The correct answer is Hazrat Umm-e-Salma (RA). Hazrat Umm-e-Salma (RA), whose real name was Hind bint Abi Umayya, was the last among the Mothers of the Believers (Umm-ul-Momineen) to depart from this world. Her life spanned nearly the entire formative... Read More
The correct answer is Hazrat Umm-e-Salma (RA). Hazrat Umm-e-Salma (RA), whose real name was Hind bint Abi Umayya, was the last among the Mothers of the Believers (Umm-ul-Momineen) to depart from this world. Her life spanned nearly the entire formative period of Islam, making her a witness to its birth, its struggles in Makkah, the migration to Madinah, and the expansion of the Islamic state. She was a woman of exceptional intelligence, political wisdom, and deep literary knowledge, often consulted by the companions for her understanding of Islamic law and the Prophet's (SAW) traditions.
Born into the wealthy Makhzum clan of the Quraysh, she was the daughter of Abu Umayya ibn Al-Mughira, a man so generous he was known as "Zad ar-Rakib" (the Provider of the Traveler). She and her first husband, Abdullah ibn Abdulasad (Abu Salma), were among the earliest converts to Islam. Their devotion to the faith was tested through extreme persecution, leading them to participate in the first migration to Abyssinia (Ethiopia).Later, during the migration to Madinah, she faced a heart-wrenching ordeal when her family was forcibly separated. For an entire year, she wept in the outskirts of Makkah until her relatives finally relented, allowing her to join her husband in Madinah. This period of her life is often cited as a testament to her immense patience and fortitude.
After the Battle of Uhud, her husband Abu Salma died from wounds sustained during the conflict. In the year 4 AH, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) proposed marriage to her. Initially hesitant due to her age and her children, she eventually accepted. Her entry into the Prophet’s (SAW) household brought a unique level of wisdom to the family.
One of the most famous instances of her sagacity occurred during the Treaty of Hudaibiya. When the companions were hesitant to sacrifice their animals and shave their heads out of disappointment over the treaty's terms, it was Hazrat Umm-e-Salma (RA) who advised the Prophet (SAW) to lead by example. She suggested that he should go out and perform the rites himself without speaking to anyone. When the companions saw him doing so, they immediately followed suit, averting a potential crisis of morale.
Hazrat Umm-e-Salma (RA) outlived all other wives of the Prophet (SAW). She remained a pillar of strength for the Ummah after the Prophet's (SAW) passing, narrating over 300 Ahadith, which provide deep insights into the domestic and spiritual life of the Messenger.
Her longevity meant she witnessed some of the most difficult periods of early Islamic history, including the tragic events of Karbala. It is recorded that she was deeply affected by the news of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). She passed away in Madinah around the year 61 AH or 62 AH (approximately 681 AD) during the reign of Yazid I. She was buried in the Jannat al-Baqi cemetery, marking the end of the era of the Mothers of the Believers. Her death was a moment of profound grief for the city of Madinah, as it closed the final living chapter of the Prophet's (SAW) household
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