WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.000 In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. 00:00:15.609 --> 00:00:17.609 Mawaddah Association is pleased 00:00:17.609 --> 00:00:19.899 to present to you: 00:00:19.899 --> 00:00:23.019 "Portraits from the Lives of the Female Companions" 00:00:23.019 --> 00:00:27.019 by Dr. Abd al-Rahman Ra'fat al-Basha, 00:00:27.019 --> 00:00:31.780 may Allah have mercy upon him. 00:00:31.780 --> 00:00:36.810 Al-Ghumaysa' bint Milhan, may Allah be pleased with her. 00:00:49.539 --> 00:00:56.119 Al-Ghumaysa' bint Milhan was, 00:00:56.119 --> 00:00:59.119 when Islam illuminated the earth with its light, 00:00:59.119 --> 00:01:03.119 a mature woman approaching forty years of age. 00:01:03.119 --> 00:01:05.120 Her husband, Malik ibn al-Nadr, 00:01:05.120 --> 00:01:09.120 used to shower her with his abundant love and tender affection, 00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:12.120 filling her life with radiance, ease, and comfort. 00:01:12.120 --> 00:01:16.120 The people of Yathrib envied that happy husband 00:01:16.120 --> 00:01:20.120 for his wife's exceptional intellect, 00:01:20.120 --> 00:01:23.120 foresight, and exemplary devotion as a spouse. 00:01:23.120 --> 00:01:26.180 Then, on one of Allah's immortal days, 00:01:26.180 --> 00:01:31.180 there arrived in Yathrib with the Meccan caller Mus'ab ibn 'Umayr 00:01:32.180 --> 00:01:36.180 the first ray of Muhammadan guidance. 00:01:36.180 --> 00:01:39.180 Al-Ghumaysa's heart opened to it, 00:01:39.180 --> 00:01:43.180 just as garden blossoms open to the first light of dawn, 00:01:43.180 --> 00:01:46.180 and she soon declared her Islam 00:01:46.180 --> 00:01:50.180 back when the Muslims in Medina could be counted on one's fingers. 00:01:50.180 --> 00:01:54.180 The loyal wife then invited her beloved husband 00:01:54.180 --> 00:01:59.180 to drink alongside her from this pure, sweet, divine spring, 00:01:59.180 --> 00:02:03.180 and to attain the happiness of faith that she had found. 00:02:03.180 --> 00:02:05.180 Malik ibn al-Nadr, however, 00:02:05.180 --> 00:02:08.180 felt no inclination toward the new religion, 00:02:08.180 --> 00:02:11.180 nor was he pleased with it; 00:02:11.180 --> 00:02:15.180 instead, he urged his wife to renounce Islam 00:02:15.180 --> 00:02:19.180 and return to the religion of their forefathers. 00:02:19.180 --> 00:02:22.180 Each spouse firmly held their ground: 00:02:22.180 --> 00:02:27.180 Al-Ghumaysa' detested returning to disbelief after having believed, 00:02:27.180 --> 00:02:30.180 just as one would detest being cast into the Fire, 00:02:30.180 --> 00:02:35.180 while Malik stubbornly clung to the faith of his ancestors. 00:02:35.180 --> 00:02:37.180 Al-Ghumaysa' 00:02:37.180 --> 00:02:41.180 possessed such strength of argument that she would silence her husband, 00:02:41.180 --> 00:02:44.180 and her call carried such light of truth 00:02:44.180 --> 00:02:48.180 as to expose his flimsy, crumbling falsehood. 00:02:48.180 --> 00:02:51.180 Malik had an idol made of wood 00:02:51.180 --> 00:02:53.180 which he worshiped besides Allah, 00:02:53.180 --> 00:02:56.180 and she would debate him regarding it, saying: 00:02:56.180 --> 00:03:01.180 "Do you worship a tree trunk that sprouted from the earth you trample beneath your feet 00:03:01.180 --> 00:03:04.180 and onto which you cast your waste? 00:03:04.180 --> 00:03:10.250 Do you invoke besides Allah a piece of wood carved for you by an Abyssinian carpenter among the craftsmen of Medina?" 00:03:10.250 --> 00:03:14.250 When the husband could no longer endure his wife's irrefutable arguments, 00:03:14.250 --> 00:03:16.250 he left Medina, 00:03:16.250 --> 00:03:21.250 wandering aimlessly toward the lands of the Levant. 00:03:21.250 --> 00:03:26.250 He did not remain there long before he died upon his polytheism. 00:03:26.250 --> 00:03:30.280 As soon as the news of al-Ghumaysa's widowhood spread throughout Medina, 00:03:30.280 --> 00:03:34.280 many men eagerly sought to marry her, 00:03:34.280 --> 00:03:38.280 were it not that they feared she would turn them away disappointed 00:03:38.280 --> 00:03:42.280 on account of the difference in religion between her and them. 