Among the illustrious women of Islam was the Sahaabiyyah, Sayyidah Ummu Shareek (radhiyallahu ‘anha), whose name was Ghuzayyah. She was married to a Sahaabi by the name, Abul ‘Akar (radhiyallahu ‘anhu).

Sayyidah Ummu Shareek (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was a wealthy woman of exceptional generosity, frequently hosting guests and spending abundantly in the path of Allah Ta‘ala. (Saheeh Muslim #7386)

Sayyidah Ummu Shareek (radhiyallahu ‘anha) embraced Islam while in Makkah Mukarramah. Thereafter, she began visiting the women of the Quraish secretly, encouraging them and inviting them towards Islam. Eventually, the people of Makkah Mukarramah became aware of her efforts. They seized her and said, “Had it not been for your tribe, we would have punished you severely! Nevertheless, we shall soon return you to them.”

They then mounted her on a troublesome and rough camel — the worst of their mounts — without a saddle or any padding, and departed on a journey. When the midday heat intensified, they would halt and erect their tents, taking shade beneath them, while leaving her bound under the scorching sun until she lost her reasoning, hearing and sight. They also deprived her of food and drink. This treatment continued for three days.

On the third day, they addressed her saying, “Leave that (religion) which you are upon!” Due to her extreme weakness, Sayyidah Ummu Shareek (radhiyallahu ‘anha) could comprehend only fragments of their speech. In response, she raised her finger towards the sky, affirming tawheed (the oneness of Allah Ta‘ala).

While she lay in that pitiable condition beneath the midday sun, she suddenly felt something cool upon her chest. Reaching out, she realised it was a bucket of water. She drank a little from it, whereupon it was lifted away. Looking up, she noticed that it was suspended between the sky and the earth! The bucket descended a second time, she took hold of it and drank, and once again it was raised. This continued repeatedly until she was completely satiated, after which she poured the remaining water over her face, body and clothing.

When her captors awoke, they were astonished to find her in a sound and healthy state, with visible traces of water around her. They exclaimed, “Where did you get this from, O enemy of Allah? Did you free yourself and drink from our water skins?” She replied, “The enemy of Allah is the one who opposes His Deen, not me!”. She then informed them of what had transpired and said, “This is sustenance that Allah Ta‘ala has provided for me.”

They said, “If you are true in what you are saying, then your Deen is better than our Deen.” They hastened to inspect their water skins and found them sealed exactly as they had left them. Upon realising the truth, they declared, “We bear witness that your Rabb is our Rabb, and the One who provided you with sustenance in this place, after what we subjected you to, is indeed the One who has ordained Islam.”

Thus, they all accepted Islam and migrated to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Thereafter, they continued to honour Sayyidah Ummu Shareek (radhiyallahu ‘anha), recognising the special divine assistance Allah Ta‘ala had granted her. (Hilyatul Awliya vol. 1, pg. 528, Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 8, pg. 155 and Usdul Ghaabah vol. 5, pg. 49)

Another version of this incident as well as another incident regarding Sayyidah Ummu Shareek (radhiyallahu ‘anha) may be found here.

Lessons:

1. When imaan penetrates the deepest recesses of the heart, it naturally gives rise to concern for the guidance and imaan of others. This motivated Sayyidah Ummu Shareek (radhiyallahu ‘anha) to visit the women of her community and invite them towards Islam, fully aware of the dangers she might face. Although this occurred before the establishment of the laws regarding hijaab and staying within the home, the timeless lesson remains: a true believer feels genuine responsibility for the Deen of others and seeks appropriate means to guide them.

2. Numerous opportunities to invite others towards Allah Ta‘ala present themselves each day. By seizing these opportunities, we follow in the footsteps of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum). Those closest to us — our family, relatives, neighbours, employees and those who serve within our homes — are among the most deserving of gentle guidance and sincere reminders.

3. Allah Ta‘ala tests His servants through trials and hardships; this is the inherent nature of this world as a place of testing. Even the Ambiyaa (‘alaihimus salaam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) endured immense difficulties for the sake of their imaan. During such times, one should never lose hope in Allah Ta‘ala for with every trial comes ease, as Allah Ta‘ala has promised.

4. While the ultimate reward for patience lies in the Hereafter, Allah Ta‘ala sometimes allows His servants to witness the benefits even in this world. Sayyidah Ummu Shareek (radhiyallahu ‘anha) experienced this clearly through the unseen assistance of Allah Ta‘ala granted to her for remaining steadfast upon her Deen. Her perseverance not only sustained her during extreme hardship but also led her captors to embrace Islam, earning her lasting honour and respect among the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum).