umm Salamah (RA) – Part 2
Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her) was one of the most intelligent and virtuous women, and a remarkable example of a woman known for sound judgment and wisdom. She gained a great deal of knowledge from the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and his teachings, becoming one of the most respected women of her time for her deep understanding of Islamic knowledge and jurisprudence. In addition, Umm Salamah (RA) accompanied the Prophet ﷺ on many expeditions. She was with him during the Battle of Khaybar, the Conquest of Makkah, the siege of Ta’if, and the campaigns against Hawazin and Thaqif. She also accompanied him during the Farewell Pilgrimage.
Umm Salamah in the House of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Al-Bayhaqi narrated in his Sunan from Umm Salamah (RA) that she said: ”In my house, the verse was revealed:
”Allah only wishes to remove impurity from you, O People of the Household, and to purify you completely.” (إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنْكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًا) (Quran 33:33).
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ then sent for Fatimah, Ali, Hasan, and Husayn and said, ”These are the members of my household.” I said, ”O Messenger of Allah, am I not also one of the members of your household?” He replied, ”Yes, if Allah wills.” This narration reflects the honor and special status of Umm Salamah (RA), as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ affirmed her connection to his household and acknowledged her among its members.
Umm Salamah (RA) was the reason for the revelation of a significant verse in the Quran. Umm Salamah (RA) once said to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ: ”O Messenger of Allah, why are women not mentioned in the Quran as men are? Many times, the Quran addresses men, while women are included implicitly in the address.”
She said: ”Then, suddenly, I heard the Prophet ﷺ calling out from the pulpit, announcing something. It seemed unexpected, and I was startled. At the time, I was combing my hair, so I quickly gathered it and went toward the door. I looked up toward the palm-tree branches that formed the roof of the mosque at that time, as the Prophet ﷺ was standing on the pulpit nearby. I heard him say: ”Indeed, Allah, the Almighty, says: ”Indeed, the Muslim men and Muslim women, the believing men and believing women…”’ (إِنَّ الْمُسْلِمِينَ وَالْمُسْلِمَاتِ وَالْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ) (Quran 33:35)
Thus, women were explicitly mentioned alongside men in the verse, demonstrating that the commands and rewards in the Quran generally apply to both men and women unless there is evidence indicating otherwise.
Umm Salamah’s Role at Hudaybiyyah
Umm Salamah (RA) played a significant role during the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, and the Prophet ﷺ accepted her opinion. She gave the Prophet ﷺ wise advice that helped save his Companions from incurring the displeasure of Allah and His Messenger. After the Prophet ﷺ had concluded the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah, he said to his Companions, ”Get up, slaughter your sacrificial animals, and shave your heads.” By Allah, none of them stood up, even though he repeated his command three times.
When no one responded, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ entered upon Umm Salamah (RA) and told her about the lack of response from his Companions and how deeply this had distressed him. Allah inspired Umm Salamah (RA) with a wise solution. She said, ”O Prophet of Allah, would you like them to obey you?” He nodded yes. She then said, ”Go out and do not speak to any of them until you slaughter your sacrificial animal and call your barber to shave your head.”
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ went out without speaking to anyone. He slaughtered his sacrificial animal and called his barber, who shaved his head. When the Companions saw this, they immediately got up, slaughtered their animals, and began shaving one another’s heads. Thus, Umm Salamah’s wise counsel helped resolve the difficult situation and prevented the Companions from disobeying the Messenger of Allah.
Imam Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani said: ”Her advice to the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ on the day of Hudaybiyyah demonstrates her great intelligence and sound judgment.”
The Death of Umm Salamah (RA)
Umm Salamah (RA) was the last of the wives of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to pass away. Scholars and historians differed regarding the exact year of her death. Some reported that she died in 57 AH, others in 58 AH, while some said 61 AH, after the death of Al-Husayn (RA). Another opinion places her death in 62 AH, during the reign of Yazid ibn Mu’awiyah. She was buried in Al-Baqi Cemetery in Madinah.