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:46.280 However, Zayd ibn Sahl, known by the kunya Abu Talhah, 00:03:46.280 --> 00:03:51.280 was emboldened to seek her consent by the kinship between them, 00:03:51.280 --> 00:03:54.280 as both belonged to the Banu al-Najjar. 00:03:54.280 --> 00:03:57.500 Abu Talhah went to al-Ghumaysa's house 00:03:57.500 --> 00:04:00.500 and addressed her by her kunya, saying: 00:04:00.500 --> 00:04:04.500 "O Umm Sulaym, I have come to you as a suitor, 00:04:04.500 --> 00:04:07.500 and I hope I will not be turned away disappointed." 00:04:07.500 --> 00:04:11.500 She said: "By Allah, a man like you is not turned away, O Abu Talhah! 00:04:12.500 --> 00:04:16.500 But you are a disbelieving man and I am a Muslim woman, 00:04:16.500 --> 00:04:19.500 and it is not lawful for me to marry you. 00:04:19.500 --> 00:04:22.500 If you embrace Islam, that shall be my dowry, 00:04:22.500 --> 00:04:25.500 and I will demand no bridal gift from you other than Islam." 00:04:25.500 --> 00:04:30.540 He said, "Let me consider my matter," and he departed. 00:04:30.540 --> 00:04:34.540 The next day, he returned to her and declared: 00:04:34.540 --> 00:04:39.540 "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, without partner, 00:04:39.540 --> 00:04:43.540 and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger." 00:04:43.540 --> 00:04:47.600 She said: "Now that you have embraced Islam, 00:04:47.600 --> 00:04:49.600 I accept you as my husband." 00:04:49.600 --> 00:04:52.600 The people began to say: 00:04:52.600 --> 00:04:54.600 "We have never heard of a woman 00:04:54.600 --> 00:04:57.600 who had a more noble dowry than Umm Sulaym, 00:04:57.600 --> 00:05:00.699 for her dowry was Islam!" 00:05:00.699 --> 00:05:04.699 Abu Talhah rejoiced in all that Umm Sulaym possessed 00:05:04.699 --> 00:05:07.699 of noble character and virtuous traits, 00:05:07.699 --> 00:05:11.699 and his joy was further heightened when she bore him 00:05:11.699 --> 00:05:15.699 a baby boy who became the apple of his eye and the delight of his heart. 00:05:15.699 --> 00:05:19.699 But while he was preparing for one of his journeys, 00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:23.699 the little boy fell ill with an ailment that struck him, 00:05:23.699 --> 00:05:26.699 and Abu Talhah grieved over him so intensely 00:05:26.699 --> 00:05:28.699 that it almost kept him from traveling. 00:05:28.699 --> 00:05:32.699 During his brief absence, that tender branch withered, 00:05:32.699 --> 00:05:34.699 and the child was laid to rest in the earth. 00:05:34.699 --> 00:05:37.699 Umm Sulaym said to her household: 00:05:37.699 --> 00:05:40.699 "Do not inform Abu Talhah of his son's death 00:05:40.699 --> 00:05:42.699 until I break the news to him myself." 00:05:42.699 --> 00:05:45.819 Abu Talhah returned from his journey, 00:05:45.819 --> 00:05:48.819 and Umm Sulaym received him cheerful and smiling, 00:05:48.819 --> 00:05:50.819 full of warmth and good cheer. 00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:53.860 He immediately asked her about the boy, 00:05:53.860 --> 00:05:55.860 and she replied: "Leave him be, 00:05:55.860 --> 00:05:58.860 for he is now in the quietest and most tranquil state you have ever known him." 00:05:58.860 --> 00:06:01.980 She then set dinner before him 00:06:01.980 --> 00:06:05.980 and kept him company, bringing joy to his heart. 00:06:05.980 --> 00:06:08.980 When she saw that he had eaten his fill and was well rested, 00:06:08.980 --> 00:06:09.980 she said to him: 00:06:09.980 --> 00:06:11.980 "O Abu Talhah, 00:06:11.980 --> 00:06:16.980 tell me: if people lend something to others and then ask for it back, 00:06:16.980 --> 00:06:20.980 do the borrowers have any right to become angry or withhold it from them?" 00:06:20.980 --> 00:06:22.980 He said: "No." 00:06:22.980 --> 00:06:26.980 She said: "Indeed, Allah has reclaimed what He bestowed upon you, 00:06:26.980 --> 00:06:28.980 so seek your reward with Him for your son." 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:33.980 Abu Talhah received the decree of Allah with contentment and submission. 