Umm-e-Habiba (رضي الله عنها) was the daughter of Abu Sufyan, the leader of the Quraysh. Her name was “Ramla” before she accepted Islam. Umm-e-Habiba (رضي الله عنها) was a sister of Ameer Muawiyah (رضى الله عنه). She embraced Islam along with her husband, Ubaydullah ibn Jahsh, and migrated to Abyssinia.
She endured the pain of living far from Makkah, her home town, and the difficulty of living in poverty, despite having come from a wealthy family. Then, her husband became a Christian, indulged in drinking, and soon died. Left all alone, she found life becoming even more difficult.
However, Islam for her was more precious than any other thing. She could endure any difficulty but could not give up Islam. She remained in Abyssin and followed Islam with all her heart.
Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) Sent Marriage Proposal to Umm-e-Habiba (رضي الله عنها)
When the news about Umm-e-Habiba (رضي الله عنها) came to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), he sent a message to her after her iddah period was up, and asked for her hand in marriage. This was a pleasant surprise for Umm-e-Habibah (رضي الله عنها). She accepted the proposal and the King of Abyssinia presided over the ceremony of the Nikah.
النَّبِيُّ أَوْلٰى بِالْمُؤْمِنِيْنَ مِنْ أَنفُسِهِمْ وَ اَزْوَاجُهُ اُمَّهَاتُهُمْ
The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is more worthy of the believers than themselves, and his wives are [in the position of] their mothers. (Surah al Ahzab: 6)
The King Najashi Read the Marriage Khutba (Sermon)
The Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم) side was represented by his cousin, Jafar ibn Abi Talib, and Khalid ibn Said from Umm-e- Habibah’s side acted as guardian. The King, Najashi, read the Khutba, or sermon, and performed the nikah with a dower of four hundred dinars, which he paid to Khalid ibn Sa’id, the appointed guardian of Umm-e-Habiba (رضي الله عنها).
King Najashi Offered the Marriage Food
After the Nikah was completed, Najashi said to the guests, “Have a seat. It is the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم) Sunnah to offer food when marrying.” Then the guests had a good feast offered by the King. Umm-e-Habibah (رضي الله عنها) remained in Abyssinia as the Mother of the Believers and united with the Prophet only after the victory of Khaybar, fifteen years her nikah to the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
Abu Sufyan Left Makkah to Meet Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) in Madinah
When the Makkans broke the terms of the Hudaibiyah peace treaty and massacred the Banu Khuza’a, who were allies of the Muslims, the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) decided to attack Makkah.
Abu Sufyan had sensed this, so he left Makkah as an envoy of the Quraysh to Madinah to meet the Messenger of Allah and to reaffirm the pact.
Umm-e-Habibah (رضي الله عنها) Refused to Let Her father Abu Sufyan Sit on Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) Mat
In Madinah, he went to the home of his daughter, Umm-e-Habibah (رضي الله عنها), the wife of the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), in the hope that she would help to persuade the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم). When Abu Sufyan entered her house, he wanted to sit on the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم) mat, but Umm-e-Habiba (رضي الله عنها) immediately folded it up and put it away. Abu Sufyan said, “O daughter! I do not know if it is better for me to sit upon this mat.”
Umm-e-Habiba (رضي الله عنها) quietly said, “It is the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم) mat and you are a disbeliever and impure. Therefore, I did not want you to sit on the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم) mat.” Abu Sufyan said, “O Daughter! You have surely been seized by something evil.”
Umm-e-Habiba (رضي الله عنها) immediately answered, “Allah has guided me to Islam.” Abu Sufyan left her home, wondering if she would ever help him in any way. Umm-e-Habiba (رضي الله عنها) lived for many years after the Prophet’s (صلى الله عليه وسلم) death.
Demise
Umm-e-Habiba (رضي الله عنها) passed away in Madina-tul-Munawwarah in 44 AH and she was buried in the Jannat-ul-Baqi cemetery next to the other wives of the Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
