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03. Hazrat Umm Kulthum Bint Rasool Allah ﷺ

UMM KULTHUM BINT RASOOLALLAH ﷺ

 

She was the Prophet’s fourth child, and the third daughter. She accepted Islam and migrated after the Prophet.

Though Umm Kulthoom did not migrate to Abyssinia and face the pain of being away from homeland and family, Umm Kulthoom remained with her younger sister, Fatimah in their father’s house in Makkah. She was assisting her mother, Khadeejah in shouldering the household responsibilities and easing the impacts of the Quraysh’s persecution on her father with her love and compassion.

Therefore, Umm Kulthoom lived, with her father, the severest periods of persecution, the hardest conditions in the cause of calling people to Islam and the cruelest days.

She had suffered what was greater than that migration and exile. For, she and her fellow Muslims, and the members of Banu Hashim clan were confined to the valley of Abu TaIib where they suffered indescribable hunger, starvation and isolation for three years. During this period, they suffered the cruelest treatment that we can imagine.

There, they lived in the most difficult form of embargo. They suffered the pangs of hunger so much so that some of them eat tree lives. They remained in this pathetic situation for about three years. Sometimes, food was smuggled to them, especially by some Makkans who had relatives among them.

The Muslims and Banu Hashim, lived in a place whose surface was harsh, suffering from scorching sun during the day and biting cold of the night. They lived in tents they erected for themselves.

How did they bring water to that arid place, how did they get their meals and what did they eat?

Had the boycott lasted for only few days, the answer to the above questions would have been easy, but they lived there for three years! This choking atmosphere had an adverse effect on many Muslims physically, psychologically and socially. A prominent manifestation of this evil effect was Khadeejah’s illness.

Umm Kulthoom’s role became manifest here, for she took care of her mother with all the experience, love and compassion that she possessed. In addition to this onerous and time-consuming task, she was also responsible for taking care of her younger sister, Fatimah.

Umm Kulthoom spent three years of her youthful life in struggle, patience and perseverance. Therefore, she suitably deserved the title: ‘The Confined of the Valley’.

Moreover, had Khadeejah recovered from her illness, the matter would have been easier for Umm Kulthoom and her patience would have been adequately compensated for. But the loving and affectionate mother could no longer bear the illness. She died soon after the end of the boycott.

A careful review of the life of Umm Kulthoom would show us that she had had the bitterest experience and trial: Her parents were living in sadness and pain; her sister, Zaynab and her husband were in Makkah and she could do nothing to help them; her childhood and life companion, Ruqayyah was away in a foreign land; her mother, Kbadeejah – mother of the faithful- was in a struggle with death in a severe illness; and the little Fatimah needed care and support!

Throughout these periods, Umm Kulthoom shouldered some of the greatest responsibilities. Yet, she was patient hoping to get her reward from Allah. She alleviated the sufferings, pains and sorrows of her father and she consoled her mother with these soothing words: “You won’t be any harm, mother!”


Marriage

 

Two years that were full of great events passed after the migration. During these two years, Umm Kulthoom witnessed the return of her father victorious from the battle of Badr. She also witness the death of her sister and companion Ruqayyah. When her sister Ruqayyah died, ‘Utlunan married her while she was a virgin in Rabi’ ul Awwal in the year 3 AH and she did not bear any children for him.

One day, ‘Umar ibn al-Khattab R.A. came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ enraged and complaining. When the Prophet ﷺ asked him of the matter, he informed him that he offered his daughter, Hafsah R.A. who had just been widowed in marriage to Abu Bakr and ‘Uthmfin and that both of them rejected. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ soothed him and said: “Hafsah will marry someone who is better than ‘Uthman and ‘Uthman will marry someone who is better than Hafsah.”

The Prophet said: Had we ten daughters, we would have married them to ‘Uthman.”

She lived with ‘UtJnnan for six years and saw how the glory of Islam reached the peak of power. She witnessed her father moving from one battle to another victorious, and her husband as favoured Companion and a selfless warrior who fought with his life and wealth.

She died in Sha’ban, the 9th year of hijrah. The Messenger of Allah buried her beside the remains of her beloved sister, Ruqayyah. Both of them were brought together, by Allah’s decree, in the house of ‘Uthman; and both of them were sheltered by one grave!!

May Allah be pleased with Umm Kulthoom the Prophet’s daughter and the Confined Lady of the Valley! May He let her reside in the abode of His righteous and pious servants!



Source:
https://learn-islam.org/




 

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