Umm Haraam bint Milhaan
May Allaah be pleased with her
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There is always a connection between the story of Umm Haraam and Umm Sulaym!
They are sisters brought together by Islam and Eemaan, and by their love for Allaah and His Messenger, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, and their selfless sacrifice in the way of that love.
They were among the most prominent women of Madeenah in terms of virtue and piety.
Their house, Milhaan's house, was one of the dearest houses to the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam. We have already said something about that.
Though Umm Sulaym was able to attain a high status in the estimation of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, and to make her son, Anas serve him; and she was able to excel through her participation in Jihaad, her sister Umm Haraam was not less important in the Prophet's estimation.
This honourable and noble household reminds us of the Muslim sisters: Umm Al-Fadl and her sisters whom the Messenger of Allaah, commended.
The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, said about Umm Haraam and Umm Sulaym what he said about Umm Al-Fadl and her sisters. The latter were really trustworthy sisters.
Umm Haraam, may Allaah be pleased with her, married `Ubaadah ibn As-Saamit, may Allaah be pleased with him.
Do you know who `Ubaadah is?!!
He was one of the first Ansaari men who took part in the Pledge of `Aqabah. He was one of the chiefs of his clan. 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 Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam.
He was one of the heroes of the War of Apostasy and a martyr of the Battle of Yarmook.
`Ubaadah was the first teacher and judge in Palestine; a position `Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allaah be pleased with him, 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 Umm Haraam. That is another story.
What we are about to discuss now is the personality of Umm Haraam, her being a Muslimah and the events relating to her being around the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam.
The family house of Milhaan was in Qubaa'.
They lived among palm dates and plantations.
They lived an honourable life amid springs of palatable water and pleasant breezes.
Qubaa' was the first place the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, halted at when he was coming to Madeenah as an emigrant. He was always compassionate with and thankful to this place. While he lived in Madeenah, he would visit it every now and then.
Stories of the life of the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, tell us that people, in pursuance of blessing and honour, were competing with one another to host the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, on the day of his arrival, and throughout his way from Qubaa' to Madeenah.
We are also informed of his stay at Qubaa' for some days and nights in the dwellings of Banu `Amr ibn `Awf while his mosque, the first mosque in Islam and the mosque of piety, was being built.
Whenever the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, came to Qubaa', he would visit houses of his companions and would have siesta 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.
Milhaan's house, which was the house of Umm Sulaym and Umm Haraam was a familiar house to the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam.
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, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, that the visits were made.
Here, it is necessary to mention the story of the martyrdom of their brother, Haraam ibn Milhaan, may Allaah be pleased with him. For, this event indicates the great extent to which Eemaan had reached in the hearts of each member of his noble household.
Haraam set out with the delegates of reciters who were treacherously killed by `Aamir ibn At-Tufayl on the day of Bi'r Ma`oonah. These reciters were numbered seventy, 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 Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, great sorrow.
Haraam'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 Eemaan of the household of Milhaan had reached!
Is it not then appropriate that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, should be the first person to visit this household, acknowledge its right, appreciate its virtue and console its inhabitants?
During one of his visits, Umm Haraam cheerfully received the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam. She then served him with his favourite food. The Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, then had his siesta in a section of the house. And after a short nap he woke up smiling. Umm Haraam 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."
Umm Haraam then said: "O' Messenger of Allaah, invoke Allaah that He makes me one of them."
He then had another nap, and woke up again smiling.
Umm Haraam thought that the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, 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 Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam: "Some people among my followers were shown to me riding over the Green Sea like kings over their thrones." Umm Haraam then repeated her request, "O' Messenger of Allaah, invoke Allaah that He makes me one of them." The Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, said: "You are among the first."
Then many days and years passed.
Umm Haraam accompanied her husband, the great companion and the knowledgeable Mujaahid, `Ubaadah ibn As-Saamit to everywhere he went, especially after he had joined the Syrian army under the command of Abu `Ubaydah, `Aamir ibn `Abdullaah ibn Al-Jarraah. `Ubaadah took part prominently in all battles until the Muslims conquered the entire Syrian territories.