00:06:33.980 --> 00:06:36.019 When morning came, 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:39.019 he went to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:06:39.019 --> 00:06:42.019 and informed him of what Umm Sulaym had done. 00:06:42.019 --> 00:06:47.019 The Prophet prayed for him and her that Allah grant them a better compensation for what they had lost, 00:06:47.019 --> 00:06:50.019 and that He bless them in that replacement. 00:06:50.019 --> 00:06:55.110 Allah, Mighty and Majestic, answered the prayer of His Prophet, peace be upon him, 00:06:55.110 --> 00:06:57.110 and Umm Sulaym became pregnant. 00:06:57.110 --> 00:06:59.110 When her term was complete, 00:06:59.110 --> 00:07:02.110 she was returning to Medina from a journey, 00:07:02.110 --> 00:07:06.110 together with her husband and the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. 00:07:06.110 --> 00:07:08.110 As they drew near Yathrib, 00:07:08.110 --> 00:07:10.110 her labor pains came upon her. 00:07:10.110 --> 00:07:13.110 Abu Talhah stayed behind with her, 00:07:13.110 --> 00:07:17.110 while the noble Prophet, peace be upon him, continued on, 00:07:17.110 --> 00:07:21.110 wishing to enter Medina before nightfall. 00:07:21.110 --> 00:07:25.110 Abu Talhah raised his eyes toward the heaven and said: 00:07:26.110 --> 00:07:28.110 "Indeed, You know, O Lord, 00:07:28.110 --> 00:07:33.110 that I love to depart whenever Your Messenger departs, 00:07:33.110 --> 00:07:36.110 and to enter whenever he enters, 00:07:36.110 --> 00:07:39.110 but I have been detained by what You see." 00:07:39.110 --> 00:07:41.110 Umm Sulaym said to him: 00:07:41.110 --> 00:07:43.110 "O Abu Talhah, 00:07:43.110 --> 00:07:47.110 by Allah, I no longer feel the labor pains of this child 00:07:47.110 --> 00:07:49.110 that I was feeling before! 00:07:49.110 --> 00:07:51.110 So let us proceed, 00:07:51.110 --> 00:07:56.110 and do not fall behind the company of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him." 00:07:56.110 --> 00:08:01.110 They set out, and as soon as they reached Medina, she gave birth, 00:08:01.110 --> 00:08:03.110 and it was a boy. 00:08:03.110 --> 00:08:05.110 She said to those around her: 00:08:05.110 --> 00:08:11.110 "Let no one nurse him until you take him to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him." 00:08:11.110 --> 00:08:13.110 When morning came, 00:08:13.110 --> 00:08:16.110 his brother Anas ibn Malik carried him to the Prophet. 00:08:16.110 --> 00:08:20.110 When the Prophet, peace be upon him, saw him approaching, 00:08:20.110 --> 00:08:23.110 he said: "Perhaps Umm Sulaym has given birth?" 00:08:23.110 --> 00:08:26.110 Anas replied: "Yes, O Messenger of Allah." 00:08:26.110 --> 00:08:28.110 He placed the baby in his lap, 00:08:28.110 --> 00:08:31.110 called for a date of the 'Ajwah variety of Medina, 00:08:31.110 --> 00:08:34.110 chewed it in his noble mouth until it softened, 00:08:34.110 --> 00:08:37.110 and placed it into the infant's mouth, 00:08:37.110 --> 00:08:39.110 and the baby began to smack his lips on it. 00:08:39.110 --> 00:08:42.110 He then stroked his face with his noble hand 00:08:42.110 --> 00:08:44.110 and named him 'Abdullah. 00:08:44.110 --> 00:08:49.460 From his lineage came ten distinguished scholars of Islam. 00:08:49.460 --> 00:08:52.460 Such was the devoted love of Umm Sulaym 00:08:52.460 --> 00:08:56.460 that she loved the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:08:56.460 --> 00:08:59.460 with a love that permeated her flesh and bones 00:08:59.460 --> 00:09:02.460 and dwelled in the depths of her heart. 00:09:02.460 --> 00:09:04.460 Such was the depth of her love for him 00:09:04.460 --> 00:09:08.460 that her son Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, recounted: 00:09:08.460 --> 00:09:11.460 "The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:09:11.460 --> 00:09:14.460 was sleeping in our house one afternoon, 00:09:14.460 --> 00:09:16.460 and the heat was intense. 00:09:16.460 --> 00:09:19.460 Sweat began to pour from his forehead, 00:09:19.460 --> 00:09:21.460 so my mother brought a small glass bottle 00:09:21.460 --> 00:09:24.460 and began to collect the sweat into it. 00:09:24.460 --> 00:09:27.460 The Prophet, peace be upon him, awoke 00:09:27.460 --> 00:09:31.460 and asked: 'What are you doing, O Umm Sulaym?' 