International Day for Women and Girls of African Descent – 25 July

Sahabiyyat of African Descent

Umme Ayman رضي الله عنها

Quick Recap

He full name was Barakah bint Tha’labah رضي الله عنها, commonly known as Umm Ayman.

She hailed from Abyssinia and lived as a slave in Makkah. She was taken captive from the army of Abrahah ― who planned to destroy the Ka’bah.

She lived the initial stages of her life as the servant girl of ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Abdul Muttalib, Rasulullah’s ﷺ father. ‘Abdullah passed away at a young age, prior to the birth of Rasulullah ﷺ so she was inherited by his unborn son.

Sayyidah Umm Ayman رضي الله عنها served as Rasulullah’s ﷺ nurse maid in his infancy. After the demise of his beloved mother Aaminah, she played the role of his mother, caring for him and nurturing him.

Rasulullah ﷺ would say affectionately, “Umm Ayman is my mother after my biological mother.”

Marriage

Rasulullah ﷺ freed Sayyidah Umm Ayman   رضي الله عنها when he married Khadijah رضي الله عنها. [Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 4375; Siyar A’lam al Nubala’, vol. 2 pg. 224.] She first married ‘Ubaid ibn Zaid, from the Banu al Harith ibn al Khazraj, and gave birth to their son, Ayman. Sayyidina Ayman RA made hijrah and participated in the battles. He was martyred during the lifetime of Rasulullah ﷺ. [Al Isabah, vol. 8 pg. 359; Munasarat al Sahabah al Afariqah, pg. 42; Tanwir al Ghabash, pg. 148]

After the passing of her first husband, Rasulullah ﷺ announced, “Whoever desires to marry a woman from the dwellers of Jannat should marry Umm Ayman.” [Tabaqat al Kubra, Hadith: 10345.]

Rasulullah’s ﷺ adopted son, Sayyidina Zaid ibn Harithah رضي الله عنها married her. They had a child whom they named Usamah.   رضي الله عنها [Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 4375; al Bidayah wa al Nihayah, vol. 2 pg. 301; Tabaqat al Kubra, vol. 8 pg. 162.] Here you have a family, each one of them are close to the heart of Rasulullah ﷺ. A blessed beloved family indeed!

She embraced Islam in the early stages and pledged allegiance to Rasulullah ﷺ. She has the great fortune of participating in both emigrations, the emigration to Abyssinia and then to Madinah, and is reckoned among the first emigrants. Abyssinia was her home land. She emigrated there with Rasulullah’s ﷺ daughter, Sayyidah Ruqayyah   رضي الله عنها [Munasarat al Sahabah al Afariqah, pg. 43.]