(Sayyidah Maimoonah [radhiyallahu ‘anha] – Part One)

Our respected mother, Sayyidah Maimoonah’s (radhiyallahu ‘anha) name was originally Barrah. However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had changed it to Maimoonah. (Mustadrak Haakim #6793)

Her mother was Hind bintu ‘Auf Kinaaniyyah who was known to be the person who had the most noble sons-in-law. (For further details, see here) (Al-Istee‘aab vol. 4, pg. 462)

Such was the level and stability of her imaan, as well as the imaan of her three sisters (viz. Sayyidah Ummul Fadhl, Sayyidah Salma bintu ‘Umais and Sayyidah Asmaa bintu ‘Umais [radhiyallahu ‘anhunna]), that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) personally testified to their imaan. (Mustadrak Haakim #6801)

Initially, Sayyidah Maimoonah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was married to Mas‘ood bin ‘Amr, who had subsequently divorced her. She then married Abu Ruhm bin ‘Abdil ‘Uzza, and he later passed away. Thereafter, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) married her in Zul Qa’dah 7 A.H., enroute to Makkah Mukarramah during the ‘Umratul Qadhaa, at a place called Sarif, which is approximately ten miles out of Makkah Mukarramah. His paternal uncle and her brother-in-law (i.e. her sister’s husband), Sayyiduna ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was her representative and also gave her 400 dirhams as mahr on behalf of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). (Mustadrak Haakim #6793 and Ibni Hishaam vol. 4, pg. 646)

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then entered Makkah Mukarramah, performed his ‘umrah, and remained there for three days, as per the agreement made with the disbelievers the year before on the occasion of Hudaibiyyah. On the third day, Huwaitib bin ‘Abdil ‘Uzza, Suhail bin ‘Amr, and a few others came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and told him that it was his last day and he must therefore leave. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) requested them to allow him to remain for a little longer so that he may consummate his marriage with Sayyidah Maimoonah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and even offered to prepare (waleemah) food and feed them. However, they adopted a very hostile approach and said, “We have no need for you nor your food. Leave!”

When Sayyiduna Sa’d bin ‘Ubaadah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) heard this harsh statement, he became infuriated and very firmly said to them that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) will only leave when he so wishes. However, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) calmly smiled and stopped him from being harsh towards them. He (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thereafter left Makkah Mukarramah and consummated his marriage in Sarif. (Mustadrak Haakim #6796, Al Istee‘aab vol. 4, pg. 469 and Sharhuz Zurqaani vol. 4, pg. 420)

In the year 51 A.H., Sayyidah Maimoonah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was in Makkah Mukarramah when her final illness commenced. She instructed those who were present to take her out of Makkah Mukarramah as Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had prophesized that she will not pass away in Makkah Mukarramah. They thus took her along and brought her to Sarif, where she passed away under the very same tree beneath which Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had consummated his marriage with her. Her nephew, Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah bin ‘Abbaas (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) performed her Janaazah Salaah, and went into her grave as well. He also advised those carrying her body, “Be gentle with her, for she is indeed your mother.” (Al Istee‘aab vol. vol. 4, pg. 470, Majma‘uz Zawaaid #15352 and Tabaqaat Ibni Sa’d vol. 8, pg. 140)

Thus, Sayyidah Maimoonah’s (radhiyallahu ‘anha) nikaah, consummation of her marriage, demise and burial, all occurred in Sarif. 

Insha-Allah, in the part to follow, some of her excellent qualities, as well as important lessons from her life, will be discussed.