Then a request came to `Umar ibn Al-Khattaab, may Allaah be pleased with him, 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 `Ubaadah, 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.
‘Ubaadah and his wife, Umm Haraam 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, Umm Haram 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 Qubaa'.
Oftentimes, she would remember the dream that the Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam, 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 Allaah 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 Allaah's decree and actualisation of the truthful Messenger's prophecy.
`Amr ibn Al-`Aas 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, `Umar ibn Al-Khattaab and the latter gave his consent.
`Amr 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.
`Amr sent to the leader of the faithful, `Umar requesting reinforcement. A reinforcement army was sent, a fourth of which was commanded by `Ubaadah.
Umm Haraam accompanied her husband in this new war of his. The chivalrous `Ubaadah was put to a meritorious test in the land of Egypt, moving here and there fighting in the way of Allaah until the Romans were defeated and driven out.
`Ubaadah thereafter went back to Damascus in Syria and lived there.
Mu`aawiyah ibn Abu Sufiyaan was then its governor. And he had been worried by its bays that were being attacked intermittently by the Roman army. Mu`aawiyah knew that the Cyprus Island was the marine station for Roman ships that attacked Syrian harbours. So he sent to `Umar explaining the situations to him and asking permission to invade Cyprus and conquer it. `Umar refused the request, for he was greatly opposed to gambling with the lives of the Muslims and averse to travelling in the sea and its horror, however enticing the prospects might look.
When `Uthmaan became the caliph, Mu`aawiyah repeatedly make the same request. And he is encouraged by his blood relationship with him, for both of them are Umayyads.
Finally, `Uthmaan gave in to Mu`aawiyah's persistent request and permitted him to lunch 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, Mu`aawiyah 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 Allaah and the Sunnah of His Messenger, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam.
Some of these eminent companions were Abu Dharr, `Ubaadah ibn As-Saamit and others.
Hardly had the announcer of the governor announced, Hayya ala al-Jihaad (come unto Jihaad!) that the Muslims started thronging into the ships, glorifying Allaah and proclaiming His Oneness, hoping for His reward and not fearing anything.
The peerless companions of the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, left their places in the mosque, bade farewell to their homes and joined the flag of conquest.
Throughout this period, Umm Haraam was full of energy, ambition and youthfulness. She was overwhelmed and energised 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 Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, smiling, gladdening her and supplicating that she be one of the first to mount the Green Sea fighting in the cause of Allaah.
On the appointed day, she saw people thronging like sea waves and gathering at the seaport biding farewell to the Mujaahideen and waving to them, and invoking Allaah to make them victorious and to return them home safe and sound.
Umm Haraam 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 Allaah!"
Mu`aawiyah ibn Abu Suflyaan then commanded to the army to sail on.
The ships were detached from the anchors and sailed through the waves in the Name of Allaah.
They were like kings over their thrones!
That was how the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, 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!
Umm Haraam 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 Allaah!"
O' the Messenger! May peace and blessings of Allaah 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.
Dear reader, this is where the story ends with Umm Haraam!
From Madeenah to different parts of Hijaaz, to Syria, Palestine, Egypt and then back to Syria; and from there to Cyprus. 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 Allaah and the Muhammad, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, is the Messenger of Allaah and ends with martyrdom in the way of Allaah! It was life that started with Shahaadah and ended with Shahaadah (martyrdom). What a beautiful life and what an excellent death!!
While she was in Cyprus, Umm Haraam was put an animal to ride. The horse shied and was extremely frightened. It then jumped violently.
Umm Haraam fell off it and died shortly thereafter while wearing a smile. She was buried where she fell. May Allaah be pleased with her and please her!
Today, centuries after this memorable event, the grave of Umm Haraam, 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 Haraam was really one of the first. And the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam, said the truth!
