The Al-Fateh Mosque (Bahrain)

A Prominent Sahabiya

(Female Companion of the Prophet Mohammad (SAW)

Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) Bint Milhan

The two sisters Hazrat Umm Sulaym and Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) are the most prominent women of Madinah in terms of virtue and piety. Their house, Milhan's house, was one of the dearest houses to the Prophet (SAW). We have already said something about that. Though Hazrat Umm Sulaym (RA) was able to attain a high status in the estimation of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) and to make her son, Anas serve him; and she was able to excel through her participation in Jihad, her sister Hazrat Umm Haram was not less important in the Prophet's estimation.

Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) married Hazrat 'Ubaydah ibn As-Samit (RA). He was one of the first Ansari men who took part in the Pledge of' Aqabah. He was one of the chiefs of his tribe. He was one of those who took part in the Battle of Badr. And he had never failed to attend any battle or campaign with the Messenger of Allah (SAW).

He was one of the heroes of the War of Apostasy and a martyr of the Battle of Yarmouk.

Hazrat 'Ubaydah (RA) was the first teacher and judge in Palestine; a position Hazrat 'Umar ibn al-KhaWib (RA) appointed him to. He witnessed the Conquest of Egypt and he was the leader of one quarter of the contingent.

He fought his first marine war to conquer Cyprus in the company of his wife Hazrat Umm-Haram (RA). The family house of Milhan was in Quba'. They lived among palm dates and plantations. They lived an honorable life amid springs of palatable water and pleasant breezes.

Quba' was the first place the Messenger of Allah (SAW) halted at when he was coming to Madinah as an emigrant. He was always compassionate with and thankful to this place. While he lived in Madinah, he would visit it every now and then.

Stories of the life of the Prophet (SAW) tell us that people, in pursuance of blessing and honor, were competing with one another to host the Messenger of Allah (SAW) on the day of his arrival, and throughout his way from Quba' to Madinah. We are also informed of his stay at Quba' for some days and nights in the dwellings of Banu 'Amr ibn 'Awf while his mosque Quba, the first mosque in Islam and the mosque of piety, was being built.

Whenever the Messenger of Allah (SAW) came to Quba', he would visit houses of his Companions and would have forty winks there. He would chat with them and teach them. All of them would rush to serve him and present to him kinds of food and sweet that he liked. Mi1han's house, which was the house of  Hazrat Umm Sulaym (RA) and Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) was a familiar house to the Prophet (SAW).

We have already mentioned that whenever he was asked about his frequent visit to that house he would respond that he went there to console its inhabitants, and he would add, "Their brother was killed while fighting on my side." It is therefore, a token of sense of obligation on the part of the Prophet (SAW) that the visits were made.

Here, it is necessary to mention the story of the martyrdom of their brother, Haram ibn Mi1han (RA). For, this event indicates the great extent to which Eeman had reached in the hearts of each member of his noble household. Haram set out with the delegates of reciters who were treacherously killed by 'Amir ibn at-Tufayl on the day of Bi'r Ma' oonah. These reciters were seventy in number, and they were all surrounded and killed. They were among the greatest Companions of the Prophet in terms of knowledge and piety. Their martyrdom had caused the Messenger of Allah (SAW) great sorrow.

Haram's martyrdom on that day is the highest example for the earlier and later generations! When he was struck by swords and spears, he screamed as loud as he could, "I won, by the Lord of the Ka'bah!" It is as he was undergoing a very difficult test, or he was in a market in which he was selling and purchasing. Then he saw himself as making profits. When some of the polytheists asked one another as regards what Haram meant with his proclamation, 'I won', while he was dying someone answered, "He meant Paradise." This is a magnificent extent to which the Eeman of the household of Mi1han had reached!

During one of His visits, Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) cheerfully received the Messenger of Allah (SAW). She then served him with his favorite food. The Prophet (SAW) then had his siesta in a section of the house. And after a short nap he woke up smiling. Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) asked him as to why he was smiling, and he said, "Some people among my followers were shown to me riding over the Green Sea like kings over their thrones." Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) then said, "O' Messenger of Allah, invoke Allah that he makes me one of them."

He then had another nap, and woke up again smiling. Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) thought that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) had seen something new and amusing that was different from what he previously saw. So she asked him as to why he was smiling. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, "Some people among my followers were shown to me riding over the Green Sea like kings over their thrones." Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) then repeated her request, "O' Messenger of Allah, invoke Allah that He makes me one of them." The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, "You are among the first."

Then many days and years passed. Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) accompanied her husband, the great Companion and the knowledgeable mujahid, 'Ubaydah ibn As-Samit to everywhere he went, especially after he had joined the Syrian army under the command of Abu 'Ubaydah, 'Amir ibn 'Abdullah ibn al- Jarrah.'Ubaydah took part prominently in all battles until the Muslims conquered the entire Syrian territories. Then a request came to Hazrat 'Umar ibn al-Khatab (RA) from the people of Palestine.

They needed a scholar who could teach them matters of their religion and a judge who could arbitrate among them and settle disputes. In order to demonstrate his confidence in 'Ubaydah, to show his recognition for his virtue, knowledge, status among the Companions and to underline his stand in the Prophet's estimation; 'Umar appointed him as the teacher and the judge for the Palestinians.

Hazrat 'Ubaydah (RA) and his wife Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) lived in Palestine. He discharged his duties in the best manner. This made him become popular and well-known and people respected his views and appropriateness of his decisions.

Throughout this period, Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) was a righteous wife to a righteous husband. She was never intoxicated by the position of her husband neither was she deluded by this world and its beauties.

