RUMAYSA BINT MILHAAN
(UMM SULAYM)
OUTLINE
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INTRODUCTION
HER LIFE WITH MALIK BIN AN-NADR
HER MARRIAGE TO ZAYD BIN SAHL
HER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE PROPHET
HER ROLE AT THE BATTLES
HER VIRTUES AND OTHER ASPECTS OF HER LIFE
CONCLUSION
REFERENCES
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INTRODUCTION
• Rumaysa bint Milhaan ibn Khalid ibn Zayd ibn
Haraam ibn Jundub An-najjar
• Rumaysa bint Milhaan Al-Ansariyah Al-Khazrajiyyah;
Al-Ghumaysa
• Some historian says that her real name was Sahlah
or Rumaylah or Mulaykah bint Milhaan
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INTRODUCTION…
• She came from an illustrious family whose sacrifice
for Islam was remarkable.
• Rumaysa was recognized as an intellectual and
powerful woman before she embraced Islam.
• She had an autonomous approach, excellent
character and remarkable wisdom.
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INTRODUCTION…
• She was popularly known as Umm Sulaym, the great
Muslim lady and philosopher
• Umm Sulaym was one of the first women of Yathrib
to accept Islam
• She was first married to Malik ibn an-Nadr who
never accepted Islam till his death
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INTRODUCTION…
• She was instrumental to the acceptance of Islam by
Zayd ibn Sahl whose Islam was her mahr
• She was highly appreciated by Prophet Muhammad
( ‫) صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬
• She played great role at the Battles of Uhud and
Hunayn
• Indeed she was a woman of invaluable virtues
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HER LIFE WITH MALIK BIN ANNADR
• Umm sulaym accepted Islam while she was married
to Malik bin An-nadr, her cousin and first husband
• Their marriage was blessed with the famous Anas bin
Malik, one of the great companions of the Prophet
( ‫) صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬
• Her decision to accept Islam was made without the
knowledge or consent of her husband.
• She was influenced by the refined, dedicated and
persuasive Musab bin Umayr who was sent out as
the first missionary or ambassador of Islam
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• Malik bin An-nadr was absent from Yathrib at the
time and when he returned he felt some change had
come over his household and asked his wife:
"Have you been rejuvenated?" "No," she said, "but I
(now) believe in this man (meaning The Prophet
Muhammad ( ‫) ) صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬."
• Malik was not pleased especially when his wife went
on to announce her acceptance of Islam in public
and instruct her ten year old son Anas in the
teachings and practice of Islam.
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• She taught him to say ‘’THE KALIMAH’’
• The young Anas repeated the simple but profound
declaration of faith clearly and emphatically
• This made Malik furious. He shouted at her:
"Don't corrupt my son." "I am not corrupting him,"
she replied firmly and persisted in her Islam.
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• Consequently her husband left her and went away to
Syria where he was killed by an enemy after some
years.
• Malik bin An-nadr was a polytheist till his death
• The news shocked but apparently did not upset
Umm Sulaym greatly
• Thus Umm Sulaym became a widow and Anas an
orphan
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• She remained devoted to her son and was concerned
about his proper upbringing.
• She is even reported to have said that she would not
marry again unless Anas approved
• She decided to take Anas to the Prophet
( ‫ ) صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬in order to serve and learn from
him
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HER MARRIAGE TO ZAYD BIN SAHL
• When it was known that Umm Sulaym had become a
widow, one man, Zayd bin Sahl, a.k.a, Abu Talhah,
resolved to become engaged to her before anyone
else did.
• He was rather confident that Umm Sulaym would not
pass him over for another;
• one of Madinah’s strongest, best looking, and richest
men, whom many of the young Madinan women
were interested in.
• He was an accomplished horseman, skillful archer
and, moreover, he belonged to the same clan as
Umm Sulaym, the Banu Najjar.
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• On the way to Umm Sulaym's house, he recalled that
she had been influenced by the preaching of Musab
bin Umayr and had become a Muslim.
• "So what?" he said to himself. "Was her late husband
not a firm adherent of the old religion and was he
not opposed to Muhammad ( ‫ ) صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬and
his mission?“
• At Umm Sulaym's house, in the presence of Anas,
Abu Talhah explained why he had come; and asked
for her hand in marriage
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• To his astonishment, she told him,
“O Abu Talhah, do you not know that your god
whom you worship is just a tree that grew in the
ground and was carved into shape by the slave of
Banu so-and-so.”
He said, “Of course.
” She said, “Do you not feel ashamed to prostrate
yourself to a piece of wood that grew in the ground
and was carved by the slave of Banu so-and-so?”
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• Abu Talhah was stubborn, and hinted to her of an
expensive dowry and luxurious lifestyle
• But she persisted in her point of view, and told him
frankly:
‘’A man like you, Abu Talhah, is not (easily) turned
away. But I shall never marry you while you are an
unbeliever.’’
• Abu Talhah thought she was trying to put him off and
that perhaps she had already preferred someone
wealthier and more influential.
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• He said to her:
"What is it that really prevents you from accepting
me, Umm Sulaym? Is it the yellow and the white
metals (gold and silver)?“
"Gold and silver?" she asked somewhat taken aback
and in a slightly censuring tone. "Yes," he said.
"I swear to you, Abu Talhah, and I swear to ALLAAH
and His Messenger that if you accept Islam, I shall
be pleased to accept you as a husband, without any
gold or silver. I shall consider your acceptance of
Islam as my mahr."
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• Abu Talhah understood well the implications of her
words. His mind turned to the idol he had made from
wood and on which he lavished great attention
• The opportunity was right for Umm Sulaym to stress
the futility of such idol worship and she went on:
"Don't you know Abu Talhah, that the god you
worship besides ALLAAH grew from the earth?"
"That's true," he said.
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• "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? If you should give up these
foolish beliefs and practices and become a Muslim…’’
• "Who shall instruct me in Islam?" asked Abu Talhah.
"I shall," Umm Sulaym replied. "How ?"
• "Utter the declaration of truth, testifying that there is
no god but ALLAAH and that Muhammad is the
Messenger of ALLAAH. Then go to your house,
destroy your idol and throw it away."
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• Abu Talhah left and reflected deeply on what Umm
Sulaym had said. He came back to her beaming with
happiness.
• "I have taken your advice to heart. I declare that
there is no god but ALLAAH and I declare that
Muhammad is the Messenger of ALLAAH."
• Umm Sulaym and Abu Talhah were married. Anas,
her son, was pleased and the Muslims would say:
"We have never yet heard of a mahr that was more
valuable and precious than that of Umm Sulaym, for
she made Islam her mahr."
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• Umm Sulaym was pleased and delighted with her
new husband who placed his unique energies and
talents in the service of Islam.
• They were blessed with Abu Umayr & Abdullah
• Abu Talhah and Umm Sulaym had an exemplary
Muslim family life, devoted to the Prophet
( ‫ ) صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬the service of Muslims and Islam
• Abu Talhah died while he was on a naval expedition
during the time of the third Caliph, Uthman, and was
buried at sea.
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HER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
PROPHET
• Anas bin Malik narrated:
‘’The Prophet ( ‫ ) صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬used to visit Umm
Sulaym and she would present to him whatever she
had prepared for him…………..’’
• Occasionally, she would send her son Anas with bags
of dates to his house
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• Anas narrates that his mother once sent a gift of
ghee from the milk of her goat to The Prophet
( ‫…………… ) صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬
• Anas narrates that one day Abu Talhah came home
and told Umm Sulaym that the Prophet
( ‫ ) صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬sounded very weak, possibly he
was hungry. If there was some food in the house
they could have the honour of having him over for a
meal.
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• Sometimes also he would have a siesta in their house
and, as he slept, she would wipe the perspiration
from his forehead.
• It was noticed that the Prophet ( ‫) صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬
had a special compassion for Umm Sulaym and her
family and when asked about it, he replied: "Her
brother was killed while fighting alongside me."
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HER ROLE AT THE BATTLES
• She had set out on various military campaigns to
help provide water to the thirsty and nursing the
wounded
• She was also noted for her great courage and
bravery
• During the Battle of Uhud she was one of the women
who defended the Prophet.
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• During the Battle of Hunayn, when the enemy
suddenly attacked at dawn, showering down arrows
from the hills, the Muslims were taken by surprise
and many began to flee.
• A small group stood firm with the Prophet, one of
whom was Rumaysa bint Milhaan.
• Despite being pregnant at the time, she had armed
herself with a dagger to use against the unbelievers;
.............‘’She said: O Messenger of ALLAAH,
( ‫ ) صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬if any polytheist gets close to me I
will disembowel him with it.’’
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HER VIRTUES AND…..
• Jaabir bin ‘Abdullah, may ALLAAH be pleased with
him, said:
‘’The Messenger of ALLAAH ( ‫ ) صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬said:
‘I saw myself (in a dream that I) entered Paradise and
then I met Rumaysa the wife of Abu Talhah and I
heard a rustle so I asked: Who is that? He said: That
is Bilal.’’
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• According to Dhun Nun, PATIENCE is:
‘’An aloofness from extremes; calmness in the
face of the overwhelming chokes of trials and
demonstration of contentment at the outbreak
of poverty in the sphere of livelihood.’’
