The Life of Ummu Sulaim ~ Rumaisah Radhiyallahu ‘Anha

The Life of Ummu Sulaim ~ Rumaisah Radhiyallahu ‘Anha Ummu Rumaisah (Radhiyallahu ‘Anha) and her family had the greatest love and concern for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). It was on account of this love and concern for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) that if they ever saw him in any difficulty, they immediately did whatever was in their ability to assist him and bring him comfort.  Abu Talhah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) once said to Ummu Rumaisah (Radhiyallahu ‘Anha), “I heard the blessed voice of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and I perceived that it was weak from hunger. Do you have any food?” Ummu Rumaisah (Radhiyallahu ‘Anha) replied in the affirmative and immediately picked up three loaves of barley bread. She then took her scarf and used part of it to wrap the bread, after which she thrust the bundle of wrapped bread beneath the clothing of Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu), and wrapped the remaining section of the scarf around Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) as a shawl. Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) was then sent to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) with the bread. When Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) came to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), he found him seated in the musjid with the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum). As Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) drew closer and stood before them, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked, “Did Abu Talhah send you?” Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) replied, “Yes.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) next enquired, “Did he send you because of food?” Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) again responded, “Yes.” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thus turned to the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) around him and instructed them to stand and join him. They then set out for the home of Abu Talhah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu). Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) went ahead of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and reached Abu Talhah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) before they arrived at the home. He immediately told Abu Talhah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) was on his way with a group of Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum). Hearing this, Abu Talhah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) became anxious and said to Ummu Rumaisah (Radhiyallahu ‘Anha), “O Ummu Rumaisah! Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) has come with the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) and we do not have sufficient food to feed them!” Ummu Rumaisah (Radhiyallahu ‘Anha) calmly replied, “Allah Ta‘ala and His Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) know best (i.e. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is aware of our circumstances and the amount of food that we have. Hence, he knows why he brought the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to our home. There is thus no need for us to worry. We need to just trust in him).” Abu Talhah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) thus went out of the home to receive Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). After meeting Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), they proceeded to the home of Abu Talhah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) and entered. As soon as Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) entered, he said to Ummu Rumaisah (Radhiyallahu ‘Anha), “O Ummu Rumaisah! Bring whatever food you have.” Ummu Rumaisah (Radhiyallahu ‘Anha) thus presented the bread before Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) then instructed her to break the bread into pieces and pour ghee over the bread as gravy. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thereafter recited whatever Allah Ta‘ala wished him to recite (and made du‘aa for barakah) and blew into the food. Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) next instructed that the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) be called into the home to eat in groups of ten (due to the shortage of space). When the first group of ten had eaten to their fill, they left the home, allowing the next group to enter and eat. In this way, all the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) who had come with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), who were approximately seventy or eighty in number, ate to their fill and left. After they had eaten, the food was still as it had initially been (i.e. it was no less in quantity). Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) thereafter ate with the family of Ummu Rumaisah (Radhiyallahu ‘Anha). Ummu Rumaisah (Radhiyallahu ‘Anha) then shared the remaining food with her neighbours. (Saheeh Muslim #5316 and Takmilatu Fathil Mulhim vol. 4, pg. 39) This was not the only instance of Ummu Rumaisah’s (Radhiyallahu ‘Anha) generosity and concern for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). When Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) made nikaah to Zainab (Radhiyallahu ‘Anha ), Ummu Rumaisah (Radhiyallahu ‘Anha) prepared a dish of hais (a dish prepared from dates, cheese and ghee) and sent it to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). (Saheeh Bukhaari #5163) Lessons: 1. Ummu Rumaisah (Radhiyallahu ‘Anha) and every other Sahaabi (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) had the greatest concern for the comfort and wellbeing of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). If they ever saw him undergoing any form of difficulty, they were prepared to sacrifice their very lives to try and alleviate his discomfort. In our era, it is the condition of the Ummah and their straying from the path of Deen and the sunnah that will cause the greatest discomfort to Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). If we have true love for Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), we should bring complete Deen into our lives so that we cease bringing pain to his blessed heart. 2. A true Muslim is one who has concern for all his fellow Muslims. Hence, if we see any Muslim in need, we should hasten to assist them in whichever manner possible e.g. if there was a death in a certain home, we can assist them by sending food for them, as they may be too occupied to cook, etc.

3. The response of Ummu Rumaisah (Radhiyallahu ‘Anha), when she said, “Allah and his Rasul (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) know best”, was testament to her imaan and intelligence. She had total trust in Allah Ta‘ala and Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam). We similarly need to trust in the teachings of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) and firmly believe that our success, in this world and the next, lies solely in adhering to his blessed sunnah.