Answer
Short Answer:
- Umm Hisham, was a very virtuous Muslim woman. Allah blessed her with a righteous and generous family, proximity to the Prophet and his family, and knowledge of the Quran.
- Umm Hisham has narrated two hadith attributed to the Prophet.
- He also chose her to take the famous historic pact with the Prophet (Bayit Al-Ridwan), which carried the reward of Paradise.
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Asalaamu alaykum, and thank you for the question.
It goes without saying that it is praiseworthy and desirable for Muslims to gain knowledge of the life of the Prophet (peace be upon him). This allows them to get inspired by the righteous deeds and character of his noble companions. Umm Hisham bint Harithah was one such esteemed female companion of the Prophet.
By the grace of Allah, she has several accomplishments and virtues to her credit.
Who was Umm Hisham bint Harithah?
Umm Hisham was born to a family whose members all eventually embraced Islam. Her mother was named Umm Khalid, and she was from the Banu Malik tribe. Her father was named Harithah bin Nu’man.
He lived in the house next to the one in which Prophet Muhammad first stayed in Madinah. He was fortunate to have performed a singular good deed, several times. This was providing a house to the Prophet, each time the latter married.
All of these Prophet’s wives’ dwellings were stationed around the Prophet’s mosque, the Masjid Al-Nabawi.
A caring neighbor
As they say, the righteous actions of parents bear fruit for their offspring. The generosity of Umm Hisham’s father towards the Prophet resulted in much good for her. Her proximity to the Prophet’s wives’ living quarters facilitated her calling upon them regularly. She began to learn from them.
Also, she would often cook food and send it to the Prophet. Muslims today can only yearn for this good fortune; viz. a person being chosen by Allah to feed His Prophet!
Indeed, it is very true that a righteous person’s company rubs off on others. Umm Hisham gained knowledge of Islam from her neighbors. Namely, the Prophet’s wives – the mothers of the believers.
A narrator of two Prophetic traditions (hadith)
Umm Hisham has narrated two hadith attributed to the Prophet. One of them is quoted below:
It was narrated that Umm Hisham bint Harithah bin An-Nu’man said: “I only learned “Qaf. By the Glorious Quran.” behind the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). He used to recite it in Subh.” [Sunan Al-Nisai]
The above hadith indicates that Umm Hisham keenly listened to and memorized parts of the Quran. This action is proof of the purity of her heart. Since only a pure heart with sound creed loves to listen to, and retain, the Quran. Only a sound heart tunes in intently when the word of Allah is recited. The proximity of her living quarters to the Prophet’s mosque led to her high ranks of faith.
Glad tidings of Paradise
Lastly, Umm Hisham was yet again fortunate to be among another chosen group of Muslims. In the 6th year of Hijrah, a group of 1400 Muslims set out from Madinah with the Prophet, to perform Umrah. Events that happened henceforth culminated in the famous treaty of Hudaibiyyah.
Umm Hisham was one of those who pledged allegiance to the Prophet under a tree, during this journey. This famous pact came to be known as Bayit Al-Ridwan. The chapter of the Quran titled Al-Fath (“The Victory”) was revealed soon thereafter.
Prophet Muhammad gave the glad tidings of Paradise to all those who took Bait Al-Ridwan with him. He vouchsafed that none of them would enter the Hell-Fire.
Hence, it is obvious from this brief study of Umm Hisham, that she was a very virtuous Muslim woman. Allah blessed her with a righteous and generous family, proximity to the Prophet and his family, and knowledge of the Quran. He also chose her to take the famous historic pact with the Prophet, which carried the reward of Paradise.
May Allah be pleased with Umm Hisham, her family, and the rest of the Prophet’s companions. Ameen.
And Allah knows best.
I hope that this answers your question. Please stay in touch.
Walaikum Assalam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatuh.
Links consulted:
Great Women of Islam | Kalamullah.com
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