Hadhrat Umm Aiman (May Allah be well pleased with her)

  Hadhrat Umm Aiman (May Allah be well pleased with her) is of that galaxy of women who had the honor of suckling and nursing the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  Earlier, she was the slave of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), who then freed her and married her to Hadhrat Zain bin Haritha (May Allah be well pleased with him).  She bore him Hadhrat Usama bin Zaid (May Allah be well pleased with him) who was titled “The beloved of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).”

 

        There are 3 opinions about the earlier master of Hadhrat Umm Aiman (May Allah be well pleased with her) and how she came to be the slave of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam):

 

1.  She was the slave of Hadhrat ‘Abdullah (May Allah be well pleased with him), the blessed father of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).

 

2.  She was the slave of Hadhrat Aamina (May Allah be well pleased with her), the blessed mother of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and came under the ownership of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) as His inheritance.

 

3.  Hadhrat Khadija (May Allah be well pleased with her) presented her to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) as a gift.

 

That she was one of the earliest people who embraced Islam at the hands of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) indicates the pure nature and virtuous temperament of hers.  She also has the honor of migrating twice for the sake of Allah and His Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  First, she went to Abyssinia and later to Madina.

 

Her blessed name

 

Her name was “Barakah.”  She was an Abyssinian.  Her Kuniyah was Umm Aiman as she had a son from her husband who was named “Aiman.”  Thus she became famous as Umm Aiman (May Allah be well pleased with him).  (Usdul Ghaaba, Vol. 3, Pg. No. 427)

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) respected her a lot and would often visit her house.  He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would use such words for her that would express maternal affection and her love for the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  As is related:

 

Translation: Umm Aiman is My mother after My real mother.  (Usdul Ghaaba, Vol. 3, Pg. No. 427)

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would often visit her.