(The Life of Ummu Sulaim [radhiyallahu ‘anha] #1)
While many of us may have heard of Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the Sahaabi who was renowned for the service he rendered to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), there are perhaps not many of us who are aware of his mother, Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha), and the sterling example she set for the women of the Ummah.
Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was one of the few, fortunate women whom Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would visit and whose homes he would bless with his noble presence. In this regard, Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) has mentioned, “Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would not enter the home of any woman, besides the homes of his respected wives (radhiyallahu ‘anhunna), except the home of Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha). When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was asked regarding this, he said, ‘I feel sympathy for her as her brother was killed with me (i.e. for the cause of Islam)’.”
Among the virtues that Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha) enjoyed was that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had given her the glad tidings of Jannah in this very world. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had said, “I entered Jannah (in a dream), and I then heard footsteps. So I enquired, ‘Who is this?’ The reply was given, ‘This is Ghumaisaa (radhiyallahu ‘anha), the daughter of Milhaan, the mother of Anas bin Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anhu)’.”
(Saheeh Muslim #6319 & #6320)
Note: There are approximately six views regarding the name of Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha). One of the views is that her name was ‘Ghumaisaa’.
Lesson:
Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and her sister, Ummu Haraam(radhiyallahu ‘anha), were both the aunts of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), either by being related to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) or through foster relations.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) ensured that he only visited the homes of his blessed wives and the home of Ummu Sulaim and Ummu Haraam (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma), who were his aunts.
In doing so, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) set the standard for the Ummah and practically taught us that a man and woman who are not mahram to one another should never be in seclusion – regardless of their level of piety. (Sharhun Nawawi – Saheeh Muslim vol. 2, pg. 291)