• Umm Sulaym presents to us an excellent example
of good disposition toward decree and trials
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• In the face of adversity, Umm Sulaym displayed a
unique calmness and strength.
• A son of Umm Sulaym (Abu Umayr) fell sick and died
while her husband was away looking after his
orchards.
• She prepared the child (for burial).
• She told others at her home not to inform Abu
Talhah because she wanted to tell him herself.
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• When he returned, she presented his dinner to him
• He took his dinner and thereafter had sexual
relations with his wife
• When she realized that he became satisfied and
relaxed, she asked;
"O Abu Talhah, do you think that if a people lent
something to a household, then asked for it back, do
they have the right not to return it?" He said, "No.“
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• She said,
‘’Your son is a loan from ALLAAH and HE has taken
him.’’
"Then resign yourself to the death of your son.’’
• Abu Talhah said;
‘’We belong to ALLAAH and to HIM is our return,
and he offered praises to ALLAAH.’’
• In the morning, he hastened to The Prophet
( ‫ ) صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬told him of his wife’s conduct the
previous night
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• The Prophet ( ‫ ) صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬said; ‘’May ALLAAH
bless you in (the result of) your night.’’
• Umm Sulaym got pregnant and had another son.
• She sent Anas with the baby and a bag of dates to
The Prophet who instituted tahneek for the newborn
and named him ‘Abdullah
• Uyyanah said: I saw seven boys belonging to that boy
(i.e. ‘Abdullah) all of them having memorized the
Qur’aan
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• Another incident involving Rumaysa and her husband
Abu Talha includes Abu Hurayra.
• It was known that Abu Hurayra lived in the
antechambers of the Prophet’s mosque and suffered
hunger at some time.
• Once Abu Hurayra went to The Prophet
( ‫ ) صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬and told him that he had not
eaten for days.
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• Abu Talha took him as a guest but unfortunately
there was little in his house to eat, as well.
• However, he said to his wife, Umm Sulaym, ‘Let the
children to sleep and pretend eating before the
guest.
• When the guest starts eating, put out the candle pretending to make its light brighter.
• No one sees in the dark whether one is really eating
or not. I will act as if I am eating, and thus our guest
can satisfy his hunger.’
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After the dawn prayer, ALLAAH’s Messenger turned
to them and smiled, saying: ALLAAH admired what
you did with your guest last night. This verse was
revealed concerning you:
“Those who made their dwelling in the city [Madina],
and in belief, before them [the Emigrants] love whoever
has emigrated to them, not finding in their breasts any
need for what they have been given, and preferring others
above themselves, even though poverty be their portion.
Whoever is guarded against the avarice of his own soul,
those – they are the prosperous”. (Al-Hashr; 59: 9)
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CONCLUSION
• Umm Sulaym was a model to the muslims; a model
wife and mother; …………….
• Her belief in ALLAAH was strong and
uncompromising.
• She was not prepared to endanger her faith and the
upbringing/education of her children for wealth and
luxury, however abundant and tempting.
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CONCLUSION…
• She was devoted to the Prophet ( ‫) صلى هللا عليه وسلم‬
and dedicated her son, Anas, to his service.
• She played an active part in public life, sharing with
other muslims the hardship and the joy of building a
community and LIVING FOR THE PLEASURE OF
ALLAAH.
• INDEED, SHE REMAINS ONE OF OUR TRUE ROLE
MODELS. MAY ALLAAH BE PLEASED WITH HER
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“Rajab is a month of cultivation, Shaban is month of
irrigating the fields, and the month of Ramadhan is a
month of reaping and harvesting.”
REFERENCES
• Sa’d Yusuf Abu ‘Aziz; Umm Sulaim - In Men & Women around the
Messenger, pg 537 – 540.
• Khaalid Muhammad Khaalid and Abdel-Hamid Eliwa; Umm Salim bint
Malhan - In Men & Women around the Messenger, pg 624 – 627.
• www.siddiqi.org/ rumaysa/rumaysa_bint_milhan.html
• www.sunnah.org/history/ Sahaba/rumaysa.html
• www.muslimblog.co.in/stories of sahabah/rumaysa-bint-milhan-andthe-unique-mahr
• theghurabah.blogspot.com Rumaysa Bint Milhan (r.a) The Ghurabah Islam, the Land and Mankind
• sailanmuslim.com The True Role Models For Our Sisters.
• Rumaysa Bint Milhanhttp://www.happy-books.co.uk/muhammad-ibnabdullah-lineage-and-family-tree/family-tree-diagram-of-lineage-andrelatives-of-prophets-and-companions in muslim history
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