(The Life of Ummu Sulaim [radhiyallahu ‘anha] #6)
Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha) was fortunate to have none other than Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) frequently visit her home (as explained previously). She would utilize this unique opportunity to gain and secure as much blessing as she could from Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) mentions, “Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would enter the home of Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and would rest on her bed without her being in the bed.
One day, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came to her home and slept on her bed. When she was informed that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had come to her home and was asleep on her bed, she came and saw that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had perspired, and his blessed perspiration had gathered on a piece of leather on the bed (on which Rasulullah [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam] was asleep).
Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha) thus opened a small case (in which she stored her valuables, extracted a few glass bottles,) and began to dry the leather piece by squeezing the blessed perspiration of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) into her bottles.
At that moment, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) awoke and asked her, “What are you doing? O Ummu Sulaim!” Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha) replied, “O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)! We want our children to benefit from its barakah (blessings).” Hearing this, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) responded, “You are correct (in doing this).”
According to another narration, Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha) replied, “This is your blessed perspiration. We put it into our perfume, as your blessed perspiration is the most fragrant of all perfumes.”
(Saheeh Muslim #6055 & #6056)
When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) shaved his blessed head, in order to come out of the state of ihraam, then Abu Talhah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), the husband of Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha), took some of the blessed hair of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and gave it to Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha). She would then place this hair in her perfume.
(Musnad Ahmad #12483)
On one occasion, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) entered the home of Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and found a water skin that was hanging. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then took the water skin and drank directly from the mouth of the water skin.
After Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) had drunk, Ummu Sulaim (radhiyallahu ‘anha) cut off the mouth of the water skin (as the blessed mouth of Rasulullah [sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam] had touched it. Hence, she wished to preserve and safeguard it so that they would be able to derive barakah [blessings] from it).
(Shamaa-il Tirmizi #214)
Lessons:
1. Every Ummati of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) yearns for the opportunity to derive blessing from the blessed hair or any other blessed item that enjoyed a proximity or link with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). However, it is obvious that very few people are afforded this opportunity as Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is not in our midst. Hence, when we do not have these blessed items with us, then we should hold fast to that which we do have with us – the blessed sunnah and teachings of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam).
2. Just as our love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)makes us yearn to visit Madeenah Munawwarah so that we may present our unworthy salaam at the Rowdhah Mubaarak, that very same love should drive us to revive every single sunnah in our lives, as it is this that will please Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and become a source of immense barakah.