewed a date and then rubbed the child's mouth. The Prophet (pbuh) called him ‘Abdullah." (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)

It was narrated that of the progeny of that child there were seven boys who finished memorizing the Glorious Quran

There was also an astonishing story about Umm Salim. Once, a man came to the Prophet (pbuh) and told him that he was very poor. The Prophet in turn asked his wives whether they had something to entertain the guest. But they all replied that they had nothing. They said, “By whom He sent you with the Truth, we do not have anything but water." Then the Prophet (pbuh) openly said. "Who could receive him, may Allah have mercy on you?" One of the Helpers called Abu Talha said, "I could, Messenger of Allah." He went home accompanied by the man. He asked his wife, Umm Salim, "Do we have anything (to entertain the guest). She replied, nothing other than our kids' food" He said, "Let them sleep and pretend eating before the guest. When the guest starts eating, feign that your are repairing the lantern and then put

it out." Accordingly, they spent the night hungry.

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& And those who before them, had homes (in Madina) and had adopted the faith, show their affection to such as come to them for refuge, and entertain no desire in their hearts for things given to the (latter), but give them preference over themselves, even though poverty was their (own lot). 9

As for the role of Umm Salim in fighting in the cause of Allah, she, like many other Muslim women, took part in many battles of Islam. She had a great role in the battle of Hunayn where she encouraged the Muslim warriors, drank the thirst and treated the wounded. It was related that in the battle of Hunayn Umm Salim had a dagger. When Abu Talha complained to the Prophet by saying, "O Messenger of Allah, Umm Salim had a dagger." She said, "O Messenger of Allah, this is to defend myself and if an atheist approachs me I will tear his belly".