A Prominent Sahabiya
(Female Companion of the Prophet
Mohammad (SAW)
Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) said, "Umm
Ayman is my second mother." Barakah 'who was a freed slave of his parents'
came back to Makkah with Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) to his grandfather'
Abdul-Muttalib. It was there that she showed all the love and affection she had
to Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). And any child in Hazrat Muhammad's (SAW) age then, no
matter how intelligent and self-dependent he may be, would still need someone
to care of him. 'Abdul-Muttalib, as it was known of him that he extremely loved
Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) was very keen in his care for him, especially since he
had heard many sayings and news and signs from here and there about the
importance and greatness of the future of Muhammad's life.
A group of men from Bani Mudlij tribe
once told 'Abdul-Muttalib, "Take care of him, for we have not seen a foot
that resembles the feet that are at Maqlim (Ibraheem) more than his."
'Abdul-Muttalib looked at his son Abu Talib and told him, Listen to what these
people are saying." It was there and then that 'Abdul-Muttalib entrusted
the care of Muhammad (peace be upon him) to Abu Talib, after his death. Hazrat Muhammad
(SAW) was in a pre-adolescent age. He would come to his grandfather, 'Abdul-Muttalib
in his court at the Ka'bah under whose shade they used to lay a carpet for him.
His sons would sit around the carpet until he came out to them. And none of
them would sit on this carpet as a sign of respect for him. But Muhammad (peace
be upon him) would come and sit on the carpet and his uncles would prevent him
from doing so. 'Abdul-Muttalib would then tell them, "Leave my son alone.
By Allah, he is going to be a greatly important person." He would then
make him sit down beside him on the carpet, and he would pat him on the back
and would be pleased with whatever he did.
Never did 'Abdul-Muttalib eat any food
without saying, "Bring my son to me." And he would be brought to him.
During the years in which 'Abdul-Muttalib took care of this great orphan, he
did not leave his domestic affairs or matters of his childhood unattended. He
would command his nurse, Barakah to be cautious with and treat Hazrat Muhammad
(SAW) with utmost kindness and gentleness. He told her once, "Barakah, Be
mindful of my son, for I had seen him with children near the lotus tree. The
people of the Scripture are saying that my son is the Prophet of this
generation."
Perhaps Barakah understood what that
meant or, to say it in a better way, had witnessed that with her own eyes,
heard it with her ears and understood it with her heart. She had a narration
regarding this. She said, "Two men from the Jews of Madinah came to me one
day and they told me, 'Bring out for us Ahmad (This is one of the names of the
Prophet) so that we can see him.' They then looked at him and scrutinized him.
One of them told his companion, 'This is the Prophet of this Ummah and that is
the place of his migration (referring to Madinah). There will be a lot of
killings and captive taking there'."
Barakah added, "When Aminah heard
of that she was scared and took him away. She later died at Abwa while on her
way back to Makkah.