00:09:31.460 --> 00:09:34.460 She said: 'This is your sweat; 00:09:34.460 --> 00:09:37.460 I collect it and mix it with our perfume, 00:09:37.460 --> 00:09:39.460 and it becomes the sweetest of scents.'" 00:09:39.460 --> 00:09:44.460 Among the many testimonies to her love for the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him 00:09:44.460 --> 00:09:46.460 —and they are abundant indeed— 00:09:46.460 --> 00:09:51.460 was that her son Anas had a lock of hair dangling over his forehead. 00:09:51.460 --> 00:09:55.460 Her husband asked her to trim it for him after it had grown long, 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:57.460 but she refused, 00:09:57.460 --> 00:10:01.460 because the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, 00:10:01.460 --> 00:10:03.460 whenever Anas came to him, 00:10:03.460 --> 00:10:05.460 would stroke his head with his hand 00:10:05.460 --> 00:10:09.460 and touch that lock of hair hanging over his forehead. 00:10:09.460 --> 00:10:12.500 Nor were Umm Sulaym's virtues limited 00:10:12.500 --> 00:10:16.500 to being a believer of steadfast faith, 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:18.500 a woman of profound wisdom, 00:10:18.500 --> 00:10:21.500 and a first-rate wife and mother; 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:24.500 rather, she was above all that 00:10:24.500 --> 00:10:27.500 a warrior in the path of Allah. 00:10:27.500 --> 00:10:33.559 How often were her lungs filled with the dust of battle fragrant with the scents of Paradise! 00:10:33.559 --> 00:10:37.559 How often were her fingertips dyed with the blood of the mujahideen 00:10:37.559 --> 00:10:41.559 as she tended to their wounds and bound them firmly! 00:10:41.559 --> 00:10:44.559 How often did she pour water into the throats of the thirsty 00:10:44.559 --> 00:10:48.559 as they offered their lives in the path of Allah, 00:10:48.559 --> 00:10:52.559 carried provisions for them, and repaired their arrows! 00:10:52.559 --> 00:10:59.559 She took part in Uhud alongside her husband Abu Talhah with the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him; 00:10:59.559 --> 00:11:03.559 she and 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with them both, would continuously 00:11:03.559 --> 00:11:06.559 carry waterskins on their backs 00:11:06.559 --> 00:11:09.559 and pour water into the mouths of the wounded men. 00:11:09.559 --> 00:11:12.590 She was also present at the Battle of Hunayn, 00:11:12.590 --> 00:11:16.590 having taken a dagger that day and strapped it around her waist. 00:11:16.590 --> 00:11:19.590 When her husband Abu Talhah saw it, 00:11:19.590 --> 00:11:24.590 he said: "O Messenger of Allah, this is Umm Sulaym, carrying a dagger!" 00:11:24.590 --> 00:11:27.590 The Prophet, peace be upon him, asked her: 00:11:27.590 --> 00:11:30.590 "What is this, O Umm Sulaym?" 00:11:30.590 --> 00:11:33.590 She replied: "It is a dagger I took 00:11:33.590 --> 00:11:36.590 so that if any of the polytheists comes near me, 00:11:36.590 --> 00:11:38.590 "I will rip open his belly with it!" 00:11:38.590 --> 00:11:41.590 The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) began 00:11:41.590 --> 00:11:44.590 laughing with delight at what she said. 00:11:44.590 --> 00:11:47.590 Furthermore, do you think that upon the face of the earth 00:11:47.590 --> 00:11:51.590 there was any woman more blissful in happiness and more radiant in her final end 00:11:51.590 --> 00:11:53.590 than Umm Sulaym, 00:11:53.590 --> 00:11:57.590 especially after the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said regarding her: 00:11:57.590 --> 00:11:59.590 "I entered Paradise 00:11:59.590 --> 00:12:02.590 and heard a rustling sound within it, 00:12:02.590 --> 00:12:04.590 so I asked, 'Who is this?'" 00:12:04.590 --> 00:12:06.590 They said: 00:12:14.460 --> 00:12:16.529 "We have never heard of any woman 00:12:16.529 --> 00:12:19.529 who had a more noble dowry than Umm Sulaym, 00:12:19.529 --> 00:12:23.200 for her dowry was Islam itself." 00:12:23.200 --> 00:12:25.620 The people of Madinah