Umm Sulaym: Islam Was Her Dowry
Posted on Monday, April 26 @ 10:01:06 EDT
Topic: Money vs. Islam
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Rumaysa Bint Milhan was known for her excellent character, the power of her intellect and her independent attitude of mind. She was known by various names including Rumaysa and Ghumaysa, but these were possibly nicknames. One historian says that her real name was Sahlah but later she was popularly known as Umm Sulaym.
Umm Sulaym was first married to Malik Ibn an-Nadr and her son by this marriage was the famous Anas Ibn Malik, one of the great companions of the Prophet (pbuh).
Her husband, Malik, left the house one day furious that Rumaysa had embraced
the holy religion of Islam and it is reported that he was set upon by an enemy of his and was killed.
When it was known that Umm Sulaym had become a widow, one man, Zayd Ibn Sahl, known as Abu Talhah, resolved to become engaged to her before anyone else did..
He was rather confident that Umm Sulaym would not pass him over for another. He was after all a strong and virile person who was quite rich and possessed an admired house. He was an accomplished horseman and a skillful archer and, moreover, he belonged to the same clan as Umm Sulaym, the Banu Najjar.
Abu Talhah proceeded to Umm Sulaym's house. On the way he recalled that she had been influenced by the preaching of Mus?ab Ibn Umayr and had become a Muslim.
"So what?" he said to himself. "Was not her husband who died a firm adherent of the old religion and was he not opposed to Muhammad and his
mission?"
Abu Talhah reached Umm Sulaym's house. He asked and was given permission to enter. Her son Anas was present. Abu Talhah explained why he had come and asked for her hand in marriage.
"A man like you, Abu Talhah," she said, "is not easily turned away. But I shall never marry you while you are a kafir, a nonbeliever."
Abu Talhah thought she was trying to put him off and that perhaps she had
already preferred someone wealthier and more influential. He said to her:
"What is it that really prevents you from accepting me, Umm Sulaym? Is it
the yellow and the white metals (gold and silver)?"
"Gold and silver?" she asked somewhat taken aback and in a slightly censuring tone.
"Yes," he said.
"I swear to you, Abu Talhah, and I swear to Allah and His Messenger that
if you accept Islam, I shall be pleased to accept you as a husband, without any
gold or silver. I shall consider your acceptance of Islam as my mahr
(dowry)."
Abu Talhah understood well the implications of her words. His mind turned to
the idol he had made from wood and on which he lavished great attention in the
same way that important men of his tribe venerated and cared for their personal
idols.
The opportunity was right for Umm Sulaym to stress the futility of such idol
worship and she went on: "Don't you know Abu Talhah, that the god you
worship besides Allah grew from the earth?"
"That's true," he said.
"Don't you feel stupid while worshipping part of a tree while you use
the rest of it for fuel to bake bread or warm yourself? If you should give up these foolish beliefs and practices and become a Muslim, Abu Talhah, I shall be pleased to accept you as a husband and I would not want from you any dowry apart from your acceptance of Islam."
"Who shall instruct me in Islam?" asked Abu Talhah. "I shall," Umm Sulaym replied. "How?"
"Utter the declaration of truth and testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah. Then go to your house, destroy your idol and throw it away."
Abu Talhah left and reflected deeply on what Umm Sulaym had said. He came
back to her beaming with happiness.
"I have taken your advice to heart. I declare that there is no god but
Allah and I declare that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah."
Umm Sulaym and Abu Talhah were married. Anas, her son, was pleased and the Muslims would say: "We have never yet heard of a mahr (dowry) that was more valuable and precious than that of Umm Sulaym, for she made Islam her mahr (dowry).
Source: "Rumaysa Bint Milhan." [Online] http://web.umr.edu/~msaumr/reference/companions/index.html, 1995.
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