Prophet's Aunts
Tuesday, 06 April 2010
Written by Abdul-Rahim Ammar
It is reported that the Prophet had six paternal aunts:
1- Safîyah Bint `Abd Al-Muttalib:
She was the only Muslim aunt of the Prophet. She was married to Al-Hârith Ibn Harb Ibn Umayyah. Then she married Al-`Awâm Ibn Khuaylid after the death of her first husband. She had two sons from her second husband: Az-Zubayîr and AS-Sa'ib.
She accepted Islam and immigrated to Medina with her son Az-Zubayr.
Her Bravery:
During the battle of al-Ahzâb (Ditches) in 5 A.H., all infidels and Jews of Arabia had united and launched attack on the center of Islam – Medina. It was a very critical time for the Muslims. But they lost no courage. They sacrificed their lives and wealth for the sake of Allah and were determined to fight against the enemies of Islam until death.
At this situation, it was essential to protect women and children from the evil designs of the enemies within and the Jews of Banû Quraizah. Therefore they were shifted to the Fort of Fara'a by the Holy Prophet and Hassân Ibn Thâbit was appointed as their guard.
Though the Fort was very strong, yet it was not free from danger. The Prophet with all his companions was busy in defending Medina from the enemies of Islam. There was no barrier between this fort and the area of Banû Quraizah, One day a Jew happened to come this way, who tried to assess the situation in the fort. By chance, Safiyah noticed him and at once realized that he was a spy. And if he went back and informed the Jews of Banû Quraizah of the fact that there are only women and children in the fort, they might attack. Therefore, she asked the guard Hassân to kill that Jew. But he expressed his inability.
After receiving this reply from Hassân, that courageous lady came forward, pulled out a pole of the tent and hit on the head of the Jew who fell and died on the spot. After killing that Jew she ordered Hassân to chop off his head, but again he showed his reluctance. Finding no alternative, Safîyah herself cut off his head and threw down the fort.
When the Jews of Banû Quraizah saw the head of their fellow, they concluded that a battalion of the Muslim army was present in the fort; therefore, they had no courage to attack.
She died in 20 AH and she was nearly seventy years old.
2- Arwâ Bint `Abd Al-Muttalib
She was married to `Umayîr Ibn Wahib and had a son whose name was Tulayb. After the death of her husband, Kaldah Ibn `Abd Manâf married her and they had a daughter whose name was Fâtimah. She probably did not accept Islam, but there are some narrations that she accepted Islam. She was a fluent poet. She died in 15 AH during the Caliphate of `Umar Ibn Al-Kattâb.
3- `Atikah Bit `Abd al-Muttalib:
She was a wife of Abû Umayyah Ibn al-Mughîrah and they had two sons and a daughter. This disagreement among the biographers as to the issue of whether she accepted Islam or not. However, most of them view that she did not accept Islam.
4- Umm Hakîm Bin `Abd Al-Muttalib
Some narrations state that she was the twin of `Abdullah, the father of the Prophet. She was married to Kuryz Ibn Rabî`ah and they had two sons and two daughters. She probably died before the Message of Islam.
5- Burrah Bint `Abd Al-Muttalib
She was the mother of Abû Salamah Ibn `Abd AL-Asad, a great companion who witnessed the battle of Badr. She was a good poet like all he sisters.
6- Umaymah Bint `Abd Al-Muttalib
She was married to Jahsh Ibn Rayyâb Ibn Ya`mur and they had `Abdullah who witnessed the battle of Badr. Among her children also was `Ubayîd-Allah, `abd, Zaynab who was married to the Prophet, and Himnah.
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