Umm Salamah- II

Her widowhood and marriage to the Prophet
In the third year of Hijrah(Migration of the Prophet from Makkah to
Madeenah), Abu Salamah fought in the Battle ofUhud. In that historic
andcrucial battle, his arm was wounded by a poisoned arrow shot by the
enemy. He later recovered after treatment, but could survive only for
a few months. His wound relapsed and ultimately he died.
Umm Salamah was immensely grief-stricken at the demise of her loving
husband. When the Prophet, sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam, heard about
this, he sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam went to offer condolences to her
and asked her to havepatience and bear the calamity with fortitude.
According to one narration, when the Prophet sallalaahu alayhi wa
sallam paid a condolence visit to Umm Salamah after the death of her
husband, hesallalaahu alayhi wa sallam asked her to pray Allaah to
grant Abu Salamah the lofty rank of the righteous and grant her a
better husband than him.
At this, Umm Salamah wondered who could be a better husband for her
than Abu Salamah . Seeing the forlorn state of Umm Salamah aftershe
was widowed, Abu Bakr sent her a proposal for marriage, which Umm
Salamah declined.
The Prophet, sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam, was greatly impressed with
the courage, which Umm Salamah displayed in facing the misfortunes and
adversities of life. He sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam was also highly
moved for her tragic situation and sent the proposal for marriage to
her through 'Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab . Umm Salamah consented, and in
Shawwal, the 4th year of Hijrah, her marriage to the Noble Prophet,
sallalaahu alayhi wa sallam, took place.
A Historical example of her wisdom
In the 6th Hijrah year, theProphet accompanied by his 1,400 companions
decided to perform 'Umrah (minor Pilgrimage). When Quraysh learned
about this, they decided to stop the Muslims from performing the
pilgrimage; but when theMuslims decided to fight them they feared and
signed a treaty with the Muslims, which consisted of several terms and
conditions which appeared to be unfair forthe Muslims as it prevented
them from performing 'Umrah that year.
The Prophet accepted these conditions in adherence to the Divine
Command instructing him to do so. Then the Prophet ordered the Muslims
to slaughter animals in sacrifice (indicating the end of the'Umrah
rites). But the Muslims hesitated in offering the sacrifice, which
grieved the Prophet .
Umm Salamah who was with the Prophet on this journey, heard this and
suggested to theProphet to offer the sacrifice, shave his head and
take off the Ihraam. The Prophet did so acting on her advice. When the
companions saw that the Prophet's command was irrevocable, they at
once sacrificed their animals and shaved their heads.
Her character:
Umm Salamah led a very simple and austere life. She was a devout
worshiper. Every month, she fasted for three days (other than the
fasting of Ramadhaan). Once, she wore a necklace, which had a little
amount of gold in it.The Prophet did not like her wearing even this
little amount of gold.So Umm Salamah immediately took it out.
Umm Salamah was very generous. She implored others also to give away
in the cause ofAllaah. Whatever she had, she would readily give away
to a beggar or a needy person.
Once, a few destitute people came to her begging for charity
importunately. Umm Salamah ordered her maid not to send them back
empty-handed, and if there was nothing in the houses, she should give
them just a few dates.
Umm Salamah has narrated 378 Hadeeths ofthe Prophet . In moral
excellence and nobility ofconduct, she ranks, among the Prophet's
wives, next only to 'Aa'ishah . She was an excellent reciter of
theQuran, and her style was much similar to the Prophet's. She was
endowed with exceptionally beautiful countenance, deep knowledge,
intelligence and sound judgment.
Her death:
After a life filled with faith and righteous deeds, the Mother of the
Believers, Umm Salamah died in the year 61 A.H., aged 84 and the
venerable Companion, Abu Hurayrah led the people in her funeral
prayer, after which she was buried in Al-Baqee' Cemetery in Madeenah.