Rather, she remained as she was when she came out of her humble house in Quba'. Of ten times, she would remember the dream that the Prophet had while he passed siesta in her house and his supplication for her to be one of the first ones to ride over the Green Sea fighting in the way of Allah and spreading the banner of Islam. She would reflect and go far with her imaginations, and she would cast her vision unto the horizons. Then she would come back to reality waiting for Allah's decree and actualization of the truthful Messenger's prophecy.

Hazrat 'Amr ibn al-'As left Palestine to conquer Egypt, for the Romans' presence there was a threat to the Muslims in Syria. He consulted the leader of the faithful, Hazrat 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA) and the latter gave his consent. 'Army went deep into the land of Egypt and fought the Roman army in a number of wars and defeated them. When he came to the Babylon fortress in old Egypt, he laid siege on it and the siege last for a long time.

Hazrat 'Amr (RA) sent to the leader of the faithful, Hazrat 'Umar requesting reinforcement. A reinforcement army was sent, a fourth of which was commanded by Hazrat 'Ubaydah. Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) accompanied her husband in this new war. The chivalrous 'Ubaydah was put to a meritorious test in the land of Egypt, moving here and there fighting in the way of Allah until the Romans were defeated and driven out.

Hazrat 'Ubaydah (RA) thereafter went back to Damascus in Syria and lived there. Hazrat Mu' awiyah ibn Abi- Sufiyan (RA) was then its governor. And he had been worried by its bays that were being attacked intermittently by the Roman army. Hazrat Mu'awiyah (RA) knew that the Cyprus Island was the marine station for Roman ships that attacked Syrian harbors. So he sent to 'Umar explaining the situations to him and asking permission to invade Cyprus and conquer it. Hazrat  'Umar (RA) refused the request, for he was greatly opposed to gambling with the lives of the Muslims and averse to traveling in the sea and its horror, however enticing the prospects might look.

When Hazrat 'Uthman (RA) became the caliph, Hazrat Mu'awiyah (RA) repeatedly make the same request. And he is encouraged by his blood relationship with him, for both of them are Ummayyad. Finally, Hazrat 'Uthman (RA) gave in to Mu'awiyah's persistent request and permitted him to launch the offensive. But he warned him that he should not force any Muslims under his control to participate in the war. He should rather make the participation optional. With the help of experts, Hazrat Mu'awiyah (RA) launched into the getting the necessary ships ready for the war until he had a huge naval fleet. He then called out unto the people and made an announcement – as a way of encouraging the people - that he and his wife were going to lead the marine campaign to Cyprus.

In those days, Damascus, the headquarters of the Syrian governorate was full of different civilizations and cultures. It was hugely populated by people - especially the Prophet's Companions. These Companions were never looking for luxury or enjoyment but only knowledge and guidance, and they were only interested in spreading teachings of the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of His Messenger (SAW). Some of these eminent Companions were Hazrat Abu Dharr,  Hazrat 'Ubaydah ibn As-Samirt (RA) and others.

Hardly had the announcer of the governor announced, Hayya ala a/-Jihad (come unto Jihad!) that the Muslims started thronging into the ships, glorifying Allah and proclaiming His Oneness, hoping for His reward and not fearing anything. The peerless Companions of the Messenger of Allah left their places in the mosque, bade farewell to their homes and joined the flag of conquest. Throughout this period, Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) was full of energy, ambition and youthfulness. She was overwhelmed and energized by the events. And she was busy getting the necessary things ready, sleeping and keeping awake on sweet dreams.

She remembered the face of the Messenger of Allah (SAW) smiling, gladdening her and supplicating that she be one of the first to mount the Green Sea fighting in the cause of Allah. On the appointed day, she saw people thronging like sea waves and gathering at the seaport bidding farewell to the mujahedeen and waving to them, and invoking Allah to make them victorious and to return them home safe and sound. Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) was there, standing on the edge of the ship with

her eyes full of tears that then rolled down her cheeks. She was whispering to herself, "You said the truth, O Messenger of Allah!"

Hazrat Mu'awiyah ibn Abu Sufiyan (RA) then commanded to the army to sail on. The ships were detached from the anchors and sailed through the waves in the Name of Allah. They were like kings over their thrones! That was how the Messenger of Allah (SAW) described those who would board the ships and with whom the ships would storm the waves while they would be aboard like kings over their thrones! Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) had this beautiful feeling. While aboard the ship, she would sometimes see herself as if she was in a high place looking down at the bottom of a mountain, and sometimes she would see the waves rising high above her, all that within moments and in succession. She kept saying to herself, "You said the truth, O Messenger of Allah!" O the Messenger! May peace and blessings of Allah be upon you! You did not see what you prophesied with your eyes, neither did you study that in a book and you did not receive the knowledge of that from a scholar or a teacher! Glorified be He Who taught you the knowledge of the earlier and later generations! Glory be to the One Who made you said the truth and the clear word!

The ships arrived at the Cyprus coasts. The soldiers surged out, unloaded their luggage and got ready for the war after they had defeated a Roman guarding boat that accosted them on their way. Then they started planning how to creep into the heart of the island.

It was a life full of thrilling events - an extensive life full of long journeys. It started with a testimony that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah and the Muhammad (SAW) is the Messenger of Allah and ends with martyrdom in the way of Allah! It was life that started with martyrdom and ended with martyrdom. What a beautiful life and what an excellent death!! While she was in Cyprus, Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) was put an animal to ride. The horse shied and was extremely frightened. It then jumped violently. Hazrat Umm Haram (RA) fell off it and died shortly thereafter while wearing a smile. She was buried where she fell.

May Allah be pleased with her !

Today, centuries after this unforgettable event, the grave of Hazrat Umm-Haram, the righteous and martyred Muslim woman, still stands in the land of Cyprus for all to see. There is a mosque nearby testifying that Umm-Haram was really one of the first. And the Messenger of Allah, (SAW) said the truth!

May Allah be pleased with her!